cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preoperative echocardiographic measures in interrupted aortic arch: Which ones best predict surgical approach and outcome?

Objective It is unclear whether neonates with interrupted aortic arch (IAA) and a smaller left ventricular outflow tract may have improved outcomes with a Yasui operation (ventricular outflow bypass procedure) over a primary complete repair. This study sought to identify preoperative echocardiographic parameters to differentiate which neonates may have improved outcomes with a primary vs Yasui operation. Design Patient demographics, cardiac surgery type, complications, need for reoperation and/or interventional catheterization, and date of last follow-up were collected on neonates who underwent a biventricular repair for IAA from 2003 to 2014. Preoperative echocardiograms were analyzed for: IAA type, valve annulus size, aortic valve morphology, ventricular size and aortic arch anatomy. Results Seventy-seven neonates underwent IAA repair between 2003 and 2013. 60 neonates had a primary repair and 17 a Yasui operation. Neonates that underwent a Yasui operation had significantly smaller mitral and aortic valves with aortic arch hypoplasia. Within the primary repair group, a decreasing aortic root z-score on univariate analysis increased the odds of reoperation by twofold [OR = 1.98, 95% CI: (1.15-3.42), P = .014]. A significant interaction between repair type and aortic root z-score was identified on multivariable analysis (P = .039), for neonates with aortic root z-scores less than −2.5, the probability of reoperation during the follow up time period [mean 4.5 years (3.3 months-10 year)] was significantly higher in the primary repair group compared to the Yasui group (64.3% vs 37.5%). Conclusions Neonates with IAA and an aortic root z-score less than −2.5 have lower odds of subsequent reoperations with a Yasui operation compared to a primary repair over the follow up period. These findings suggest a Yasui operation should be considered if the preoperative aortic root z-score is less than −2.5. Careful evaluation of these morphologic predictors on preoperative echocardiograms can be helpful in surgical planning in neonates with IAA.
Small bowel obstruction and the gastrografin challenge

The "gastrografin challenge" has been used for decades in the evaluation of small bowel obstruction (SBO). This type of study involves enteric administration of a water-soluble contrast followed by serial abdominal radiographs. While its diagnostic role is well established, its therapeutic role remains controversial. Following an algorithm for gastrografin challenge cases can help with interpretation. An understanding of the appearance of diluted contrast in the small bowel, the concentrating effect of contrast in the colon, and knowledge of surgical history and anatomy is paramount for diagnosis. In this article, we review the approach to acute SBO and the use of gastrografin along with reviewing image interpretation of cases of partial and complete SBO. Gastrografin use in adynamic ileus along with other potential future uses is also discussed.
Representational Signaling in Non-Human Primate Vocal Communication

Knowledge about non-human primate vocal communication has grown substantially in recent years and has resulted in a radically different view of the role vocalizations play in animals’ lives. Some 25 years ago, anthropologist Jane Lancaster summarized the then prevalent view by noting that, “.... field and laboratory workers have emphasized that vocalizations do not carry the major burden of meaning in most social interactions, but function instead either to call visual attention to the signaller or to emphasize or enhance the effect of visual or tactile signals” (Lancaster, 1968). Downplaying the role of vocal communication even further, Lancaster went on to speculate that “a blind monkey would be greatly handicapped in his social interactions whereas a deaf one would probably be able to function almost normally” (Lancaster, 1968, p.442). In general, the communication systems of monkeys and apes were thought to express the emotional or motivational states of the animals (reviewed in Marler, 1985, 1992; Cheney and Seyfarth, 1990a).
Write Is Right: Using Graphic Organizers to Improve Student Mathematical Problem Solving

AbstractTeachers have used graphic organizers successfully in teaching the writing process. This paper describes graphic organizers and their potential mathematics benefits for both students and teachers, elucidates a specific graphic organizer adaptation for mathematical problem solving, and discusses results using the four-corners-and-a-diamond graphic organizer with 186 inner-city, minority middle school students.
The Two-Stage Insect Model

In this problem we model the life cycle of an insect, simplified into two stages— egg and adult. Similarly to the model of the previous chapter, we need to know the birth and death rates at each “age class” and the time an individual belongs to that “class.” Thus, in the case of the two development stages EGGS and ADULTS, we need a birth rate, an egg maturation period, an egg survival rate, and an adult death rate.
Supraspinal interaction between HIV-1-gp120 and cannabinoid analgesic effectiveness

The growing therapeutic use (self-medication) of cannabinoids by HIV-1 infected people and the recent interest in the possible medicinal use of cannabinoids, particularly in pain management, create an urgent need to identify their potential interactions with HIV-1. The goal here is to determine any interaction between proteins of HIV-1 and the analgesic effectiveness of cannabinoid at supraspinal level. Young adult male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were stereotaxically pretreated with HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) into the periaqueductal gray (PAG) area, the primary control center of pain modulation. Then, we examined its effect on cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55,212-2-induced analgesia. Our results demonstrated that gp120 in PAG diminished the analgesic effectiveness of this cannabinoid agonist. These results suggest that gp120 may interact with the cannabinoid system through the descending modulatory pain pathways centered in the PAG to impair the analgesic effectiveness of cannabinoids.
Estimation for an accelerated failure time model with intermediate states as auxiliary information

The accelerated failure time (AFT) model is a common method for estimating the effect of a covariate directly on a patient's survival time. In some cases, death is the final (absorbing) state of a progressive multi-state process, however when the survival time for a subject is censored, traditional AFT models ignore the intermediate information from the subject's most recent disease state despite its relevance to the mortality process. We propose a method to estimate an AFT model for survival time to the absorbing state that uses the additional data on intermediate state transition times as auxiliary information when a patient is right censored. The method extends the Gehan AFT estimating equation by conditioning on each patient's censoring time and their disease state at their censoring time. With simulation studies, we demonstrate that the estimator is empirically unbiased, and can improve efficiency over commonly used estimators that ignore the intermediate states.
Sarcopenia predicts poor outcomes in urgent exploratory laparotomy.

Abstract Background Emergent laparotomies are associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Recent studies suggest sarcopenia predicts worse outcomes in elective operations. The purpose of this study is to examine outcomes following urgent exploratory laparotomy in sarcopenic patients. Methods This was a retrospective review of patients in a rural tertiary care facility between 2010 and 2014. Patients underwent a laparotomy within 72 h of admission and had an abdomen/pelvis CT scan were included. Primary outcomes were predictors of morbidity and mortality. Sarcopenia is the lowest quartile cross sectional area of the psoas muscles. Results Multivariate analysis of 967 patients found that sarcopenic patients had higher mortality, complication rate, were less likely to be discharged home, were more likely to undergo unplanned re-operation, and had a longer length of stay. Increasing abdominal wall fat has favorable outcomes in mortality, discharge destination, and complications. Conclusions Sarcopenia is measured from CT scans, making it an accessible outcome predictor. In urgent laparotomies, sarcopenia was associated with higher morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and worse discharge destination.
Photogalvanic Etching of n -GaN for Three-Dimensional Electronics

Etching in wide-bandgap semiconductors such as GaN aids applications including transistors, sensors, and radioisotope batteries. Plasma-based etching can induce surface damage and contamination that is detrimental to device performance. We present a photoelectrochemical approach to etching n-type GaN (n-GaN) that is low-cost, simple, and environmentally benign compared to plasma approaches, with the potential for highly anisotropic etching that avoids material damage. n-GaN was etched in a dilute KOH solution with K2S2O8 oxidizer, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and a catalytic metal mask which served as both photomask and counter electrode. Relatively smooth, highly anisotropic, non-defect-selective etching was achieved at rates in excess of 200 nm/min when etching at 65°C. The obstacle of bath acidification was circumvented using the addition of buffering salts to the etchant bath, substantially extending the etchant bath lifetime and etching depth achievable in a single, uninterrupted etch. These results represent a major step toward a scalable, device-ready electrochemical etch for vertical GaN structures and devices.
Using virtualized task isolation to improve responsiveness in mobile and IoT software

We present Hermes, a hypervisor for MMU-less microcontrollers. Hermes enables high-performance bare metal applications to coexist with real-time operating systems (RTOSes) and other less time-critical software on a single CPU. Hermes creates isolated virtual runtime environments for real-time tasks by adding a layer of abstraction between the hardware I/O devices and the software that services them. Virtualization on low-power mobile and embedded systems also enables some interesting software capabilities like secure execution of third-party apps, online privacy controls, and bare metal performance in a multitasking software environment. These features otherwise require additional hardware (i.e. multiple CPUs, hardware TPM, etc) or may not be available at all. In other projects, we have anecdotally noticed that RTOSes are not always able to respond quickly and deterministically enough to time-sensitive operations, particularly under high I/O load. We validate this observed timing problem by measuring interrupt latency in an RTOS environment and comparing to an experimental implementation of Hermes. In our evaluation we compare runtime performance of several realistic mobile apps on Hermes and FreeRTOS. We find that not only is the interrupt latency lower in the virtualized environment, but it is also much more deterministic---a key figure of merit for real-time software systems.
Evaluation of tunable pixel-scale Fabry-Perot etalons for optical imaging

The Fabry-Perot interferometer (FP) is a well-developed and widely used tool to control and measure wavelengths of light. In optical imaging applications, there is often a need for systems with compact, integrated, and/or widely tunable spectral filtering capabilities. We evaluate the performance of a novel integrated FP filter device consisting of an array of individually tunable MEMS FP etalons designed to operate across the visible light spectrum from 400-750 nm. This design can give rise to a new line of compact spectrometers with fewer moving parts and the ability to perform customizable filtering schemes at the hardware level. The original design was modeled, simulated, and fabricated but not tested and evaluated. We perform optical testing on the fabricated devices to measure the spectral resolution and wavelength tunability of these FP etalons. We collect the transmission spectrum through the FP etalons to evaluate their quality, finesse, and free spectral range. We then attempt to thermally actuate the expansion mechanisms in the FP cavity to validate tunability across the 400 to 750 nm spectrum. The simulated design materials set was modified to create a more practical device for fabrication in a standard CMOS/MEMS foundry. Unfortunately, metal thin film stress and step coverage issues resulted in device heater failures, preventing actuation. This FP filter array proves to be a viable design for an imaging focal plane with individually tunable pixels. However, it will require more optimization and extensive electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical testing when integrated with a detector array.
A Trilinear Immersed Finite Element Method for Solving Elliptic Interface Problems

This article presents an immersed finite element (IFE) method for solving the typical three-dimensional second order elliptic interface problem with an interface-independent Cartesian mesh. The local IFE space on each interface element consists of piecewise trilinear polynomials which are constructed by extending polynomials from one subelement to the whole element according to the jump conditions of the interface problem. In this space, the IFE shape functions with the Lagrange degrees of freedom can always be constructed regardless of interface location and discontinuous coefficients. The proposed IFE space is proven to have the optimal approximation capabilities to the functions satisfying the jump conditions. A group of numerical examples with representative interface geometries are presented to demonstrate features of the proposed IFE method.
Confusion and Failure in Facilitating Generalized Social Responding in the School Setting: Sometimes 2 + 2 = 5.

Although social skills instruction is widely cited as an effective intervention for a variety of problem behaviors, research does not support the generalization of its effects across settings. Prac...
Automate the Peripheral Arterial Disease Prediction in Lower Extremity Arterial Doppler Study using Machine Learning and Neural Networks

This research work aims to automate the prediction of peripheral arterial diseases implied by the Lower Extremity Arterial Doppler (LEAD) studies by applying machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms. This study is the first to use machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze LEAD data for peripheral arterial disease prediction. Specifically, we employ a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to classify the waveform into three types. The classified waveforms are used as input to the learning algorithms for disease prediction. We evaluate two traditional machine learning algorithms as well as two neural networks to predict normal and three types of artery diseases: aortoiliac disease, femoral-popliteal arterial disease, and trifurcation disease. The hierarchical neural network model (HNN) is investigated to deal with imbalanced data set. The first level of the HNN predicts the normal from diseases. The remaining two neural networks are used to predict other diseases from the rest. HNN has achieved high F1 scores: 99% on the normal case, 97% on the aortoiliac disease, and 94% on the femoral-popliteal arterial disease and 89% on the trifurcation disease through 10-fold cross-validation. The comparison shows that HNN works better than multilayer perceptron, random forests, and SVM. The overall result demonstrates that machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms can be developed for peripheral arterial diseases implied by the LEAD studies while reducing the reading variability in vascular laboratories.
Development of Numerical 3-Wave Interactions Module For Operational Wave Forecasts In Intermediate-Depth And Shallow Water

Abstract : The goal of the project is to develop an effective and numerically efficient implementation of 3-wave (triad) interactions for finite-depth wave models, in coordination with the project "Nonlinear and Dissipation Characteristics of Ocean Surface Waves in Estuarine Environments" funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) through the National Ocean Partnership Program (NOPP). The theoretical approach and numerical module, based on efficient stochastic formulations (e.g., Agnon and Sheremet, 1997), will be developed and tested following the same development cycle. The numerical module will be and comparison with accurate but computationally expensive pilot models, on a number of observational field and laboratory data sets. The module will be integrated and tested within operational model framework (e.g., WAVEWATCH III, STWAVE, SWAN, and others), in collaboration with operational code developers and other researchers working under the present NOPP program.
Promoting Entrepreneurial Mindset Development in Engineering Students: Combining Story-based Learning with Experiential Design

This Innovative Practice Full Paper focuses on the development of the entrepreneurial mindset in junior-level engineering students by combining experiential design project learning with a real-life story on entrepreneurial capacity development. The entrepreneurial mindset has been defined as a specific state of mind which orientates human conduct towards entrepreneurial activities and outcomes. The development of entrepreneurial mindset is particularly important in bridging education to the future in which individuals must be sensitive to and be able to identify and respond appropriately to the constant changes and associated opportunities that characterize the future. While different approaches are being employed to inculcate and develop this mindset in engineering students, the heavy technical course load as well as the technically-oriented mindset that many engineering students have, pose great challenges to entrepreneurial mindset development.In order to overcome these challenges, an innovative approach in which teams of interdisciplinary engineering students participate in two semesters design courses that combine engineering design with the entrepreneurial mindset has been implemented. In the first semester, the focus was on the customer discovery process to identify and evaluate opportunities, and engineering design. In the second semester, the course combines engineering design with an entrepreneurial story component. In 14 out of the 16 weeks course period in the second semester, students were required to read a short chapter every week outside class from the book: Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing by Robert Kiyosaki. Unlike most books used in schools, the book uses a real-life story to teach important entrepreneurial concepts. The chapters are easy to read and are based on the true story of how Rich Dad taught Robert Kiyosaki how to develop the entrepreneurial mindset and capacity. The students were required to answer a short quiz every week after reading each chapter. They were also required to reflect on and document in their journals the lessons learned and how to apply it to themselves. The goal is that the students can better relate to the character and the context of the story thereby facilitating the learning of important entrepreneurial concepts. The development of the entrepreneurial mindset of the students will be assessed through reflection analysis. The study will provide insights into the change in the students’ entrepreneurial mindset as a result of combining design with story-based learning in the second semester as against the first semester where design and customer discovery process was employed. The findings from this preliminary study may provide an efficient and effective strategy for developing the entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students.
Marginal placental cord insertion: the need for follow up?

Objective: The objectives of this study were (1) to estimate the association between marginal placental cord insertion (PCI) and small for gestational age (SGA) and other adverse perinatal outcomes...
Assessing racial and ethnic disparities using a COVID-19 outcomes continuum for New York State.

Abstract Purpose Heightened COVID-19 mortality among Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic communities (relative to white non-Hispanic) is well established. This study aims to estimate the relative contributions to fatality disparities in terms of differences in SARS-CoV-2 infections, diagnoses, and disease severity. Methods We constructed COVID-19 outcome continua (similar to the HIV care continuum) for white non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, and Hispanic adults in New York State. For each stage in the COVID-19 outcome continua (population, infection experience, diagnosis, hospitalization, fatality), we synthesized the most recent publicly available data. We described each continuum using overall percentages, fatality rates, and relative changes between stages, with comparisons between race and ethnicity using risk ratios. Results Estimated per-population COVID-19 fatality rates were 0.03%, 0.18%, and 0.12% for white non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, and Hispanic adults, respectively. The 3.48-fold disparity for Hispanic, relative to white, communities was explained by differences in infection experience, whereas the 5.38-fold disparity for non-Hispanic Black, relative to white, communities was primarily driven by differences in both infection experience and in the need for hospitalization, given infection. Conclusions These findings suggest the most impactful stages on which to intervene with programs and policies to build COVID-19 health equity.
Review of the Tough Standard: The Hard Truths about Masculinity and Violence

“Females create life, males end it. War, crime and violence are primarily male franchises.” -George Carlin The above quote by the late comedian George Carlin is indeed correct if you look at the nu...
Welding robot positioning method based on machine vision and laser ranging

In order to solve the problem of the accurate positioning of the welding robot in the automatic bar production, this paper proposes a positioning method of the welding robot based on machine vision and laser ranging. The traditional positioning method of welding robot mainly adopts the Hand-eye calibration mode, however, the essence of Hand-eye calibration is to obtain the conversion relationship from camera coordinate system to robot end actuator coordinate system through complex matrix operation. The calculation process of this method is too lengthy, and it is difficult to achieve the required accuracy of welding. The precise positioning of welding robot mainly includes plane coordinate positioning and depth positioning. First of all, this paper is based on the principle that the distance between the camera and the object to be photographed and the size of the camera image are proportional to the size of the object, the pixel coordinates obtained from the image processing are transformed into the plane coordinates of the final target point to be welded by the method of machine vision. At the same time, in view of the distortion caused by the camera in the imaging process, this paper uses the Zhang calibration method to correct the distorted image. Finally, the resistance detection circuit proposed is used to determine the final welding position. The experimental results show that the positioning method of the welding robot has the advantages of easy realization and high positioning accuracy, which can fully meet the welding requirements and improve the efficiency of automatic welding of the label.
Development and Evaluation of the Shared Decision Making Process Scale: A Short Patient-Reported Measure

BackgroundThe Shared Decision Making (SDM) Process scale is a short patient-reported measure of the amount of SDM that occurs around a medical decision. SDM Process items have been used previously ...
Essential Number Theory and Discrete Math

Much of cryptography is predicated on a basic working knowledge of number theory. This is particularly true for asymmetric algorithms. It is impossible to really understand RSA, Diffie-Hellman, or elliptic curve without a solid working knowledge of number theory. Discrete mathematics also plays an important role in cryptography. Both of these topics will be explored in this chapter. Obviously, a single chapter cannot make you an expert at number theory or discrete mathematics. The goal of this chapter is to provide you just enough of both topics so that you may understand the algorithms presented subsequently in this book.
Factors Influencing Pediatric Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury

Purpose: Many factors are linked to prolonged recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the pediatric population. This study investigated risk factors to aid anticipatory guidance and treatment strategies. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted utilizing 133 patients admitted to a pediatric trauma service at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. Results: No significant difference in recovery time was found based on acute injury severity as graded by initial Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) (GCS of 3-12 median recovery of 34 days vs GCS 13-15 median recovery of 34 days (p = 0.393)) and presence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (ICH median recovery of 34 days vs no ICH median recovery of 30 days (p = 0.506)). Patients with post-concussive sleep disturbances (median recovery of 53.5 days (p = 0.002)) and comorbid mood disorders (anxiety and/or depression median recovery of 143 days (p = 0.009), ADHD median recovery of 45 days (p = 0.012) showed an increased median recovery length. The median recovery time severe of moderate initial injury (GCS of 3-12 median recovery of 34 days (p = 0.00244)) and mild initial injury (GCS 13-15 median recovery of 34 days (p<0.001)) was longer as compared to outpatient studies (17 days). Conclusions: This study verified that GCS and ICH upon admission are not correlated with recovery, whereas sleep disturbances and comorbid mood disorders are strong prognostic factors for prolonged recovery. A longer median recovery time, compared to outpatient studies, suggests that patients admitted to a pediatric trauma service are at risk for prolonged recovery.
The Ankle-Pelvic Angle (APA) and Global Lower Extremity Angle (GLA): Summary Measurements of Pelvic and Lower Extremity Compensation.

ABSTRACT Background: Adult sagittal spinal deformity (SSD) leads to the recruitment of compensatory mechanisms to maintain standing balance. After regional spinal compensation is exhausted, lower extremity compensation is recruited. Knee flexion, ankle flexion, and sacrofemoral angle increase to drive pelvic shift posterior and increase pelvic tilt. We aim to describe 2 summary angles termed ankle-pelvic angle (APA) and global lower extremity angle (GLA) that incorporate all aspects of lower extremity and pelvic compensation in a comprehensive measurement that can simplify radiographic analysis. Methods: Full-body sagittal stereotactic radiographs were retrospectively collected and digitally analyzed. Spinal and lower extremity alignment were quantified with existing measures. Two angles—APA and GLA—were drawn as geometrically complementary angles to T1-pelvic angle (TPA) and global sagittal axis (GSA), respectively. Regression analysis was used to represent the predictive relationship between TPA and APA and between GSA and GLA. Results: A total of 518 propensity score-matched patient records were available for analysis. Patients with lower extremity compensation had higher APA (21.83° versus 19.47°, P = .007) and GLA (6.03° versus 1.19°, P Conclusions: TPA and GSA are measures of global spinal alignment and APA and GLA, respectively, and are geometrically complementary angles that vary proportionately to SSD and balance the body. APA and GLA increase in SSD patients with lower extremity compensation and decrease with corrective surgery. Level of Evidence: 4. Clinical Relevance: APA and GLA offer a concise and simple method of communicating pelvic and lower extremity compensation.
Analysis of the Impact of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) on Organizational Effectiveness

The purpose of the study was to examine how AIS is observed by its users within an academic medical center where financial transactions are critical in managing patient care and research operations. A cross-sectional qualitative research design was applied using interviews, the convenience sampling method was used to select study participants, and a thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns in the responses given. Based on the results provided in the interviews, 1) AIS design and specifications are associated with user satisfaction and performance in the workplace environment. 2) Organizations must focus on delivering AIS that offers the resources required for employees to perform their roles and being as effective as possible. 3) User needs should be identified as part of any AIS implementation or upgrade to support performance optimization with ongoing system utilization. The study questions were validated under the subject matter of job-related tasks and performance as related to the use of accounting information system. The study will aid the future business environment by obtaining employee feedback regarding future changes to the system that will address their specific roles and responsibilities so that the system promotes greater efficiency and will enhance performance.
Substituted Cysteine Modification and Protection with n-Alkyl- Methanethiosulfonate Reagents Yields a Precise Estimate of the Distance between Etomidate and a Residue in Activated GABA Type A Receptors.

The anesthetic etomidate modulates synaptic α1β2/3γ2 GABAA receptors via binding sites located in transmembrane β+/α− interfaces. Various approaches indicate that etomidate binds near β2/3M286 side chains, including recent cryogenic electron microscopy images in α1β2γ2L receptors under nonphysiologic conditions with ∼3.5-A resolution. We hypothesized that substituted cysteine modification and protection experiments using variably sized n-alkyl-methanethiosulfonate (MTS) reagents could precisely estimate the distance between bound etomidate and β3M286 side chains in activated functional receptors. Using voltage-clamp electrophysiology in Xenopus oocytes expressing α1β3M286Cγ2L GABAA receptors, we measured functional changes after exposing GABA-activated receptors to n-alkyl-MTS reagents, from methyl-MTS to n-decyl-MTS. Based on previous studies using a large sulfhydryl reagent, we anticipated that cysteine modifications large enough to overlap etomidate sites would cause persistently increased GABA sensitivity and decreased etomidate modulation and that etomidate would hinder these modifications, reducing effects. Based on altered GABA or etomidate sensitivity, ethyl-MTS and larger n-alkyl-MTS reagents modified GABA-activated α1β3M286Cγ2L GABAA receptors. Receptor modification by n-propyl-MTS or larger reagents caused persistently increased GABA sensitivity and decreased etomidate modulation. Receptor-bound etomidate blocked β3M286C modification by n-propyl-MTS, n-butyl-MTS, and n-hexyl-MTS. In contrast, GABA sensitivity was unaltered by receptor exposure to methyl-MTS or ethyl-MTS, and ethyl-MTS modification uniquely increased etomidate modulation. These results reveal a “cut-on” between ethyl-MTS and n-propyl-MTS, from which we infer that -S-(n-propyl) is the smallest β3M286C appendage that overlaps with etomidate sites. Molecular models of the native methionine and -S-ethyl and -S-(n-propyl) modified cysteines suggest that etomidate is located between 1.7 and 3.0 A from the β3M286 side chain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Precise spatial relationships between drugs and their receptor sites are essential for mechanistic understanding and drug development. This study combined electrophysiology, a cysteine substitution, and n-alkyl-methanethiosulfonate modifiers, creating a precise molecular ruler to estimate the distance between a α1β3γ2L GABA type A receptor residue and etomidate bound in the transmembrane β+/α− interface.
Genetic screen for suppressors of increased silencing in rpd3 mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae identifies a potential role for H3K4 methylation

Several studies have identified the paradoxical phenotype of increased heterochromatic gene silencing at specific loci that results from deletion or mutation of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) gene RPD3. To further understand this phenomenon, we conducted a genetic screen for suppressors of this extended silencing phenotype at the HMR locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Most of the mutations that suppressed extended HMR silencing in rpd3 mutants without completely abolishing silencing were identified in the histone H3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me) pathway, specifically in SET1, BRE1, and BRE2. These second-site mutations retained normal HMR silencing, therefore, appear to be specific for the rpd3Δ extended silencing phenotype. As an initial assessment of the role of H3K4 methylation in extended silencing, we rule out some of the known mechanisms of Set1p/H3K4me mediated gene repression by HST1, HOS2, and HST3 encoded HDACs. Interestingly, we demonstrate that the RNA Polymerase III complex remains bound and active at the HMR-tDNA in rpd3 mutants despite silencing extending beyond the normal barrier. We discuss these results as they relate to the interplay among different chromatin-modifying enzyme functions and the importance of further study of this enigmatic phenomenon.
Realizing continuous cation order-to-disorder tuning in a class of high-energy spinel-type Li-ion cathodes

Summary Conventional Li-ion cathode materials are dominated by well-ordered structures, in which Li and transition metals occupy distinct crystallographic sites. We show in this paper that profoundly new degrees of freedom for the optimization of electrochemical properties may be accessed if controllable cation disorder is introduced. In a class of high-capacity spinel-type cathode materials, we identify cation to anion ratio in synthesis as a key parameter for tuning the structure continuously from a well-ordered spinel, through a partially ordered spinel, to rocksalt. We find that the varying degree of cation disorder modifies the voltage profile, rate capability, and charge-compensation mechanism in a rational and predictable way. Our results indicate that spinel-type order is most beneficial for achieving high-rate performance as long as the cooperative 8a to 16c phase transition is suppressed, while more rocksalt-like disorder facilitates O redox, which can increase capacity. Our findings reveal an important tuning handle for achieving high energy and power in the vast space of partially ordered cathode materials.
Bibliometric Analysis of Academic Journal Articles Reporting Results of Psychedelic Clinical Studies

After a decades long period of investigational dormancy, there is renewed interest in employing psychedelics as treatments for mental illness and addiction. The academic journals, journal articles, academic institutions, and countries that have helped sustain clinical psychedelic research and the evolution of the literature on clinical studies of psychedelic compounds have only been minimally investigated. Therefore, in we conducted a bibliometric analysis of clinical studies of 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ibogaine, mescaline, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and psilocybin published from 1965-2018. Our search revealed 320 articles published across 106 journals. After a nearly quarter century lull between the 1970s and 1990s, publications in this area have resurged over the last two decades and continue on an upward trajectory, with most clinical studies now focusing on LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin. A subanalysis of the ten most cited articles in psychedelic research prior to 2010 and afterwards demonstrated a shift from research on risks of psychedelics, primarily those of MDMA, to research on therapeutic applications, predominantly those of psilocybin. We also conducted network analyses of inter-country collaborations in psychedelic research, which suggested that psychedelic researchers in the United Kingdom have more diverse international collaborations.
The Lost Café

One morning in 1946 in Los Angeles, Stanislaw Ulam, a newly appointed professor at the University of Southern California, awoke to find himself unable to speak. A few hours later he underwent dangerous surgery after the diagnosis of encephalitis. His skull was sawed open and his brain tissue was sprayed with antibiotics. After a short convalescence he managed to recover apparently unscathed.
The Roles and Policies of Governments

The policies of governments leading to planning and implementation are crucial to the success of ICT initiatives and improvement of ICT usage and productivity in nations and sub-national units in particular states, provinces, and prefectures. National government policies are discussed, emphasizing the exemplary nations of Sweden, Japan, and the U.S. An unsettled policy area involves the key issue of net neutrality, which is discussed including how it impacts the book’s model. Two exceptional state and city initiatives are examined, emphasizing the impact of energetic local and state governments on citizen’s ICT usage. Based on state-level findings in four earlier book chapters, nine practical recommendations are made for national governments in stimulating ICT usage country-wide. Several limitations of government’s role are examined including resistance of the disadvantaged and untoward incursions on privacy and freedom. The case study is examined of Rwanda’s national government ambitious policy initiative and mostly successful implementation to raise its ICT from the worldwide nearly the lowest worldwide level to mid-range, with reference made to book findings.
Iterative type I polyketide synthases for enediyne core biosynthesis.

Abstract Enediyne natural products are extremely potent antitumor antibiotics with a remarkable core structure consisting of two acetylenic groups conjugated to a double bond within either a 9‐ or 10‐membered ring. Biosynthesis of this fascinating scaffold is catalyzed in part by an unusual iterative type I polyketide synthase, PKSE, that is shared among all enediyne biosynthetic pathways whose gene clusters have been sequenced to date. The PKSE is unusual in two main respects: (1) it contains an acyl carrier protein (ACP) domain with no sequence homology to any known proteins, and (2) it is self‐phosphopantetheinylated by an integrated phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase) domain. The unusual domain architecture and biochemistry of the PKSE hold promise both for the rapid identification of new enediyne natural products and for obtaining fundamental catalytic insights into enediyne biosynthesis. This chapter describes methods for rapid PCR‐based classification of conserved enediyne biosynthetic genes, heterologous production of 9‐membered PKSE proteins and isolation of the resulting polyene product, and in vitro characterization of the PKSE ACP domain.
Methyl group deficiency and guanidino production in Uremia

Guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA) is one of the earliest uremic toxins isolated and its toxicity identified. Its metabolic origins have remained obscure until recently when a series of studies showed that it arose from the oxidation of argininosuccinic acid (ASA) by free radicals. The stimulus for this oxidation, occurring optimally in the presence of the failed kidney, is the rising level of urea which, through enzyme inhibition, results in a decline in hepatic levels of the semi-essential amino acid, arginine. It is further noted that concentrations of GSA in both serum and urine decline sharply in animals and humans exposed to the essential amino acid, methionine. In this review the argument is advanced that uremics suffer from a defective ability to generate methyl groups due to anorexia, dietary restrictions and renal protein leakage. This leads to the accumulation of homocysteine, a substance known to produce vascular damage. Even in healthy subjects intake of choline together with methionine is insufficient to satisfy total metabolic requirements for methyl groups. In end-stage renal disease, therefore, protein restriction contributes to the build-up of toxins in uremia. Replacement using specific amino acid mixtures should be directed toward identified deficiencies and adequacy monitored by following serum levels of the related toxins, in this case GSA and homocysteine.
How do information and communication technologies reshape work? Evidence from the residential real estate industry

We are exploring how information and communication technology (ICT) use affects the work lives of real estate agents, the process of selling/buying houses, and the overall structure of the residential real estate industry. Earlier stages of our work involved intensive field research on how real estate agents use ICT. In this paper, we report on the design and analysis of a pilot survey of 868 agents intended to investigate their ICT use more generally. Analysis of the 153 responses to this survey sheds light on how ICT use supports information control, enables process support, and helps agents to extend and maintain their social capital.
Pressure ulcer prevalence and barriers to treatment after spinal cord injury: comparisons of four groups based on race-ethnicity.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of pressure ulcer (PU) and barriers to treatment in the event of PU development as a function of race-ethnicity in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Interview data were collected from three rehabilitation hospitals each of which was designated as a model SCI system of care by the United States Department of Education. There were 475 participants with similar portions of each racial-ethnic group (African-American n = 121, American-Indian n = 105, Caucasians n = 127, Hispanics n = 122). Results: The lowest prevalence rates for pressure ulcers were reported by Hispanics followed by Caucasians. Logistic regression revealed racial-ethnic differences in the odds of developing a PU within the past 12 months. Social support and injury severity were also associated with risk of PU while age, gender, years since injury, and education were not. Significant racial-ethnic differences were also observed in 5 of 9 barriers to the treatment of PUs. Conclusion: Results suggest that variability in social support and barriers to treatment may contribute to the racial-ethnic differences in prevalence rates for PU that were observed. Future research in this area could lead to the development of strategies to enhance prevention and treatment targeted at the elimination of any racial-ethnic disparities.
The Delayed Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: Medicolegal Implications and Risk Prevention for Surgeons

The delayed diagnosis of breast cancer is a leading source of error in clinical practice, and an important cause of medical malpractice claims for surgeons and other clinicians. If clinical situations frequently leading to the delayed diagnosis of breast cancer could be predicted, misdiagnosis could be avoided more easily. Therefore, a policy of risk prevention should focus on understanding which group of patients fall into a high-risk profile for diagnostic errors, and why physicians commonly commit errors when evaluating these specific patients. Drawing on multiple sources of medical malpractice information, a profile of high-risk for misdiagnosis was created and analyzed. We have identified a "Triad of Error" for misdiagnosed breast cancer, involving (1) young patients, with (2) self-discovered breast masses, and (3) negative mammograms. The "Triad of Error" accounts for the majority of cases of misdiagnosed breast cancer. An understanding by surgeons and other clinicians of the clinical, biological, and technical basis for the "Triad of Error", and how these factors interact to produce misdiagnoses, should lead to more rapid diagnosis of breast cancer, and fewer medical liability claims. The surgeon plays a central role in preventing the delayed diagnosis of breast cancer by interrupting this cycle of diagnostic error, through the use of tissue sampling techniques that rapidly establish a definitive diagnosis of breast abnormalities.
Clinical significance of IgG subclasses.

Abstract IgG subclass deficiency has been noted in association with a variety of clinical conditions. It's relative importance as a contributing factor to these conditions is unclear. Despite reservations about the importance of partial IgG subclass deficiency, evidence is beginning to emerge that suggests that in select patients with recurrent infection and subclass deficiency, gamma globulin therapy may be beneficial.
Common Secondary Causes of Resistant Hypertension and Rational for Treatment

Resistant hypertension is defined as uncontrolled blood pressure despite the use of three antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic, in optimal doses. Treatment resistance can be attributed to poor adherence to antihypertensive drugs, excessive salt intake, physician inertia, inappropriate or inadequate medication, and secondary hypertension. Drug-induced hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea, primary aldosteronism, and chronic kidney disease represent the most common secondary causes of resistant hypertension. Several drugs can induce or exacerbate pre-existing hypertension, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs being the most common due to their wide use. Obstructive sleep apnoea and primary aldosteronism are frequently encountered in patients with resistant hypertension and require expert management. Hypertension is commonly found in patients with chronic kidney disease and is frequently resistant to treatment, while the management of renovascular hypertension remains controversial. A step-by-step approach of patients with resistant hypertension is proposed at the end of this review paper.
Immunochemical analysis of the structure and function of chromosomal proteins.

Immunochemical appxroaches are useful in studying the nuclear organization and cellular function of chromosomal components. Antibodies specific to histones and to defined nonhistone proteins have been used to study nucleosome heterogeneity, to visualize the presence of histone in transcriptionally active chromatin, and to isolate DNA sequences associated with specific chromosomal proteins.
Automated Segmentation of Coronary Vessels in Angiographic Image Sequences Utilizing Temporal, Spatial and Structural Constraints

The methods presented here have been developed to perform the automated segmentation of coronary arterial structure from cine sequences of biplanar x-ray angiograms. We introduce a methodology to impose an integrated set of constraints based on knowledge concerning the anatomical structure of the vascular system, temporal changes in position due to motion, and spatial coherence. Results are shown for data sets generated from both porcine and human studies.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Epistemic Argument for Enduring Human Persons

A typical human person has privileged epistemic access to its identity over time in virtue of having a first-person point of view. In explaining this phenomenon in terms of an intimate relation of self-attribution or the like, I infer that a typical human person has direct consciousness of itself through inner awareness or personal memory. Direct consciousness of oneself is consciousness of oneself, but not by consciousness of something else. Yet, a perduring human person, Sp, i.e., a human person with temporal parts, is identical with the complete series of its temporal parts. I argue that because Sp is diverse from any incomplete series of its Sp cannot be conscious of all of its temporal parts through inner awareness or personal memory, Sp cannot have direct consciousness of itself. I conclude that a human person endures, i.e., wholly exists at each of the times it exists.