cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prolonged Intraaortic Balloon Pumping in Klebsiella-Induced Hypodynamic Shock: Cardiopulmonary, Hematological, Metabolic, and Pathological Observations

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) might improve the cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and hematological responses of 20 mongrel dogs (10 IABP-treated, 10 controls) during 24 hours of live Klebsiella aerogenes -induced sepsis. At 24 hours after bacterial infusion, left ventricular stroke work was better preserved in the IABP-treated group of animals, 36.6 ± 3.3 gm-m (minus 25.4% of baseline value), compared with controls, 23.5 ± 4.2 gm-m (minus 50.1% of baseline value) ( p p Severe tissue damage was observed in the liver and small bowel of the control animals, while relatively less injury was seen in these organs in the IABP-treated group. Metabolic acidosis was also more marked in control animals compared with IABP-treated animals following Klebsiella infusion. In addition, the initial decrease in white blood cell count following bacterial administration was followed by a later increase in circulating leukocytes only in IABP-treated animals. Electron microscopic studies of the left ventricle showed only minor intracellular edema in both experimental groups, while left ventricular high-energy phosphate stores were maintained at similar levels in both groups. These findings suggest that the early institution of IABP may play an important palliative role in the treatment of hypodynamic gram-negative sepsis. It can be speculated that IABP provides additional time during which more specific therapy, including appropriate antibiotics, can be instituted in an effort to control the disease process before the development of irreversible cellular destruction.
THOMAS HOBBES ON THE POLITICAL THEORIST'S VOCATION

Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan offers the fiercest modern indictment against pride. Yet seventeenth-century polemicists and contemporary historians of political theory agree that arrogance is one of Hobbes's stylistic signatures. Does Hobbes, the author, fail to practise the modesty which he preaches to political subjects? Against critical consensus, I argue that Hobbes devises protocols of literary self-presentation consistent with his arguments for modesty. I make this argument by way of a close reading of Hobbes's Latin verse autobiography. Although the autobiography is usually cited as evidence of Hobbes's vanity, I read it as Hobbes's perverse profession of modesty. In the autobiography, Hobbes shuns the role of hero, casting himself as a ‘poor worm’ whose endeavours are motivated by fear. Acute consciousness of mortality, rather than lust for renown, moves Hobbes to philosophize. With this account of the affective springs of his own philosophy, Hobbes redefines the political theorist's vocation. Breaking with traditions that define political theory as a vehicle for heroic self-display, Hobbes defines political theory as a vocation for ordinary mortals.
The Role of Host (Endogenous) T Cells in Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Autoimmune Disease

Chronic graft-vs-host (cGVH) disease induced by the transfer of Ia-incompatible spleen cells from one normal mouse strain (such as B6.C-H2(bm12)/KhEg (bm12)) to another (such as C57BL/6) causes an autoimmune syndrome resembling systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The role of host-derived T cells in this response is not obvious. Previous reports suggested that host T cells might serve to down-regulate the autoimmune syndrome. To address this issue more definitively, we used CD4 knockout (KO) or CD8KO C57BL/6 (B6) mice as recipients in the bm12-->C57B6 cGVH model. CD4KO B6 mice injected with allogeneic bm12 spleen cells (bm12-->CD4KO group) showed no evidence of cGVH disease. They made no detectable autoantibodies, including anti-chromatin, anti-dsDNA, anti-ssDNA, and rheumatoid factor. They survived at least 20 wks after induction of cGVH disease; and they did not develop nephritis, based on the absence of detectable levels of proteinuria and normal renal histology at the time of sacrifice. By contrast, CD8KO B6 mice (bm12-->CD8KO group) and normal B6 mice (bm12-->B6 group) injected with bm12 spleen cells generally showed similar levels of mortality, nephritis, and autoantibodies, although the autoantibody titers declined somewhat after week 8 in the bm12-->CD8KO group. Control groups of recipients injected with B6 spleen cells showed no induction of autoantibodies. A surprising finding, however, was that the B6-->CD8KO group developed severe histologic glomerulonephritis in the absence of autoantibodies and with decreased immune deposits. These results indicate that endogenous (host) CD4+ T cells play an essential role in the cGVH autoimmune syndrome.
Analytical derivation and experimental verification of a sensitivity formula for slit-slat SPECT collimation

The formula g = wd2/[4pia(d+t)h] sin2thetas is derived for the sensitivity of a slit-slat collimator. Both Monte Carlo and experimental data confirm the expected dependence of g on the parameters, especially the distance from the plane of the slit h and the off-axis angle thetas. To refine agreement, a formula for the sensitivity-equivalent slit width is derived to account for slit penetration. At least at low energy its predictions agree well with Monte Carlo data and its use improves agreement with experimental data.
Ruling Majorities and Reasoning Pluralities

This article takes on the puzzle of why many appellate courts insist on an outright (but simple) majority decision as to the immediate outcome or disposition of a case, while tolerating a plurality decision as to the precedential message, or reasoning, attached to a case. Somewhat similarly, pluralities are respected in many political settings but then not, for example, in legislative assemblies. The argument builds both on the Condorcet Jury Theorem and on the problem of dealing with voting paradoxes, or cycles. It links decision rules with the likelihood of cycling and the danger of misconstruing majority decisions.
Wnt Signaling in Mammalian Development: Lessons from Mouse Genetics

Wnts are evolutionarily conserved signaling ligands critical for animal development. Genetic engineering in the mouse has enabled investigators to acquire a detailed activation profile of the β-catenin-dependent canonical Wnt pathway during mouse development, and to manipulate Wnt pathway activities with great spatial and temporal precision. Together, these studies have not only revealed important functions of Wnt signaling at multiple stages of early mouse development, but also elucidated how the Wnt pathway interacts with other pathways to form signaling networks that confer the unique features of mammalian embryogenesis. Additionally, the planar cell polarity pathway has emerged as an essential β-catenin independent noncanonical Wnt pathway that coordinates cell polarity and regulates tissue morphogenesis in various mammalian developmental processes. Importantly, studies of Wnt signaling in mouse development have also revealed important pathogenic mechanisms of several congenital disorders in humans.
Musculotopic organization of the facial motor nucleus in Macaca fascicularis: a morphometric and retrograde tracing study with cholera toxin B-HRP.

Morphometric and retrograde tracing methods were used to determine the location and number of motoneurons innervating individual facial muscles in Macaca fascicularis. Intramuscular injections of the cholera toxin B subunit-horseradish peroxidase conjugate produced discrete labeling patterns in the ipsilateral facial motor nucleus with good definition of somata and their processes. The facial nucleus extended rostrocaudally in the pons for about 2 mm, varying in shape and cross-sectional area along this axis. Motoneurons were clustered in subnuclei, but their boundaries were not sharp and they were not segregated by fiber bundles. The length, number, and area of subnuclei varied with rostrocaudal location. Retrograde labeling patterns revealed that individual muscles were innervated by longitudinal columns of motoneurons with each muscle region represented at all rostrocaudal levels of its column. The columns began at different rostrocaudal levels and varied in length. Columns for closely related muscles, such as the orbicularis oris and mentalis of the lower lip, tended to overlap, whereas columns for disparate muscles, such as the perioral and orbital, did not overlap. The dendritic processes of most motoneurons branched extensively among several different columns or subnuclei. Some dendrites extended outside of the nucleus into the surrounding tegmentum. Mean soma diameter (10.4-42.2 μm) was distributed unimodally, reflecting the absence of gamma motoneurons and lack of muscle spindles in the facial muscles. Large and small motoneurons were found in all regions of the nucleus, but the largest ones were located caudally and innervated muscles of the upper and lower lip. The perioral muscles also had more neurons, longer columns, and a lower cell density than the other muscle groups examined. These features may reflect the functions of the perioral muscles in facial expression and vocalization.
Diode Laser (810 nm) versus Argon Green (514 nm) Modified Grid Photocoagulati-on for Diffuse Diabetic Macular Edema

Objective: To compare argon green (514 nm) versus diode laser (810 nm) modified grid laser photocoagulation treatment in diffuse diabetic macular edema (DOME). Design: Randomized, prospective clinical trial. Participants: Patients with DOME and diabetic retinopathy of fewer than two highrisk characteristics in severity, no previous laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema, and no other ocular condition that could interfere with assessment of treatment results. Intervention: One hundred seventy-one eyes of 91 patients were randomized to either argon green (514 nm) or diode laser (810 nm) modified grid laser photocoagulation for DOME. Follow-up was conducted for a minimum of 12 months (16.55 ± 3.52 months). Retreatment was performed for residual edema involving the foveal avascular zone. Main Outcome Results: Visual improvement, visual loss, reduction-elimination of macular edema, and the number of supplemental treatments. Results: A comparison of visual improvement, visual loss, reduction-elimination of macular edema, and the number of supplemental treatments showed no statistical difference between the groups ( P > 0.05 for all groups). Reduction-elimination of DOME was better in the group without cystoid macular edema than the group with cystoid macular edema, but visual outcome appeared to be similar in both groups. History of hypertension or poor initial visual acuity (≤20/80) at entry into the study had no significant effect on the outcome. However, the patients without systemic vascular disease have improved more than those with systemic vascular disease regardless of the type of the laser used. Conclusions: Diode laser (810 nm) modified grid laser photocoagulation for DOME is equivalent to argon green (514 nm), and patients without systemic vascular disease are more likely to improve after laser treatment with either wavelength.
The renin-aldosterone axis in two models of reduced renal mass in the rat.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system participates in chronic progressive renal disease. The studies presented here assessed the importance of aldosterone in two different methods of reduced kidney mass in the rat, i.e., the infarction model (INF; uninephrectomy plus infarction of approximately two-thirds of the other kidney) and surgical excision or polectomy (POL; uninephrectomy plus surgical excision of both poles of the other kidney). Equivalent degrees of reduction in renal mass were confirmed by the similarity of serum creatinines 3 d after the ablative procedure. Measurements were made thereafter at 2 and 4 wk postablation. Systolic arterial pressure was greater with INF at both 2 and 4 wk. Proteinuria was also greater in the INF group at both time periods. The percentage of glomeruli with sclerosis measured at 4 wk tended to be greater in the INF group; however, this difference was not of statistical significance. At 2 wk, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone levels were lower in the POL group. The renin concentration in the scar region of the kidneys in the INF group was higher than in the kidney of the POL group. In conjunction with the lower plasma aldosterone, rats in the POL group had higher plasma potassium concentrations at 2 wk. In summary, higher aldosterone and plasma renin levels distinguish the INF model from the POL and likely contribute to the greater proteinuria and hypertension in the INF model.
Effects of a home visiting nurse intervention versus care as usual on individual activities of daily living: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Home visiting nurses (HVNs) have long been part of home and community-based care interventions designed to meet the needs of functionally declining older adults. However, only one of the studies including HVNs that have demonstrated successful impacts on Activities of Daily Living (ADL) has reported how those interventions affected individual ADLs such as bathing, instead reporting the effect on means of various ADL indices and scales. Reporting impacts on means is insufficient since the same mean can consist of many different combinations of individual ADL impairments. The purpose of our study was to identify which individual ADLs were affected by a specific HVN intervention. This is a secondary analysis comparing two arms of a randomized controlled study that enrolled Medicare patients (mean age = 76.8 years; 70% female) with considerable ADL impairment. At baseline difficulty with individual ADLs ranged from a low of 16.0% with eating to a high of 78.0% with walking. Through monthly home visits, the HVN focused on empowering patients and using behavior change approaches to facilitate chronic disease self-management. Three categories of analyses were used to compare difficulty with and dependence in 6 individual ADLs between the HVN (n = 237) and care as usual (n = 262) groups (total N = 499) at 22 months after study entry: (1) unadjusted analyses that strictly depend on random assignment, (2) multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusting for baseline risk factors, and (3) multinomial regression analyses that include variables reporting post-randomization healthcare use as well as the baseline risk factors. Compared to care as usual, patients receiving the HVN intervention had less difficulty performing bathing at 22 months. However, there were no effects for difficulty performing the other 5 ADLs. While no effects were found for lower levels of dependence for any ADLs, impacts were detected for the most dependent levels of 4 ADLs: patients experienced less dependence in walking and transferring, a substitution effect for toileting, and more dependence in eating. Future research is needed to confirm these findings and determine how HVN interventions affect individual ADLs of older adults with multiple ADLs.
Abinitio assessment of graphene nanoribbons reactivity for molecule adsorption and conductance modulation: nitrogen dioxide nanosensor

Adsorption of functional groups on graphene nanoribbons has fundamental impacts on their applications in areas as diverge as energy storage, nanoelectronics, drug delivery, and sensors. To reveal adsorption geometries, energy barriers, and room temperature rate constants for assessing reaction kinetics, we study interactions of NO2 molecules with ultra-narrow (∼1 nm) hydrogen terminated armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs), using first principles. We show that formation of hydrogen bonded NO2 at the edge and physisorbed NO2 at the center are processes without barriers, whereas chemisorption at center or edge are activated processes. Nonbonding and weak sp3 hybridization at the edge of AGNR are shown to be more favorable than center adsorptions, revealing increased reactivity compared to graphene. Resultant modulations of quantum transport are calculated for sensing extremely low gas concentrations. Detectable current decrease is predicted for two hydrogen-bonded or chemisorbed molecules. We discuss possible measures to enhance sensitivity of GNRs for detecting extremely low concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and similar molecules.
HPV vaccine acceptance among women in the Asian Pacific: a systematic review of the literature.

Objective: To inform human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs in the Asian Pacific region by elucidating factors associated with women’s intent to receive the vaccine. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative studies on female HPV vaccine acceptance within countries of the Asian Pacific region were systematically reviewed. Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, Medline, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, and Sociological Collection were searched for original research articles exploring primary acceptance of the HPV vaccine among women published between January 1995 and February 2010. Results: Of the 60 studies yielded by the search, 18 met inclusion criteria (13 quantitative, 5 qualitative). All quantitative studies were cross-sectional and all but one assessed vaccination intent rather than actual uptake. Awareness and knowledge of HPV, HPV-related conditions, and HPV vaccination varied greatly among studies. Several studies found women’s perceived susceptibility to HPV-related conditions to be positively associated with HPV vaccine intent. Across seven quantitative studies in five countries, women’s concerns about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy were associated with their intent to be vaccinated. Social consequences and support from social referents were also influential in many women’s decisions. Qualitative research also revealed that many women were concerned that the vaccine would affect fertility. Conclusion: HPV vaccine campaigns should address gaps in knowledge regarding HPV, genital warts, and cervical cancer, and should attend to concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy. Strategies should also be undertaken to decrease social stigma surrounding receipt of the HPV vaccine and to foster familial and partner support of women’s decision to be vaccinated.
Shared Promises and Challenges of Coteaching: General-Special Education and Mentor Preservice Partnerships

Coteaching has two important but different applications in schools. First, coteaching between in-service general and special educators provides support for students with disabilities included in general education settings. Second, coteaching between cooperating or mentor teachers and their student teachers provides support for student teachers in developing their professional competencies. Using the term coteaching to describe these two applications often confuses teacher candidates as well as university and school personnel. Therefore, teachers, school administrators, and university personnel need clarification and understanding of these two applications including (1) their purposes, (2) positive outcomes, (3) factors that facilitate their success and (4) barriers that prevent success. In this descriptive article, the authors reflect on these two coteaching applications and their implications for teacher educators. The authors draw illustrations from recent studies in the research literature and their ow...
Temporomandibular Joint Condylar Osteochondroma: Complete Condylectomy and Joint Replacement Versus Low Condylectomy and Joint Preservation

Purpose Recommended treatment for patients with osteochondromas of the mandibular condyle is to perform complete condylectomy with joint replacement. Low condylectomy with joint preservation has recently been proposed as a treatment option. This study compared the outcomes of these treatment options in patients with condylar osteochondromas. Patients and Methods Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients who underwent complete condylectomy and joint replacement (group A, n = 13) and patients who underwent low condylectomy and joint preservation (group B, n = 8). To optimize occlusion, function, and esthetics, maxillary and mandibular orthognathic procedures were performed as necessary to re-establish vertical ramus height. Outcomes were measured clinically and radiographically. Results The 2 groups showed significant clinical improvement (P Conclusions Complete and low condylectomies are viable options for the surgical management of osteochondromas of the mandibular condyle. If temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction is required, patient-fitted TMJ replacements provide similar clinical outcomes as autogenous reconstruction, but have the advantages of eliminating donor-site morbidity and decreasing operating time.
Cocreating a Social Work Apprenticeship with Disadvantaged African American Youth: A Best-Practices After-School Curriculum

AbstractCocreating an after-school program with disadvantaged African American youth (2006–2011) resulted in a social work apprenticeship. In a participatory action, youth-led evaluation process, youth (N = 203) prioritized positively impacting their communities, especially mentoring community children and promoting alternatives to community violence. Starting from the strengths perspective and self-determination theory, topics youth valued included human rights, peace-building, trauma and stress management, and mentoring. Knowledge about human development and interviewing helped youth experience the fulfillment of being mentors. A subsample (n = 133) described what they learned about social work, and 43% of those reported an interest in pursuing a social work career.
Escherichia coli endotoxin injections potentiate experimental ischemic renal injury

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of Escherichia coli endotoxin on the evolution of ischemic acute renal failure (ARF). Rats were subjected to 25 min of bilateral renal artery occlusion (RAO) plus subcutaneous/intraperitoneal injections of either boiled E. coli or purified E. coli endotoxin (1.5 mg). Boiling the E. coli renders them nonviable but leaves endotoxin intact. Ischemic controls were injected with saline. The E. coli injections exacerbated ischemic ARF, doubling the degree of azotemia and increasing the extent of tubular necrosis and cast formation. This occurred without an adverse effect on renal blood flow or blood pressure during the initiation phase or maintenance phase of the ARF. Endotoxin tolerant rats were totally protected against the E. coli-ARF potentiating effect. Neither Staphylococcus aureus nor E. coli with denatured endotoxin adversely affected ischemic injury. Purified E. coli endotoxin reproduced the E. coli-ARF potentiating action. Neither E. coli nor purif...
Unified View of Spontaneous Emission in Several Theories of Radiation

Consider the model classical field theory described by the Lagrangian density ℒ(x,t): $$ \mathcal{L}\left( {x,t} \right) = \psi *\left( {x,t} \right)\left\{ {i\hbar \frac{\partial } {{\partial t}} - \frac{1} {{2m}}\left[ {\frac{\hbar } {i}\nabla - \frac{e} {c}A\left( {x,t} \right)} \right] - V\left( x \right)} \right\}\psi \left( {x,t} \right) + \frac{1} {{8\pi }}\left\{ {\left[ {\frac{1} {c}\dot A\left( {x,t} \right)} \right]^2 - \left[ {\nabla \times A\left( {x,t} \right)} \right]^2 } \right\}$$ (1) Evidently, ℒ(x) is the beginning of a theory of the interaction of the fields ψ and A. There are several free parameters in the theory: ℏ, m, e, c.
Toward a new therapeutic backbone in myeloma

[Comment on Palumbo et al, page 2767][1]The use of novel agents both singularly and in combination has transformed the treatment paradigm for patients with multiple myeloma. Now, the combination of bortezomib and thalidomide with the more traditional doublet of melphalan and prednisone has delivered
Intraocular lens calculation adjustment after laser refractive surgery using Scheimpflug imaging.

Purpose To test a new method of intraocular lens (IOL) calculation after corneal refractive surgery using Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR) and partial coherence interferometry (PCI) (IOLMaster) that does not require historical data; that is, the Schuster/Schanzlin-Thomas-Purcell (SToP) IOL calculator. Setting Shiley Eye Center, San Diego, California, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Design Retrospective data analysis and validation study. Methods Data were retrospectively collected from patient charts including data from Scheimpflug imaging and refractive history. Target refraction was calculated using PCI and the Holladay 1 and SRK/T formulas. Regression analysis was performed to explain the deviation of the target refraction, taking into account the following influencing factors: ratio of posterior-to-anterior corneal radius, axial length (AL), and anterior corneal radius. Results The regression analysis study included 61 eyes (39 patients) that had laser in situ keratomileusis (57 eyes) or photorefractive keratectomy (4 eyes) and subsequent cataract. Two factors were found that explained the deviation of the target refraction using the Holladay 1 formula; that is, the ratio of the corneal radii and the AL and the ratio of corneal radii for the SRK/T formula. A new IOL adjustment calculator was derived and validated at a second center using 14 eyes (10 patients). Conclusions The error in IOL calculation for normal eyes after laser refractive treatment was related to the ratio of posterior-to-anterior corneal radius. A formula requiring Scheimpflug data and suggested IOL power only yielded an improved postoperative result for patients with previous corneal laser refractive surgery having cataract surgery. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Introduction of a Measuring System to Test the Anaesthetic Vaporizer

This article introduces a measuring system to test the anaesthetic vaporizer which used in anaesthetic system.Accuracy of the delivery gas concentration and the concentration of the anaesthetic gases during and after "OXYGEN FLUSH" period which are the requirements from YY0635.3-2009 standard can be tested by this measuring system.This system can fulfill the test requirements of various vendors and brands.Meanwhile it will help the test organization to make the test scientific fast and speedy.
Organizational citizenship behaviors and employee depressed mood, burnout, and satisfaction with health and life: The mediating role of positive affect

Purpose – Using mood regulation theories and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, the purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that the relationship between organizational citizenship behaviors aimed at individuals (OCB-Is) and depressed mood, burnout, and satisfaction with life and health would be mediated by positive affect. Design/methodology/approach – Lagged data were collected from employee-supervisor dyads. Findings – OCB-Is were related to positive affect, and positive affect was positively related to subsequent reports of life satisfaction and general health satisfaction, and negatively related to burnout and depressed mood. Positive affect mediated the relationship between OCB-Is and life satisfaction, general health satisfaction, and depressed mood but not burnout. An alternative reverse causality mediation model ruled out the possibility that OCB-Is mediated the relationship between positive affect and the employee outcomes. Originality/value – These findings lend support for OCBs...
Gender and perioperative outcomes after fenestrated endovascular repair using custom-made and off-the-shelf devices

Background The role of gender on perioperative outcomes after fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (FEVAR) has not been established. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of gender on perioperative outcomes after FEVAR for complex abdominal aortic aneurysms using premanufactured devices. Methods During a 2-year period, 79 patients (63 men [80%] and 16 women [20%]) underwent FEVAR using Zenith Fenestrated AAA Endovascular Grafts, investigational Zenith pivot branch (p-branch) devices and fenestrated custom-made devices. A single-institutional study was performed to evaluate postoperative outcomes after FEVAR. The χ 2 , Fisher's, and nonparametric tests were used for bivariate analysis. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results Median age was 73 years (interquartile range [IQR], 68-79 years). The median number of fenestrations was three. There was no difference in aneurysm anatomic location, size, or number of fenestrations between patients in either group. Women were more likely to undergo endoconduits at the access site before the target procedure (19% vs 2%; P = .02). The overall postoperative complication rate was similar among females and males (31% vs 33%; P > .5). However, women experienced longer times in the intensive care unit (median, 3 days [IQR, 2-5] vs 2 [IQR, 1-3]; P = .05) and longer duration of hospital stay (median, 4.5 days [IQR, 3-6.5] vs 3 [IQR, 2-4]; P P = .02). For renal adverse events, there was a trend for a higher rate of renal function deterioration based in creatinine levels among women, when compared with men (18% vs 5%; P = .09). Multivariate analysis showed that female gender was associated with a 8-fold increased risk of renal function deterioration (odds ratio, 8.1; 95% confidence interval, 6.1-10.8). Female gender was also identified as in independent factor for reinterventions at 30 days (odds ratio, 7.4; 95% confidence interval, 6.7-8.1). Conclusions FEVAR is a safe and effective procedure for patients at high and standard risk for open repair who are not eligible for standard EVAR. Women are at greater risk for more severe renal function deterioration, early reinterventions and longer durations of hospital and intensive care unit stay.
Development and validation of a streamlined autism case confirmation approach for use in epidemiologic risk factor research in prospective cohorts

The cost associated with incorporating standardized observational assessments and diagnostic interviews in large-scale epidemiologic studies of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) risk factors can be substantial. Streamlined approaches for confirming ASD case status would benefit these studies. We conducted a multi-site, cross-sectional criterion validity study in a convenience sample of 382 three-year olds scheduled for neurodevelopmental evaluation. ASD case classification as determined by three novel assessment instruments (the Early Video-guided Autism Screener E-VAS; the Autism Symptom Interview, ASI; the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers Expanded, STAT-E) each designed to be administered in less than 30 minutes by lay staff, was compared to ADOS scores and DSM-based diagnostic assessment from a qualified clinician. Sensitivity and specificity of each instrument alone and in combination were estimated. Alternative cutpoints were identified under different criteria and two-stage cross validation was used to avoid overfitting. Findings were interpreted in the context of a large, prospective pregnancy cohort study utilizing a two-stage approach to case identification. Under initial cutpoints, sensitivity ranged from 0.63 to 0.92 and specificity from 0.35 to 0.70. Cutpoints giving equal weight to sensitivity and specificity resulted in sensitivity estimates ranging from 0.45 to 0.83 and specificity ranging from 0.49 to 0.86. Several strategies were well-suited for application as a second-stage case-confirmation. These included the STAT-E alone and the parallel administration of both the E-VAS and the ASI. Use of more streamlined methods of case-confirmation in large-scale prospective cohort epidemiologic investigations of ASD risk factors appears feasible. Autism Res 2017, 10: 485-501. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TGF beta receptor II interacting protein-1, an intracellular protein has an extracellular role as a modulator of matrix mineralization.

Transforming growth factor beta receptor II interacting protein 1 (TRIP-1), a predominantly intracellular protein is localized in the ECM of bone. TRIP-1 lacks a signal peptide, therefore, in this study, we provide evidence that intracellular TRIP-1 can be packaged and exported to the ECM via exosomes. Overexpression of TRIP-1 in MC3T3-E1 cells resulted in increased matrix mineralization during differentiation and knockdown resulted in reduced effects. In vivo function of TRIP-1 was studied by an implantation assay performed using TRIP-1 overexpressing and knockdown cells cultured in a 3-dimmensional scaffold. After 4 weeks, the subcutaneous tissues from TRIP-1 overexpressing cells showed higher calcium and phosphate deposits, arranged collagen fibrils and increased expression of Runx2 and alkaline phosphatase. Nucleation studies on demineralized and deproteinized dentin wafer is a powerful tool to determine the functional role of noncollagenous proteins in matrix mineralization. Using this system, we provide evidence that TRIP-1 binds to Type-I collagen and can promote mineralization. Surface plasmon resonance analysis demonstrated that TRIP-1 binds to collagen with KD = 48 μM. SEM and TEM analysis showed that TRIP-1 promoted the nucleation and growth of calcium phosphate mineral aggregates. Taken together, we provide mechanistic insights of this intracellular protein in matrix mineralization.
Maurice Herbert Dobb (1900–1976)

Maurice Dobb was renowned for his erudite understanding of Marxian, classical, and neoclassical economics. He studied at Cambridge and London. He began teaching at Cambridge in 1924 and remained there until his retirement in 1967. His work on Russian and Soviet development established Dobb as a leading scholar. Dobb’s Studies in the Development of Capitalism (1946) had a massive influence on political economy, history, and social theory. He theorized on imperfect competition and the instability, stagnation, and crisis tendencies of capitalism throughout his life. His contributions on economic development and planning were highly celebrated, and he was a foremost historian of economic thought.
Effect of Isopropyl Myristate on Transdermal Permeation of Testosterone From Carbopol Gel.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of isopropyl myristate (IPM) on the in vitro permeation of testosterone through human cadaver skin from carbopol gels. Six testosterone gel formulations were prepared using different IPM contents of 0%, 0.4%, 0.7%, 1%, 2%, and 3%. The gels were characterized for drug permeation, matrix morphology, pH, kinetics of ethanol evaporation, and viscosity. Mass balance studies were performed to estimate testosterone distribution among the compartments of diffusion cells. All formulations exhibited pH values of 5.1 and viscosities of 1.25-1.75 Pa.s depending on IPM contents. Under occlusive condition, testosterone flux was found to increase significantly (p < 0.05) by increasing IPM content. Gels containing 2% IPM exhibited 11-fold increase in flux compared with formulation devoid of IPM. Ethanol was found to have a synergistic effect with IPM in enhancing testosterone flux. Mass balance analysis showed that testosterone was in a saturated state in the skin. Conducting permeation experiments under nonocclusive condition was nondiscriminating because of the evaporation of alcohol and consequent precipitation of drugs. Based on demonstrated effect of IPM on product performance, the final IPM concentration should be controlled with minimal variation during manufacturing and shelf life of drug product.
Multi-omics and Alzheimer’s disease: A slower but surer path to an efficacious therapy?

alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder of complex, and as yet uncertain, etiology. With a rapidly aging population in Western societies, AD poses a significant burden on resources. Because of the increasing threat it poses to healthcare systems, AD has been a
A Reconfigurable 16/32 Gb/s Dual-Mode NRZ/PAM4 SerDes in 65-nm CMOS

While four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) standards are emerging to increase bandwidth density, the majority of standards use simple binary non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signaling. This paper presents a dual-mode NRZ/PAM4 serial I/O SerDes which can support both modulations with minimum power and hardware overhead relative to a dedicated PAM4 link. A source-series-terminated transmitter achieves 1.2- $\text{V}_{\mathrm {{pp}}}$ output swing and employs lookup table control of a 31-segment output digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to implement 4/2-tap feed-forward equalization in NRZ/PAM4 modes, respectively. Transmitter power is improved with low-overhead analog impedance control in the DAC cells and a quarter-rate serializer based on a tri-state inverter-based mux with dynamic pre-driver gates. The receiver implements an NRZ/PAM4 decision feedback equalizer that employs one finite impulse response and two infinite impulse response taps for first post-cursor and long-tail inter-symbol interference (ISI) cancellation, respectively. First post-cursor ISI cancellation is performed in these comparators to optimize the design’s timing, while the remaining ISI taps are subtracted in a preceding current integration summer for improved sensitivity. Fabricated in GP 65-nm CMOS, the transceiver occupies 0.074 mm2 area and achieves 16 Gb/s NRZ and 32 Gb/s PAM4 operation at 10.9 and 5.5 mW/Gb/s while operating over channels with 27.6 and 13.5 dB loss at Nyquist, respectively.
Physiological properties of brain-machine interface input signals.

Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), also called brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), decode neural signals and use them to control some type of external device. Despite many experimental successes and te...
Sickle Cell Disease: Anesthetic Management

There are insufficient clinical studies to support a specific guideline on the management of sickle cell disease in the perioperative setting. Hence, management is based on expert opinion, extrapolation of in vitro studies, and the pathophysiological models. This has led to a collection of recommendations for premedication, fluid management, transfusion practices, thermoregulation, oxygen supplementation, etc. But in certain cases, extant recommendations are counterproductive; for example, avoidance of premedication owing to an inappropriate concern of respiratory depression. Sickle cell patients endure a lifetime of stress and suffering, so avoiding premedication is unreasonable (provided they are adequately monitored). Transfusion of blood products is another area that is not entirely evidence-based; in particular, whether to preoperatively transfuse or not. It remains a controversial topic. Much has been elucidated about the underlying disease process of sickle cell disease; for example, it is now known that disease symptoms stem predominantly from chronic endothelial damage and not just from acute erythrocyte sickling. Thus, the anesthesiologist should approach sickle cell disease as a chronic inflammatory vascular disease; i.e., chronic inflammatory microangiopathy.
Optical flow on degraded imagery

Motion estimation from video is an increasingly important problem with applications in ego-motion estimation of an unmanned vehicle, segmentation from video, object detection and tracking, and many others. Recent advances in optical flow have made motion estimation possible in many applications with high-resolution imagery. However, in the presence of noise and compression artifacts, these state-of-the-art optical flow algorithms fail, in various ways, to recover the motion where they would otherwise succeed. We study the effects of adding noise and compression artifacts to a well-known optical flow dataset when processed by several state-of-the-art algorithms and present compelling qualitative and quantitative results due to these degradations.
Imaging Channel Connectivity in Nafion Using Electrostatic Force Microscopy

Channel connectivity is an important material property that is considered in making higher-performance proton-exchange membranes. Our group has previously demonstrated that nearly 50% of the aqueous surface domains in Nafion films do not have a connected path to the opposite side of the membrane. These so-called “dead-end” channels lead to a loss in the conductance efficiency of the membrane. Understanding the structure of these dead-end channels is an important step in improving the conductance of the membrane. Although conductive atomic force microscopy is able to provide insight into the connected channels, it does directly report on the dead-end channels. To address this, we use electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) to probe channel connectivity in a Nafion thin film (100–300 nm) under ambient conditions. EFM provided an image of the capacitive phase shift, which is influenced by surface charge, dielectric permittivity, and tip-sample geometry. We studied several individual channels and measured the qu...
Pathways Linking Childhood SES and Adult Health Behaviors and Psychological Resources in Black and White Men.

Background Exposure to low socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood predicts increased morbidity and mortality. However, little prospective evidence is available to test pathways linking low childhood SES to adult health. Purpose In the current study, indirect effects through positive parenting in adolescence and adult SES were tested in the association between childhood SES and adult health behaviors and psychological resources. Methods Men (n = 305; 53% Black) were followed longitudinally from ages 7 to 32. SES was measured annually in childhood (ages 7-9) and again in adulthood (age 32) using the Hollingshead index. Parenting was assessed annually (ages 13-16) using caregivers' and boys' self-report of supervision, communication, and expectations for their son's future. Health behaviors (cigarette and alcohol use, fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical activity) and psychological resources (optimism, purpose in life, self-mastery, and self-esteem) were assessed in adulthood (age 32). Results Structural equation modeling showed that higher childhood SES was associated with more positive parenting in adolescence and higher adult SES. Higher childhood SES was indirectly associated with healthier behaviors and higher psychological resources in adulthood through pathways involving positive parenting during adolescence and SES in adulthood. Findings were consistent in both racial groups. Conclusions Positive parenting in adolescence was an important pathway in understanding associations among childhood SES and health behaviors and psychological resources in adulthood. Low childhood SES was prospectively associated with healthier behaviors and greater psychological resources in part through more positive parenting in adolescence.
Pluripotent Stem Cells in Developmental Toxicity Testing: A Review of Methodological Advances

Millions of children are born each year with a birth defect. Many of these defects are caused by environmental factors, although the underlying etiology is often unknown. In vivo mammalian models are frequently used to determine if a chemical poses a risk to the developing fetus. However, there are over 80 000 chemicals registered for use in the United States, many of which have undergone little safety testing, necessitating the need for higher-throughput methods to assess developmental toxicity. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are an ideal in vitro model to investigate developmental toxicity as they possess the capacity to differentiate into nearly any cell type in the human body. Indeed, a burst of research has occurred in the field of stem cell toxicology over the past decade, which has resulted in numerous methodological advances that utilize both mouse and human PSCs, as well as cutting-edge technology in the fields of metabolomics, transcriptomics, transgenics, and high-throughput imaging. Here, we review the wide array of approaches used to detect developmental toxicants, suggest areas for further research, and highlight critical aspects of stem cell biology that should be considered when utilizing PSCs in developmental toxicity testing.
Rationale for the Use of Nonabsorbable Antibiotics in the Treatment of Urinary Infections: Follow-Up Report

Gram-negative bacteria, particularly those that comprise the loosely termed coliform group, are responsible for 70–80% of urinary infections(1–4). This is true for patients in a domiciliary as well as a hospital practice(5,6), through the frequency of infecting organisms varies considerably between these two groups.
Power Analysis for the Mean Effect Size

This chapter provides methods for computing the a priori power of the test of the mean effect size. Both fixed and random effects models tests are discussed. In addition, examples are provided for computing the number of studies needed to detect a substantively important effect size, and the detectable effect size with a given number of studies.
Dominance and equivalence for sensor-based agents

This paper describes recent results from the robotics community that develop a theory, similar in spirit to the theory of computation, for analyzing sensor-based agent systems. The central element to this work is a notion of dominance of one such system over another. This relation is formally based on the agents' progression through a derived information space, but may informally be understood as describing one agent's ability to "simulate" another. We present some basic properties of this dominance relation and demonstrate its usefulness by applying it to a basic problem in robotics. We argue that this work is of interest to a broad audience of artificial intelligence researchers for two main reasons. First, it calls attention to the possibility of studying belief spaces in way that generalizes both probabilistic and nondeterministic uncertainty models. Second, it provides a means for evaluating the information that an agent is able to acquire (via its sensors and via conformant actions), independent of any optimality criterion and of the task to be completed.
Pinacidil with and without Hydrochlorothiazide

Utilising a modified fixed-dose, 4 × 3 factorial design, the antihypertensive effects of all combinations of 4 doses of pinacidil (0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5mg bid) with 3 doses of hydrochlorothiazide (0, 12.5 and 25mg bid) were studied in patients with supine diastolic blood pressure of 95 to 110mm Hg. The decreases in supine diastolic blood pressure from baseline were dose-related for both drugs. The response to the highest monotherapy dose of pinacidil was less in patients with oedema. When given in combination, hydrochlorothiazide blunted the differences among pinacidil doses so that 12.5mg pinacidil with 12.5mg hydrochlorothiazide administered twice daily produced nearly maximal antihypertensive efficacy. For pinacidil monotherapy, the incidence of oedema was 3%, 26% and 47% at dosages of 12.5, 25, and 37.5mg bid, respectively, with significant attenuation of these effects at both hydrochlorothiazide dosage levels. Based upon these data, low (12.5–25mg bid) doses of pinacidil are effective and safe as monotherapy for hypertension. The optimal combination of pinacidil with hydrochlorothiazide given twice daily for hypertension contains 12.5mg of each drug.
Der menschliche Faktor

Irgendwann wurden sich die Menschen weitgehend einig, dass es sich um eine wirkliche Sintflut handeln konnte. Da das Wasser aber so langsam stieg, mussten sie nicht unmittelbare Sorge um ihr Leben haben. Sie hatten aber vollig verschiedene Ansichten, welche Masnahmen zu treffen seien. Manche mochten ihre Hauser nur unter Zwang aufgeben, andere schlugen einen Hauptstadtneubau auf dem hochsten Gipfel des Planeten vor, den sie sofort suchen wollten; naturlich nicht sie selbst — aber die vielen anderen Menschen, die das gut konnten. Wer sich in die unabsehbaren Diskussionen begab, konnte mit der Zeit feststellen, dass es gar nicht so sehr viele Meinungen gab. Sechs? Zehn verschiedene? Letztlich ging es nicht so sehr um eine blose Meinung, dazu war die Frage nach der Art der Flucht zu existenzentscheidend. Es ging um die Lebenshaltung vor dem Unabwendbaren.