cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is one-and-a-half better than two?

The concept of a one-and-a-half type of repair for complex cardiac anatomy was rst described in the 1980s (1) and has predominantly been used to achieve a septated circulation in the setting of borderline or small right ventricular size— typically in pulmonary atresia with intact septum.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors post-myocardial infarction.

Insight into the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction stimulated strategies to reduce peri-infarct morbidity and mortality rates. A panoply of procedures and therapeutic adventures has been employed over the last several decades to achieve this end. With the creation of coronary care units and drug infusion protocols to decrease ischemic burden, degree of coronary obstruction, and arrhythmias, post-myocardial infarction mortality rates (hospital and long-term) dropped from at least 30% to well under 10%. Because of the unique properties of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, these drugs also have been studied in immediate, early, and long-term post-myocardial infarction patients. It appears that captopril, enalipril, lisinopril, ramipril, and possibly other ACE inhibitors have significant anti-ischemic effects that result in myocardial as well as vascular protection. Clinical trial experience helps guide practitioners with respect to rational utilization of ACE inhibitors in the post- myocardial infarction period.
Patient-reported health-related quality of life for men treated with low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy as monotherapy with 125-iodine, 103-palladium, or 131-cesium: Results of a prospective phase II study.

Abstract Purpose To compare quality of life (QoL) after brachytherapy with one of the three approved radioactive isotopes. Methods and Materials Patients with mostly favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer were treated on this prospective phase II trial with brachytherapy as monotherapy, without hormonal therapy. QoL was recorded at baseline and each follow-up by using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite instrument. The minimal clinically important difference was defined as half the standard deviation of the baseline score for each domain. Mixed effect models were used to compare the different isotopes, and time-driven activity-based costing was used to compute costs. Results From 2006 to 2013, 300 patients were treated with iodine-125 (I-125, n = 98, prescribed dose [PD] = 145 Gy), palladium-103 (Pd-103, n = 102, PD = 125 Gy), or cesium-131 (Cs-131, n = 100, PD = 115 Gy). Median age was 64.9 years. Median follow-up time was 5.1 years for the entire cohort, and 7.1, 4.8 and 3.3 years for I-125, Pd-103, and Cs-131 groups, respectively. All three isotope groups showed an initial drop in QoL at first follow-up, which gradually improved over the first 2 years for urinary and bowel domains. QoL profiles were similar between I-125 and Pd-103, whereas Cs-131 showed a statistically significant decrease in QoL regarding bowel and sexual function at 12 months compared with Pd-103. However, these differences did not reach the minimal clinically important difference. Compared with I-125, the use of Pd-103 or Cs-131 resulted in cost increases of 18% and 34% respectively. Conclusions The three different isotopes produced a similar QoL profile. Statistically significant differences favored Pd-103/I-125 over Cs-131 for bowel and sexual QoL, but this did not reach clinical significance.
Frustrated Kondo chains and glassy magnetic phases on the pyrochlore lattice

We present an extensive numerical study of a type of frustrated itinerant magnetism on the pyrochlore lattice. In this theory, the pyrochlore magnet can be viewed as a cross-linking network of Kondo or double-exchange chains. Contrary to models based on Mott insulators, this itinerant magnetism approach provides a natural explanation for several spin and orbital superstructures observed on the pyrochlore lattice. Through extensive Monte Carlo simulations, we obtain the phase diagrams at two representative electron filling fractions $n=\frac{1}{2}$ and $\frac{2}{3}$. In particular, we show that an intriguing glassy magnetic state characterized by ordering wave vectors $\mathbf{q}=\left(\frac{1}{3},\frac{1}{3},1\right)$ gives a rather satisfactory description of the low-temperature phase recently observed in spinel ${\mathrm{GeFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$.
How can a source be located by responding to local information in its hydrodynamic trail

In this work we propose a model system in which a bioinspired sensory platform responds to cues in the hydrodynamic trail of a source. We model the hydrodynamic trail as a band-limited traveling wave and propose a localized sensing strategy for decoding the information contained therein. Then, we propose a control law whereby the sensory platform reorients in response to local cues contained within the sensory information. We couple this control law with a behavioral kinematic model to test its effectiveness. Finally, we demonstrate the abilities of this sensing strategy and behavioral model in a canonical source-seeking problem, the wake of a pitching foil.
Normally closed plunger-membrane microvalve self-actuated electrically using a shape memory alloy wire.

Various microfluidic architectures designed for in vivo and point-of-care diagnostic applications require larger channels, autonomous actuation, and portability. In this paper, we present a normally closed microvalve design capable of fully autonomous actuation for wide diameter microchannels (tens to hundreds of µm). We fabricated the multilayer plunger-membrane valve architecture using the silicone elastomer, poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and optimized it to reduce the force required to open the valve. A 50-µm Nitinol (NiTi) shape memory alloy wire is incorporated into the device and can operate the valve when actuated with 100-mA current delivered from a 3-V supply. We characterized the valve for its actuation kinetics using an electrochemical assay and tested its reliability at 1.5-s cycle duration for 1 million cycles during which we observed no operational degradation.
Trait rumination and response to negative evaluative lab-induced stress: neuroendocrine, affective, and cognitive outcomes

Theoretical models of depression posit that, under stress, elevated trait rumination predicts more pronounced or prolonged negative affective and neuroendocrine responses, and that trait rumination hampers removing irrelevant negative information from working memory. We examined several gaps regarding these models in the context of lab-induced stress. Non-depressed undergraduates completed a rumination questionnaire and either a negative-evaluative Trier Social Stress Test (n = 55) or a non-evaluative control condition (n = 69), followed by a modified Sternberg affective working memory task assessing the extent to which irrelevant negative information can be emptied from working memory. We measured shame, negative and positive affect, and salivary cortisol four times. Multilevel growth curve models showed rumination and stress interactively predicted cortisol reactivity; however, opposite predictions, greater rumination was associated with blunted cortisol reactivity to stress. Elevated trait rumination interacted with stress to predict augmented shame reactivity. Rumination and stress did not significantly interact to predict working memory performance, but under control conditions, rumination predicted greater difficulty updating working memory. Results support a vulnerability-stress model of trait rumination with heightened shame reactivity and cortisol dysregulation rather than hyper-reactivity in non-depressed emerging adults, but we cannot provide evidence that working memory processes are critical immediately following acute stress.
CANNABINOIDS AND IMMUNITY TO Legionella pneumophila INFECTION

Marijuana cannabinoids are known to modulate immune function and to alter host resistance to various infectious agents.1 Although the mechanism of action of these effects is not understood, cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) are possibly involved because they are believed to be expressed and functional on cells of the immune system.2,3 Several years ago we reported that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive cannabinoid, altered both primary and secondary immunity to infection with Legionella pneumophila (Lp) when injected into mice.4,5 The drug altered primary immunity by augmenting the release of acute phase cytokines and thus exacerbating the acute phase response. On the other hand, THC suppressed secondary immunity by decreasing T helper type 1 (Th1) cell activity that normally increases during the development of immunity to Lp. In the present study, we tested for evidence that CBRs are involved in the THC-induced modulation of primary and secondary immunity to Lp. We observed a structure-activity relationship in suppression of primary immunity and an attenuation by pertussis toxin of the cannabinoid effect on Th cell activity. Both of these results are suggestive of CBR involvement in THC modulation of immunity to Lp.
A Quantum Mechanic’s Toolbox

The concepts of bit and qubit, the fundamental units of information in classical and quantum computing respectively, are introduced. We discuss features of the binary number system, linear vector, and Hilbert spaces. We learn how to manipulate qubits and introduce Dirac’s bra-ket formalism to facilitate operations in Hilbert space. Scalar, direct and outer products of bra-kets in multi-qubit systems are introduced. We define Hermitian and unitary operators in a 2n-dimensional Hilbert space and use the bra-ket formalism to construct them. I summarize the foundational postulates of quantum mechanics, as espoused by the Copenhagen interpretation, for a finite set of qubits.
Value based spine care: Paying for outcomes, not volume

Abstract Spine pathology is among the most common, most disabling, and costliest disorders in the US health care system. Traditional reimbursement models in which volume of service rather than quality is incentivized has resulted in an unsustainable rise in cost. The focus for all stakeholders is now on value-based health care. Value is determined by the outcomes achieved per dollar spent to achieve those outcomes. Clinical registries and validated outcome tools are now making it possible for all spine practitioners to define and develop value-based care. Accurate measurement of outcomes and cost and identifying outliers are essential to improving the value in spine surgery.
Assessment of Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgical Technique: First Look at 30-Day Outcomes Based on the MBSAQIP Database.

Background Obesity rates in the US have reached epidemic proportions, and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the procedure performed most commonly. Controversies exist about the most appropriate surgical technique. Study Design Using the 2016 MBSAQIP database, we selected all primary SG procedures and compared 4 surgical techniques (staple line reinforcement [SLR] alone; SLR and oversewing [OS]; no SLR or OS; and OS alone). Primary outcomes were bleeding and organ space infection (OSI), including leakage. Secondary outcomes were 30-day severe adverse events (SAEs) and readmissions. We conducted separate chi-square tests of association, followed by 4 separate exploratory multivariable logistic regression models. Results There were significant differences in bleeding (p = 0.002) and SAE rates (p = 0.003) among the 4 SG techniques; both SLR and OS yielded lower bleeding and SAE rates compared with the other techniques (0.3% and 1.9%, respectively). The associations between SG technique and OSI (p = 0.93) and readmission (p = 0.24) were not significant. The following SG techniques independently predicted less likelihood of bleeding: SLR alone (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.70; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.90; p = 0.006) and both SLR and OS (AOR 0.50; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.77; p = 0.002). In addition, SLR and OS independently predicted less likelihood of SAEs (AOR 0.76; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.91; p = 0.003). Conclusions Our study demonstrated that SLR resulted in lower postoperative bleeding rates, but not lower leak rates. When combined with OS, SLR yielded lower 30-day SAE rates. Future studies must clarify and confirm these results.
Clinical Episode of Aseptic Meningitis with Leptomeningeal Enhancement in Patient with Anti-MOG Antibodies (P5.420)

Objective: We present here a case of a 18y/o Female with anti-MOG antibody associated NMO-spectrum disease who presented with aseptic meningitis. Background: Anti-MOG antibodies are increasingly observed in patients with NMOSD and recurrent ON, and have been associated with a relapsing non-MS disease course. The clinical disease spectrum of anti-MOG antibodies is still evolving. While MS can cause aseptic meningitis, it has been appreciated much more frequently in systemic conditions including RA, SLE and Behcet’s disease. Design/Methods: Patient is an 18y/o female who had diagnosed ADEM at the age of 4 years with no residual issues, prior ON for 3 separate episodes who presented with severe headache, photophobia and meningeal signs. Her prior episodes of ON started at 9 years of age and work up has included MRI findings of bilateral ON with involvement of the optic chiasm. MRI Spine also demonstrated areas of cord FLAIR hyperintensity C3–C6 as well as in T9–T12 with no enhancement. She has had negative testing for Aquaporin-4 antibody testing, which was negative on two prior occasions as well. Prior LPs have been unremarkable. Repeat LP done this presentation demonstrated 186 nucleated cells, 51% neutrophils, normal glucose/protein along with negative cultures and viral studies. MRI with contrast demonstrated Diffuse Leptomeningeal enhancement. Results: Patient had significant clinical improvement with conservative management and repeat MRI performed in 2 weeks had significant improvement. Conclusions: Meningeal involvement could be a manifestation of anti-MOG associated demyelinating illness. The improved availability of anti-MOG antibody testing could be helpful in assessing if clinical episodes of meningeal involvement in patients with known demyelinating events in the past has an association with anti-MOG antibody associated disease. This could be a part of initial presentation of patients and should be considered as differential for meningeal irritation with either clinical concern or imaging findings consistent with current/prior demyelinating events. Disclosure: Dr. Sarangi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cahill has nothing to disclose.
Exploring Simulations in Science through the Virtual Lab Research Study: From NASA Kennedy Space Center to High School Classrooms

Documenting the use of the Virtual Lab within nine high school biology classrooms in an urban school district in Florida, this study focuses on general science classes (i.e. not advanced or honors-level) within underserved populations over the 2004-2005 school year (n=225). The baseline data is presented from an administration of the Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA) (Fraser, 1981) as the author shares preliminary analysis of the usability data in summer of 2005. With funding from the Bellsouth foundation, the researchers are contributing to the development of the 3d environment and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) simulation, in conjunction with the efforts of educational technology specialists at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), NASA.
Outcomes following surgical versus endovascular treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Although surgical resection is associated with a complete cure in most cases of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVF), there has been an increasing trend towards embolisation. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing surgical resection with endovascular treatment in terms of success of treatment, rate of recurrence and complications. A literature search was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Strength of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group system. Surgical outcomes such as initial treatment failure, late recurrence, neurological improvement and complications were compared between the two approaches. We included 57 studies with 2029 patients, of which 32 studies with 1341 patients directly compared surgery (n=590) and embolisation (n=751). Surgery was found to be associated with significantly lower odds of initial treatment failure (OR: 0.15, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.24, I2 0%, p
Does regulation fail or do we fail regulation

Regulation has always been “political” to some degree, born of politics and subject to political forces, both good and bad. The more intractable question might be whether regulation as we know it i...
BIM/MR-Lean Construction Project Delivery Management System

The objective of this research is to create and conceptualize an integrative approach based on project management philosophies, systems, technologies, and tools. Some of the major issues that construction companies face with projects are finding design and construction mistakes before implementation; understanding details, processes, change orders, and requests for information; and lack of collaboration among project stakeholders. This paper aims to address these gaps, using a project delivery method that incorporates early stakeholder engagement. It is organized as follows: first, to define the status of this research area, the paper provides a concise review of the most recent papers about BIM, Lean, MR, BIM-Lean, and BIM-MR technologies that have appeared in peer-reviewed journals and international conference proceedings. Second, to guide the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, the paper presents a BIM/MRLean-based project delivery management model that is based on flowchart and integrated definition function modeling (IDEF0) language. Finally, the paper highlights the advantages and challenges of the system under discussion. This paper provides a roadmap for future efforts toward implementing a BIM/MR-Lean-based management system in all stages of the construction industry. Such a management system provides significant opportunities to improve the quality of planning, understanding, and also performance of construction projects.
Onyx Embolization of Spinal Arteriovenous Fistula via Scepter Balloon

Background Spinal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are a rare entity that can have devastating neurologic outcomes. Currently, these lesions are treated via open microsurgical resection or transarterial embolization with good success. However, some patients cannot be treated with a minimally invasive endovascular technique secondary to difficulty catheterizing their vascular anatomy. Our aim is to present a case of balloon-assisted Onyx embolization of a spinal AVF. Case Description We present the case of a 59-year-old male with progressive lower back pain with lower-extremity weakness. We performed a spinal angiogram where an AVF was identified with very torturous anatomy. The patient was originally treated with open microsurgical resection; however, ≈6 weeks later the fistula and symptoms returned. At that time, we were able to treat the lesion with the Scepter-C balloon. Conclusions We present a challenging case in which normal embolization microcatheters were unable to navigate difficult anatomy, but we were able to gain access and obliterate the fistula by using a balloon catheter.
No Lost Generation: Supporting the School Participation of Displaced Syrian Children in Lebanon

This study documents the impact of a cash transfer programme – known as the No Lost Generation Programme (NLG) and locally as Min Ila (‘from to’) – on the school participation of displaced Syrian c...
Successful Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen as Adjunctive Therapy for a Nonhealing Venous Ulcer in a Patient with Systemic Sclerosis and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Skin ulcers are a common complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) that can significantly impact the quality of life. There have been recent reports on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) in the management of nonhealing systemic sclerosis skin ulcers. The effect of HBO2T on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), another common and potentially life-threatening complication of SSc, is unclear with literature on the subject lacking. We present the case of a 65-year-old female with limited SSc complicated by severe PAH and a nonhealing left lower extremity venous ulcer. HBO2T was successfully used as an adjunct in her management resulting in complete resolution of the venous ulcer and improved quality of life without any adverse effects on her pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Modified Ozaki Procedure Including Annular Enlargement for Small Aortic Annuli in Young Patients.

Background Aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) (Ozaki procedure) has excellent midterm results in adults. Outcomes in patients with a small native aortic annulus are unknown. We report early outcomes in young patients with small native aortic valve annuli. Methods Retrospective data of patients undergoing AVNeo between 2015 and 2019 were reviewed. Patients with native aortic annulus less than 21 mm undergoing 3-leaflet AVNeo were included. Results A total of 51 patients were identified (median age 7.9 years; median weight 21 kg), and 80% patients were less than or equal to 12 years age. Preoperative indication was aortic regurgitation (AR) (n = 23), aortic stenosis (AS) (n = 22), or mixed AS and AR (n = 6). Baseline anatomy was quadricuspid (n = 1), tricuspid (n = 23), bicuspid (n = 15), or unicuspid (n = 12) valve. Preoperative peak gradient for AS and mixed AS and AR patients was 55.36 mm Hg. Median native annulus diameter was 17 mm; sinus and annular enlargements were required in 22 patients and 9 patients, respectively. Median intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were 2.0 days and 7.2 days, respectively. There were no reinterventions, and there was 1 hospital mortality unrelated to aortic valve. At discharge, 94% of patients had less than or equal to mild AR, and the median peak gradient was 18 mm Hg. At mean follow-up of 11.9 months, 80% and 82% of patients had less than moderate AR and AS, respectively. Three patients required surgical reintervention. In annular enlargement patients, mean annulus Z score remained greater than 0 at follow-up. Conclusions The Ozaki procedure has acceptable short-term results in young patients with small aortic annuli. A larger aortic annulus can be achieved with surgical annular enlargement. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine late valve function and potential continued annular growth.
Educational and Ethical Considerations for Genetic Test Implementation Within Health Care Systems.

Introduction: The precision medicine (PM) era presents unprecedented proliferation of genetic/genomic initiatives, information, and bioinformatic tools to enhance targeted molecular diagnosis and t...
Effect of Age and Morphology on Live Birth Rate After Cleavage Stage Embryo Transfer

Accurate knowledge of the live birth rate for cleavage stage embryos is essential to determine an appropriate number of embryos to transfer at once. Results from previous studies lack details needed for practical use. This is a mathematical analysis and model building study of day 3 cleavage stage embryo transfers. A total of 996 embryos were transferred in 274 fresh and 83 frozen embryo transfers. Embryo morphology was divided into 4 groups based on number of cells and fragmentation percentage. Each embryo transfer was modeled as an equation equating the sum of the live birth rates of the transferred embryos to the number of live births that resulted. The least squares solution to the system of embryo transfer equations was determined using linear algebra. This analysis was repeated for ages 35 to 42 years old at oocyte retrieval. The best fit live birth rates per embryo in the age group centered on 35 years old were 29%, 13%, 10%, and 9% for embryos in the 8-cell with ≤ 5% fragmentation, 8-cell with > 5% fragmentation, 9–12 cell, and 6–7 cell groups, respectively. Cleavage stage embryos with fewer than 6 cells on day 3 had very low best fit live birth rates close to 0% at age 39 years and were excluded from the primary analysis to prevent overfitting. These live birth rates can be used with a simple embryo transfer model to predict rates of single and multiple gestation prior to a planned cleavage stage embryo transfer.
"There Is a Lot of Change Afoot": A Qualitative Study of Faculty Adaptation to Elimination of Tiered Grades With Increased Emphasis on Feedback in Core Clerkships.

Purpose Medical schools responding to challenges with fairness, equity, learning environments, and student wellness have reconsidered clerkship grades. This study used the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) to explore how faculty responded to a change in the approach to assessment from focus on grades toward focus on feedback. Method This qualitative study used an inductive approach to analyze data from semistructured interviews with teaching faculty and education leaders at University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine 6 months following the elimination of traditional tiered clerkship grades. Participants were recruited in 2019 using purposive sampling. Interview questions addressed participants' perceptions of the new approach to assessment and grading that emphasizes assessment for learning, including advantages and concerns. The authors analyzed data using thematic analysis informed by sensitizing concepts from CBAM. Results Nineteen faculty participated (11 medicine, 8 surgery). Faculty expressed optimism about the impact of the change on their clinical educator roles and sought faculty development to enhance feedback and assessment skills. Perceived benefits to students addressed learning and wellness, with concern for students' motivation and professional development. Faculty shared uncertainty about their roles and larger systemic consequences involving the residency match and institutional reputation. Participants acknowledged that traditional grading is imperfect, yet felt a departure from this system represented significant culture change. Conclusions Faculty perceptions of the assessment and grade change in two large departments demonstrate tensions around grading. Their descriptions of change as an ongoing process align with CBAM and require them to consider new approaches and perspectives. While discourse about assessment and grading frequently focuses on learners, these findings support institutional consideration of the impact of changes in assessment on teaching faculty.
New Uses for Thromboelastography and Other Forms of Viscoelastic Monitoring in the Emergency Department: A Narrative Review.

Patients frequently visit the emergency department with conditions that place them at risk of worse outcomes when accompanied by coagulopathy. Routine tests of coagulation—prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, platelets, and fibrinogen—have shortcomings that limit their use in providing emergency care. One alternative is to investigate coagulation disturbance with viscoelastic monitoring (VEM), a coagulation test that measures the timing and strength of blood clot development in real time. VEM is widely used and studied in cardiac surgery, liver transplant surgery, anesthesia, and trauma. In this article, we review the technique of VEM and the biologic rationale of using it in addition to routine tests of coagulation in emergency clinical situations. Then, we review the evidence (or lack thereof) for using VEM in the diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions. Finally, we describe the limitations of the test and future directions for clinical use and research in emergency medicine.
Identifying Opportunities to Improve Processes in Emergency General Surgery

Emergency general surgery patients are a unique subset of patients with higher rates of postoperative complications, mortality, re-admissions, and care discontinuity. Institutional cultural norms and poor operating room communication can be improved with a surgical safety checklist and team huddle strategies. A unique communication tool encouraged any member of the operative team to request a huddle for any patient safety concern in order to improve intraoperative communication.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Nursing Home End-of-Life Care: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Objective Health disparities are pervasive in nursing homes (NHs), but disparities in NH end-of-life (EOL) care (ie, hospital transfers, place of death, hospice use, palliative care, advance care planning) have not been comprehensively synthesized. We aim to identify differences in NH EOL care for racial/ethnic minority residents. Design A systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020181792). Setting and Participants Older NH residents who were terminally ill or approaching the EOL, including racial/ethnic minority NH residents. Methods Three electronic databases were searched from 2010 to May 2020. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results Eighteen articles were included, most (n = 16) were good quality and most (n = 15) used data through 2010. Studies varied in definitions and grouping of racial/ethnic minority residents. Four outcomes were identified: advance care planning (n = 10), hospice (n = 8), EOL hospitalizations (n = 6), and pain management (n = 1). Differences in EOL care were most apparent among NHs with higher proportions of Black residents. Racial/ethnic minority residents were less likely to complete advance directives. Although hospice use was mixed, Black residents were consistently less likely to use hospice before death. Hispanic and Black residents were more likely to experience an EOL hospitalization compared with non-Hispanic White residents. Racial/ethnic minority residents experienced worse pain and symptom management at the EOL; however, no articles studied specifics of palliative care (eg, spiritual care). Conclusions and Implications This review identified NH health disparities in advance care planning, EOL hospitalizations, and pain management for racial/ethnic minority residents. Research is needed that uses recent data, reflective of current NH demographic trends. To help reduce EOL disparities, language services and cultural competency training for staff should be available in NHs with higher proportions of racial/ethnic minorities.
Future Orientation as a Cross-Cutting Protective Factor Against Multiple Forms of Violence

Among 9th-to 12th-grade students who completed an anonymous health risk and protective behavior survey (n = 2346), positive future orientation was significantly and inversely associated with multiple forms of interpersonal violence including youth, community, and sexual/relationship violence. Designing interventions to promote future orientation holds promise as a cross-cutting violence prevention strategy.
Clearance of Senescent Cells From Injured Muscle Abrogates Heterotopic Ossification in Mouse Models of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in Activin A receptor type I/Activin-like kinase 2 (ACVR1/ALK2), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor, resulting in the formation of extra-skeletal or heterotopic ossification (HO) and others features consistent with premature aging. During the first decade of life, episodic bouts of inflammatory swellings (flare-ups) occur which are typically triggered by soft tissue trauma. Through an endochondral process, these exacerbations ultimately result in skeletal muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and aponeuroses transforming into ectopic bone, rendering movement impossible. We have previously shown that soft tissue injury causes early FOP lesions characterized by cellular hypoxia, cellular damage, and local inflammation. Here we demonstrate that muscle injury in FOP also results in senescent cell accumulation, and that senescence promotes tissue reprogramming toward a chondrogenic fate in FOP muscle but not wild-type muscle. Using a combination of senolytic drugs we show that senescent cell clearance and reduction in the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) ameliorates HO in mouse models of FOP. We conclude that injury-induced senescent cell burden and the SASP contribute to FOP lesion formation and that tissue reprogramming in FOP is mediated by cellular senescence, altering myogenic cell fate toward a chondrogenic cell fate. Furthermore, pharmacological removal of senescent cells abrogates tissue reprogramming and HO formation. Here we provide proof-of-principle evidence for senolytic drugs as a future therapeutic strategy in FOP. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Politicizing Asian American Literature: Towards a Critical Multiculturalism

This book examines U.S. multiculturalism from the perspective of Asian American writings, drawing contrasts between politically acquiescent multiculturalism and politically conscious multiculturalism. Chae discusses the works of writers who have highlighted a critical awareness of Asian Americans’ social and economic status and their position as 'unassimilable aliens', 'yellow perils', 'coolies', 'modern-day high tech coolies', or as a 'model minority', which were ideologically woven through the complex interactions of capital and labor in the U.S. cultural and labor history. Chae suggests that more productive means of analysis must be brought to the understanding of Asian American writings, many of which have been attempting to raise awareness of the politicizing effects of U.S. multiculturalism.
Common Parameterizations of Swarm and Breakdown Data for Binary Electronegative-Nonelectronegative Gas Mixtures

It has been shown [1] that a simultaneous parameterization of swarm and breakdown data appears possible for mixtures of N2 with various electronegative gases such as SF6 and CCl2F2.
Murine Isolated Heart Model of Myocardial Stunning Associated with Cardioplegic Arrest

The following protocol is of use to evaluate impaired cardiac function or myocardial stunning following moderate ischemic insults. The technique is useful for modeling ischemic injury associated with numerous clinically relevant phenomenon including cardiac surgery with cardioplegic arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass, off-pump CABG, transplant, angina, brief ischemia, etc. The protocol presents a general method to model hypothermic hyperkalemic cardioplegic arrest and reperfusion in rodent hearts focusing on measurement of myocardial contractile function. In brief, a mouse heart is perfused in langendorff mode, instrumented with an intraventricular balloon, and baseline cardiac functional parameters are recorded. Following stabilization, the heart is then subject to brief infusion of a cardioprotective hypothermic cardioplegia solution to initiate diastolic arrest. Cardioplegia is delivered intermittently over 2 hr. The heart is then reperfused and warmed to normothermic temperatures and recovery of myocardial function is monitored. Use of this protocol results in reliable depressed cardiac contractile function free from gross myocardial tissue damage in rodents.
12.2% waveguide-coupled wall plug efficiency in single mode external-cavity tunable Si/III–V hybrid laser

We demonstrate an external-cavity Si/III–V hybrid laser with a waveguide-coupled wall-plug efficiency of 12.2% at room temperature. The laser operates single-mode in C-band with a linewidth of 0.22 pm and is capable of wavelength tuning.
The Immune Response to Acute Focal Cerebral Ischemia and Associated Post-stroke Immunodepression: A Focused Review

It is currently well established that the immune system is activated in response to transient or focal cerebral ischemia. This acute immune activation occurs in response to damage, and injury, to components of the neurovascular unit and is mediated by the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. The initial immune activation is rapid, occurs via the innate immune response and leads to inflammation. The inflammatory mediators produced during the innate immune response in turn lead to recruitment of inflammatory cells and the production of more inflammatory mediators that result in activation of the adaptive immune response. Under ideal conditions, this inflammation gives way to tissue repair and attempts at regeneration. However, for reasons that are just being understood, immunosuppression occurs following acute stroke leading to post-stroke immunodepression. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge regarding innate and adaptive immune activation in response to focal cerebral ischemia as well as the immunodepression that can occur following stroke. A better understanding of the intricate and complex events that take place following immune response activation, to acute cerebral ischemia, is imperative for the development of effective novel immunomodulatory therapies for the treatment of acute stroke.
Efficient 2-D analysis/synthesis filter banks for directional image component representation

A filter bank for the directional decomposition of images is described. The filter bank represents a union of two powerful image processing tools: directional decomposition and subband decomposition. The directional components correspond to wedge-shaped regions in the frequency spectrum. The filter bank is implemented in a tree structure where each two-band system is maximally decimated and provides either exact or aliasing free reconstruction. The design of the analysis/synthesis filter is such that the filter bank can be implemented in an extremely efficient computational form. The design method described uses conventional 1-D analysis/synthesis filters as prototypes and thereby circumvents designing 2-D filters. >
Immunobiologic differences between normal and leukemic human B-cell precursors

The early stages of normal human B-cell differentiation were studied by flow cytometry and cell sorting based on expression of CD10 (CALLA) and CD19 antigens in fetal liver. Both CD10+ CD19+ and CD10+ CD19- precursor populations proliferated in vitro to form B-cell precursor colonies under stimulation from low molecular weight B-cell growth factor (L-BCGF) or recombinant interleukin 3 but did not respond to high molecular weight B-cell growth factor (H-BCGF). The colonies derived from the CD10+ CD19- fraction showed induction of CD19 expression in 10-50% of growing cells, suggesting that CD10 expression precedes CD19 expression in B-cell ontogeny. This hypothesis was corroborated by less-differentiated marker profiles of the progeny of CD10+ CD19- B-cell precursors as compared to CD10+ CD19+ B-cell precursors in BCGF-stimulated cultures and by higher percentages of CD10+CD19- versus CD10-CD19+ B-cell precursors. CD19 crosslinking on normal fetal liver or bone marrow B-cell precursors was associated with an increase in cytoplasmic calcium concentration, but was inhibitory for colony formation. Leukemic B-cell precursors from acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) differed from normal B-cell precursors in their in vitro proliferative responses, since (i) they responded not only to L-BCGF and rIL-3 but also to H-BCGF and (ii) their proliferation was stimulated rather than inhibited by CD19 crosslinking. A clonogenic leukemic counterpart for the CD10+CD19- normal B-cell precursor population does not exist among malignant cells from B-cell precursor ALL patients, suggesting that the CD19 receptor may be involved in leukemogenesis of human B-cell precursor ALL.
Distinguishing multi-voxel patterns and mean activation: Why, how, and what does it tell us?

The introduction of multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) community has brought a deeper appreciation for the diverse forms of information that can be present within fMRI activity. The conclusions drawn from MVPA investigations are frequently influenced by both the ability to decode information from multi-voxel patterns and mean activation levels. In practice, MVPA studies vary widely in why and how they test for differing overall response levels. In this article, I examine the place of univariate information in MVPA investigations. I first discuss the variety of interpretations given to finding univariate response differences. I go on to discuss some of the analysis approaches used to investigate and compare univariate and multivariate sources of information, which can illuminate their respective contributions. It will be important for the MVPA and general fMRI community to continue to discuss and debate these important issues.
Phantom: Physical layer cooperation for location privacy protection

Localization techniques that allow inferring the location of wireless devices directly from received signals have exposed mobile users to new threats. Adversaries can easily collect required information (such as signal strength) from target users, however, techniques securing location information at the physical layer of the wireless communication systems have not received much attention. In this paper, we propose Phantom, a novel approach to allow mobile devices thwart unauthorized adversary's location tracking by creating forged locations. In particular, Phantom leverages cooperation among multiple mobile devices in close vicinity and utilizes synchronized transmissions among those nodes to obfuscate localization efforts of adversary systems. Through an implementation on software-defined radios (GNU Radios) and extensive simulation with real location traces, we see that Phantom can improve location privacy.
The effect of imagery on accessibility and availability in a short-term memory paradigm*

A variant of the Peterson (1959) paradigm was used to investigate retrieval of single pairs of items varying in imagery value. After being presented with a single pair, the subject recalled an item either in the presence or absence of the other item. Latency to respond showed that as long as one item of the pair was concrete no differential retrieval speeds were found. This result is interpreted as support for an organizational view of imagery. A second experiment suggested that retrieval effects are confined to permanent memory (long-term store).
Why are there so many species

It is shown from the statistical-mechanical overview of Volterra's ecological model how to reckon the fluctuations of collective variables such as the total population of a genus: and that these fluctuations are much decreased (or that the collective populationsteadiness is enhanced) as the speciation is increased. (A niching of species in time, or phase-niching, is entailed here.) Secondly, it is shown how Preston's log-normal distribution describing the species-abundance relationship, as well as a generalization of such distributions, come forth simply and naturally from the statistical-Volterra-dynamics.
Differentiating the effects of phonotactic probability and neighborhood density on vocabulary comprehension and production: a comparison of preschool children with versus without phonological delays.

Purpose To differentiate the effect of phonotactic probability from that of neighborhood density on a vocabulary probe administered to preschool children with or without phonological delays. Method...
Masking level differences: Auditory evoked responses with homophasic and antiphasic signal and noise

It is generally known that subjects' binaurally masked threshold improves when either the signal or noise is presented to the two ears antiphasically. It has similarly been shown that the amplitude of the AER varies as a function of the intensity and presumably therefore loudness of the stimulus. In this study, click stimuli were presented under three conditions: both the stimulus and the masker in phase (SoNo), stimulus in phase and masker antiphasic (soNπ), and the stimulus antiphasic with the masker in phase (SπNo). Subjects' AERs' were obtained at five intensity levels (re SoNo psychophysical threshold). Data are presented demonstrating the amplitude of the AER as a function of stimulus intensity for each of the three signal/noise phase conditions. While differences in the AER amplitudes are detectable for group data, individual responses show considerable variability.
Effect of Spraying Pressure and Orifice Size on the Physical Characteristics and Keeping Quality of Spray-Dried Whole Milk

Summary A higher percentage of solid particles was found in the powder containing the smaller size particles, but the volume of the O 2 trapped was greater in these than in the powders containing larger size particles. An increase in the spray pressure as well as a reduction in the size of the spray nozzle orifice reduced the packing density. As the mean particle density decreased, the amount of entrapped O 2 per gram of powder tended to increase. The ascorbic acid content of the dried milk decreased on storage. The decrease was greatest in the air-packed samples. None of the other variables studied were found to be related to stability of the ascorbic acid in the dried milk. No correlation was found between the equilibrium O 2 content of the head-space gas and the size or density of the powder particles. During storage CO 2 was evolved from all samples, there being no definite correlation between the amount of CO 2 found and other variable factors studied. The O 2 content of the headspace gas decreased in all samples during storage but to a lesser extent in the N 2 -packed samples than in the air-packed samples. The extent of O 2 uptake was greater in the samples stored at 100° F. than in those samples stored at room temperature. There was less O 2 left in the headspace gas of the samples containing the smaller size powder particles than when the particles were larger. While there was some tendency for the powder with larger particle size to deteriorate in flavor to a lesser extent during storage than the powder with smaller size particles, the differences were not consistent nor as marked as the differences resulting from variations in storage temperatures (72 as compared with 100° F.) or from N 2 -packing as compared with air-packing. In as much as a reduction in spray pressure results in an appreciable reduction of drier capacity, the economic advantage to be obtained from the slight improvement in keeping quality of the larger size powder particles that will result from such a manipulation is not in itself sufficient to justify the change.
Chemically mediated host-plant selection by the milfoil weevil: a freshwater insect-plant interaction.

The milfoil weevil Euhrychiopsis lecontei is a specialist aquatic herbivore that feeds, oviposits, and mates on the invasive freshwater macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum. We characterized the weevil's preference for M. spicatum, and through bioassay-driven fractionation, isolated and identified two chemicals released by M. spicatum that attract E. lecontei. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to identify the attractive compounds as glycerol and uracil. Dose-response curves for glycerol and uracil indicated that weevil preference increased as sample concentration increased. Weevils were attracted to a crude sample of M. spicatum-released chemicals from 0.17 to 17 mg/l, to glycerol from 18 to 1800 μM (0.0017–0.17 mg/l), and to uracil from 0.015 to 15 μM (0.00014–1.4 mg/l). Although glycerol and uracil are ubiquitous, weevils are likely responding to high concentrations that are released as a result of the rapid growth of M. spicatum. Uracil concentration was greater in the exudates of M.spicatum than other Myriophyllum spp. E. lecontei was attracted to glycerol at a concentration similar to that at which terrestrial insects are attracted to sugar alcohols. This is the first example of a freshwater specialist insect being attracted to chemicals released by its host plant. Analysis of the water milfoil–weevil interaction provides further understanding as to how insects locate their host plants in aquatic systems.
Filiform polyposis of the small bowel in Crohn's disease.

The occurrence of filiform pseudopolyps in a segment of mid-small-bowel is described. This finding was associated with Crohn's disease involving the ileocecal region.