cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social and Economic Rights as Fundamental Rights

In 2014, the constitutional law topic for the International Congress of Comparative Law was “Social and Economic Rights as Fundamental Rights.” This national report on the American system, which responds to the extensive questionnaire circulated to the national reporters, analyzes the protections afforded for the right to social security at the federal level and the right to education at the state level. We demonstrate that unlike a number of other countries, the right to social security is not afforded significant protection: the text of the U.S. Constitution does not expressly contain such a right; the Supreme Court has only recognized a right to non-discrimination against the indigent with respect to certain “fundamental rights” and a right to due process before the termination of government benefits; and constitutional and sub-constitutional norms of legitimate expectations, vested rights, and non-retroactivity do not prevent the state from immediately ending benefits under government programs. By contrast, at the state level, the right to education is recognized in all state constitutions and has given rise to an extensive jurisprudence on issues such as unequal funding of school districts, education for juveniles in detention and the homeless, and education for the children of undocumented workers.
Protruding atheromas of the aortic arch in symptomatic patients with carotid artery disease

Protruding aortic arch atheromas are associated with otherwise unexplained strokes and transient ischemic attacks. Therefore aortic atheromas also may be important in patients with carotid artery disease. Forty-five patients with > or = 50% carotid stenosis and stroke or transient ischemic attack within 6 weeks underwent transesophageal echocardiographic examination (TEE). They were matched for age, sex, and hypertension with 45 control subjects who had also had a recent cerebral event but in whom significant carotid stenosis was absent. Protruding aortic arch atheromas were present in 17 (38%) of 45 patients with carotid disease and only 7 (16%) of 45 of control subjects (p = 0.02). Mobile atheromas (with the greatest embolic potential) were present almost exclusively in case patients, 6 (13%) of 45, versus 1 (2%) of 45 control subjects (p = 0.05). Case patients with mobile atheromas had the most severe carotid stenosis ( > or = 80%). Cerebral symptoms were discordant with the side of the carotid stenosis in 10 case patients, and 4 had atheromas. In conclusion, protruding atheromas of the aortic arch are present in significant numbers of symptomatic patients with carotid artery disease. These atheromas may represent an additional cause of symptoms in patients with carotid stenosis. TEE to look for protruding aortic atheromas may be considered in patients with neurologic events despite the presence of significant carotid stenosis, especially if the symptoms are discordant with the side of carotid stenosis.
Information Security Threats: A Comparative Analysis of Impact, Probability, and Preparedness

The objectives are: (1) to determine the risk assessment of information security threats, based upon the perceived impact and the perceived probability of occurrence of these threats; (2) to determine the extent of risk mitigation, based upon the perceived level of preparedness for each of these information security threats; and (3) to determine the extent to which the of occurrence and the impact of information security threats relate to the level of preparedness.
Applying Systems Engineering to VLSI Design

This paper explores the usefulness of the disciplined Systems Engineering approach to the intricate and complicated science of VLSI design. The basics of Systems Engineering are reviewed and several recently published VLSI papers are evaluated and measured as to their use of this approach.
Influence of Clinical and Demographic Variables on Mycophenolic Acid Pharmacokinetics in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis

BackgroundMycophenolic acid (MPA) is used off-label to treat many forms of glomerulonephritis.ObjectiveTo evaluate the pharmacokinetics of MPA and its glucuronide (MPAG) in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis patients with renal manifestations and to determine the effects of clinical (urinary protein excretion, serum albumin, creatinine clearance) and demographic (age, race, sex) variables on MPA and MPAG pharmacokinetics.MethodsTwenty-three patients taking MPA at steady-state were evaluated. Plasma and urine samples were collected over 24 hours. Analyses included noncompartmental pharmacokinetics and statistics including Mann-Whitney U test and univariate/multiple regression.ResultsMPA clearance (Cl/F 288 ± 154 mL/min) was approximately 2-fold higher than previously reported from transplant patients and predicted by weight and race (ranked MPA Cl/F = −11.766 + 0.2035 [wt] + 4.9578 [race]: R2 41.8%; p = 0.005). Creatinine clearance (CrCl) less than 60 mL/min resulted in higher...
Fifteenth Annual National Association of Chicano Studies Conference

Chicanos now comprise a large segment of the American work force. Histor ically, Chicanos have been among the most poorly paid and the most severely exploited workers, yet they have long played a key role in class struggles in the Southwest, and they have been in the front ranks of the current labor battles. Through collective action based in class and community solidarity, Chicano workers have fought against plant closings, phase-downs, and the deplorable working conditions of low-wage industries caused by the restructuring of the American economy. One of this decade's longest strikes thus far was waged by Chicano Phelps-Dodge copper miners in Arizona. In northwest Ohio, the Chicano migrant farmworker organization, the Farm Labor Organizing Com mittee (FLOC) engaged in a seven-year boycott of the Campbell Soup Compa ny. Through a powerful labor-community coalition of Chicanos, blacks, and Asian Americans, United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 645 in Van Nuys, Cali fornia successfully contested the power of General Motors to close the local plant. In 1987, Chicana and Mexican women frozen-food workers in Watson ville, California won an eighteen-month strike for fair wages and benefits. Chicano labor activists are leading drives to organize undocumented Mexican workers in the low-wage, nonunionized sweatshops, underground operations, and service industries, where working conditions resemble those in the Third World. These and other experiences of the Chicano population, a people whose historical past has been omitted from the overall narrative of American history, are being researched and documented by Chicano scholars. Since 1972, Chicano scholars from across the United States have gathered for the annual conference of the National Association for Chicano Studies (NACS) to share research on Chicano life and culture. The fifteenth annual NACS conference was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, from April 9-11, 1987. More than 120 Chicano scholars from the Southwest, Midwest, and Northeast attended the conference. In keeping with the NACS' desire to make the study of Chicanos accessible, local Chicano community members were invited. The theme of the NACS conference?"Chicano Renaissance?: Can Chicanos Sur vive Their Decade?" refers to the public attention given to Chicanos (and other Latinos) as America's fastest growing minority group. Through continued im
A no-reference objective image quality metric based on perceptually weighted local noise

This work proposes a perceptual based no-reference objective image quality metric by integrating perceptually weighted local noise into a probability summation model. Unlike existing objective metrics, the proposed no-reference metric is able to predict the relative amount of noise perceived in images with different content, without a reference. Results are reported on both the LIVE and TID2008 databases. The proposed no-reference metric achieves consistently a good performance across noise types and across databases as compared to many of the best very recent no-reference quality metrics. The proposed metric is able to predict with high accuracy the relative amount of perceived noise in images of different content.
Free Will, Counterfactual Reflection, and the Meaningfulness of Life Events

Research has found that counterfactual reflection, the act of mentally undoing past events, imbues major life experiences with meaning. The current studies examined whether individual differences in free will beliefs moderate this relationship. Participants described a significant event in their lives, were randomly assigned to counterfactual or factual reflection about the event, and completed measures of meaning and free will. Two studies found that counterfactual reflection enhanced the meaningfulness of life events for people with high belief in free will but not for people with low belief in free will. These studies suggest that beliefs in free will are an important factor in meaning-making processes.
ENTERPRISE PROCESS INNOVATION — THE INGREDIENTS ARE WELL KNOWN, BUT WHAT IS THE RECIPE?

Too many enterprise innovation efforts, including those focused on enterprise process innovation (EPI), have led to underwhelming results. The growing list of ingredients for EPI are well known, well studied, and widely practiced. What is less often the topic of scholarly research is the question of how to mix these ingredients into a customized recipe for a specific enterprise. Further research into the variables that correlate with effective EPI recipes is called for, with an emphasis on meta-tool creation to enable managers to make informed decisions about the right ingredient mixture for their specific EPI challenges.
Microwave Dielectric, Structural, and Salinity Properties of Simulated Sea Ice

The crystalline structure, salinity characteristics, and microwave dielectric properties of artificially grown saline ice are presented. The ice was grown in an outdoor pool containing salt water of 23-25%0 salinity. The structure and salinity profiles of this ice sheet closely simulated those found in arctic first-year sea ice. The complex relative dielectric permittivity of slabs removed from the ice sheet was measured at 4.75 GHz as a function of temperature. The slabs were placed between open-end waveguide radiators, and dielectic properties were calculated from the forward scattering coefficient. The results show both the real (?r') and imaginary (?r") parts to vary almost in direct proportion to the brine volume with values for ?r" showing more variation, and are compared with the previous work of others on actual sea ice samples.
Universal Threshold Object: Designing Haptic Interaction for Televised Interactive Narratives

The "Universal Threshold Object" is a tangible device for television-like interactive narratives based on the TV show American Horror Story. The project uses gestural interactions with a tangible controller that provides haptic feedback as an interaction strategy to augment the narrative pleasures of immersion and dramatic agency. We leverage a branching scenario and story-driven gestural interaction with haptic feedback to provide limited sets of interactivity suitable for a television platform. From our research, design goals, and design process, we provide design implications for interactive narratives that employ gestural and haptic interactions.
The BCH-NTMAC for Noisy Message Authentication

We present a new message authentication code (MAC) called the BCH-NTMAC. The BCH-NTMAC improves on the recently developed CRC-NTMAC and the NTMAC. Similar to the CRC-NTMAC and the NTMAC, the BCH-NTMAC can tolerate a modest number of errors, such as might be caused by a noisy communications channel. Moreover, all these new NTMACs provide estimates of the number and the locations of the errors. However, the BCH-NTMAC has a much lower false acceptance probability as the CRC-NTMAC does. It also provides a much better error number estimation than both the CRC-NTMAC and the NTMAC do. The BCH-NTMAC is not based on cryptographic hash functions and a security analysis under a chosen message attack is developed to verify its security.
Systemic targeted radionuclide therapy: Potential new areas

Radiation oncology is entering an exciting new era with therapies being delivered in a targeted fashion through an increasing number of novel approaches. External beam radiotherapy now integrates functional and anatomic tumor imaging to guide delivery of conformal radiation to the tumor target. Systemic targeted radionuclide therapy (STaRT) adds an important new dimension by making available to the radiation oncologist biologically targeted radiation therapy. Impressive clinical results with antibody-targeted radiotherapy, leading to the Food and Drug Administration's approval of two anti-CD20 radiolabeled antibodies, highlight the potential of STaRT. Optimization strategies will further improve the efficacy of STaRT by improving delivery systems, modifying the tumor microenvironment to increase targeted dose, and maximizing dose effect. Ultimately, the greatest potential for STaRT will not be as monotherapy, but as therapy integrated into established multimodality regimens and used as adjuvant or consolidative therapy in patients with minimal or micrometastatic disease.
Identification of genes expressed by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the pathogen causing soybean rust, at a late stage of infection of susceptible soybean leaves

Soybean is one of the top five agricultural products in the United States and is highly susceptible to Phakopsora pachyrhizi, an exotic obligate biotrophic fungus. The little amount of genomic information about P. pachyrhizi limits understanding of the soybean–soybean rust pathogen interaction and the possibility of engineering resistance to this pathogen in soybean. Illumina mRNA-Seq analysis revealed P. pachyrhizi genes expressed during a biotrophic interaction between P. pachyrhizi and soybean during fungal sporulation 10 days after inoculation. Approximately 2·4 million DNA sequences representing portions of potential P. pachyrhizi genes were assembled into 32 940 contigs that were used to search against expressed sequence tag (EST), protein and conserved domain databases. About 7500 contigs represent newly discovered P. pachyrhizi sequences. Of these, 527 shared similarity to genes encoding fungal proteins involved in different metabolic pathways such as galactose and glycogen metabolism, glycolysis, the citrate cycle, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, proteolysis, protein synthesis, cell cycle division and mitosis, and cell wall biogenesis. Almost 7000 potential P. pachyrhizi genes are still of unknown function. Such information may be useful in the development of new methods of broadening resistance of soybean to P. pachyrhizi, including the silencing of important P. pachyrhizi genes, and also to understand the molecular basis of soybean–P. pachyrhizi interactions.
A Profile of Alaska n Seniors 3. Income, Children, and Health

Two prior articles in this series described some basic information on the demographic and social characteristics of elderly Alaskans and provided some more detailed analyses of the concomitants of ...
Effect of Diluent Composition on Survival and Fertility of Bovine Spermatozoa Stored in Carbonated Diluents

Abstract Attempts were made in this study to determine the concentration of each constituent of the carbonated Illini variable temperature diluent which would result in optimum sperm survival. Changes in the potassium chloride or the sulfanilamide concentration resulted in no substantial increases in spermatozoan survival. An increase in the glucose concentration from 0.017 m to 0.067 m resulted in an increase in sperm livability. Little difference was noted in sperm survival in diluents with 5, 10, and 20% egg yolk during storage at 26.5C, whereas, at 5C, 20% egg yolk permitted longer sperm life. The addition of catalase also prolonged sperm life at 26.5C and when used in conjunction with higher levels of egg yolk and glucose, greatly increased livability compared to semen extended with the original IVT diluent. A sodium bicarbonate concentration of 0.05 m in the buffer supported better sperm livability than the original 0.025 m concentration. When the sodium bicarbonate concentration was increased to 0.10 m in a diluent containing 0.067 m glucose and 15% egg yolk, and the ampules were flushed with CO 2 immediately before filling, 47% live sperm were found after 60 days of storage at 5C. Two modifications of the IVT diluent tested for their effect on fertility resulted in an increase in the fertilizing capacity of sperm during storage for a week, as compared to fertility in one of two previous tests of the original IVT diluent.
Inattentive Listening Undermines Self-Verification in Personal Storytelling

Two studies explore the narrative construction of self-perceptions in conversational storytelling among pairs of same-sex friends. Specifically, the studies examined how listener behavior can support or undermine attempts to self-verify in personal storytelling. In two studies (n=100 dyads), speakers told attentive, distracted, or disagreeable (Study 1 only) friends about a recent experience. Distracted, but not disagreeable, friends tended to undermine participants' attempts to verify their self-perception of being interested in an activity (Study 1) or their self-perception that an event was typical for them (Study 2). These results support the notion that friends can be an important source of influence on self-perceptions and, perhaps surprisingly, suggest that responsiveness from friends, rather than agreement per se, may be crucial for supporting self-verification processes.
The hippocampus and the control of information storage in the brain

The present chapter assumes that the amount of information stored in the brain at a given moment is proportional to the mismatch between internally predicted events and the actual events ocurring in the external world. We have proposed ([29], [30]) that the hippocampus is involved in the computation of the “aggregate prediction” of ongoing events. This prediction is compared with information from the external world in order to determine the amount of information to be stored in the brain.
Predictive Value of Early A-EEG in HIE Outcome

Researchers at Wayne State University and other US Pediatric Centers examined the predictive value of the early amplitude integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) and stage of encephalopathy among infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) eligible for whole-body hypothermia.
Two proteins that cycle asynchronously between centrosomes and nuclear structures: Drosophila CP60 and CP190.

Both the nucleus and the centrosome are complex, dynamic structures whose architectures undergo cell cycle-specific rearrangements. CP190 and CP60 are two Drosophila proteins of unknown function that shuttle between centrosomes and nuclei in a cell cycle-dependent manner. These two proteins are associated in vitro, and localize to centrosomes in a microtubule independent manner. We injected fluorescently labeled, bacterially expressed CP190 and CP60 into living Drosophila embryos and followed their behavior during the rapid syncytial blastoderm divisions (nuclear cycles 10–13). Using quantitative 3-D wide-field fluorescence microscopy, we show that CP190 and CP60 cycle between nuclei and centrosomes asynchronously with the accumulation of CP190 leading that of CP60 both at centrosomes and in nuclei. During interphase, CP190 is found in nuclei. Immediately following nuclear envelope breakdown, CP190 localizes to centrosomes where it remains until telophase, thereafter accumulating in reforming nuclei. Unlike CP190, CP60 accumulates at centrosomes primarily during anaphase, where it remains into early interphase. During nuclear cycles 10 and 11, CP60 accumulates in nuclei simultaneous with nuclear envelope breakdown, suggesting that CP60 binds to an unknown nuclear structure that persists into mitosis. During nuclear cycles 12 and 13, CP60 accumulates gradually in nuclei during interphase, reaching peak levels just before nuclear envelope breakdown. Once in the nucleus, both CP190 and CP60 appear to form fibrous intranuclear networks that remain coherent even after nuclear envelope breakdown. The CP190 and CP60 networks do not co-localize extensively with each other or with DNA. This work provides direct evidence, in living cells, of a coherent protein network that may represent a nuclear skeleton.
Incidence and pathology of repeat CT abdomen and pelvis in an adult emergency department population.

Abstract Introduction Our objective was to identify the incidence of adult patients who undergo more than one computed tomography (CT) abdomen and pelvis within 1 year and detect the incidence of significant pathology on these repeat scans. Methods All adults with an initial CT within 12 months and then during an emergency department visit were retrospectively identified. Results A percentage of 21.1 of the repeat CT scans were positive. Approximately 20% of positive repeat CT scans occurred within the first month and nearly 70% within 6 months of the initial CT scan. Conclusions Many patients undergo multiple CT scans within a 1 year time frame with significant pathology identified.
Retarding Outbreak of Low-Density Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Populations with Aerial Applications of Gypchek and Bacillus thuringiensis

Low-density gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), populations in Virginia were aerially treated with the nucleopolyhedrosis virus (baculovirus) product Gypchek and with a commercial preparation (SAN 415 SC 32LV) of the NRD-12 strain of Bacillus thuringiensis (Kurstak). Six 12.2-ha plots received two applications of Gypchek, each at the rate of 1.25 × 1012 occlusion bodies in 18.7 liters of an aqueous tank mix per ha. Six 12.2-ha plots received two neat applications of SAN415, each at the rate of 49.4 BIU in 5.96 liters per ha. Gypchek and SAN415 treatments reduced numbers of egg masses by 92 and 94%, respectively, compared with numbers in six control plots. Weekly counts of live larvae found under burlap bands were significantly lower in Gypchek- and SAN 415-treated plots than in control plots, but defoliation differences between sprayed and control plots were not significant. Control plots displayed a second wave of larval mortality from naturally occurring nucleopolyhedrosis virus that was different from that seen in plots treated with Gypchek and SAN 415.
Protective role of Bcl2 in metabolic oxidative stress-induced cell death

Previous studies have shown that overexpression of Bcl2 protects cells from glucose deprivation-induced cell death in multidrug-resistant human breast carcinoma, MCF-7/ADR cells. In this study, we further investigated the protective role of Bcl2 in glucose deprivation-induced cytotoxicity. Although Bcl2 did not prevent a 3.2-fold increase in the level of hydroperoxide during glucose deprivation, it led to a compartmentalization of hydroperoxide molecules in the mitochondria. It also inhibited glucose deprivation-induced cytochrome c release from the mitochondria. It is possible that overexpression of Bcl2 prevents glucose deprivation-induced ceramide generation, probably by preventing the leakage of hydroperoxide from the mitochondria. We also observed that glucose deprivation induced a sixfold increase in oxidized glutathione content, as well as in thiol precursor content. Overexpression of Bcl2 suppressed an increase in oxidized glutathione content and thiol precursor content. Our results indicate that Bcl2 protects cells from metabolic oxidative stress-induced damage by inhibiting the leakage of hydroperoxide from the mitochondria and subsequently preventing ceramide generation. Preventing ceramide generation inhibits the signal transduction pathway and results in the suppression of cytochrome c release from the mitochondria.
Enhanced detection of early photons in time-domain optical tomography using dead-time characteristics of SPADs

A novel approach is presented for enhancing the detection of “early” photons in time-domain optical tomography utilizing the dead time effect of the detector to shift the dynamic range of it towards the first arrival photons.
Research and Production of Double High-Ni-Cr Cast Iron Roller by Centrifugal Casting

The technical parameters and production process of the combine roller made from high Ni Cr cast iron by centrifugal casting were intruduced in detail.
The Impact of Obesity on Physiologic Indicators

Obesity results in an alteration in the stress response that often results in adverse perinatal outcomes. This study investigated physiologic changes in 21 obese and 20 overweight women during pregnancy and the impact on vagal response (heart period and respiratory sinus arrhythmia), oxygenation, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and systolic blood pressure at 20, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. The impact of obesity on perinatal outcomes was investigated. Blood oxygen, systolic blood pressure, and HbA1c levels were significantly higher for the obese women as compared with overweight women. Monitoring physiologic mal-adaptation may permit early detection and intervention to improve perinatal outcomes.
Assessment of Solvated Interaction Energy Function for Ranking Antibody–Antigen Binding Affinities

Affinity modulation of antibodies and antibody fragments of therapeutic value is often required in order to improve their clinical efficacies. Virtual affinity maturation has the potential to quickly focus on the critical hotspot residues without the combinatorial explosion problem of conventional display and library approaches. However, this requires a binding affinity scoring function that is capable of ranking single-point mutations of a starting antibody. We focus here on assessing the solvated interaction energy (SIE) function that was originally developed for and is widely applied to scoring of protein–ligand binding affinities. To this end, we assembled a structure–function data set called Single-Point Mutant Antibody Binding (SiPMAB) comprising several antibody–antigen systems suitable for this assessment, i.e., based on high-resolution crystal structures for the parent antibodies and coupled with high-quality binding affinity measurements for sets of single-point antibody mutants in each system. ...
The growing threat of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections in patients with hematologic malignancies.

AbstractProlonged neutropenia and chemotherapy-induced mucositis render patients with hematologic malignancies highly vulnerable to Gram-negative bacteremia. Unfortunately, multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria are increasingly encountered globally, and current guidelines for empirical antibiotic coverage in these patients may not adequately treat these bacteria. This expansion of resistance, coupled with traditional culturing techniques requiring 2–4 days for bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility results, have grave implications for these immunocompromised hosts. This review characterizes the epidemiology, risk factors, resistance mechanisms, recommended treatments, and outcomes of the MDR Gram-negative bacteria that commonly cause infections in patients with hematologic malignancies. We also examine the infection prevention strategies in hematology patients, such as infection control practices, antimicrobial stewardship, and targeted decolonization. Finally, we assess the ...
MOBY: Molecular Modeling on the PC

The molecular Modeling programme MOBY is introduced that makes the standard features of high level modeling tools available to PC users, without the limitations on speed and the restrictions on the molecular systems found for other PC programmes. Several extensions to the standard features like a detailed energy analysis and quantum chemical methods have been implemented. Some examples for the applicability of MOBY are shown on the poster.
Point-of-care cardiac ultrasound techniques in the physical examination: better at the bedside

The development of hand-carried, battery-powered ultrasound devices has created a new practice in ultrasound diagnostic imaging, called 'point-of-care' ultrasound (POCUS). Capitalising on device portability, POCUS is marked by brief and limited ultrasound imaging performed by the physician at the bedside to increase diagnostic accuracy and expediency. The natural evolution of POCUS techniques in general medicine, particularly with pocket-sized devices, may be in the development of a basic ultrasound examination similar to the use of the binaural stethoscope. This paper will specifically review how POCUS improves the limited sensitivity of the current practice of traditional cardiac physical examination by both cardiologists and non-cardiologists. Signs of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left atrial enlargement, lung congestion and elevated central venous pressures are often missed by physical techniques but can be easily detected by POCUS and have prognostic and treatment implications. Creating a general set of repetitive imaging skills for these entities for application on all patients during routine examination will standardise and reduce heterogeneity in cardiac bedside ultrasound applications, simplify teaching curricula, enhance learning and recollection, and unify competency thresholds and practice. The addition of POCUS to standard physical examination techniques in cardiovascular medicine will result in an ultrasound-augmented cardiac physical examination that reaffirms the value of bedside diagnosis.
Learning curves for minimally invasive spine surgeries: Are they worth it?

Background Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) spine procedures were developed to limit operative time, the extent of dissection, and reduce perioperative morbidity. Here, we asked what are the "learning curves" for these MIS spine procedures? Methods We reviewed studies in the literature that discussed the "learning curves" attributed to performing different MIS spine surgical procedures. Of interest, the majority were single-surgeon series. Results Very few articles assessed the learning curves for different MIS spine procedures. One study reported no learning curve for open vs. MIS discectomy/laminotomy. Another study indicated that 20-30 cases were required for a surgeon to become proficient in performing a variety of MIS spine fusions [e.g., cervical MIS fusions, MIS anterior lumbar interbody fusions (ALIF), MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions (TLIF), and MIS pedicle/screw placement in the thoracic/lumbar spine]. Several other studies specifically cited that, to become proficient in the performance of TLIF, surgeons had to have performed between 10, to 32, to 40, to 44 such cases. Conclusions There is a very limited literature available that focuses on the "learning curves" associated with the performance of different types of MIS spine procedures. The number of cases required to satisfy the "learning curves" for different operations varied from 0 for MIS vs. open discectomy/laminotomy, to 20-30 for a variety of cervical-thoracic-lumbar procedures, and up to 44 cases for TLIF. Shouldn't we ask whether better oversight measures and/or mentoring programs could limit the morbidity/AE occurring during these "learning curves" in the future?
A cool side effect of valproic acid administration: Single dose-induced hypothermia

Abstract Thermoregulatory derangements secondary to valproic acid (VPA) administration, specifically hypothermia, have been reported throughout the literature, but a handful of times. This case report describes a 28-year-old male presenting status-post multiple tonic-clonic seizures, treated for persistent seizure activity refractory to benzodiazepines with valproic acid (VPA), levetiracetam, and fosphenytoin. After just over an hour, the patient's core temperature fell from 36.8 °C to 34.9 °C. Temperatures were repeated for confirmation, no further doses of VPA were administered, and the patient's temperature returned to normal over the next 7 h with the use of warming blankets. Levetiracetam and fosphenytoin were continued with no further reported development of hypothermia during the patient's admission. After reviewing other potential causes, a thorough drug database review was performed that found VPA to be the only medication administered with published reports of inducing hypothermia. The mechanism of thermoregulatory derangement associated with VPA is not clearly defined and much of the evidence surrounds alterations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in animal studies. To our knowledge, this case report is the first reported case of VPA-induced hypothermia following a single dose in the emergency department and offers the potential that prompt return to normothermia is likely following discontinuation of the offending agent.
Low-Temperature Measurement of the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Phenolic Laminate, the Pultruded Polyester Fiberglass, and A & B Epoxy Putty

Linen-base phenolic laminate is inexpensive, has high compressive mechanical strength, and can be easily fabricated. It has been widely used for substructures in large bubble-chamber magnets [1] and large magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) magnets [2,3]
CD4 Cross-Linking (CD4XL) Induces RAS Activation and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Secretion in CD4+ T Cells

CD4 molecules are the primary receptors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and bind the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of HIV with high-affinity. We have previously shown that cross-linking of CD4 molecules (CD4XL) in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) results in secretion of cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), but not of interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-4. To investigate the intracellular signaling events associated with CD4-gp120 interaction, we incubated CD4 + T cells from peripheral blood of HIV-negative healthy donors with HIV envelope protein gp160 alone or performed CD4XL with gp160 and anti-gp160 antibody. This procedure resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular substrates p59 fyn , zap 70, and p95 vav and also led to ras activation, as assessed by conversion of rasGDP to rasGTP. The role of ras in CD4 signaling was further investigated using CD4 + Jurkat cells transfected with a dominant negative ras mutant. CD4 + T cells expressing dn-ras secreted significantly reduced levels of TNF-α in response to CD4XL. These studies indicate that interaction of HIV gp160 with CD4 molecules activates the ras pathway in T cells, which may result in the cells becoming unresponsive to subsequent stimulation.
Detecting Anthrax: What We Learned from the 1979 Sverdlovsk Outbreak

The 1979 outbreak in Sverdlovsk, USSR, is the largest and only example of a local community victimisedby inhalation anthrax. In retrospect the incidentsupports concern that distinctions between natural and manufactured causes of such outbreaks are difficult to draw. The official Soviet explanation that the cause was anthrax infected meat was plausible until the facts of the disaster were better known. Although the disaster was likely accidental, its occurrence and consequences sufficiently mimic a terroristor state assaulton citizens for us to appreciate it as a model of attack and civic response. Whathave we learnedabout the Sverdlovsk outbreakthat wouldbe useful in both discerning and managing a similarBWscenario? Before addressing this question, I will review the sources of our data for composing the two maps that were published in the November 18, 1994 issue of Science. Then I will describe the data on onset, hospital admission, and death rates as possible clues to what can be done to identify an outbreak, provided, of course, the politicalwill is there to investigate.
The Transformative Potential of Global Gender and Education Policy

As globalization has realigned individual, community, national, and international interactions within economic, political, and cultural spheres, so too has it influenced educational policy. This chapter discusses globalization as a contextual influence on the field of gender and education policy and begins, therefore, with a brief historical overview of girls’ and women’s education as connected to an earlier development discourse. Current policies of international organizations, strategies, and gender frameworks will be examined along with current topics and calls for action. This chapter speaks primarily to gender and education policy in low-income countries. This field prioritizes girls’ education, speaks to the importance of women’s literacy, is beginning to examine boys’ educational experiences, and has been called on to address more complex notions of gender that shape education at all levels. Finally, the chapter critiques the intersection of feminist scholarship, development theories, gender and development research, and educational policy. It is suggested that it is time to better infuse transnational feminist knowledge with education policy.
CarSenToGram: geovisual text analytics for exploring spatiotemporal variation in public discourse on Twitter

Assessing the impact of events on the evolution of online public discourse is challenging due to the lack of data prior to the event and appropriate methodologies for capturing the progression of t...
Refractory Headache or Refractory Patient? Issues of Locus of Control in Chronic Daily Headache (CDH)

Both patient and provider should not underestimate the important role of the patient to exert agency or control over his or her own health. This chapter reviews the psychological construct of locus of control (LOC) as it applies to the treatment and management of CDH. Beginning with an overview of LOC and the related concept of self-efficacy, the chapter explores how these constructs have been measured and applied to understand the CDH population. In particular, research suggests that internal LOC and high self-efficacy are associated with favorable treatment outcomes for modifiable health behaviors of benefit to CDH patients. Two psychological treatments to enhance patient internal LOC and self-efficacy – cognitive-behavioral therapy (including biofeedback and use of relevant assessment tools) and motivational interviewing – are addressed. The chapter concludes with a discussion of suggestions for providers to increase their own LOC and self-efficacy in treating the CDH population, and concepts are illustrated with a case study.
Enlarged Optic Nerve Axons and Reduced Visual Function in Mice with Defective Microfibrils

Abstract Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss due to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration that develops slowly with age. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a significant risk factor, although many patients develop glaucoma with IOP in the normal range. Mutations in microfibril-associated genes cause glaucoma in animal models, suggesting the hypothesis that microfibril defects contribute to glaucoma. To test this hypothesis, we investigated IOP and functional/structural correlates of RGC degeneration in mice of either sex with abnormal microfibrils due to heterozygous Tsk mutation of the fibrilin-1 gene (Fbn1Tsk/+). Although IOP was not affected, Fbn1Tsk/+ mice developed functional deficits at advanced age consistent with glaucoma, including reduced RGC responses in electroretinogram (ERG) experiments. While RGC density in the retina was not affected, the density of RGC axons in the optic nerve was significantly reduced in Fbn1Tsk/+ mice. However, reduced axon density correlated with expanded optic nerves, resulting in similar numbers of axons in Fbn1Tsk/+ and control nerves. Axons in the optic nerves of Fbn1Tsk/+ mice were significantly enlarged and axon diameter was strongly correlated with optic nerve area, as has been reported in early pathogenesis of the DBA/2J mouse model of glaucoma. Our results suggest that microfibril abnormalities can lead to phenotypes found in early-stage glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Thinning of the elastic fiber-rich pia mater was found in Fbn1Tsk/+ mice, suggesting mechanisms allowing for optic nerve expansion and a possible biomechanical contribution to determination of axon caliber.
Beyond Deduction: From Descartes to Gödel

Here we return to the transformation of number in modern mathematics, where first Descartes’ arithmetic algebra and then Leibniz’s analytic algebra as a middle term transform both the understanding of number and the understanding of figure. First, we’ll look at the way that mathematicians moved from the natural numbers, the integers, and the rationals, to the reals, the complex numbers, the p-adic numbers, and the transfinite ordinals and cardinals. Just as algebra allowed Leibniz to master the infinitesimal and broach the topic of the infinite, so here mathematicians finally begin to master the infinite, though unsurprisingly the infinite still proves elusive and mysterious.
Negative Behaviors among Healthcare Professionals: Relationship with Patient Safety Culture

Behaviors that undermine a culture of safety within hospitals threaten overall wellbeing of healthcare workers as well as patient outcomes. Existing evidence suggests negative behaviors adversely influence patient outcomes, employee satisfaction, retention, productivity, absenteeism, and employee engagement. Our objective was to examine the presence of negative behaviors within a healthcare system and the influence of negative behaviors among healthcare workers on perceptions of patient safety culture. Using a cross-sectional design, the negative behaviors in healthcare survey (NBHC) and selected composites of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS) were combined within an electronic survey which was administered to physicians, clinical and managerial staff. Exposure to contributing factors of negative behaviors was moderately correlated with elements of HSOPS, including perceptions of teamwork within units, management response to error, and overall patient safety grade. Use of aggression and fear of retaliation were moderately correlated with HSOPS management response to error. Reducing healthcare worker exposure to contributing factors of negative behavior may result in increased perceptions of teamwork within a hospital unit, while addressing use of staff aggression and fear of retaliation potentially positively influences management response to error.
Numerical Simulation and Validation of Gas and Molten Metal Flows in Close-Coupled Gas Atomization

Molten metal atomization in close-coupled gas atomization dies can operate between two limiting conditions, jetting and filming, together with several complex mechanisms: liquid-gas drafting, downward/upward shearing, melt bouncing, etc. Liquid jet deformation depends on flow and geometric parameters, such as liquid Reynolds, liquid Weber, and gas Mach numbers, as well as gas jet apex angle and melt tube tip extension and aspect ratio, among others. Understanding their effect is of importance for the metal powder making industry. Numerical gas atomization studies can provide approximated flow information and consider a wide range of conditions, beyond experimental reach. Here, 3D high-resolution simulations employing a 5-equation compressible flow model coupled with the volume-of-fluid method are compared with experiments, for liquid Weber number in the range of 1–30 and liquid Reynolds number below 10,000. This validation explores the predicting capabilities of the numerical model.
Prior hip or knee prosthetic joint infection in another joint increases risk three-fold of prosthetic joint infection after primary total knee arthroplasty: a matched control study.

Aims There is little information regarding the risk of a patient developing prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) when the patient has previously experienced ...
A risk based approach to large datasets: Analysis of time series data for a large merchandising firm

Abstract This instructional case is designed to examine one approach to the analysis of large datasets using Excel software. The company annual revenue results spanned over 10 years of data for 879 functional units. Inventory counts for the company indicated higher inventory values than accounting records, running counter to the expected shrinkage, estimated at 3% of sales. As a member of the internal audit division, you are asked to examine the large database to identify stores where the consistencies seemed largest and apply the COSO ERM risk framework to report risk. The impact and likelihood of two specific risks are examined and measured: financial statement overstatement and overpayment of commissions. Using actual internal audit work papers in place at a Fortune 500 company, the results are reported. Case questions are designed to help you think about the relationship between revenues in consecutive time periods, evaluate different forecasting models, and apply the forecasting models. Completing the risk matrix using results gives a hands-on approach to risk analysis. Completing the case questions also provides a basis for analysis that could be applied in other large datasets likely to be encountered in a continuous auditing environment.
The role of science domain knowledge and reading motivation in predicting informational and narrative reading comprehension in L1 and L2: An international study

Abstract Using international large-scale datasets, this study investigated the role of science domain knowledge and reading motivation in L1 and L2 reading comprehension of informational and narrative text in fourth-grade students in five countries. The results of multi-group multilevel regression showed that science domain knowledge was the strongest predictor for informational and narrative reading comprehension in students who were second language learners and students who were monolingual across the countries. Overall, the coefficient of science domain knowledge was similar between the two language groups for each genre, indicating that science domain knowledge might play a facilitative role in reading comprehension to a similar extent between L1 and L2. Reading self-efficacy was also a significant predictor for L1 and L2 reading comprehension of the two genres across the countries, whereas reading attitudes were not. The findings are discussed with respect to research and practice.
Genetic characteristic of hemagglutinin of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in Guizhou Province in 2017

The number of H7N9 bird flu cases was high and the situation was grim in guizhou province in 2017. To understand the molecular characteristics of the hemagglutinin gene (HA) and the risk of human infection with avian influenza virus A(H7N9) in Guizhou Province, 2017. Homology, genetic evolution and pivotal sites related to receptor binding regions, pathogenicity and potential glycosylation of 14 avian influenza viruses A(H7N9) were analyzed by a series of bioinformation softwares. It was cleared that there was 95.9%-100% similarity among 14 strains in nucleotide of the HA gene, and there were 96.8%-97.8% and 96.8%-97.9% similarities with vaccine strains A/Shanghai/2/2013 and A/Anhui/1/2013 recommended by WHO, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 14 HA genes were directly evolved in the Yangtze River Delta evolution branch, but they could be derived from five diffenrent strains. Then 13 of 14 strains cleavage site sequences of HA protein revealed they were low pathogenic avian influenza viruses, while A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017 was high pathogenic avian influenza virus. Mutation G186V at the receptor binding sites in the HA was found in all 14 strains, and mutation Q226L in 13 strains besides A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017. All five potential glycosylation motifs in the HA were conservative.