cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 and HHV-6 antigens and transcripts in retinas of patients with AIDS in the absence of human cytomegalovirus.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to define the agents involved in the development of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated retinitis. To achieve this goal, the authors determined the frequency and proximity of the simultaneous presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, human herpesvirus (HHV)-6, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in retinas of patients with AIDS with and without AIDS-associated retinitis. Methods. Retinal sections from 50 globes from patients with AIDS were analyzed for the presence of viral antigens and transcripts. Group 1 contained 13 globes from patients with HCMV infection. Group 2 contained 20 globes from patients with retinal lesions of uncertain etiology in which HCMV antigen and transcripts were not detected. Group 3 contained 17 globes from patients with no retinal lesions. Results. Retinal sections from all 13 globes (group 1) were positive for HCMV antigens and HIV-1 antigens and transcripts. Six of the 13 retinas were also positive for HHV-6 antigens and transcripts. Sections from 13 of the 20 globes (group 2) were positive for HIV-1 antigens and transcripts, and 5 of these 13 were also positive for HHV-6 antigens and transcripts. Multiple areas in sections from two of the HIV-l-positive retinas showed coinfection with HHV-6. All 17 globes (group 3) were positive for HIV-1 antigens and transcripts. Ten of these 17 retinas were also positive for HHV-6 antigens. Human cytomegalovirus antigens were not detectable in retinas from groups 2 and 3. No viral antigens or transcripts were detectable in retinal sections from 10 HIV-1 negative donors. Conclusions. The coexistence of HIV-1 and HHV-6 activity in more than 50% of retinas without HCMV infection suggests that HIV-1 and HHV-6 alone or in combination may predispose retinal tissue to other opportunistic agents such as HCMV during the development of AIDS associated retinitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1995 ;36 :2040-2047.
Evaluation of litters per sow per year as a means to reduce non-productive sow days in commercial swine breeding herds and its association with other economically important traits

The purpose of this project was to determine the value of implementing litters per sow per year (LSY) into a selection program. Two studies were conducted to achieve this objective. The goal of one study was to determining the genetic and phenotypic relationships between LSY and other economically important reproductive and post-weaning traits from a commercial swine breeding company. Determining the genetic and phenotypic correlations among traits can help breeders evaluate the expected impacts their selection decisions have on other economically important production traits. These other economically important traits may or may not be included in the selection criteria. This is particularly important when considering reproductive and post-weaning traits because of the undesirable genetic relationships that typically exist between reproductive and post-weaning traits. The traits collected included number born alive (NBA), wean to estrus (W2E), adjusted back fat (BF), percent lean (PCL), and days to 100 kg (D100). Litters per sow per year (LSY) was calculated based on recorded information. Genetic parameter estimates were calculated using ASREML. The heritability estimates for NBA, LSY, W2E, BF, D100, and PCL were 0.15, 0.03, 0.03, 0.52, 0.33, and 0.36, respectively. The genetic correlation between LSY and W2E was large and favorable. The genetic correlations between LSY and the three post-weaning traits (BF, D100, and PCL) have large standard errors and are unclear in direction. Some economically important traits can be favorably changed indirectly with selection on LSY; however, a selection index will be needed to ensure that post-weaning growth traits are not adversely affected by selection for LSY in a maternal line breeding program. The goal of the second study was to determine the relationship between individual sire breeding values (BV) for LSY and progeny means for farrowing rate, removal parity, and lifetime born alive.
Characterization of translating tornado-induced pressures and responses of a low-rise building frame based on measurement data

Abstract This study presents an analysis and characterization of dynamic wind pressures and internal forces of a low-rise building frame using measurement data obtained from a tornado simulator. The deterministic time-varying mean pressure component is extracted from the time history record using discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) approach. A continuous wavelet transformation (CWT) based approach is employed for determining the evolutionary power spectral density (EPSD) functions and time-varying standard deviation (STD) as well as co-variance of dynamic pressures. The results showed that the characteristics of dynamic pressures are strongly affected by the location of tornado, and are very different from those under straight-line wind. The pressure drop caused by tornado vortex plays a key role in defining the pressure characteristics. The building frame responses are also calculated from the statistics of pressures. The equivalent static wind loads (ESWLs) causing peak responses are defined by using the gust response factor approach. The effect of translation speed of tornado vortex is also investigated. The translating tornado vortex leads to a delay of occurrence of maximum time-varying mean and STD, and reduction in maximum STD thus peak response. It also makes the energy distribution of pressure fluctuations shifted to higher frequencies with a broader power spectrum. Finally, it is shown that the tornado-induced responses are significantly higher than those from ASCE 7-10.
Early experience with Millipede IRIS transcatheter mitral annuloplasty

The IRIS mitral annuloplasty ring is a transcatheter, transfemoral and transseptal-delivered complete, semi-rigid annuloplasty ring. The IRIS system mimics surgical annuloplasty by reducing the mitral septal-lateral dimension and improving leaflet coaptation. We report the early experience with the IRIS system in seven patients. These patients had 3–4+ mitral regurgitation (MR) with annular dilation and were symptomatic NYHA II-IV with LV end systolic dimensions ≤65 mm. Patients were excluded for LVEF 70 mmHg. Baseline and 30-day transthoracic echocardiography and CT imaging was performed. In phase 1, 4 patients had surgical IRIS mitral ring implantation. In phase 2, 3 patients had transfemoral, transseptal delivery of the IRIS mitral ring. There was no procedural death, or MI. The mitral SL diameter was reduced from 38.0±4.1 to 25.9±4.9 mm at 30 days (31.8% SL reduction, n=7). MR was reduced from baseline 3–4+ to 0–1+ in all patients at 30 days. There were improvements in NYHA class and there was a decrease in diastolic LV volumes from 182.4±54.3 to 115.3±98.8 mL at 30 days (36.8% reduction). Based on these initial positive findings, ongoing clinical trials are underway to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of the IRIS ring.
Super-resolution microscopy using deep learning (Conference Presentation)

Deep learning is a class of machine learning techniques that uses multi-layered artificial neural networks for automated analysis of signals or data. The name comes from the general structure of deep neural networks, which consist of several layers of artificial neurons, each performing a nonlinear operation, stacked over each other. Beyond its main stream applications such as the recognition and labeling of specific features in images, deep learning holds numerous opportunities for revolutionizing image formation, reconstruction and sensing fields. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of some of our recent work on the use of deep neural networks for achieving super-resolution in optical microscopy across different imaging modalities.
Variational Autoencoder with Truncated Mixture of Gaussians for Functional Connectivity Analysis.

Resting-state functional connectivity states are often identified as clusters of dynamic connectivity patterns. However, existing clustering approaches do not distinguish major states from rarely occurring minor states and hence are sensitive to noise. To address this issue, we propose to model major states using a non-linear generative process guided by a Gaussian-mixture distribution in a low-dimensional latent space, while separately modeling the connectivity patterns of minor states by a non-informative uniform distribution. We embed this truncated Gaussian-Mixture model in a Variational AutoEncoder framework to obtain a general joint clustering and outlier detection approach, called tGM-VAE. When applied to synthetic data with known ground-truth, tGM-VAE is more accurate in clustering dynamic connectivity patterns than existing approaches. On the rs-fMRI data of 593 healthy adolescents from the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) study, tGM-VAE identified meaningful major connectivity states. The dwell time of these states significantly correlated with age.
Conflictos socio-ambientales en el Área Metropolitana de Valparaíso

El proceso creciente de urbanizacion que afecta a importantes territorios, tanto en Chile como en America Latina, unido al aumento de grandes proyectos energeticos, extractivos e inmobiliarios, que buscan acrecentar el capital y financiar la expansion de la economia global, son una fuente constante de conflictos socio-ambientales, donde los intereses economicos de los grupos de poder se contraponen con los intereses ambientales y culturales de grupos ciudadanos que buscan proteger los recursos y los espacios naturales de los territorios que habitan. Estos conflictos, que ocurren en las distintas formas y niveles de urbanizacion que se dan en el mundo, se expresan con cierta relevancia en el Area Metropolitana de Valparaiso, donde se estan produciendo, de manera cada vez mas recurrente, condiciones preocupantes de degradacion ambiental y perdida de la biodiversidad, derivando en una cantidad importante de disputas y formas crecientes de polarizacion social. En este articulo presentamos los resultados preliminares de un estudio exploratorio que, desde el campo de la antropologia ecologica, aborda algunos conflictos socio ambientales presentes hoy en dia en esta area metropolitana, centrando nuestro objetivo en describir tres casos donde se ven enfrentados los intereses de la ciudadania con los intereses economicos de grupos corporativos. Los casos descritos reflejan experiencias de resistencia social surgidas desde los espacios ciudadanos involucrados en estos conflictos y permiten identificar los contenidos y practicas que favorecen la participacion e inclusion ciudadana en los procesos de gestion urbana y ambiental de las areas metropolitanas del pais.
Urban tree survival and stewardship in a state-managed planting initiative: A case study in Holyoke, Massachusetts

Abstract Stewardship is essential for the survival of trees planted in challenging urban conditions and for reaching canopy cover goals and anticipated benefits. The governance structure of the stewardship network can dictate stewardship efficacy and ultimately, tree survival. While many planting initiatives are managed locally, the stewardship network and survival rates of a state-managed initiative are not commonly addressed in scholarly literature. The Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) in Massachusetts is planting thousands of trees in post-industrial cities around the state. We carried out a mixed-methods case study of 2014 to 2016 tree planting in Holyoke, a GGCP pilot city, to assess the factors that influence survival. Specifically, we interviewed program stakeholders and coupled that data with field monitoring of trees planted along streets and on commercial and institutional landscapes. A logistic regression model shows that trees stewarded by state foresters were approximately 5.18 times more likely to survive, and trees which were not impacted by a summer 2016 drought were approximately 2.80 times more likely to survive. However, the drought impact was muted for trees stewarded by the state, and species characteristics were not significantly related to survival. Importantly, stewardship and planting site type strongly overlapped, providing insight into links between tree survival and stewardship network. At program launch, local recipients and partners agreed to water newly planted trees. But interviews revealed that tree recipients had neither the time nor staffing to adequately care for their trees. The GGCP intended for the local municipal public works department to assume stewardship responsibility, but the latter was unable and/or unwilling to do so due to a lack of funding and misalignment of goals, leaving stewardship as the state’s responsibility. Dedicated funding and staffing for maintenance is essential for strengthening stewardship networks and improving survival of large-scale urban tree plantings. Additionally, urban tree survival can be more strongly mediated by stewardship actors than some biophysical factors.
Pushing through the Tensions: Paradox Mindset and Escalation of Commitment

A converging body of evidence in the organizational paradox literature suggests that as individuals face tension-filled situations, they can cope, and even thrive, to the extent that they confront ...
Asymptomatic bilateral common iliac artery dissections in previously undiagnosed vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

We report a case of a 35-year-old woman found to have vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) after family history of sudden death due to aortic dissection in her otherwise healthy brother prompted further imaging workup and consideration of an underlying heritable genetic condition. CT angiogram of the aorta with intravenous contrast revealed an abdominal aortic artery dissection below the level of the renal arteries extending from the bifurcation into the left common iliac artery with an additional focal dissection of the right common iliac artery. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first report of asymptomatic bilateral common iliac artery dissections as a part of the initial presentation of a patient with underlying vEDS. Additionally, this case highlights the importance of familial diagnostic screening in inherited vasculopathies. Clinical history, genetic testing and management are discussed.
An integrated biophysical and economic modeling framework for long-term sustainability analysis: the HARMONEY model

Abstract This paper derives a long-term dynamic growth model that endogenously links biophysical and economic variables in a stock-flow consistent manner. The two industrial sector HARMONEY (Human And Resources with MONEY) model enables exploration of interdependencies among resource extraction rate and depletion; the accumulation of population, capital, and debt; and the distribution of money flows within the economy. Using a post-Keynesian economic framework, we find that wage share declines after the model reaches a constant per capita resource extraction rate, with the level of investment and markup on costs determining the rate of decline. This pattern is consistent with data for the United States. Thus, the model framework enables realistic investigation of trade-offs between economic distribution, size, and resources consumption between sectors as well as between labor and capital. These trade-offs are core to the debates regarding environmental and socioeconomic sustainability. This model serves as a platform upon which to add features to explore long-term sustainability questions such as a transition to low-carbon energy.
Interpretable Deep Neural Network for Cancer Survival Analysis by Integrating Genomic and Clinical Data

Understanding the complex biological mechanisms of cancer patient survival using genomic and clinical data is vital, not only to develop new treatments for patients, but also to improve survival prediction. However, highly nonlinear and high-dimension, low-sample size (HDLSS) data cause computational challenges to applying conventional survival analysis. We propose a novel biologically interpretable pathway-based sparse deep neural network, named Cox-PASNet, which integrates high-dimensional gene expression data and clinical data on a simple neural network architecture for survival analysis. Cox-PASNet is biologically interpretable where nodes in the neural network correspond to biological genes and pathways, while capturing the nonlinear and hierarchical effects of biological pathways associated with cancer patient survival. We also propose a heuristic optimization solution to train Cox-PASNet with HDLSS data. Cox-PASNet was intensively evaluated by comparing the predictive performance of current state-of-the-art methods on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV) cancer. In the experiments, Cox-PASNet showed out-performance, compared to the benchmarking methods. Moreover, the neural network architecture of Cox-PASNet was biologically interpreted, and several significant prognostic factors of genes and biological pathways were identified. Cox-PASNet models biological mechanisms in the neural network by incorporating biological pathway databases and sparse coding. The neural network of Cox-PASNet can identify nonlinear and hierarchical associations of genomic and clinical data to cancer patient survival. The open-source code of Cox-PASNet in PyTorch implemented for training, evaluation, and model interpretation is available at: https://github.com/DataX-JieHao/Cox-PASNet.
Model for end-stage liver disease-sodium underestimates 90-day mortality risk in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure

Background & Aims It is unclear whether the model for end-stage liver disease-sodium (MELD-Na) score captures the clinical severity of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). We compared observed 90-day mortality in patients with ACLF with expected mortality based on the calculated MELD-Na and examined the consequences of underestimating clinical severity. Methods We identified patients with ACLF during hospitalization for cirrhosis in 127 VA hospitals between 01/01/2004 and 12/31/2014. We examined MELD-Na scores by ACLF presence and grade. We used actual and observed 90-day mortality to estimate a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) by ACLF presence and grade. We used transplant center-specific median MELD-Na at transplantation (MMaT) to estimate the proportion likely to receive priority for liver transplantation (LT) based on MELD-Na alone. Results Of 71,894 patients hospitalized for decompensated cirrhosis, 18,979 (26.4%) patients met the criteria for ACLF on admission. The median (P25-P75) MELD-Na on admission was 26 (22–30) for ACLF compared to 15 (12–20) for patients without ACLF; it was 24 (21–27), 27 (23–31), and 32 (26–37) for ACLF-1, 2 and 3, respectively. At 90 days, 40.0% of patients with ACLF died (30.8%, 41.6% and 68.8% with ACLF-1, 2 and 3, respectively) compared to 21.3% of patients without ACLF. Compared to the expected death rate based on MELD-Na, mortality risk was higher for patients with ACLF, SMR (95% CI): 1.52 (1.48–1.52), 1.46 (1.41–1.51), 1.50 (1.44–1.55), 1.66 (1.58–1.74) for overall ACLF, ACLF-1, -2 and -3, respectively. Only 9.1% of patients with ACLF reached the national median MELD-Na of 35 and between 17.3% to 35.1% exceeded the MMaT at any center. During index admission, 589 (0.8%) patients with ACLF were considered for LT evaluation and 16 (0.1%) were listed for LT. Conclusions In a US cohort of hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis, MELD-Na did not capture 90-day mortality risk in patients with ACLF. Patients with ACLF are at a disadvantage in the current MELD-Na-based system. Lay summary Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a condition marked by multiple organ failures in patients with cirrhosis and is associated with a high risk of death. Liver transplantation may be the only curative treatment for these patients. A score called model for end-stage liver disease-sodium (MELD-Na) helps guide donor liver allocation for transplantation in the United States. The higher the MELD-Na score in a patient, the more likely that a patient receives a liver transplant. Our study data showed that MELD-Na score underestimates the risk of dying at 90 days in patients with ACLF. Thus, physicians need to start liver transplant evaluation early instead of waiting for a high MELD-Na number.
Coronary vascular growth matches IGF-1-stimulated cardiac growth in fetal sheep

As loss of contractile function in heart disease could often be mitigated by increased cardiomyocyte number, expansion of cardiomyocyte endowment paired with increased vascular supply is a desirable therapeutic goal. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) administration increases fetal cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart mass, but how fetal IGF-1 treatment affects coronary growth and function is unknown. Near-term fetal sheep underwent surgical instrumentation and were studied from 127 to 134 d gestation (term = 147 d), receiving either IGF-1 LR3 or vehicle. Coronary growth and function were interrogated using pressure-flow relationships, an episode of acute hypoxia with progressive blockade of adenosine receptors and nitric oxide synthase, and by modeling the determinants of coronary flow. The main findings were that coronary conductance was preserved on a per-gram basis following IGF-1 treatment, adenosine and nitric oxide contributed to hypoxia-mediated coronary vasodilation similarly in IGF-1-treated and Control fetuses, and the relationships between coronary flow and blood oxygen contents were similar between groups. We conclude that IGF-1-stimulated fetal myocardial growth is accompanied by appropriate expansion and function of the coronary vasculature. These findings support IGF-1 as a potential strategy to increase cardiac myocyte and coronary vascular endowment at birth.
Parametric Encoding of Coronary Arteriograms for the Evaluation of Hyperemic Reserve

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that traditional assessments of the severity of coronary stenosis (visual grading of the coronary arteriogram) correlate poorly with the actual anatomy [1], and fail to predict the actual physiologic significance of the lesion [2, 3]. Reactive hyperemia has long been recognized as a sensitive index of the severity of the physiologic impairment, as the presence of a significant stenosis limits the ability of the coronary bed to increase its flow in response to a hyperemic stimulus [4–6].
Using Mixed Methods to Identify the Primary Mental Health Problems and Needs of Children, Adolescents, and Their Caregivers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.

Our understanding of child, adolescent, and caregiver mental health (MH) problems during the coronavirus pandemic, and which interventions are needed, may be advanced by consumer input. 133 general population caregivers reported top MH problems and needs for themselves and their children (Mage = 8.21; SD = 4.94), using standardized and idiographic measures. We applied linear regression models to quantitative data and thematic analysis to qualitative data. Caregivers’ COVID-era depression and anxiety symptom means fell within the clinical range, as did their children’s MH symptoms. Caregiver-reported child and adolescent symptoms were positively associated with number of children in the home. Caregiver and caregiver-reported child and adolescent symptoms were more pronounced in regions with more lenient COVID-19 restrictions. Among the kinds of help most urgently needed, MH services were ranked #1 for caregivers and adolescents, #2 for 6–12 year-olds, and #3 for 1–5 year-olds. Top problems identified for each age group highlight pressing pandemic-related intervention targets.
Early Post-Operative Hyperlactatemia as a Prognostic Indicator for Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose This study evaluated the impact of early post-operative hyperlactatemia on outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Methods Adults undergoing contemporary LVAD implantation (HeartMate 3 or HeartWare HVAD) between 2009 to 2018 were included. Peak post-operative (within 24-hours) lactate level was analyzed. The cohort was stratified into patients with and without post-op hyperlactatemia, which was defined as peak >3.5 mMol/L. The primary outcome was survival, and secondary outcomes included post-implant adverse events. Sub-analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of hours for lactate normalization, define as lactate Results 190 patients were included. 49.5% experienced post-operative hyperlactatemia. Patients with post-operative hyperlactatemia had significantly higher rates of post-implant complications including re-operation, renal failure, and hepatic dysfunction (all, p≤0.05). The post-operative hyperlactatemia group also had significantly higher 90-days and 1-year mortality rates following LVAD implantation (all, p≤0.05) (Table). In multivariable analysis, post-operative hyperlactatemia (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09-2.60, p=0.02) was an independent predictor of overall mortality following LVAD implantation. Increased time for normalization of lactate also adversely impacted risk-adjusted overall mortality following implantation as a continuous variable (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, p Conclusion This study demonstrates post-operative hyperlactatemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality following LVAD implantation. Even early post-operative lactate trends within the first 24 postoperative hours appear to have useful role in predicting longitudinal survival following implantation. Careful monitoring of post-operative lactate with measures to normalize levels should be considered in the early care of LVAD patients.
Internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm presenting as a peritonsillar abscess

Abstract Carotid artery pseudoaneurysms are a rare pediatric entity and typically present with bleeding, nerve involvement due to impingement, or as a pulsatile neck mass. We present a 14-year-old male with a history of recent orthodontic placement, who exhibited persistent sore throat, headaches, recurrent emesis and physical exam findings suspicious for a peritonsillar abscess. However, CT scan demonstrated left internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. This case accentuates a unique presentation of an internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm.
Transverse Myelitis: Lyme Disease or MOG-Antibody Associated Demyelination? (P1.2-080)

Objective: NA Background: Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody (MOG-IgG)-Associated Demyelination (MOGAD) is an inflammatory CNS condition which can present as ADEM or NMOSD clinical picture. We report a 28-year-old pregnant woman who presented with acute onset of generalized dysesthesia, pain with eye movements and urinary retention two weeks following a possible tick exposure and had evidence of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. She was found to be seropositive for lyme IgM and anti-MOG IgG. Design/Methods: A 28-year-old pregnant woman presented with acute onset of generalized dysesthesia, urinary retention and painful eye movements. Two weeks prior, she had a possible tick exposure and a faint erythematous rash on her leg. Exam was positive for low grade fever, sensory loss in lower extremities with sensory level at T5 and generalized hyper-reflexia. MRI of the spinal cord revealed STIR hyper intensity in multiple patchy areas in cervical and thoracic regions. Brain MRI was normal. CSF was remarkable for protein of 60 mg/dl and 115 nucleated cells with 83% lymphocytes and normal glucose. Serum lyme IgM was slightly positive. Patient was treated with IV methylprednisone with significant improvement in her symptoms. She also received IV ceftriaxone for possible neuroborreliosis. Later, serum MOG-IgG came back positive with titer elevated to 1:10,000. At 3 month follow up, she was completely back to normal and serum lyme IgG was negative. Results: MOGAD has been reported to occur in the setting of various infections including HSV, EBV, CMV, chlamydia, VZV, Influenza, HHV-6 and Borrelia burgdorferi. In the setting of concurrent certain infections that can also cause CNS involvement, it is a dilemma to blame the infection itself as a culprit or para-infectious autoimmune attacks. Conclusions: This case report validates the importance of investigating all reasonably treatable etiologies (i.e. MOG-IgG) even if an initial lab finding may potentially explain the clinical picture (i.e Lyme disease). Disclosure: Dr. Zarghami has nothing to disclose. Dr. Van De Walle Jones has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bittner has nothing to disclose.
India's Gestational Surrogacy Market: An Exploitation of Poor, Uneducated Women

Approximately, “[t]en to 15 percent of couples in the United States are infertile. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year for most people.” A variety of factors in either or both partners can cause infertility. However, due to various Assisted Reproductive Technology (“ART”) procedures, couples can “creat[e] conception through means other than coital reproduction.” Artificial insemination, the oldest and most common ART procedure, is a process whereby a sperm sample is directly inserted into the uterus via a catheter. In 1981, “America celebrated the birth of its first in vitro fertilization [(“IVF”)]-conceived baby.” IVF is the process of fertilization where an egg is manually combined with sperm in a laboratory dish. “When the IVF procedure is successful, the process is combined with a procedure known as embryo transfer, which involves physically placing the embryo in
Colloquium 5 Socrates on Socrates: Looking Back to Bring Philosophy Forward

In this paper, I explore three autobiographical narratives that Plato’s Socrates tells: his report of his conversations with Diotima (Symposium 201d–212b), his account of his testing of the Delphic oracle (Apology 21a–23a), and his description of his turn from naturalistic philosophy to his own method of inquiry (Phaedo 96a–100b).1 This Platonic Socrates shows his auditors how to philosophize for the future through a narrative recollection of his own past. In these stories, Plato presents us with an image of a Socrates who prepares others to do philosophy without him. In doing so, Plato’s Socrates exhibits philosophical care for his students. In the first part of the paper, I briefly discuss Socrates’ overall narrative style as Plato depicts it in the five dialogues that Socrates narrates. I then analyze each of these autobiographical accounts with an eye toward uncovering what they reveal about Plato’s presentation of Socrates’ philosophical practice.2 Finally, I offer a brief description of what it might mean to practice philosophy as care for self and care for others in a Socratic fashion.
Effects of I ,25-Dihydroxyvitamin-D3 on Renal Function, Mineral Balance, and Growth in Children with Severe Chronic Renal Failure

To confirm and extend previous observations of enhanced linear growth in children with chronic renal disease being treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 and to characterize further the calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc disorders in renal failure, 11 children (mean age 8 +/- 5 years) with chronic renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate 18% +/- 13% of normal) were evaluated on the basis of their reciprocal serum creatinine concentrations, height-velocity curves, mineral balances, and radiologic findings. Reciprocal serum creatinine concentrations analyzed retrospectively and prospectively during 32 months of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 therapy showed progression of renal failure at rates linearly identical with those before treatment, thus suggesting that the treatment did not accelerate the rate of deterioration of glomerular filtration rate in chronic anal insufficiency. Indeed, one patient manifested a lesser decline in renal function (P less than .05). The height velocity of six of the children (75%) less than 12 years of age improved markedly over that expected for chronologic and bone ages after one year of treatment with orally administered 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3, 15 to 35 ng/kg/day. All other medications except vitamin D2 were continued at their pretreatment dosage levels throughout the study. Growth velocity was unimproved in two of three children older than 12 years at the initiation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 therapy. Mineral balance data showed significant retention of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc (357 +/- 32 mg/sq m/day, 250 +/- 82 mg/sq m/day, 38 +/- 32 mg/sq m/day, and 1,157 +/- 283 microgram/sq m/day, respectively), after treatment for 12 months. In addition, serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone concentrations returned toward normal. Finally, healing of renal osteodystrophy was radiologically evident after six months of therapy.
Factors affecting pain in acute ankle fractures: A prospective evaluation

Pain has been identified as the dominant factor in patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of pain reported in a large series of acute ankle fractures and to determine what factors are associated with higher pain scores. We prospectively evaluated 457 consecutive patients with acute Weber B supination external rotation ankle fractures upon presentation for pain in 9 areas of the ankle. There were 231 females and 226 males, average age 46.2 (18-96) with 133 bi/tri-malleolar and 324 lateral malleolar fractures. There were 101 SE2, 73 stress (+) SE4, and 150 ligamentous SE4 injuries. The highest pain score (VAS 0-10) for the medial and lateral regions was chosen for analysis. Other factors included in the multivariate analysis were: age, ethnicity, DM, alcohol presence, and days from injury to presentation on the level of pain reported using a linear regression model and set statistical significance at 0.05. In univariate analysis, the type of injury (medial malleolus or deltoid ligament) nor instability differed with respect to medial pain. However, patients presenting with instability had more lateral pain (5.6±3) than those with stable injuries (2.6±3) (p<001). Additionally, those with bony medial injury had more lateral pain (7±2.7) than those with isolated lateral malleolar fractures (4.0±3.4) (p<0.001). Most importantly, in the multivariate analysis, the only factor that was significant for both medial and lateral pain (separate regressions) was ethnicity, with blacks having more pain given the same injury than whites (p<0.001). Latinos trended towards having more lateral pain than whites (p=0.15), but not more medial pain (p=0.3). For lateral pain, in addition to ethnicity, presence of a displaced mortise (p<0.0001), having a medial bony injury (p<0.0001), and the days from injury (p=0.008) were significant. Pain decreased with time from injury. In this evaluation of over 450 patients with Weber B, SE pattern ankle fractures we confirmed previous work in the upper extremity indicating an important difference in the reported pain by ethnicity. In particular, black patients have more pain than white or latino patients given the same injury.
Prediction of polycystic ovarian syndrome based on ultrasound findings and clinical parameters.

Objective. To determine the accuracy of sonographic-diagnosed polycystic ovaries and clin- ical parameters in predicting polycystic ovarian syndrome. Methods. Medical records and ultrasounds of 151 women with sonographically diagnosed polycystic ovaries were reviewed. Sonographic criteria for poly- cystic ovaries were based on 2003 Rotterdam Euro- pean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Med- icine guidelines: at least one ovary with 12 or more follicles measuring 2-9 mm and/or increased ovarian volume >10 cm 3 . Clinical variables of age, gravidity, ethnicity, body mass index, and sonographic indica- tion were collected. One hundred thirty-five patients had final outcomes (presence/absence of polycystic ovarian syndrome). Polycystic ovarian syndrome was diagnosed if a patient had at least one other of the fol- lowing two criteria: oligo/chronic anovulation and/or clinical/biochemical hyperandrogenism. A logistic regression model was constructed using stepwise selection to identify variables significantly associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (p < .05). The valid- ity of the model was assessed using receiver operat- ing characteristics and Hosmer-Lemeshow v 2
Severe Convective Storms

Publisher Summary Although, the present understanding of these storms is in some respects rudimentary, it is vastly advanced over the knowledge of even twenty years ago. Increased knowledge evolved largely through technological advances. The problem of storm observation was largely solved through the introduction of weather surveillance radar. Augmented networks of radiosondes, and the introduction of radar and radio balloon tracking devices, made it possible to secure much improved analyses of the thermal structure of the atmosphere, its moisture distribution, and the pressure and wind patterns aloft. It became recognized that successful weather prediction depends on an awareness of the whole three-dimensional structure of the atmosphere. In the study of convective phenomena, increased attention was given to the ways in which the air–mass structure is modified, not by solar heating alone, but also by the slow, but persistent upward and downward motions accompanying cyclones and anticyclones, and the horizontal advection of heat and moisture. The development of thunderstorms thus, came to be visualized as the end-product of a grand chain of physical processes, which assume varying degrees of importance. Different types of storms develop under different environmental conditions, ranging from the sporadic formation of short-lived convective cells in a nearly random fashion, to the nearly steady state, long-lived, and highly organized heat engine characterizing the most severe storms. This chapter attempts to sketch the main processes pertinent to convective development with emphasis on the structure and mechanics of the storms once they have formed.
Data Access Tips and Techniques

Over the last few years, I’ve been accumulating a lot of suggestions, tips, and reviews, as well as complaints about my treatment of Cleveland. Some of these came to me while writing examples or in the classroom as I taught my classes, while others were filtered from the mountains of e-mail I get on a daily basis. While many of these ideas have already made their way into earlier chapters, the ones described here have not. Instead of leaving out these orphans, I decided to bundle them together into their own chapter—so here they are.
Discursive Processes Creating Team Culture and Recovery Orientation Among Housing First Providers

A recovery orientation is imperative in mental health services. While structural aspects of programs can influence service providers’ orientation to recovery principles, team culture as exemplified by staff attitudes, values, and beliefs is central to the incorporation of recovery principles in everyday practice. Using Fine's (1979) idioculture framework, this study examined the discursive process in team meetings at a housing first program. Researchers observed team meetings and conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with case managers from two assertive community treatment teams. Open coding identified categories indicating discursive processes grounded in the recovery language and higher-level coding derived intersubjective themes related to the use of recovery oriented culture during team meetings. Discursive processes included giving benefit of the doubt, withholding judgment, celebrating small things, and accentuating the positive and softening the negative. Using these discursive practices, ...
Asteroid missions: Goals for elemental abundance analysis

Abstract Since it is known that there is a diversity of surface types among asteroids and assumed that asteroids represent several different bulk compositions and stages in planetary evolution, a first mission to the asteroid belt must study and compare several asteroids of differing types. Both very primitive and highly evolved asteroids should be studied. Identifications of any asteroid with a known type of meteorite will permit the attachment of a large body of accurate data to a known location, and thereby secure many commonly made assumptions as facts. Thus, it is essential that remote analysis of asteroids be able to distinguish among the compositions of known meteorites. Determination of the absolute abundances of Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Fe, Ni, and S will permit meteorite types to be distinguished. Analysis of additional elements such as C and H and other trace elements will permit more certainty in identification. Remote sensing of primitive asteroids should permit the detection of water on or outgassing from asteroid surfaces. An important goal will be to determine the degree to which remote observations of surfaces reflect real differences in interior compositions; hence, accurate determinations of densities will be essential. High-resolution photography of asteroidal surfaces may yield information on the heterogeneity of the surfaces.
Axon Guidance: Repulsion and Attraction in Roundabout Ways

Summary The secreted signal Slit and its three receptors, Robo1–3, regulate axon guidance in the Drosophila nervous system. Differences in expression and structure of Robo paralogs contribute to diversifying growth cone responses to a common ligand.
Butterbur: An alternative therapy for migraine prevention

Petasites hybridus, more commonly known as butterbur, is a member of the Asteraceae family.[1][1]–[4][2] This perennial shrub, which can grow to a height of 3 ft, has a creeping, horizontal rhizome, lilac-pink flowers, and broad leaves that can approach 3 ft in diameter (figure).[1][1],[3][3]–[5
Yield- and photosynthesis-derived critical concentrations of tissue phosphorus and their significance for growth of eurasian water milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L.

Abstract A theoretical analysis of critical phosphorus levels in the tissue of Eurasian water milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L., predicts that growth-rate- and photosynthetic-derived critical levels should be equal but that these levels should exceed the critical value from typical laboratory yield experiments by a factor of 1.6. This factor is not very sensitive to changes in the assumed relationship between growth rate and tissue nutrient concentration and thus may apply to many plant species. However, the theoretical result contrasts with the greater than fourfold difference found previously between yield and photosynthetic critical levels for milfoil. Using plants harvested early, in order to minimize the effects of culture age on growth rate, we measured a critical level of 0.25 – 0.27% P at 95% of the phosphorus-saturated yield. This value differs from the critical concentration for photosynthesis by approximately the theoretical ratio of 1.6:1, but is more than three times larger than the previously reported critical concentration for yield. Culture-aging effects would result in lower assessments of yield critical levels, and probably caused those data reported previously to be unrealistically low. Adoption of the higher yield value that we report would eliminate the dilemma posed by tissue levels that occur between the previously reported yield and photosynthetic concentrations, and it would alter the conclusions of many previous studies regarding factors limiting to milfoil growth.
Rare earth energy levels and magnetic properties of DyPo4

Abstract The dynamic and static paramagnetic response of DyPO4 has been studied by neutron inelastic scattering and single-crystal magnetic susceptibility measurements. The observed energies and intensities of the magnetic transitions at 15 and 100 K were used to refine the parameters of the crystal field potential for Dy3+ ions in DyPO4. The derived crystal field level structure provides a basis for explaining the low temperature magnetic properties of this compound.
Putting your IDEF0 model to work

An IDEF0 model contains information describing how an organization executes its business processes. Describes how informa‐ tion from IDEF0 process models can be used to support execution of knowledge worker business processes via an automated system called the knowledge worker system (KWS). KWS enables an organization to implement an online business process model of their organization that contains information about the organization’s tasks along with the information resources and computer applica‐tions required to support task execution. Through this online model, KWS provides daily support to knowledge workers in the execution of the organization’s processes.
Extending the use of USEPA method 1625 for the analysis of 4,4′-DDT, 4,4′-DDD, and 4,4′-DDE

Abstract This paper describes an isotope dilution GC/MS technique for the analysis of low-partsper-trillion (ppt) concentrations of 4,4′-DDT, 4,4′-DDD, and 4,4′-DDE in waters and soils. These pesticides are known to be pervasive and dangerous. Known amounts of stable labeled isotopes such as 4,4′-DDT-d8, 4,4′-DDD-d8, and 4,4′-DDE-d8 were spiked into each sample prior to extraction. The water samples were extracted with methylene chloride. The soil samples were extracted initially with a mixture of acetone and methylene chloride. Analyses were performed on a high-resolution GC/low resolution MS with the mass spectrometer operated in the selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). Accuracy greater than 90% and precision better than 6% were demonstrated by use of the spiked samples. This technique has been used successfully in the analysis of 100 water samples and 50 soil samples. Those samples showing less than the detection limit were “spiked” with pure 4,4′-DDT, 4,4′-DDD, and 4,4′-DDE, and then rerun to ensure that the analysis was not faulty. Detection limits of 0.1–1.0 ppb (parts per billion) were achieved for the test compounds by selected ion monitoring GC/MS.
Facilitating Student Experimentation with Statistical Concepts

The demand for efficient methods for offering hands-on experimentation can be expected to grow with the recognition of the need for active learning. This Web page provides seven Java applets that enable students to experiment with key concepts in an introductory statistics course. The applets cover standardizing a normally distributed random variable, the Central Limit Theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, simple linear regression, and control charts. Developing Java applets is no small task for nonprogrammers. To minimize costs, I cooperated with a Computer Information Systems instructor. Three of his students wrote the programs for these applets under our supervision. They gained valuable experience in working with a client and producing the desired product, and my students and I got useful statistical applets. Instructors can use these applets in three ways. First, they can place links to these applets on their course Web spaces and encourage students to explore the various statistical concepts. Second, the applets can be used to create in-class demonstrations of statistical concepts. Third, a more active method would involve using the applets as the basis of assigned problems that lead students through experiments and to the discovery of important statistical relationships. For example, to develop an understanding of the relationship between variance and probability, instructors could ask students to use the standardization applet and a given mean income level to investigate how the poverty rate is affected by changes in income inequality.