cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla with the zygoma concept: a 7-year prospective study.

Purpose: The success of zygomatic implants following the two-stage, as well as the immediate loading, concept has been well documented. This graftless approach for the treatment of the completely eden- tulous resorbed maxilla allows for rehabilitation with an implant-supported fixed prosthesis. The pur- pose of this prospective study is to report on the 7-year follow-up of patients treated with zygomatic implants in conjunction with two to four anterior maxillary implants placed into immediate function and restored with a definitive fixed prosthesis. Materials and Methods: This prospective study involved 36 patients treated with 74 zygomatic implants and 98 anterior maxillary implants supporting fixed pros- theses between 2003 and 2005. Results: Two zygomatic implants in two patients were identified as mobile at stage-two surgery; replacement implants resulted in successful osseointegration. All anterior maxillary implants were determined as osseointegrated at stage two. Three patients experienced unilat- eral maxillary sinus infections that were refractory to oral antibiotics and were treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which resolved the infections. All patients treated with the immediate loading concept were restored with definitive fixed profile prostheses as planned. Conclusion: The high survival rate, reduced morbidity, and high rate of patient acceptance for the zygomatic implant concept allowed the rehabilitation of the resorbed edentulous maxilla with fixed implant-supported prosthesis, rendering this procedure a viable and a predictable treatment option. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2010;25: 1213-1221
The Effects of Interpreter Use on Agreement Between Clinician- and Self-Ratings of Functioning in Hispanic Integrated Care Patients.

This study explored whether concordance between self- and clinician- assessment of functioning differs when an interpreter is used in therapy versus when there is language congruence between the clinician and the patient, and whether concordance is affected by patient distress. Participants were 418 Spanish-speaking patients seen at one of three primary care clinics. Patients were primarily Hispanic (94 %), uninsured (65 %), and female (84 %), and ranged in age from 18 to 73 years (M = 41.70, SD = 10.70). Pearson’s correlation coefficients assessed the association between self- and clinician- reports of patient functioning with and without use of an interpreter. Fisher’s z transformations assessed the significance of the difference between the correlation coefficients. Although interpreter use did not significantly disrupt communication of functioning when the patient was highly distressed, there was significant discordance in clinician and patient reports in patients experiencing milder levels of distress communicating by means of an interpreter.
Federal Preemption of Automotive Recalls: A Case of Too Many Backseat Drivers?

Over the past few years, trial lawyers have increasingly asked courts (especially state courts) to order automobile manufacturers to recall vehicles as a means to remedy alleged defects. This trend has shifted into overdrive in the wake of the Ford-Firestone controversy, in which the federal agency charged with overseeing traffic safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), was accused by Congress of mishandling its own internal investigation into defective Firestone tires. Frustration with NHTSA's perceived (mis)handling of defect investigations has driven trial lawyers to courthouses, not government agencies, in order to ask judges, not agency officials, to order recalls. What was once the sole province of the federal government now appears skidding in potentially multiple directions. Can (and should) state court judges order vehicle recalls, even though Congress created NHTSA as the sole federal authority to order and oversee vehicle recalls? This article attempts to provide answers to these questions. Part I provides background on (1) the pre-emption doctrines, as developed by the Supreme Court; (2) the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act); and (3) NHTSA's interpretations of the Safety Act's pre-emptive effect on state-law-based recall orders. Part II examines the handful of cases that have directly ruled on the pre-emptive effect of the Safety Act. Part III applies the pre-emption doctrines to state-law-based recall orders and shows that the Safety Act, under several alternative theories and consistent with sound public policy reasons, pre-empts these orders.
First-principles investigation of helium in Y2O3

Density functional theory has been used to investigate the relative stability, migration barriers and potential energy surfaces of helium in Y2O3 in order to provide insight to the trapping mechanisms of helium at the oxide-Fe interface in nanostructured ferritic alloys. The helium interstitial sites have been located and their relative stability in Y2O3 is determined from the solution energy. The interaction of helium with the oxide has been investigated using the charge density and electron localization function. The migration barriers have been calculated and further investigated using potential energy surfaces computed on various lattice planes. Helium trapping has been attributed to very large diffusion barrier energies, especially close to oxygen atoms.
Asymptomatic Sustained Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in a Patient with a Left Ventricular Assist Device: Case Report and what the Emergency Physician Should Know

Abstract Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a viable treatment option for patients with end-stage heart failure. LVADs can improve survival, quality of life, and functional status. The indications for LVAD placement to support left ventricular function are temporary support, a bridge to transplantation, or destination therapy. Case Report A 61-year-old man with past medical history significant for advanced congestive heart failure from ischemic cardiomyopathy, status post LVAD (HeartMate II; Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA) placement 2009 as destination therapy, presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with implantable cardiac defibrillators firing four times that morning. While in the care of Emergency Medical Services, he was in ventricular tachycardia, and they gave him a bolus of amiodarone 150 mg intravenously prior to arrival in the ED. He was reportedly alert and oriented without any chest pain on arrival to the ED, where an electrocardiogram was obtained showing polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Emergency physicians must be familiar with the atypical presentations of potentially lethal dysrhythmias in this patient population. They must also be familiar with the major adverse events after LVAD implantation. These include device malfunction, cardiac dysrhythmias, bleeding, thromboembolism, neurological events, and infection. The causes of device malfunction can include thrombus formation with hemolysis, mechanical failure of the impeller, and driveline lead fractures with electric failure. Although time is critical in the heart failure patient with an LVAD failure or complication, expert consultation with cardiology or the LVAD specialist should occur when possible.
Diel Activity and Vertical Flight Distribution of Adult Western Corn Rootworms in Iowa Cornfields

Vertical yellow sticky traps, 3.048 m long and 10.160 cm diam, were utilized at 5 locations during 1973 and 1974 to ascertain the diel periodicity and vertical flight distribution of Diabrotica virgifera LeConte in cornfields ( Zea mays L.). Western corn rootworm flight activity is bimodal with flight activity peaks occurring in the 2–3 h periods after sunrise and before sunset. Flight activity peaks were further characterized by a temperature range of 22.2 to 27.0°C. Statistical differences (0.05 level) in height of flight activity between the sexes were not observed below 182.88 cm where the majority of the insects was captured. Significantly more (0.05 level) females than males were captured between 182.88 and 304.80 cm. The 2 sexes fly at the same time and height of flight showed no relationship with time of day.
Defective first antibody coating on commercial two-site immunoradiometric assay tubes, identification of the problem and a quality assurance procedure for its future detection.

As laboratories change from in-house isotopic immunoassays to the convenience of mass produced commercial reagents they become dependent on the quality of the kit as manufactured. This short report describes the identification of defective first antibody coating on the test tube walls of a commercial two-site thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) used in singleton for neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism. It is possible that such a defect could potentially occur in coated tube assays from any manufacturer and go unrecognized.
P88 The evaluation of Exophiala in paediatric cystic fibrosis

Introduction The increasing prevalence of fungal pathogens in paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) is challenging current practice. Whilst respiratory growth and colonisation with Exophiala , a saprophytic fungus is documented; the susceptibility, clinical manifestation and management is unclear. Aim To evaluate the clinical manifestation of Exophiala and the role of antifungal therapies in paediatric CF. Setting Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital provides tertiary care for 182 patients and shared care for 170 patients encompassing a diverse range of genotypes. Population Fifteen patients have yielded Exophiala positive sputum swabs on routine screening over 24 months. Measures Objective measures of disease severity and demographics; age, gender, BMI (Z-score), lung function, hospital admissions are assessed against Exophiala growth and co-existing pathogens. Antifungal treatment regimens are described and compared. Analysis Significant clinical manifestation of Exophiala and evidence of eradiation in this population is described. Results Data reveals no significant difference in sex ratio 8:7 (♂:♀) though distribution is skewed towards older patients 46.7% (n = 7) >15 years, 26.6% 12–14 years, 12.5% 10 years, 12.5% 5–7 years. Two distinct categories of carriage are evident; sporadic growth (n = 9) and colonisation (n = 6). All positive sputa contained ≥2 organisms’ suggesting coexisting colonisation. 73.3% of all patients and 100% percent of patients colonising Exophiala had coexisting colonisation of Candida albicans . 100% of patients colonising Exophiala also had a drop in BMI and Z-score from diagnosis to date of study. They also had a rate of >9 admissions/year. Lung function tests revealed variation independent of carriage. Symptomatic carriage of Exophiala was treated with triazoles; voriconazole, itraconazole and posaconazole though 50% of blood triazole levels were below therapeutic range. One patient cleared Exophiala without antifungal treatment. No further growth was noted following itraconazole treatment on initial growth in another patient. Colonisation was treated successfully with intravenous voriconazole, though re-colonised 4 months later. Colonisation was evident in 2 patients despite 6–12 months of oral voriconazole but was eradicated on switching to oral posaconazole. Conclusion Data from this single centre study suggests that some paediatric CF patients may be more susceptible to fungal infections. Exophiala carriage manifestation varies and may affect height and weight. Exophiala eradication can be achieved.
35 VIABILITY OF ISOLATED SINGLE MAMMALIAN CELLS AFTER CRYOPRESERVATION

As cytosensors and cell-based therapies move from research laboratories to medical use, the need increases to transport cryopreserved cell lines over long distances. The NASA-funded Institute for Cell Mimetic Space Exploration (CMISE) is focused on monitoring and maintaining the health of the astronauts during long interplanetary flights, such as from the Earth to Mars. We are working to develop mammalian cell sentinel cytosensors to monitor the effects of the environment of space, including high dose radiation, and to serve as surrogates for potential risk to the astronauts. Due to energy and payload restrictions in spacecraft, we propose to use single cell culture in a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). The purpose of the current investigations was to determine whether isolated single mammalian cells could be cryopreserved and subsequently recovered in a viable state. We used limiting dilution in 96-well plates and examined individual wells for the presence of single cells. Cryopreservation was then performed with 7.5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant, with the temperature reduced gradually (placed on ice for ˜1hr, and stored at -80°C). After 3-5 days, cells were thawed by addition of pre-warmed, 37°C culture medium, appropriate for the specific cells. The plates were cultured at 37°C in 95% air and 5% CO2. We observed single cell viability for lung carcinoma cells to average 52% (range 29-78%). We observed the average viability of single fibroblasts or lymphoblastoid cell lines to be 75% or 33% (range 67-80% or 29-38%), respectively. We conclude that single cells can be cryopreserved and recovered in a viable state, though viability may depend on the specific cell line. We are modifying the protocol to attempt to improve cryoprotection. The ability to cryopreserve and to recover viable single cells will enable MEMS-based sentinel cytosensors and permit us to monitor the potential impact of space on the health of the astronauts.
Progestin and prostaglandin for estrous synchronization in beef heifers.

Seventy-eight Simmental-Angus-Hereford crossbred yearling heifers, in 1983, and 99 similar heifers, in 1984, were used to compare two estrous synchrony regimens. One treatment group (SMB) was synchronized using the commercially available Syncro-Mate-B procedure, which involved placing a norgestomet implant in the ear for 9 d and giving an injection of norgestomet and estradiol valerate at the time of implantation. A second group (PR + PG) was given a norgestomet implant (PR) for 7 d and a 5-mg injection of alfaprostol (PG) at implant removal. Percentage of heifers cycling during the synchronization period and percent conceiving in 5 d or 30 d were not different (P>.IO) due to treatment. The interval from implant removal to onset of behavioral estrus was shorter (P<.01) for the heifers treated with SMB than for the heifers treated with PR + PG (42.8 vs 58.0 h). The group treated with SMB had a more uniform synchrony of estrus than the group treated with PR + PG. The effect of day of the estrous cycle at implantation on hours to estrus after implant removal was determined by a regression analysis, which showed a linear response for the SMB group with a slope of .78 (P=.09); the PR + PG group regression was cubic (P<.01); this also indicated a more uniform response by the SMB group. These results indicate that the combination of norgestomet and alfaprostol produced more variation in interval from treatment to estrus than the Syncro-Mate-B procedure. However, conception rates were not different when inseminations were performed following an estrus that was detected by visual observation.
Why the problem of evil undermines the problem of divine hiddenness

The two most prominent arguments against theism are the problem of evil and the problem of divine hiddenness. Here I argue that if the evidential problem of evil is truly forceful, it could block the ability of God to reveal His existence in a rationally indubitable way, which would in turn undermine the evidential problem of divine hiddenness.
Single Machine Infinite Bus Power System Excitation Control Design with Resilient Extended Kalman Filter

To effectively control and maintain the transient stability of power systems, traditionally, the extended Kalman filter (EKF) is used as the real-time state estimator (RTSE) to provide the unmeasur...
Integrated multi-wavelength fluorescence sensors

Significant efforts have been made to implement capabilities of a laboratory system into a compact portable fluorometer composed of solid-state components, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodiode (PDs). These devices, still use statistical sampling, lenses and glass filters, and do not meet the requirements addressed for multi-functional fluorescence sensors capable of performing in super-ambient environments. We have shown that UV/blue GaN/InGaN-based LEDs and optically filtered Si PDs can be employed in compact optoelectronic sensors capable of multi-functional operation in the absorption, scattering, and fluorescence mode. To take advantage of the high temperature and chemical stability of the III nitrides it would be beneficial to use these materials for the fabrication of all sensor components including the wavelength-selective features. In this work we fabricated a multi-wavelength fluorescence sensor prototype using III nitride-based component's. This device was tested for measurements of fluorescein, chlorophyll, aromatic hydrocarbons, and E.coli bacteria expressing various fluorescence proteins. The new sensor prototype exhibited a lower detection limit and a larger dynamic range, than those achieved with previous prototypes. It has a compact size and a low fabrication cost.
Oligodendrocyte Nf1 Controls Aberrant Notch Activation and Regulates Myelin Structure and Behavior

Summary The RASopathy neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common autosomal dominant genetic disorders. In NF1 patients, neurological issues may result from damaged myelin, and mice with a neurofibromin gene ( Nf1 ) mutation show white matter (WM) defects including myelin decompaction. Using mouse genetics, we find that altered Nf1 gene-dose in mature oligodendrocytes results in progressive myelin defects and behavioral abnormalities mediated by aberrant Notch activation. Blocking Notch, upstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), or nitric oxide signaling rescues myelin defects in hemizygous Nf1 mutants, and pharmacological gamma secretase inhibition rescues aberrant behavior with no effects in wild-type (WT) mice. Concomitant pathway inhibition rescues myelin abnormalities in homozygous mutants. Notch activation is also observed in Nf1 +/− mouse brains, and cells containing active Notch are increased in NF1 patient WM. We thus identify Notch as an Nf1 effector regulating myelin structure and behavior in a RASopathy and suggest that inhibition of Notch signaling may be a therapeutic strategy for NF1.
Computer Tests of Rubber Elasticity

In spite of its long history, the molecular theory of rubber elasticity is not yet in a definitive form. It is difficult to test the validity of the assumptions which are made in different versions of the theory by direct comparison with experiment because it is difficult both to characterize completely the material involved and to focus on the role of only a single aspect of the theory. The computer simulation of idealized atomistic models provides an alternate approach and an example which focuses on the role of excluded volume in rubber elasticity is described.
Quantitative tests of a reconstitution model for RNA folding thermodynamics and kinetics

Decades of study of the architecture and function of structured RNAs have led to the perspective that RNA tertiary structure is modular, made of locally stable domains that retain their structure across RNAs. We formalize a hypothesis inspired by this modularity—that RNA folding thermodynamics and kinetics can be quantitatively predicted from separable energetic contributions of the individual components of a complex RNA. This reconstitution hypothesis considers RNA tertiary folding in terms of ΔGalign, the probability of aligning tertiary contact partners, and ΔGtert, the favorable energetic contribution from the formation of tertiary contacts in an aligned state. This hypothesis predicts that changes in the alignment of tertiary contacts from different connecting helices and junctions (ΔGHJH) or from changes in the electrostatic environment (ΔG+/−) will not affect the energetic perturbation from a mutation in a tertiary contact (ΔΔGtert). Consistent with these predictions, single-molecule FRET measurements of folding of model RNAs revealed constant ΔΔGtert values for mutations in a tertiary contact embedded in different structural contexts and under different electrostatic conditions. The kinetic effects of these mutations provide further support for modular behavior of RNA elements and suggest that tertiary mutations may be used to identify rate-limiting steps and dissect folding and assembly pathways for complex RNAs. Overall, our model and results are foundational for a predictive understanding of RNA folding that will allow manipulation of RNA folding thermodynamics and kinetics. Conversely, the approaches herein can identify cases where an independent, additive model cannot be applied and so require additional investigation.
Algorithmic music in Haskell (invited talk)

Functional programming is becoming increasingly popular in artistic areas such as algorithmic music composition. Euterpea and Kulitta are two libraries for working with music in Haskell. Euterpea is a library for representing and manipulating basic musical structures, and is useful both in a pedagogical setting to teach functional programming through the arts and as a tool to create complex pieces of algorithmic music. Kulitta is a framework for automated composition that addresses music at a more abstract level than Euterpea, capturing aspects of musical style through geometric models and probabilistic grammars. Both of these libraries leverage Haskell’s pure functional nature and strong type system to achieve versatile, yet concise designs that allow the creation of diverse and interesting music. Features from these libraries have also been integral in the design of newer systems for natural language processing and artificial intelligence in the musical domain. This talk will explore challenges presented by creating these kinds of domain-specific embedded languages for working with music, and how taking functional approaches to them yields elegant solutions.
Social Correlates of Drinking in Contrived Situations

This chapter reviews the literature on experimentally created drinking situations with humans. In these experiments, social factors have been alternatively investigated as the dependent and independent variables. The findings of several studies assessing the impact of elements in the drinking environment are summarized. The effects of solitary drinking vs. group drinking have been covered and illustrate the quantitative and qualitative responses elicited.
The use of conducting polymer to stabilize the nanostructured photocatalyst for water remediation

Abstract The graphene (G) doping in both titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in our earlier studies, has brought about a reduction in photocorrosion, and an increase in the photocatalytic efficiency for remediation of organics under visible light (λ > 400 nm). The graphene doped photocatalysts have proven to be hard to coat on a surface, due to the strong hydrophobic nature of graphene. So, attempts have been made to use polyaniline (PANI), a conducting polymer, as a binder material by insitu polymerization of aniline over G-TiO 2 nanoparticles (G-TiO 2 NP) and G-ZnO nanowires (G-ZnO NW). The undoped PANI:G-TiO 2 NP and PANI:G-ZnO NW, synthesized are dissolved in a solution of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) was coated over various surfaces and dried at 100 °C & characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy (UV-vis) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Pristine PANI was also synthesized for comparative studies. The photocatalytic, as well as photoelectrochemical catalytic performance of PANI:G-TiO 2 NP and PANI:G-ZnO NW, were investigated. The standard methyl orange (pollutant) in water was used for both PANI:G-TiO 2 NP and PANI:G-ZnO NW electrodes on conducting substrates. The ease in coating of PANI:G-TiO 2 NP and PANI:G-ZnO NW on various substrates, on top of the visible light remediation allows for the use of these materials and process to be used for applications of remediation of organics from water.
Under the Mask of Philanthropy

Michael Barker's Under the Mask of Philanthropy is one of the very rare extensive critiques of the “nonprofit sector” from a left perspective. Marx and Engels, in The Communist Manifesto, derided “...
The effects of accelerated Freeze-Thaw conditioning on CFRP strengthened concrete with pre-existing bond defects

Abstract Despite demonstrated success in both the laboratory and in the field, significant questions remain unanswered regarding the durability of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for strengthened concrete members. Little is known about the impact of pre-existing bond defects when subjected to harsh environmental conditions. The results from a study observing the performance of 18 small-scale CFRP-to-concrete pull test specimens is presented herein. Half of the sample set was stored in ambient laboratory conditions while the remaining sample set was subjected to 50 freeze–thaw cycles. Repeated for each condition were 3 specimens prepared without any intentional bond defects and 3 specimens containing 645 mm2 Teflon inserts, for comparison purposes. It was found that, not only did the freeze–thaw conditioning reduce the debonding capacity of the externally bonded CFRP, but that the presence of defects resulted in a greater reduction in debonding capacity following the environmental conditioning, when compared to specimens exposed to ambient conditions only. Nondestructive evaluation of the bonded interface was also performed by using Pulse Phase Thermography (PPT).
Get Published, Now: An Introduction to Qualitative Education Research:

This article is the unanticipated product of a doctoral student’s first research endeavor, originally designed to investigate the impact of a change in one school district’s arts education policy. ...
Underlying role of mechanical rigidity and topological constraints in physical sputtering and reactive ion etching of amorphous materials

Analytical expressions describing ion-induced sputter or etch processes generally relate the sputter yield to the surface atomic binding energy $({U}_{\mathrm{sb}})$ for the target material. While straightforward to measure for the crystalline elemental solids, ${U}_{\mathrm{sb}}$ is more complicated to establish for amorphous and multielement materials due to composition-driven variations and incongruent sublimation. In this regard, we show that for amorphous multielement materials, the ion-driven yield can instead be better understood via a consideration of mechanical rigidity and network topology. We first demonstrate a direct relationship between ${U}_{\mathrm{sb}}$, bulk modulus, and ion sputter yield for the elements, and then subsequently prove our hypothesis for amorphous multielement compounds by demonstrating that the same relationships exist between the reactive ion etch (RIE) rate and nanoindentation Young's modulus for a series of $a\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{N}}_{x}$:H and $a\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{O}}_{x}{\mathrm{C}}_{y}$:H thin films. The impact of network topology is further revealed via application of the Phillips--Thorpe theory of topological constraints, which directly relates the Young's modulus to the mean atomic coordination $(\ensuremath{\langle}r\ensuremath{\rangle})$ for an amorphous solid. The combined analysis allows the trends and plateaus in the RIE rate to be ultimately reinterpreted in terms of the atomic structure of the target material through a consideration of $\ensuremath{\langle}r\ensuremath{\rangle}$. These findings establish the important underlying role of mechanical rigidity and network topology in ion--solid interactions and provide additional considerations for the design and optimization of radiation-hard materials in nuclear and outer space environments.
Deep Learning for Improved System Remaining Life Prediction

Abstract Prognosis of manufacturing system performance degradation is essential to operation safety and efficiency, and provides the basis for predictive maintenance scheduling. Complex physical mechanisms underlying machine operations often impose challenges to accurate health state assessment. This paper presents a data-driven approach to tracking system state degradation and consequently, predicting the remaining useful life, based on the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. Using aircraft engine fleet as an application context, the developed method reveals the temporal-dependency embedded in sensor data streams as the basis for engine degradation prediction. Good performance in engine remaining useful life prediction is demonstrated.
A Comparison of Atrial Arrhythmias After Heart or Double-Lung Transplantation at a Single Center: Insights Into the Mechanism of Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives We compared the incidence of atrial arrhythmias in double-lung transplant patients versus heart transplant patients to gain insight into factors that contribute to post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF). Background Atrial fibrillation is a common complication after thoracic surgery. Pulmonary vein isolation is an effective treatment for AF. Heart or double-lung transplantation surgery both involve pulmonary vein isolation because of suture lines. Methods We reviewed the records of 174 consecutive heart transplant patients and 122 double-lung transplant patients at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center between January 2005 and June 2008. Electrocardiograms during atrial arrhythmia episodes were reviewed by an electrophysiologist. Clinical variables, biopsy results, immunosuppressive regimens, and echocardiographic measurements were collected from the perioperative time period and at the time of arrhythmia occurrence. Results In the heart transplant group, 8 (4.6%) patients had AF (group A). In the lung transplant group, 23 (18.9%) patients had AF (group B; p Conclusions In heart transplant recipients, AF is uncommon and occurs in the setting of myocardial dysfunction and graft rejection. In contrast, AF is more common after lung transplantation despite the absence of graft rejection and cardiac dysfunction. Pulmonary vein isolation alone cannot explain the discrepancy in AF incidence between heart transplant recipients and double-lung transplant recipients. Cardiac autonomic denervation may have a protective effect for heart transplant patients in the post-operative setting.
Microwave-Enhanced High-Speed Fluorous Synthesis

Increasing reaction speed and simplifying product purification are two major ways to improve the efficiency of organic synthesis. A new technology for high-speed solution-phase synthesis has been developed by combination of microwave heating and fluorous purification. This review describes different techniques for microwave-enhanced fluorous synthesis and their applications in Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, free-radical reactions, multicomponent reactions, and compound library synthesis.
Digital Technologies and Hopeful Monsters

Shortly after the dawn of the commercial era of the Internet, Rust and Oliver (1994) predicted the death of advertising as we know it. They warned advertising educators to transform themselves into...
Staphylococcal infections in children: part 3.

1. Anjali Jain, MD* 2. Robert S. Daum, MD* 1. 2. *The Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the characteristics of toxic shock syndrome in a young child who has multiple organ failure and shock. 2. Plan therapeutic options for children who have community-acquired staphylococcal infections. 3. Describe the clinical features of a food-borne infectious outbreak that suggest the need to include staphylococcal food poisoning in the differential diagnosis. 4. Plan the antimicrobial therapy of staphylococcal infections. ### TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME In 1978, Todd et al first described toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in seven children. At about the same time, a marked increase in the number of cases called attention to a possible association between TSS and the use of newly introduced superabsorbent tampons by menstruating women. Between 1980 and 1986, 2,960 cases of TSS were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of which were associated with menses. In 1980, an epidemiologic link between TSS and the use of super-absorbent tampons was discovered; one brand of these tampons was removed from the market in 1980, and all tampons containing poly-acrylate fibers were removed in 1985. Published reports made it apparent that cases of TSS not associated with menses also occurred infrequently among women as well as men and children. Clinically, nonmenstrual and menstrual TSS are similar entities, but they seem to affect different populations and vary in outcome. Since its peak in the early 1980s, the incidence of TSS has decreased markedly with the institution of preventive measures. However, nonmenstrual TSS has decreased to a lesser extent and now accounts for an increased percentage of all TSS cases, currently about 50%. #### Epidemiology Overall, menstrual TSS occurs at an estimated rate of 1 per 100,000 menstruating women per year, 99% of whom use tampons. The decreased incidence of this disease probably is related to a greater awareness of its presentation, the nonuse …
Randomization Inference With Natural Experiments: An Analysis of Ballot Effects in the 2003 California Recall Election

Since the 2000 U.S. Presidential election, social scientists have rediscovered a long tradition of research examining the effects of ballot format on voting. Using a new dataset collected by The New York Times, we investigate the causal effect of being listed on the first ballot page in the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election. California law mandates a unique randomization procedure of ballot order that, when appropriately modeled, can be used to approximate a classical randomized experiment in a real world setting. We apply randomization inference based on Fisher's exact test, which directly incorporates the exact randomization procedure and yields accurate nonparametric confidence intervals. Our results suggest that being listed on the first ballot page causes a statistically significant increase in vote shares for more than 40% of the minor candidates, whereas there is no significant effect for the top two candidates. We also investigate how randomization inference differs from conventional e...
Millennial-scale carbon accumulation and molecular transformation in a permafrost core from Interior Alaska

Abstract Organic carbon stored in high-latitude permafrost represents a potential positive feedback to climate warming as well as a valuable store of paleoenvironmental information. The below-freezing conditions have effectively removed permafrost organic material from the modern carbon cycle and preserved its pre-freezing bulk and molecular states. The conditions that lead to efficient burial of organic carbon (OC) within permafrost were investigated by measuring OC stocks, past accumulation rates, and biogeochemical composition of a permafrost core taken from Interior Alaska dating back to 40 ka. The post-glacial Marine Isotope Stage 1 is represented by the top 1.2 m of the core and contains 64.7 kg OC/m2 with an accumulation rate of 4.3 g OC/m2/yr. The sediments that accumulated around the Last Glacial Maximum contain 9.9 kg OC/m2 with an accumulation rate of 0.5 g OC/m2/yr. Carbon storage (144.7 kg OC/m2) and accumulation (26.1 g OC/m2/yr) are both observed to be greatest between 35 and 40 ka, late during the Marine Isotope Stage 3 global interstadial. The extent of OC degradation was assessed using lignin and amino acid biomarkers with both approaches indicating well-preserved contemporary active layer and interstadial OC, whereas stadial OC was highly degraded. Lignin compositional indices throughout the core appear altered by sorptive processes that confounded some expected trends in the overall organic matter composition, while amino acids provided a more integrated pattern of change. Significant correlations between carbon-normalized hydroxyproline and total lignin concentrations further support the usefulness of hydroxyproline as an indicator for the abundance of plant organic matter. A novel amino acid plant-microbial index of the ratio of microbial-specific muramic acid and diaminopimelic acid biomarkers to the plant-specific hydroxyproline biomarker, indicate a transition from plant-dominated organic matter in fresh organic soils (index values of 0.01–0.20) to more microbial-dominated organic matter in degraded mineral soils (index values of 0.50–2.50). The branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether composition is complex and is not immediately compatible with existing temperature transfer functions. Residence time within the active layer is interpreted to integrate key factors such as primary productivity, inorganic sediment delivery, and other climate factors that control soil organic matter degradation. The Marine Isotope Stage 3, mid-Wisconsin interstadial period at this locality was forest-dominated and suggests the currently prevailing tundra ecotone is sensitive to environmental change. The majority of buried permafrost OC is high in degradability and if thawed, would be expected to be highly vulnerable to microbial decomposition.
Global Independence, Possible Local Dependence: Towards More Realistic Error Estimates for Indirect Measurements

In many practical situations, it is not realistically possible to directly measure the desired physical quantity. In such situations, we have to measure this quantity indirectly, i.e., measure related quantities and use the known relation to estimate the value of the desired quantity. How accurate it the resulting estimate? The traditional approach assumes that the measurement errors of all direct measurements are independent. In many practical situations, this assumption works well, but in many other practical situations, it leads to a drastic underestimation of the resulting estimation error: e.g., when we base our estimate on measurements performed at nearby moments of time, since there is usually a strong correlation between the corresponding measurement errors. An alternative approach is when we make no assumptions about dependence. This alternative approach, vice versa, often leads to a drastic overestimation of the resulting estimation error. To get a more realistic estimate, it is desirable to take into account that while on the local level, we may have correlations, globally, measurement errors are usually indeed independent – e.g., measurements sufficiently separated in time and/or space. In this paper, we show how to analyze such situations by combining Monte-Carlo techniques corresponding to both known approaches. On the geophysical example, we show that this combination indeed leads to realistic estimates.
Applying machine learning to forecast daily Ambrosia pollen using environmental and NEXRAD parameters.

Approximately 50 million Americans have allergic diseases. Airborne plant pollen is a significant trigger for several of these allergic diseases. Ambrosia (ragweed) is known for its abundant production of pollen and its potent allergic effect in North America. Hence, estimating and predicting the daily atmospheric concentration of pollen (ragweed pollen in particular) is useful for both people with allergies and for the health professionals who care for them. In this study, we show that a suite of variables including meteorological and land surface parameters, as well as next-generation radar (NEXRAD) measurements together with machine learning can be used to estimate successfully the daily pollen concentration. The supervised machine learning approaches we used included random forests, neural networks, and support vector machines. The performance of the training is independently validated using 10% of the data partitioned using the holdout cross-validation method from the original dataset. The random forests (R= 0.61, R2= 0.37), support vector machines (R= 0.51, R2= 0.26), and neural networks (R= 0.46, R2= 0.21) effectively predicted the daily Ambrosia pollen, where the correlation coefficient (R) and R-squared (R2) values are given in brackets. Three independent approaches—the random forests, correlation coefficients, and interaction information—were employed to rank the relative importance of the available predictors.
The Pretender of Pitcairn Island: Joshua W. Hill – The Man Who Would be King among the Bounty Mutineers

On 28 October 1832, a 59-year-old man named Joshua Hill landed at Pitcairn Island, the famous haven of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian captives. He claimed a romantic and peripatetic curric...
Prevalence and Predictors of Dermatophyte Infections Among Primary School Children in Ilemela, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Background: Dermatophytes are highly contagious organisms of public health importance, particularly among primary school children in the resource-limited settings with a prevalence of 10% to 20% in East Africa. Here, we report the prevalence and associated factors of dermatophyte infections among primary school children in Ilemela, Mwanza - Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 323 children aged between 4 and 10 years from 10 randomly selected primary schools. The study was conducted between July 2017 and September 2017. Pretested interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant social-demographic information followed by clinical examination to establish the diagnosis of dermatophyte infections. Data were analysed using Stata version 13. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 7.63±1.27 years, with the slightl majority (n=183, 56.7%) of participants being girls. The majority (n=277, 70.3%) of the study participants were from public schools. A total of 299 (92.6%) children reported using tap water at home. Using clinical diagnosis, 94 (29.1%) children had dermatophyte infections with 92 (97.9%) of them having tinea capitis. By multivariate logistic regression analysis: being a boy (odds ratio [OR] 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22 to 3.22; P=.01); using lake, river, or well water (OR 3.18; 95% CI, 1.36 to 7.38; P<.01); playing in a dusty environment (OR 2.65; 95% CI, 1.28 to 5.47; P<.01); playing with animals (OR 2.13; 95% CI, 1.28 to 3.56; P<.003); and having family members with dermatophyte infections (OR 10.56; 95% CI, 4.57 to 24.41; P<.001) predicted dermatophyte infections. Conclusion: The prevalence of dermatophyte infection is high in the study population and is associated with poor hygiene. Improved hygiene will reduce the prevalence of dermatophyte infections among primary school children in low-income countries. Further studies to identify the species and susceptibility patterns of these dermatophytes are recommended to establish empirical treatment guidelines.
Relationships Among Semisolid Food Microstructures, Rheological Behaviors, and Sensory Attributes

The study of rheology has proved extremely useful for building an understanding of food texture. Since foods are typically complex systems, they present a unique challenge for study because they frequently display non-Newtonian behavior and because the final judgement of a food’s texture is performed orally by the consumer. Therefore, it is critical to understand how the rheological properties that can be measured instrumentally relate to the experiences of orally processing a food. This chapter discusses the various historical approaches which have been used to understand the relevant forces during oral processing of semisolid food products and presents the trends and relationships which have been established.
QT prolongation in HIV-positive patients: Review article

Abstract Introduction Antiretrovirals have immensely increased the average life expectancy of HIV-positive patients. However, the incidence of QT interval prolongation and other arrhythmias has also increased. Methods Pubmed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant literature published between 1990 and 2019. Results and discussion HIV-positive patients with high viral load, low CD4 count, chronic inflammation, and autonomic neuropathy can develop QT interval prolongation. Another factor prolonging QT interval includes exposure to the HIV transactivator protein, which inhibits hERG K (+) channels controlling IKr K (+) currents in cardiomyocytes. Protease inhibitors inhibiting the CYP3A4 enzyme can also lead to QT interval prolongation. QT interval prolongation can potentially be exacerbated by opioids, antipsychotics, antibiotics, and antifungals, the adjunct medications often used in HIV-positive patients. Hepatic insufficiency in seropositive patients on antiretrovirals may also increase the risk of QT interval prolongation. Conclusion Baseline and follow-up EKG in the susceptible population is suggested.
Resuscitation from a pH of 6.5: A Case Report and Review of Pathophysiology and Management of Extreme Acidosis from Hypovolemic Shock after Trauma

Extreme acidosis is a life-threatening physiological state that causes disturbances in the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, and hematological systems. Trauma patients commonly present to the operating room (OR) in hypovolemic shock, leading to tissue hypoperfusion and the development of acute metabolic acidosis with or without a respiratory component. It is often believed that trauma patients presenting to the OR in severe metabolic acidosis (pH <7.0) will have a nearly universal mortality rate despite aggressive resuscitation and damage control. The current literature does not include reports of successful resuscitations from a lower pH, which may lead providers to assume that a good outcome is not possible. However, here we describe a case of successful resuscitation from an initial pH of 6.5 with survival to discharge home 95 days after admission with almost full recovery. We describe the effects of acute acidosis on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and hemostasis. Finally, we discuss the pillars of management in patients with extreme acute acidosis due to hemorrhage: transfusion, treatment of hyperkalemia, and consideration of buffering acidosis with bicarbonate and hyperventilation.
The response of the melanized yeast Exophiala dermatitidis to gamma radiation exposure

The melanized yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is resistant to many environmental stresses and is used as a model for understanding the diverse roles of melanin in fungi. Here, we describe the extent of resistance of E. dermatitidis to acute γ-radiation exposure and the major mechanisms it uses to recover from this stress. We find that melanin does not protect E. dermatitidis from γ-radiation. Instead, environmental factors such as nutrient availability, culture age and culture density are much greater determinants of cell survival after exposure. We also observe a dramatic transcriptomic response to γ-radiation that mobilizes pathways involved in morphological development, protein degradation and DNA repair, and is unaffected by the presence of melanin. Together, these results suggest that the ability of E. dermatitidis to survive γ-radiation exposure is determined by the prior and the current metabolic state of the cells as well as DNA repair mechanisms, and that small changes in these conditions can lead to large effects in radiation resistance, which should be taken into account when understanding how diverse fungi recover from this unique stress.