cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiview paraperspective projection model for diminished reality

This paper introduces a "diminished reality" technique for removing an object or collection of objects and replacing it with an appropriate background image. Diminished reality can be considered an important part of many mixed and augmented reality applications. Our target application is the use of augmented reality (AR) to revamp procedures in industrial plants. An object or a region of interest is delineated on a single reference image. A paraperspective projection model is used to generate the correct background from multiple calibrated views of the scene. We propose methods to deal with approximately planar backgrounds with different orientations. We also propose a multi-resolution approach to deal with non-planar backgrounds. Different sets of experimental results demonstrate the success and limits of the algorithms. Results on real data from water treatment and power plants show the usefulness of this method for industrial applications.
The prognosis of cystic fibrosis in the Western Cape region of South Africa.

Objective: To study the prognosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) in South Africa. Methodology: Retrospective chart review of 102 children with CF over 20 years. Results: Survival at 18 years was 54% (95% confidence intervals 30-79). Prognosis was not influenced by gender or genotype but survival was noted to be worse for Cape Coloured children than for European children. This appeared mainly to be due to the death of eight Cape Coloured infants, four of whom presented with oedema and anaemia, mimicking kwashiorkor. Infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurred earlier in Cape Coloured children than European children (median, 1 vs 4 years) and they had a worse 5-year survival (56 vs 89%, P < 0.05) after infection. Of the 40 children born in the second decade studied, six Coloured and no European children died. Conclusions: Ethnic differences in prognosis exist for children with CF in South Africa and are probably related to underrecognition of CF and the socio-economic status of some patients.
Primary central nervous system vasculitis: analysis of 101 patients.

Objective To analyze the clinical findings, response to therapy, outcome, and incidence of primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) in a large cohort from a single center Methods We retrospectively studied 101 patients with PCNSV, selected by predetermined diagnostic criteria, who were seen during a 21-year period. This was a collaborative study by five departments at a large multispecialty clinic. Clinical findings and outcomes were compared among patients categorized by method of diagnosis, response to therapy, survival, and degree of disability. An annual incidence rate was calculated Results Seventy patients were diagnosed by angiography and 31 by central nervous system biopsy. Three histological patterns were observed during biopsy. Although most patients responded to therapy, an increased mortality rate was observed. Relapses occurred in one fourth of patients. Mortality rate and disability at last follow-up were greater in those who presented with a focal neurological deficit, cognitive impairment, cerebral infarctions, and angiographic large-vessel involvement but were lower in those with prominent gadolinium-enhanced lesions when evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. The annual incidence rate of PCNSV was 2.4 cases per 1,000,000 person-years Interpretation PCNSV is a rare disease that may result in serious neurological outcomes or death. Angiography and brain biopsy may complement each other when determining the diagnosis. Early recognition and treatment may reduce poor outcomes. PCNSV is a variable syndrome that appears to consist of several subsets of heterogeneous diseases. Ann Neurol 2007
Towards a strategic model of employment reform in developing countries: explaining and remedying experience to date

The article argues for the importance of employment reform as a subject for international HRM scholarship. Employment reform has been one of the most significant, but also most neglected, recent initiatives in international HRM. Explanations by the World Bank and IMF for the poorer than expected outcomes of reform to date emphasize the importance of political commitment. They are compared with explanations for the similarly poor outcomes of downsizing in industrialized country organizations, which emphasize strategy, diagnosis, incrementalism and provision for retrenchees. Further clarification is provided by the results of field interviews in Ghana, Malaysia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda and the UK. The article argues for a strategic approach to employment reform, one based on diagnosis and drawing on HRM expertise. It should take account of process factors in reform, make provision for the 'victims' of reform, loosen the link between employment reform and pay reform, and refine the role of donors in ...
Receptor activation and inositol lipid hydrolysis in neural tissues.

Recent advances in our knowledge of the biochemistry, pharmacology, and cell biology of ligand-induced, stimulated turnover of inositol lipids in such diverse tissues as insect salivary glands, platelets, lymphocytes, and a number of exocrine glands have greatly altered our understanding of intracellular events leading to secretion, contraction, chemotaxis, and other cellular responses. Much of what has been learned regarding ligand-stimulated turnover of inosito1 lipids has come from nonneural systems, so that the presumption that signal transduction via this mechanism mediates significant steps in neural function must still be considered inferential. This reservation has been a major theme of a recent comprehensive review (Hawthorne, 1986). Nevertheless, that the brain contains large amounts of the substrates and enzymes of inositol lipid turnover and its associated second messenger systems and, further, that it is enriched with receptors that are linked to stimulated inositol lipid turnover argue strongly that the phosphoinositides indeed play an important role in brain function. There exist several general reviews on stimulated inositol lipid turnover (Bemidge, 1984; Bemdge and Irvine, 1984; Nishizuka, 1984, 1986; Hokin, 1985; Abdel-Latif, 1986; Downes, 1986; Williamson, 1986), including several that emphasize the nervous system (Downes, 1982, 1983; Fisher and Agranoff, 1986; Hawthorne, 1986; Nahorski et al., 1986). The present contribution emphasizes developments of neurochemical relevance since a review on the subject in this journal 8 years ago (Hawthorne and Pickard, 1979).
Alternative Splicing of Pre-Messenger RNAs in Plants in the Genomic Era

Primary transcripts (precursor-mRNAs) with introns can undergo alternative splicing to produce multiple transcripts from a single gene by differential use of splice sites, thereby increasing the transcriptome and proteome complexity within and between cells and tissues. Alternative splicing in plants is largely an unexplored area of gene expression, as this phenomenon used to be considered rare. However, recent genome-wide computational analyses have revealed that alternative splicing in flowering plants is far more prevalent than previously thought. Interestingly, pre-mRNAs of many spliceosomal proteins, especially serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins, are extensively alternatively spliced. Furthermore, stresses have a dramatic effect on alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs including those that encode many spliceosomal proteins. Although the mechanisms that regulate alternative splicing in plants are largely unknown, several reports strongly suggest a key role for SR proteins in spliceosome assembly and regulated splicing. Recent studies suggest that alternative splicing in plants is an important posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism in modulating gene expression and eventually plant form and function.
Anticipated scientific advances with the LAWS instrument

A Doppler lidar wind sounder is currently the only instrument that can provide the direct measurement of the global, tropospheric wind field, which is fundamental to advancing our understanding and prediction of possible climate change and would significantly increase the skill of numerical weather Forecasts. NASA has successfully completed Phase B (definition) studies for a space-based Doppler lidar, referred to as the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) instrument. The status of the LAWS program and the importance of global winds for weather and climate prediction is discussed. >
Incorporating Coherence of Topics as a Criterion in Automatic Response-to-Text Assessment of the Organization of Writing

This paper presents an investigation of score prediction for the Organization dimension of an assessment of analytical writing in response to text. With the long-term goal of producing feedback for students and teachers, we designed a task-dependent model that aligns with the scoring rubric and makes use of the source material. Our experimental results show that our rubric-based model performs as well as baselines on datasets from grades 6-8. On shorter and noisier essays from grades 5-6, the rubric-based model performs better than the baselines. Further, we show that the baseline model (lexical chaining) can be improved if we extend it with information from the source text for shorter and noisier data.
Pediatric desmoid fibromatosis of the parapharyngeal space: A case report and review of literature.

Abstract Desmoid fibromatosis, or aggressive fibromatosis, is a benign but locally infiltrative fibroblastic neoplasm arising from fascial or musculoaponeurotic tissues. Although lacking metastatic potential, head and neck fibromatosis can have significant functional or cosmetic morbidities. 7%–15% of all desmoid tumors are seen in the head and neck region, 57% of which occur in the pediatric population. The incidence of pediatric desmoid tumor peaks around age 8. Treatment of choice is complete surgical resection; however, local recurrence is common. We present a case of a 14-month-old male with an 8-cm desmoid tumor in the right parapharyngeal space and provide an overview of diagnosis and management of pediatric head and neck fibromatosis. This is the largest desmoid tumor of the parapharyngeal space in the youngest patient described in the literature.
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY FOLLOWING INFANT CARDIAC SURGERY: INCIDENCE AND PREDICTIVE FACTORS

Infants undergoing repair of congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI), but the incidence and outcome of AKI in this population is unknown. Furthermore, it is unknown whether AKI can be predicted from pre- and post-operative data. This study aimed to
Methodology for Conceptual Design with Composite Stiffened Skin

With increased interest in paradigm-shifting aerospace vehicles, such as those with a blended wing-body configuration or mostly composite structures, it is necessary to develop structural design methods that will help these concepts reach their full potential. With the introduction of advanced vehicle geometry and materials, the dimensionality of the design space for advanced structures becomes quite cumbersome. The presented methodology uses a reformulation of the typical mass minimization problem to limit the number of design variables in the design of a stiffened skin panel. Typically, the mass minimization problem for structural design is a function of the physical dimensions of the stiffened panels. In the new minimization problem discussed here, the equivalent smeared stiffness terms of the panels become the design variables. This reformulation provides a consistent number of design variables regardless of the stiffened panel concept used in the design exploration. The reduction in design variables is made possible by the introduction of response surface methodology to map from the stiffness terms to the mass and margins of safety for the stiffened panel. To generate the response surface equations that represent mass and margin of safety, a precursory design of experiments is run in HyperSizer to collect the necessary data. A composite “I” stiffened panel is considered in the presented study.
It Is Not Always Black and White An Examination of Black and Latino Intergroup Violence

Criminological research has consistently found evidence that residential instability leads to increases in violent crime, but little research assesses whether a specific type of residential turnove...
Scanning Electron Microscopic Examination of Yersinia enterocolitica Attached to Stainless Steel at Selected Temperatures and pH values1

Attachment of Yersinia enterocolitica to stainless steel surfaces at 35, 21, and 10°C was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cells adhered at all three temperatures, but, in general, the greatest number of adhered cells were observed at pH 8 and 21°C. Multi-flagellated cells were noted under these growth conditions. When grown at pH 9.5 and 21°C, fibrils were observed between cells and extending to the stainless steel surface. Fewer cells with flagella were seen at this pH. Adherence may be related to the flagella and any exopolymer surrounding the cells.
Global Cybersecurity: Issues and Concern

By all accounts, the global cybercrime industry is significantly bigger than most of the major and well-known underground and underworld industries. This editorial highlights some of the major themes of this special issue on Global Cybersecurity of the Journal of Global Information Technology Management.
Biosecurity Terrorism, Food Safety, and Food Consumption: Using Experimental Psychology to Analyze Economic Behavior

How would a possible food safety scare influence food consumption? Using techniques from experimental psychology, a study of 103 lunchtime participants suggests that a food scare -- avian influenza -- would decrease food by 17% if they believed it was naturally occurring and by 26% if they believed it was the result of terrorism. We argue that experimental psychology is essential when attempting to study behavior in areas such as food safety where hypothetical scenarios and surveys would not capture true assessments of risk and emotional-response.
Predicting Salesperson Success Using Personal and Personality Characteristics: A Theoretical Framework

Research in the area of salesperson performance has failed to establish critical theoretical foundations for testing and predicting salesperson success. Many researchers have attempted to generalize results over all categories of salespeople without consideration of those tasks and traits crucial to success in specific categories of sales employment. A theoretical framework is proposed to guide future research toward an elimination of these shortcomings. Development of a job analysis, application of socio-analytic theory and behavioral consistency theory are presented as areas that need developing to enhance this research stream.
Risk factors for the development of active methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in patients colonized with MRSA at hospital admission.

Background Patients who present to Veterans Affairs hospitals are screened for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization. Those who test positive are isolated during their hospital stay. However, it is unknown which of these patients are most likely to subsequently develop active MRSA infections. Methods This retrospective case-control study characterized risk factors for active MRSA infection among patients colonized with MRSA at hospital admission. Potential demographic and clinical risk factors were identified using electronic queries and manual chart abstraction; data were compared by standard statistical tests, and variables with P ≤ .05 in bivariable analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Results There were 71 cases and 213 controls. Risk factors associated with MRSA infection included diabetes mellitus with or without end organ damage (26% vs 14%, P = .02), hemiplegia (9% vs 2%, P = .01), chronic kidney disease (33% vs 20%, P = .03), postcolonization inpatient admission within 90 days (44% vs 29%, P = .03), surgery (41% vs 9%, P P = .02). On multivariable analysis, surgery during follow-up, dialysis during follow-up, and hemiplegia remained significant. Conclusions Among patients with MRSA colonization, surgery or dialysis during follow-up and history of hemiplegia were associated with subsequent MRSA infection. Knowledge of these risk factors may allow for future targeted interventions to prevent MRSA infections among colonized patients.
SU-C-207B-03: A Geometrical Constrained Chan-Vese Based Tumor Segmentation Scheme for PET

Purpose: Accurate segmentation of tumor in PET is challenging when part of tumor is connected with normal organs/tissues with no difference in intensity. Conventional segmentation methods, such as thresholding or region growing, cannot generate satisfactory results in this case. We proposed a geometrical constrained Chan-Vese based scheme to segment tumor in PET for this special case by considering the similarity between two adjacent slices. Methods: The proposed scheme performs segmentation in a slice-by-slice fashion where an accurate segmentation of one slice is used as the guidance for segmentation of rest slices. For a slice that the tumor is not directly connected to organs/tissues with similar intensity values, a conventional clustering-based segmentation method under user's guidance is used to obtain an exact tumor contour. This is set as the initial contour and the Chan-Vese algorithm is applied for segmenting the tumor in the next adjacent slice by adding constraints of tumor size, position and shape information. This procedure is repeated until the last slice of PET containing tumor. The proposed geometrical constrained Chan-Vese based algorithm was implemented in Matlab and its performance was tested on several cervical cancer patients where cervix and bladder are connected with similar activity values. The positive predictive values (PPV) are calculated to characterize the segmentation accuracy of the proposed scheme. Results: Tumors were accurately segmented by the proposed method even when they are connected with bladder in the image with no difference in intensity. The average PPVs were 0.9571±0.0355 and 0.9894±0.0271 for 17 slices and 11 slices of PET from two patients, respectively. Conclusion: We have developed a new scheme to segment tumor in PET images for the special case that the tumor is quite similar to or connected to normal organs/tissues in the image. The proposed scheme can provide a reliable way for segmenting tumors.
Organic Synthesis Via Biocatalytic Methods — A Chemoenzymatic Approach to the Synthesis of FK506

A modular chemo-enzymatic strategy is used for the synthesis of the 23-membered macrolide FK506. The target molecule is divided into six smaller segments, which have been successfully prepared in their enantiomerically-pure forms using biocatalytic methodology. These chiral building blocks could then be joined together using traditional synthetic procedures.
Water Laws and Regulations

To support water governance, IWRM requires an effective legal and regulatory framework and water managers should understand how laws constrain their actions. The framework is embedded in institutional arrangements to include law and order, a functioning government, effective policy and mechanisms, and a culture that promotes a successful society. Water law evolved in different regions in different ways from early precedents that became common law about issues such as sharing of water supplies. It means the collection of rules and guidelines that control behavior and are enforced through social institutions. The general categories of water law are for allocation, management, development, and protection. Laws are specific for each country and differ in detail but not in their main goals.
Acid/base and metal complex solution chemistry of sulfonated polyacrylate copolymer versus temperature and ionic strength ☆

Abstract Sulfonated polyacrylate copolymer (also known as vinyl sulfonated co-polymer; VS-Co) have been widely used in mineral scale control. However, the speciation chemistry of such polymers in solution is not fully understood. In this paper, the acid-base and calcium complex solution chemistry of a VS-Co has been determined from 0.01 to 2 m ionic strength and from 25 to 90 °C by combining electrostatic theory with potentiometric titrations. To process the titration data, VS-Co is treated as a hypothetical, averaged monoacid, HA, with the same concentration of the active carboxylic functional groups of VS-Co. The acid and calcium dissociation reactions of this acid are simply considered as 1:1 type hypothetical reactions, namely HA↔H+ + A− and Ca(A⋯A)↔Ca2++ (A⋯A)2−, with (A⋯A)2− as an arbitrary combinations of two dissociated A− units. The microconstants of the acid dissociation reaction are fitted with a linear electrostatic model with p K a = p K a , intr + b e l e c θ A − , where pKa,intr is an intrinsic constant referring to the condition of zero dissociation, θA− is the deprotonated fraction of carboxylic functional groups and belec is an electrostatic factor based on polyelectrolyte theory. Similarly, the microconstants of the Ca2+ dissociation reaction are fitted with p K CaA 2 = p K CaA 2 , intr + 2 b elec θ A − with doubled electrostatic effect since the complexation of Ca2+ with the polymer is considered to neutralize two negative charges. To quantitatively describe the speciation of VS-Co at various conditions, the pKa,intr, p K CaA 2 , intr , and belec values are fitted empirically as a function of temperature (T, K), and ionic strength (I, m): p K a , intr = 5.068 − 128.398 T − 0.924 × I 1 / 2 + 0.311 × I p K CaA 2 , intr = 5.754 − 888.644 T − 5.749 × I 1 / 2 + 2.221 × I b e l e c = 3.234 − 1.321 × I 1 / 2 + 0.399 × I . Fitted results suggests no significant effect of temperature on the electrostatic factorbelec, which is consistent with electrostatic theory. Results from this study can be used to predict the equilibria of VS-Co in a solution, at various temperature, ionic strength, pH, and metal concentrations.
Peripheral nerve sheath tumors: an update and review of diagnostic challenges

Abstract Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) are one of the more common soft tissue neoplasms encountered in the daily surgical pathology practice, most of which have classic histologic features. There are, however, some common diagnostic challenges encountered by surgical pathologists and neuropathologists, as well as controversies regarding classification and grading of PNSTs. As molecular studies advance and novel targeted therapies are developed, it has become imperative that we become familiar with the diagnostic criteria for these common neoplasms and their potential mimics.
Introduction: What Is Critical Theory?

This handbook grants the reader access to the tradition and the core concepts and approaches of critical theory. What has been attempted here is not only a survey of critical theory as a concept, but also an effort to delineate the major impulses of the traditions, irrespective of current academic fads and fashions. The purpose of this handbook is therefore not only to guide the reader through the most essential aspects of critical theory and its major areas of concern, but also to seek to offer new perspectives on a still vibrant, very much active domain of research and method of thinking about the world. These contributing authors therefore survey much of the core themes, ideas, thinkers, and epistemological concerns of critical theory as a structure of thought, keeping alive many of the basic concepts and approaches that the critical theory tradition has at its core and the flame of rational, immanent social criticism burning for a new generation, who will, in time, seek to transform their world.
GENERAL ANESTHESIA RISK IN WILLIAMS BEUREN SYNDROME PATIENTS IN THE CURRENT ERA

Background: Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) patients have increased risk of sudden death, and these events are frequently associated with general anesthesia. We sought to determine the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) frequency in WBS patients as well as correlated risk factors associated with CPR
Sensing fluctuating airflow with spider silk

The ultimate aim of flow sensing is to represent the perturbations of the medium perfectly. Hundreds of millions of years of evolution resulted in hair-based flow sensors in terrestrial arthropods that stand out among the most sensitive biological sensors known, even better than photoreceptors which can detect a single photon (10-18-10-19 J) of visible light. These tiny sensory hairs can move with a velocity close to that of the surrounding air at frequencies near their mechanical resonance, despite the low viscosity and low density of air. No man-made technology to date demonstrates comparable efficiency. Here we show that nanodimensional spider silk captures fluctuating airflow with maximum physical efficiency (Vsilk/Vair ∼ 1) from 1 Hz to 50 kHz, providing an effective means for miniaturized flow sensing. Our mathematical model shows excellent agreement with experimental results for silk with various diameters: 500 nm, 1.6 µm, and 3 µm. When a fiber is sufficiently thin, it can move with the medium flow perfectly due to the domination of forces applied to it by the medium over those associated with its mechanical properties. These results suggest that the aerodynamic property of silk can provide an airborne acoustic signal to a spider directly, in addition to the well-known substrate-borne information. By modifying a spider silk to be conductive and transducing its motion using electromagnetic induction, we demonstrate a miniature, directional, broadband, passive, low-cost approach to detect airflow with full fidelity over a frequency bandwidth that easily spans the full range of human hearing, as well as that of many other mammals.
FDG PET-CT in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

1772 Objectives: To assess the diagnostic utility of hybrid PET-CT with FDG in patients with known CLL Methods: We performed 11 PET-CT scans (Siemens Biograph) in 7 patients (3 male, 4 female, age range 50-70 years) with clinically confirmed CLL. CT transmission scans were obtained after administration of oral contrast material. Two patients underwent both pre- and post-treatment scans. Diagnostic validation was by a combination of clinical and radiographic follow-up for 6 months to 8 years. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax)were obtained for all evident lesions. Results: All 7 patients had clinically proven CLL and 2 developed clinically evident Richter’s transformation. SUVmax in transformed disease ranged from 10 to 30 for the evident adenopathy, splenomegaly and osseous involvement. The SUVmax ranged for subcentimeter nodes were 1.7-3. SUVmax in the remaining 5 patients ranged from 1.3 to 2.1 for the evident adenopathy. CT identified adenopathy or splenomegaly in 4 patients while PET showed abnormal marrow activity in 2 patients, but normal activity in other CT abnormalities. In 2 patients with documented Richter’s transformation, PET alone detected 6/6 sites of presumed transformation with abnormal hypermetabolism while CT alone only detected 3/6 sites by either new or worsening adenopathy (FN: bone marrow and subcentimeter nodes). In the first patient with Richter’s transformation, both PET and CT demonstrated concordant partial response to CHOP chemotherapy and Rituxin with decreased adenopathy and hypermetabolism. In the second patient, PET showed mixed response to MINE chemotherapy and Rituxin with 40% reduction of osseous hypermetabolism, but stable hypermetabolism in the known extensive adenopathy, while CT showed no significant interval structural change. Both of these patients eventually had progression of the disease in the follow-up PET-CT scan 2-3 months later. Conclusions: PET and CT are complementary in defining the extent of disease in CLL. However, PET may have a role in identifying sites of Richter’s transformation and for assessing treatment response.
Low Pt Physics and Compact Detectors at Rhic and LHC

Once RHIC and LHC become operational they will open up a new window into the nature and properties of matter at the highest energy and baryon densities. The interesting physics that will be encountered is impossible to predict. For this reason it is important that the experimental program study all aspects of the collisions produced by these colliders. It is not feasible to build a single detector which detects, identifies and measures well all the produced particles, thus every planned detector must make choices and compromises.
Technology and Regional Development

Technology is considered as the ‘immediate’ determinant of the productivity and competitiveness of firms and regions, while institutions seem to be the deeper cause lying behind it. The strength of a region’s innovation system, and hence its economic performance, first depends on the quality and pattern of its sources of technological innovation. Such sources may include public research institutions, some large firms conducing large-scale R&D projects, a large number of co-located SMEs, and/or informal communities weaving them together. Local knowledge spillover has emerged as the principal approach in explaining the geographic mechanism of technological innovation. The key thesis is that a region’s innovative capacity comes from the formation of locally shared tacit knowledge through collective learning, and that this learning is enabled by interfirm networks facilitated by face-to-face communications. In recent years, this approach has been challenged from a variety of aspects, by reinterpreting tacit knowledge, reevaluating the role of geographic proximity, disputing the public good nature of knowledge spilled over, as well as reemphasizing the contribution of pecuniary externalities. A viable alternative theory, however, is yet to emerge. It seems that what we need is a more holistic theory of uneven regional development. Such a theory has to be based on a broadened conceptualization of institutions and resources, as well as an expanded list of the actors of innovation.
Wavelets in Our World

It is part of human nature to want to break a complicated problem up into simpler components. This is a way that we have of getting our hands on the problem, and of analyzing it.
A comparison of low and standard anti-coagulation regimens in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND Bleeding and need for blood products are major complications associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use. This study evaluated bleeding complications with low and standard heparinization protocols in the maintenance of venoarterial (VA)-ECMO. METHODS A retrospective comparison was performed of 2 methods of heparinization in a contemporaneous series of adult patients supported with VA-ECMO at Rush University Medical Center, between November 2011 and November 2016. CentriMag (Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA) pumps, Quadrox (Maquet, Wayne, NJ) oxygenators , and heparin-bonded circuitry were used in all patients. Group 1 was a control group of 50 patients who had ECMO support with an initiation dose of 5,000 U of heparin, followed by standard heparinization at a goal activated clotting time of 180 to 220 seconds. Group 2 comprised 52 adult patients supported with a “low heparin protocol” ECMO, receiving a standard heparin bolus of 5,000 U for cannulation but without subsequent, ongoing heparin administration. Acuity of illness was similar in both groups as assessed by the Mortality Probability Model (59% in Group 1 vs 62.9% in Group 2, p = 0.08). Data were submitted to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization prospectively. Clots in the circuit, limb ischemia , oxygenator failure, and embolic complications were recorded. RESULTS Weaning off ECMO was successful in 26 patients (50%) in Group 2 compared with 18 (36%) in Group 1 (p = 0.05). Hemorrhage from the cannulation site occurred in 11 (21%) in Group 2 vs 21 (42%) in Group 1 and from the surgical site in 11 (21%) in Group 2 vs 18 (36%) in Group 1. Severe bleeding complications were higher in the control group (Group 1, 32%) compared with Group 2 (11.5%; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS Maintenance with low heparin is safe in patients supported by VA-ECMO. This strategy may reduce risk of severe bleeding and associated complications.
Female Intimate Partner Violence Survivors’ Experiences With Disclosure to Informal Network Members:

With the growing recognition of the importance of disclosure to informal network members (INMs) in shaping experiences for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), numerous quantitative studie...
Double chirp-taper x-ray free-electron laser for attosecond pump-probe experiments

In this paper we propose a double chirp-taper method to produce two subfemtosecond x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) using electron beams with sinusoidal energy modulation. The taper of the undulator is optimized to control the power profile of each XFEL pulse to obtain a single-spike power shape. We present start-to-end numerical simulations of this method to demonstrate the generation of two XFEL pulses with $\ensuremath{\sim}0.4\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{fs}$ full width at half maximum, with a time separation tunable from 0 to tens of fs and energy separation limited by the available undulator tuning range. The output of this method provides a powerful tool for XFEL pump-probe experiments at the attosecond timescale.
Clustered DNA damages induced by high and low LET radiation, including heavy ions.

Clustered DNA damages--here defined as two or more lesions (strand breaks, oxidized purines, oxidized pyrimidines or abasic sites) within a few helical turns--have been postulated as difficult to repair accurately, and thus highly significant biological lesions. Further, attempted repair of clusters may produce double strand breaks (DSBs). However, until recently, there was no way to measure ionizing radiation-induced clustered damages, except DSB. We recently described an approach for measuring classes of clustered damages (oxidized purine clusters, oxidized pyrimidine clusters, abasic clusters, along with DSB). We showed that ionizing radiation (gamma rays and Fe ions, 1 GeV/amu) does induce such clusters in genomic DNA in solution and in human cells. These studies also showed that each damage cluster results from one radiation hit (and its track), thus indicating that they can be induced by very low doses of radiation, i.e. two independent hits are not required for cluster induction. Further, among all complex damages, double strand breaks comprise--at most-- ~20%, with the other clustered damages being at least 80%.
Association of Wolff-Parkinson-White With Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy in Children.

ABSTRACT Background Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) has been associated with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) in children. Little is known about the prevalence of this association, clinical outcomes, and treatment options. Methods Retrospective review of subjects with LVNC. LVNC was defined by established criteria; those with congenital heart disease were excluded. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were reviewed for presence of pre-excitation. Outcomes were compared between those with isolated LVNC and those with WPW and LVNC. Results A total of 348 patients with LVNC were identified. Thirty-eight (11%) were found to have WPW pattern on ECG, and 84% of those with WPW and LVNC had cardiac dysfunction. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, there was significantly lower freedom from significant dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤ 40%) among those with WPW and LVNC (P Conclusion WPW is common among children with LVNC and is associated with cardiac dysfunction. Ablation therapy can be safely and effectively performed and may result in improvement in function.
Associations between weight misperception, contextual factors, and weight loss behaviours in young adult men with overweight/obesity.

Objective Young men are less likely to engage in weight loss behaviours than their female counterparts. This may be because of an increased likelihood for young men, particularly young black men, with overweight/obesity to misperceive their weight status. This study examined racial differences in weight status perception accuracy and associations between this perception and weight loss behaviours among young men. Associations between weight loss behaviours and contextual factors were also explored. Methods Data from 1417 young adult (YA) men with overweight/obesity from the 2007 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analysed. Associations between weight status perception accuracy, contextual factors, and weight loss attempts and behaviours were examined with logistic regression. Results YA men with overweight/obesity were more likely to report weight loss attempts and behaviours if they perceived themselves as being overweight (OR = 3.10; 95% CI, 2.18-4.41; P < .01; OR = 3.20, 95% CI, 2.16-4.72, P < .01, respectively). Greater education and income were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting weight loss attempts and healthy weight loss behaviours. Greater reported depressive symptoms were associated with reported weight loss attempts but not healthy weight loss behaviours. There were no differences by race for reported weight loss attempts or behaviours. Conclusion Among YA men with overweight/obesity, perceiving oneself as overweight was associated with reporting weight loss attempts and healthy weight loss behaviours. Future research should consider how weight status perception accuracy affects weight loss attempts among YA men and what additional factors may account for racial differences.
Comparative Study of Cyclic and Shake Table Tests for Simple for Dead Load and Continuous for Live Load Steel Bridge System in Seismic Area

A new superstructure to pier connection for simple for dead load and continuous for live load (SDCL) steel bridge system in seismic areas was developed. As proof of concept, component level and sys...
An Ethical Framework to Nowhere.

In their article, Char et al. (2020) have created a model intended to tidy up the messy landscape of ethical concerns arising from machine-learning health care applications (ML-HCAs). The novel con...
Gluino Axion, Neutrino Seesaw, Dynamical Gaugino Mass, and A = 0 Supersymmetry

In the axionic solution of the strong CP problem, fermions which transform under quantum chromodynamics (QCD) are required. In supersymmetry, by equating U(1)_{PQ} with U(1)_R, the natural candidates are the gluinos, as pointed out some years ago. A new specific implementation of this idea is proposed, linking the gluino axion scale to that of the canonical seesaw mechanism for neutrinos. Gaugino masses are generated dynamically and the A term is predicted to be very small.
Nonprofit classification decisions in response to threshold-based charity care incentives

Abstract We examine how the threat of losing income tax-exemption affects U.S. nonprofit hospitals' misclassification of the components of uncompensated care when the hospitals (i) are required to provide charity care subject to a minimum threshold in exchange for keeping the tax-exemption, (ii) are reimbursed for their bad debts, and (iii) can misrepresent their privately observed information regarding bad debts and charity care provided. Using an analytical model, we illustrate the optimal misclassification strategies of bad debt and charity care.
Taxonomic, geographic, and diversity trends for exotic plant pests in recent biosurveillance articles

Some plant protection organizations use biosurveillance to identify heightened risks from exotic plant pests or generally inform safeguarding. Biosurveillance programs typically focus on individual species but accumulate useful trend data over time. We extracted information from 1,612 articles from PestLens, which has collected open-source reports about plant pests exotic to the USA since 2007. The extracted information included scientific name, pest type (nine categories), and reporting country. We analyzed the data to identify trends and evaluate the diversity of pest reports. An average month had 12.4 total articles, with six on insects, two on fungi, and one each on bacteria, nematodes, plants, and viruses. Insects made up 45 percent of all articles, followed by fungi at 19 percent. Fifty-four percent of articles referenced Asian (31.2 percent) and European (23.2) countries, followed by North America (16.3, but this diminished over time). Regional reporting varied substantially over time, but Asian articles particularly increased over time. The mean annual number of unique genera reported increased over time, while mean annual articles per genus decreased. Thus, rather than some problematic pests being repeatedly mentioned, more novel pests were being reported upon over time. We identified high reporting periods for some pests and tested count-based formulas derived from those patterns on the entire dataset. Applying these formulas at periodic intervals (e.g., quarterly) might help identify less obvious threats. Although often looked at on a case-by-case basis, collected biosurveillance data had significant potential to be used periodically for trend analysis and assessment.
Tree-based Correlation Screen and Visualization for Exploring Phenotype-Cell Type Association in Multiple Sample Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing Experiments

Single-cell RNA-seq experiments with multiple samples are increasingly used to discover cell types and their molecular features that may influence samples phenotype (e.g. disease). However, analyzing and visualizing the complex cell type-phenotype association remains nontrivial. TreeCorTreat is an open source R package that tackles this problem by using a tree-based correlation screen to analyze and visualize the association between phenotype and transcriptomic features and cell types at multiple cell type resolution levels. With TreeCorTreat, one can conveniently explore and compare different feature types, phenotypic traits, analysis protocols and datasets, and evaluate the impacts of potential confounders.
On Mixed Crystals of Pr1−yTbyOx Grown Under High Oxygen Pressures

Mixed Pr1−yTbyOx crystals were prepared by oxidizing, hydrothermal synthesis. X-ray powder and electron diffraction were used to characterize these and their reduction products. Two fluorite phases of small composition range were observed for .1 ≤ y ≤ .8 rather than the single phase expected from previous work on this system. The ordered intermediate phases present in the original preparations at high terbium content are further developed in the electron beam irradiated materials.
Probability Density Distribution of Large-Scale Atmospheric Flow

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the probability density distribution of large-scale atmospheric flow. There is evidence that the large-scale dynamics of the atmosphere are consistent with the presence of more than one regime. A barotropic atmosphere confined to a β-channel and flowing over topography is considered. It is found that for each day an average over a latitude band was calculated, obtaining a 64-dimensional array. It was then projected onto Fourier space by employing a standard fast Fourier transform. It is observed that for the same day, the mean zonal wind was evaluated geostrophically from the geopotential height gradient in the latitudinal band considered above. It is suggested that the measure of planetary-scale waves studied show a marked bimodality, which is independent of the known externally forced periodicities of the system. The distribution of the persistence in a basin of attraction of a fixed point follows a Poisson distribution. It is found that the bimodal nature of the density is a consequence of the interannual variability.
No-Fault Responsibility

Barbara Houston started this particular conversation in her Philosophy of Education Society Presidential Address “Taking Responsibility.” She asks about the personal obstacles to bearing responsibility for large social problems and suggests, paradoxically, that the very concept of responsibility employed to hold us accountable may be primary among these obstacles. I think Houston is quite right about this and I extend her thinking in what follows. I will argue that responsibility is a socially conceived and socially developed ability, that it is the nature of morality to be concerned with the development of the ability to respond to any human circumstance in a fitting way, and that blame is only justified insofar as it has a positive effect on the development of responsibility.
Pituitary apoplexy in emergency room: a prior history of pituitary adenoma may not be necessarily present!

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but life-threatening medical emergency that results from either a sudden hemorrhage or infarction in a pituitary tumor. Unrecognized pituitary apoplexy can lead to serious hormonal and neuro-ophthamic complications and even death. A major challenge in the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy is that majority of such patients don’t have a prior diagnosis of pituitary adenoma. Emergency Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the pituitary gland (which may not be readily available in many emergency rooms) is the diagnostic tool of choice for this condition. In this paper, we are discussing a previously healthy patient who presented with sudden severe headache and confusion and found to have pituitary apoplexy with emphasis on early recognition and complications of this condition.
Hospital variation in maternal complications following caesarean delivery in the United States: 2006–2012

Objective To assess hospital variability in and patient and hospital factors associated with caesarean delivery (CD) complications. Study Design Population-based cohort. Setting United States delivery admissions. Population Women who underwent a CD between 2006 and 2012. Methods Hospital-specific random-effects log-linear regression models were developed to account for patient, obstetric, and hospital risk factors related to a composite complication outcome including infection, haemorrhage, surgical complications and prolonged hospital stay. Between-hospital variability in rates of CD complications was also estimated. Main outcome measure Composite complication rate. Results Among 1 339 397 women who underwent CD in 457 hospitals, 6.4% (n = 85 838) experienced a complication. The most frequent complications were haemorrhage, transfusion, length of stay >7 days, and endometritis. Complications were strongly associated with the presence of obstetric factors and pre-existing medical conditions. Complication rates were 54% higher among black (8.8%) than white (5.7%) women (P < 0.001), and were more common in teaching (8.1%) than non-teaching (5.4%) hospitals (P < 0.001). In an adjusted model, the mean complication rate was 6.7%. A small proportion of hospitals (4.8%) had a complication rate greater than twice the mean (≥13.4%). Complications were strongly associated with the presence of obstetrical factors and pre-existing medical conditions. Conclusions CD complication rates are strongly associated with patient and obstetric factors. While CD complication rates may be a quality metric of limited utility given the low rate of complications across most hospitals, a small number of hospitals demonstrate particularly high rates of complications. Review of CD complication rates may be an important aspect of quality assurance processes for these centres. Tweetable abstract A small number of hospitals demonstrate particularly high rates of caesarean complications.