cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Device Exchange: THI Technique Involving a Left Subcostal Approach

For patients with end-stage heart failure, continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) have become more widely used, and the average duration of CF-LVAD support has lengthened. For this reason, the incidence of pump dysfunction necessitating pump exchange has increased. If pump dysfunction is due to pump failure or a driveline issue, isolated pump replacement can be performed. We have developed a quick and safe pump-exchange technique that avoids a redo sternotomy and the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. We have used this technique to replace malfunctioning HeartMate II CF-LVAD pumps. The patients are extubated within 3–6 h, and blood loss and transfusion requirements are generally minimal.
A Tale of Two Systems: Using Containers to Deploy HPC Applications on Supercomputers and Clouds

Containerization, or OS-level virtualization has taken root within the computing industry. However, container utilization and its impact on performance and functionality within High Performance Computing (HPC) is still relatively undefined. This paper investigates the use of containers with advanced supercomputing and HPC system software. With this, we define a model for parallel MPI application DevOps and deployment using containers to enhance development effort and provide container portability from laptop to clouds or supercomputers. In this endeavor, we extend the use of Sin- gularity containers to a Cray XC-series supercomputer. We use the HPCG and IMB benchmarks to investigate potential points of overhead and scalability with containers on a Cray XC30 testbed system. Furthermore, we also deploy the same containers with Docker on Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), and compare against our Cray supercomputer testbed. Our results indicate that Singularity containers operate at native performance when dynamically linking Cray's MPI libraries on a Cray supercomputer testbed, and that while Amazon EC2 may be useful for initial DevOps and testing, scaling HPC applications better fits supercomputing resources like a Cray.
Causes and Causes of Causes of Population Health: A Public Health of Consequence, March 2018.

A review of the article "The Effects of Household Medical Expenditures on Income Inequality in the United States" by Andrea S. Christopher, David U. Himmelstein, Steffie Woolhandler, and Danny McCormick which was published in the same issue is presented.
A Latent Class Analysis of Early Adolescent Peer and Dating Violence: Associations With Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety:

Violence within peer and dating contexts is prevalent among early adolescents. Youth may be victims and/or aggressors and be involved in violence across multiple contexts, resulting in negative outcomes. This study identified patterns of perpetration and victimization for peer and dating violence, using a latent class analysis (LCA), and examined how different patterns of engaging in or experiencing violence among early adolescents were associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants included a sample of 508 racially and ethnically diverse youth (51% male) who had dated in the past 3 months. Youth were in the seventh grade within 37 schools and were primarily from economically disadvantaged communities across four sites in the United States. LCA identified three classes: (a) a low involvement in violence class, (b) a peer aggression and peer victimization class, and (c) a peer and dating violence class. Youth involved with multiple forms of violence displayed significantly higher levels of depressive and anxious symptoms than those with low involvement in violence. Study findings revealed the importance of understanding how peer and dating violence co-occur, and how different patterns of aggression and victimization were related to internalizing symptoms. Prevention efforts should address the intersection of victimization and perpetration in peer and dating contexts in potentially reducing internalizing symptoms among early adolescents.
Designing a Teachable Agent System for Mathematics Learning.

Learning-by-teaching has been identified as one of the more effective approaches to learning. Recently, educational researchers have investigated virtual environments in order to utilize the learning-by-teaching pedagogy. In a face-to-face learning-by-teaching situation, the role of the learners is to teach their peers or instructors. In virtual environments, learners take an active role by teaching a computer agent, which is referred to as Teachable Agent (TA). Although the current TA systems have shown their effectiveness on students’ learning, there are some challenges associated with learner-computer interaction methods. One of the most popular interaction methods between the learner and the system is a concept map approach. The learner teaches TA by creating information structures by drawing and editing their concept map. However, the learner can teach TA rather constrained topics, such as concept-related materials or causal effects. It is difficult for TA systems to be utilized in different types of learning along with concept-related areas. Therefore, new approaches or methods for communication between a human learner and TA systems are required. This project aims to suggest a virtual learning-by-teaching environment. A communication method (i.e., a symbol manipulation approach) was adopted in this system. The method facilitates the interaction between the learner and the computer agent, specifically for K-12 students’ mathematics learning. The design and development process is described, and future research areas are discussed.
What do kids think about sexting

Abstract To determine the current and potential future impact of sexting on adolescents, we need more information about youths' attitudes and beliefs concerning this behavior. Using a national sample of 1560 youth Internet users, ages 10 to 17, collected between 2010 and 2011, the present study examined the attitudes and beliefs about the impact of sexting as well as youths’ likelihood of reporting it to authorities. Results indicate that the majority of youth considered sexting to be a crime. Compared with youth not involved in sexting, youth who were involved in sexting were less likely to consider sexting a crime and did not believe that sexting would hurt their chances of getting a job, hurt friendships, romantic relationships, or their relationship with their family. Boys and older youth held more favorable attitudes towards sexting than girls and younger youth. Boys were also less likely to say that they would report sexting to authorities and less likely to say that they would talk to their friends in order to prevent them from sexting. Youth who reported substance use, had ever had sexual intercourse, and intentional pornography consumption, were less likely to think sexting would hurt friendships or relationships, or say they would report sexting than youth not involved in these activities.
The Paradox of the Self

Can theories of the self help explain the apparent paradox of self-defeating behavior? Under what conditions will an individual behave in contradictory and self-defeating ways? What features or processes of the self lead to ill-advised decisions and actions? Can a theory of the self provide alternatives for therapeutic interventions to halt and prevent self-defeating behavior patterns?
Parallel algorithms for image template matching

We review some efficient algorithms for image template matching on systolic arrays, meshes, pyramids, fine grain MIMD and SIMD hypercubes, and medium grain MIMD hypercubes. The fine grained algorithms require only 0(1) memory per processor and the medium grained algorithm assumes a fixed number of processors. The medium grain hypercube algorithm is experimentally evaluated using an NCUBE hypercube. Comparative run times for an algorithm that is optimized for the CRAY2 supercomputer are also presented.
Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Paraspinal Muscle Metastatic Mass.

A 39-year-old male presented with a painful paraspinal mass, which had been present for several weeks. The mass had previously been treated with oral sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim DS, as the patient reported a history of “boils,” with no improvement in his pain or size of the mass. No further diagnostic workup was pursued until he was admitted with intractable pain. Eventual biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma, likely of pulmonary origin. This report, as well as other incoming cases, highlights this rare phenomenon of muscular metastases as the sole presentation of a distant primary malignancy.
Hunting for acceptance: Ohio’s experience with recent bobcat harvest proposals reveals a dilemma agencies will increasingly face

State fish and wildlife management agencies in the United States (hereafter, agencies) traditionally rely heavily on natural science disciplines (e.g., population ecology) to evaluate management in...
Statistical Analysis of Wind Energy Characteristics in Kabertane, Algeria

Evaluation and analysis of wind energy in beginning year’s operation of a wind farm is a pivotal aspect with regard to the wind resources characteristics and technical benefit comes for future utilization. In this study, a statistical analysis for wind energy characteristics assessment in Kabertane, Algeria, on the basis of capacity factor, Weibull distribution, and active power uncertainty is investigated.
Finally! an External Female Catheter Device for Women!

BACKGROUND Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are preventable infections with significant impact on patient outcomes and hospital reimbursement. Per the Center for Disease Control and Epidemiology (CDC), the risk of CAUTI increases 3-7% per day of urinary catheter use. Until recently, no device to replace indwelling urinary catheters in women was adequate for monitoring urine output. Within our 394-bed, acute care hospital, 59% of CAUTIs in 2017-18 occurred in females. Of those, 80% were indicated for urine output monitoring. This project objective was to decrease indwelling urinary catheter use in female patients, thereby reducing risk of CAUTI. METHODS A successful search was conducted to assess the availability of an external female catheter designed to accurately monitor urine output in immobile female patients. A pilot evaluation conducted in the Medical and Critical Care wards resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback from both healthcare workers and patients. The product accurately monitored urine output, while avoiding skin moisture or breakdown. Contraindications for use included urinary retention, bowel incontinence, skin breakdown and menstruation. The product was approved and implemented on all adult inpatient units in July 2018. Pre-implementation (August 2017-June 2018) and post-implementation (July 2018-October 2018) CAUTI standardized infection ratios (SIR) and urinary catheter standardized utilization ratios (SUR) were calculated and compared using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) analysis tools. All adult inpatient units, except maternal child health, were included in the study. RESULTS Statistically significant decreases in urinary catheter SUR were noted pre- to post-implementation (1.06 to 0.93; p CONCLUSIONS Indwelling catheter utilization was reduced in immobile female patients by offering an external product capable of accurate urine output measurement. Although CAUTI SIR was not decreased, reduced indwelling catheter utilization could lessen the number of CAUTIs in female patients.
Debate on Insulin vs Non-insulin Use in the Hospital Setting-Is It Time to Revise the Guidelines for the Management of Inpatient Diabetes?

Hyperglycemia contributes to a significant increase in morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in the hospital. Professional associations recommend insulin as the mainstay of diabetes therapy in the inpatient setting. The standard of care basal–bolus insulin regimen is a labor-intensive approach associated with a significant risk of iatrogenic hypoglycemia. This review summarizes recent evidence from observational studies and clinical trials suggesting that not all patients require treatment with complex insulin regimens. Evidence from clinical trials shows that incretin-based agents are effective in appropriately selected hospitalized patients and may be a safe alternative to complicated insulin regimens. Observational studies also show that older agents (i.e., metformin and sulfonylureas) are commonly used in the hospital, but there are few carefully designed studies addressing their efficacy. Therapy with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, alone or in combination with basal insulin, may effectively control glucose levels in patients with mild to moderate hyperglycemia. Further studies with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor analogs and older oral agents are needed to confirm their safety in the hospital.
Stable isotopes from the African site of Elmina, Ghana and their usefulness in tracking the provenance of enslaved individuals in 18th‐ and 19th‐century North American populations

Objectives Stable isotope values for historic period human remains from Elmina, Ghana, are compared to isotope data from 18th- and 19th-century North American sites as a test case for examining African origins and identifying first generation Africans in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Materials and methods Stable carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotope values were measured in skeletal remains. Values from the cosmopolitan port city of Elmina provide the first available reference data from Africa during this time period and region. These values serve as a proxy for West African groups in general which are statistically compared to Euro-Americans and African Americans. Results Elmina carbon isotope values are relatively higher than those of North Americans, and African Americans show greater statistical similarity to West Africans. Elmina nitrogen isotope values are higher than those of North Americans. Elmina oxygen isotope values are notably higher than those in all Mid-Atlantic North American sites in this study. Discussion Similarity in carbon isotope values between Elmina and African Americans suggests commonalities in food availability or food preferences between these groups. Elevated nitrogen isotope values in Elmina individuals support the documented reliance of the local population on marine dietary resources at this coastal port. While carbon and nitrogen isotopes provide insight into foodways, oxygen isotope data, sourced from drinking water, provide better geographical information. The higher oxygen values from Elmina not only differentiate this group from North American Mid-Atlantic sites, but also make it possible to identify outliers at these sites as potential recent arrivals from West Africa.
Nose-Cone Conformal Substrate-Integrated Waveguide Slot Array Antenna for X-Band Radar Applications

This paper presents the design of nose-cone conformal substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) slot array antenna for modern radar applications. Firstly, the wave propagation characteristics have been investigated in doubly curved SIW, and it has been observed that they are non-uniform along the longitudinal direction of nose-cone conformal SIW. To ensure the constant wave propagation along the length of conformal SIW, the conventional design of SIW is reformulated for nose-cone conformal SIW and circuit model modification has been demonstrated. Secondly, the procedure for designing a SIW-based array on curved surfaces has been developed. In the proposed design, rectangular waveguide (RWG) to SIW feeding structure has been used to avoid spurious radiations. Finally, 1 × 6 element-based nose-cone conformal slotted array has been designed and compared with planar and cylindrical conformal arrays. It has been observed from the results that the nose-cone conformal slot array offers low sidelobe levels (SLLs) and high gain. For the validation of the proposed design, the conformal slotted array has been fabricated and measured, which exhibited a reasonable agreement between the measured and the simulated data.
Natural and engineered chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 agonists prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome after lung ischemia–reperfusion injury and hemorrhage

We compared therapeutic properties of natural and engineered chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) agonists in a rat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model utilizing the PaO2/FiO2-ratio as a clinically relevant primary outcome criterion. Ventilated rats underwent unilateral lung ischemia from t = 0–70 min plus hemorrhage to a mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of 30 mmHg from t = 40–70 min, followed by reperfusion/fluid resuscitation until t = 300 min. Natural CXCR4 agonists (CXCL12, ubiquitin) and engineered CXCL12 variants (CXCL121, CXCL22, CXCL12K27A/R41A/R47A, CXCL12 (3–68)) were administered within 5 min of fluid resuscitation. Animals treated with vehicle or CXCL12 (3–68) reached criteria for mild and moderate ARDS between t = 90–120 min and t = 120–180 min, respectively, and remained in moderate ARDS until t = 300 min. Ubiquitin, CXCL12, CXCL121 and CXCL122 prevented ARDS development. Potencies of CXCL12/CXCL121/CXCL122 were higher than the potency of ubiquitin. CXCL12K27A/R41A/R47A was inefficacious. CXCL121 > CXCL12 stabilized MAP and reduced fluid requirements. CXCR4 agonists at doses that preserved lung function reduced histological injury of the post-ischemic lung and reduced mortality from 55 to 9%. Our findings suggest that CXCR4 protein agonists prevent development of ARDS and reduce mortality in a rat model, and that development of new engineered protein therapeutics with improved pharmacological properties for ARDS is possible.
Economic implications of decreased elective orthopaedic and musculoskeletal surgery volume during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

In order to reduce viral spread, elective surgery was cancelled in most US hospitals for an extended period during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to estimate national hospital reimbursement and net income losses due to elective orthopaedic surgery cancellation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample (NASS) were used to identify all elective orthopaedic and musculoskeletal (MSK) surgery performed in the inpatient setting and in hospital owned outpatient surgery departments throughout the USA. Total cost, reimbursement, and net income were estimated for all elective orthopaedic surgery and were compared with elective operations from other specialties. Elective MSK surgery accounted for $65.6–$71.1 billion in reimbursement and $15.6–$21.1 billion in net income per year to the US hospital system, equivalent to $5.5–$5.9 billion in reimbursement and $1.3–$1.8 billion in net income per month. When compared with elective surgery from all other specialties, elective MSK surgery accounted for 39% of hospital reimbursement and 35% of hospital net income. Compared with all hospital encounters for all specialties, elective MSK surgery accounted for 13% of reimbursement and 23% of net income. Estimated hospital losses from cancellation of elective MSK surgery during 8 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic were $10.9–$11.9 billion in reimbursement and $2.6–3.5 billion in net income. Cancellation of elective MSK surgery for 8 weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic has substantial economic implications on the US hospital system.
Study of the gastrointestinal bioavailability of a pancreatic extract product (Zenpep) in chronic pancreatitis patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Abstract Introduction The Food and Drug Administration in 2006 required that all pancreatic enzyme products demonstrate bioavailability of lipase, amylase, and protease in the proximal small intestine. Methods In this phase I open-label, randomized, crossover trial, 17 adult chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients with severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) underwent two separate gastroduodenal perfusion procedures (Dreiling tube suctioning and [14C]-PEG instillation by an attached Dobhoff tube in the duodenal bulb). Patients received Ensure Plus® alone and Ensure Plus with Zenpep (75,000 USP lipase units) in random order. The bioavailability of Zenpep was estimated by comparing the recovery of lipase, amylase, chymotrypsin activity in two treatment conditions. 14C-PEG was used to correct duodenal aspirates volume. The primary efficacy endpoint was lipase delivery in the duodenum after Zenpep administration under fed conditions. Secondary efficacy endpoints included chymotrypsin and amylase delivery, serum CCK levels, and measuring duodenal and gastric pH. Results Zenpep administration with a test meal was associated with significant increase in duodenal aspiration of lipase (p = 0.046), chymotrypsin (p = 0.008), and amylase (p = 0.001), compared to the test meal alone, indicating release of enzymes to the duodenum. Lipase delivery was higher in the pH subpopulation (the efficacy population with acid hypersecretors excluded) (p = 0.01). Recovery of [14C]-PEG was 61%. Zenpep was generally well tolerated. All adverse events were mild and transient. Conclusions In CP patients with severe EPI, lipase, chymotrypsin and amylase were released rapidly into the duodenum after ingestion of Zenpep plus meal compared to meals alone. Results also reflected the known pH threshold for enzyme release from enteric coated products.
Feminist political geographies: Critical reflections, new directions:

Feminist political geography (FPG) is a vibrant, diverse, provocative and contested field of inquiry. This special issue highlights those scholars connecting FPG approaches, methodologies and argum...
Resource nationalism and asymmetric bargaining power: a study of government-MNC strife in Venezuela and Tanzania

This work conducts a comparative analysis of strife between governments and multinational corporations (MNC) in Venezuela and Tanzania, postulating that subtle shifts in bargaining power stemming f...
Abstract 16830: Functional Stenosis After Undersizing Mitral Annuloplasty is Governed by Pre-Operative Mitral Valve Opening Geometry

Introduction: Surgical repair of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) with undersizing mitral annuloplasty (UMA) is a common practice. Though excessive annular downsizing can improve coaptation, i...
Atlas-Based Quantitative Diffusion-Weighted Mapping in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (P06.231)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic significance of regional differences in brain apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the acute phase of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). BACKGROUND: Parcellation of ADC maps demonstrates a regional pattern of diffusion restriction which has been associated with outcome following anoxic brain injury. We explored the value of this approach in patients with SAH. DESIGN/METHODS: Patients underwent diffusion weighted brain MRI within 30 days of SAH. Atlas coregistration was performed using large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LDDMM), and mean ADC values (in 10-6 mm2/s) were calculated in 26 regions of interest. Primary endpoint was Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at hospital discharge or at 30 days. RESULTS: We enrolled 59 patients: 43 women, mean age 51 years, median admission WFNS 3. Forty-two patients underwent aneurysm clipping, 14 had coiling. In patients who were non-comatose on admission (Glasgow Coma Scale >/= 9), ADC was significantly higher in the right hemisphere, right lobar grey matter and cerebellar white matter. Patients with unfavorable outcome (GOS 1,2 or 3) had significantly lower ADC than favorable outcome patients (GOS 4 or 5) in the following regions: right anterior limbic cortex (823 +/- 79 vs 910 +/- 159, p = 0.037), left corona radiata (816 +/- 92 vs 906 +/- 165, p = 0.039), left corpus callosum (973.5 +/- 124 vs 1114 +/- 242, p = 0.027), left basal ganglia (862 +/- 60 vs 951 +/- 161, p = 0.031), right basal ganglia (883 +/- 109 vs 1014 +/- 174, p = 0.006), and midbrain (867 +/- 136 vs 993 +/- 204, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Here, using clinically obtained MRI scans, we identified specific anatomical patterns of ADC which were linked with SAH severity and its short term outcome. These results underscore the value of atlas-based quantitative mapping in acute neurological injury. Disclosure: Dr. Kalanuria has nothing to disclose. Dr. Leigh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sutter has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pendleton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vaidya has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tamargo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stevens has nothing to disclose.
Learning Curve for Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection

Introduction: Robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) is a challenging procedure. We hypothesized that surgical times and operative complications would decrease as surgeons became m...
When Deliberation Decreases Satisfaction: The Role of Cognition-Based versus Affect-Based Reasons

Previous research has found that consumers who deliberate about the reasons for their decisions tend to make less satisfying choices. We propose that this view is overly narrow, and argue that deliberation only impacts choice satisfaction as a function of the type of reasons on which consumers deliberate and the product category in which the decision is made. In particular, we distinguish between cognition-based reasons (grounded in defensible or logical evaluations) and affect-based reasons (grounded in feelings and emotions), and show that deliberation based on these different types of reasons results in different satisfaction outcomes. Specifically, while consumers in hedonic (vs. utilitarian) product categories are less satisfied when deliberating about cognition-based (vs. affect-based) reasons, their satisfaction is not reduced if they instead deliberate about affect-based (vs. cognition-based) reasons. Our research offers new insights into when and how deliberation impacts choice satisfaction, and offers practical recommendations for how and when to engage consumers to deliberate in different product categories, such as those that fulfilling hedonic versus utilitarian goals or those fulfilling promotion versus prevention goals.
Atheism and Atheists

“Atheism and Atheists” In the this chapter, Lorkowski provides relevant data regarding contemporary atheism around the world and particularly in the United States. The author presents numbers and patterns within the population and provides a depiction of the Average American Atheist in profile. Lastly, Lorkowski presents some of the difficulties American atheists face, including their vilification and the Christian leanings of the governments of the United States.
Toward an understanding of 21st-century skills: From a systematic review

The first two decades of the twenty-first century witnessed the blossoming of frameworks to conceptualize “21st-century skills” both in school and career. However, there is still a lack of consensus about what we are talking about when using the term “21st-century skills,” as the existing frameworks on “21st-century skills” are different from each other. Drawing upon 471 existing sources published in 2000–2017 regarding “21st-century skills,” identified from six research databases, this study was intended to answer the following research question via a systematic review: What skills had been considered as “21st-century skills” in the existing educational research literature? Seven categories or domains of knowledge and skills emerged when investigating this literature. Implications and future research directions about how adaptive learning and adaptive testing in the new century can empower educational and vocational guidance were briefly discussed at the end of this paper.
Entrepreneurial Organization or Family Firm? A Strategic Analysis of Gulf States Paper Corporation

century. Throughout the last one hundred and seventeen years, the leadership atGulf States Paper has emphasized ideals and values as the cornerstone of the business.Mildred Warner, the second President of the organization, felt that the company shouldalways strive to possess four virtues: patience, faith, vision, and determination. Eventhough Gulf States Paper has changed its strategic direction several times over the lastcentury, the company has still been able to achieve several of its main organizationalobjectives, namely financial security and family control of the business.Gulf States Paper has experienced slow but steady growth over its one hundredyears plus of operation. However, the company has experienced this growth without agreat deal of external strategic actions, such as mergers and alliances. Instead, thecompany has been very tightly held and managed. The firm’s growth strategy hasconsisted mainly of acquisitions and expansion, strategies such as the building of newmills, the purchasing and development of new equipment, the procurement of forestland,etc. Gulf States Paper has tended to be rather inward-looking as an organization, and inthe words of Jack Warner, “one hundred years after its founding, Gulf States Paper is stilla small, privately held corporation, not bound to Wall Street”(Fletcher, 1984: vii).In this paper, I will trace the historical and strategic development of Gulf StatesPaper Corporation since its founding in 1884. The game metaphor developed by Nasi etal (1998) will be used as the centerpiece for this analysis. An analysis of the company’s
To the Gauss Reciprocity Law

This chapter consists of elementary number theory and deals with the greatest common divisor, the euclidean algorithm, congruences, linear equations, primitive roots, and the quadratic reciprocity law. The material covered here corresponds to the first four chapters of Gauss’s Disquisitiones arithmeticae (1801) and to the whole volume (70 pages) of Weil’s Number Theory for Beginners (1985). Equally small (95 pages) Bakers A Concise Introduction to the Theory of Numbers (1984) contains, in addition to those standards, quadratic forms, diophantine approximation, Fermat primes, Mersenne primes, Goldbach’s conjecture, twin primes, perfect numbers, the Riemann hypothesis, Euler’s constant, ζ(2n + 1), Fermat’s conjecture, Catalan’s conjecture, and so on. Following Weil, we regard this part of number theory as a rich source of structures of algebra such as groups, rings, and fields. Like computers in these days, the algebraic language is useful and economizes our thoughts. For example, group theory teaches us that the famous Fermat-Euler theorem on congruences is a special case of a simple theorem on finite groups and that the important existence theorem of primitive roots due to Gauss follows from the theorem stating that a finite subgroup of the multiplicative group of any field is cyclic. By doing so, number theory (elementary or advanced) is well ventilated. As for the proof of the reciprocity law, we followed the method of Gauss using Gauss sums because it is not only beautiful but also has a crucial influence on the later development of algebraic number theory.
Contributors to fatigue in patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support: A descriptive correlational study.

Summary Objectives To describe levels of fatigue and explore clinical factors that might contribute to fatigue in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Research methodology/design Descriptive, correlational design. Sample was a sub-set of patients enrolled in a randomised clinical trial testing patient-directed music for anxiety self-management. Clinical factors included age, gender, length of ICU stay, length of ventilatory support, illness severity (APACHE III), and sedative exposure (sedation intensity and frequency). Descriptive statistics and mixed models were used to address the study objectives. Setting Medical and surgical intensive care units in the Midwestern United States. Main outcome measures Fatigue was measured daily via a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale, up to 25 days. Results A sample of 80 patients (50% female) receiving ventilatory support for a median 7.9 days (range 1–46) with a mean age of 61.2 years (SD 14.8) provided daily fatigue ratings. ICU admission APACHE III was 61.5 (SD 19.8). Baseline mean fatigue ratings were 60.7 (SD 27.9), with fluctuations over time indicating a general trend upward. Mixed models analysis implicated illness severity (β(se(β)) = .27(.12)) and sedation frequency (β(se(β)) = 1.2(.52)) as significant contributors to fatigue ratings. Conclusion Illness severity and more frequent sedative administration were related to higher fatigue ratings in these mechanically ventilated patients.
Going beyond hippocampocentricity in the concept of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

The emergence of electroencephalography (EEG) as a diagnostic tool in epilepsy, not only for distinguishing among different types of epilepsy (Gibbs et al., 1938), but also for localizing epileptic brain tissue (Jasper & Kershman, 1941), spawned a tremendous interest in epilepsy surgery worldwide (Engel, 2005). Bailey and Gibbs (1951) are credited as the first to report a series of surgical procedures (all temporal lobe resections) based on EEG evidence alone, whereas Jasper et al. (1951) clearly described the EEG characteristics of what subsequently became known as temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Of interest, however, these early workers did not remove the hippocampus for fear it might cause irreversible behavioral disturbances, accounting for the relatively meager outcomes compared to today’s results. Indeed, it has been speculated that these early results were largely placebo effects, and that had it not been for the placebo effect of aggressive intervention such as surgery, temporal lobe resection may not have been pursued.
Vertebral Augmentation: Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Osteoporosis is manifested by low mineral density or by the presence of fragility fractures. The occurrence of an atraumatic vertebral fracture is sufficient enough to establish a diagnosis of osteoporosis. In 1996, the incidence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures was 700,000 which surpasses the combined fractures of the ankle and the hip. For several decades, vertebral compression fractures were thought to be benign and self-limited. This view evolved from at least two-thirds of fractures never being reported by patients to their physicians. If diagnosed, most patients underwent conservative treatment.
A fast and accurate inverse discrete cosine transform

The discrete cosine transform (DCT) is a widely used transform in image and video processing applications. By its mathematical definition, it is a computationally complex algorithm defined by cosine multiplications to accomplish the transformation of data to and from the frequency domain. Consequently, the fast implementation of the DCT is an active area of research as engineers endeavor to mitigate its complexity by approximating it with fixed-point algorithms. This paper presents a new design methodology for the design of linear transforms; the application of which introduces an example fixed-point inverse DCT implementation that is both fast and accurate, and complies with the specification in the IEEE Std. 1180 - 1990 (currently withdrawn).
Electrical fixing of photorefractive holograms in Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6

Photorefractive holograms stored in Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6 crystals are electrically fixed at room temperature. The fixed holograms can be read out directly or after a positive-voltage pulse is applied that can dramatically enhance the diffraction efficiency. Single gratings as well as images are recorded and fixed.
Effect of phosphatidic acid on human breast cancer cells exposed to doxorubicin

We previously demonstrated that phosphatidic acid (PA) induces chemotactic migration of highly metastatic breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. The widely used anticancer drug doxorubicin was reported to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bioactive lipids such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP) have been shown to enhance viability and to protect cancer cells against apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of PA on MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to the anticancer drug doxorubicin. Cell migration toward PA was partially inhibited by doxorubicin treatment, and PA moderately diminished cell cycle arrest of cells exposed to doxorubicin. Although PA itself was not able to induce apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells, apoptosis of cells exposed to doxorubicin was markedly enhanced by PA treatment. Thus, PA is able to increase the apoptotic potential of doxorubicin, and may regulate the effects of doxorubicin used for chemotherapy.
Circuit based graphs for renormalized perturbation theory

A generalization of graph theory is introduced and used to obtain Feynman parametric formulas relevant to renormalized amplitudes. The generalization of graph theory is based upon circuit coefficients instead of the usual incidence matrix. The parametric formulas presented are valid for amplitudes which have been renormalized, as in the Zimmermann formulation, by subtracting Taylor terms in momentum space.
Gender Role Stereotyping of Parents in Children's Picture Books: The Invisible Father

Previous studies reveal the reinforcement of gender stereotypes by picture books children read during the formative years. In these books, boys tend to be portrayed as active leaders, and girls as passive followers. Women and girls are under-represented. Men often exhibit career skills, and women perform traditional tasks in the home. Even when careers are nontraditional, personality characteristics and other qualities and behaviors are often stereotypical. Previous researchers emphasized the narrowly defined roles of women and children in picture books. In this study, we focused on the representation of mothers and fathers, and examined whether men are stereotyped as relatively absent or inept parents. A content analysis of the gender roles exhibited in 200 prominent children’s picture books demonstrated that fathers are largely under-represented, and, when they do appear, they are withdrawn and ineffectual parents. Further research could establish whether seriously deficient models of fatherhood in children’s literature affect the incidence of present, caring fathers in society.
Interaction between atrial natriuretic factor and ouabain: vascular reactivity to noradrenaline in pentobarbital anaesthetized dogs.

SUMMARY 1. The influence of intra-arterial infusion of rat atrial natriuretic factor (ANF 8–33) and/or ouabain on the vascular responses to noradrenaline was investigated in the denervated and flow-controlled hindlimb preparations in pentobarbital anaesthetized dogs. 2. During the continuous infusions of ANF (30–40 min) vascular responses to noradrenaline were significantly depressed. Subsequent infusion of ouabain together with ANF (50–60 min) reversed and restored the vascular reactivity to the control levels. Hypotension produced by ANF infusion was partially reversed during the simultaneous infusions of both the agents. 3. In a separate series of experiments, in which ouabain was first infused (50–60 min) vascular responses to noradrenaline were significantly enhanced. Subsequent infusions of ANF (plus ouabain) even up to 60 min or longer failed to alter the enhanced vascular responsiveness facilitated by ouabain. 4. The present studies demonstrate a physiological antagonism between ANF and ouabain and such a phenomenon could account for the previous observation that vascular reactivity to noradrenaline was progressively enhanced after acute blood volume expansion. Whereas plasma levels of both ANF and ouabain-like inhibitor(s) of the sodium pump are elevated after volume expansion, inhibitory effects of ANF on the vascular smooth muscle may be compromised in the presence of an Na+ pump inhibitor(s).
Akt and PTEN: β-cell mass and pancreas plasticity

The capacity of pancreatic β-cells to adapt to insulin resistance is crucial for glucose homeostasis and is a factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. The insulin receptor substrate (insulin receptor 2/phosphoinositide 3-kinase [PI3K]) pathway plays a crucial part in regulating β-cell mass and function. The serine–threonine kinase Akt, also known as protein kinase B, is one of the major downstream targets of the PI3K pathway and is negatively regulated by phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10. This Akt signaling pathway has recently been implicated in cell-cycle progression and survival of pancreatic β-cells. Understanding the mechanisms that link Akt to modulation of β-cell mass, function and plasticity will positively affect treatment of human diabetes.
Structure-Related and Stress-Induced Shear-Wave Velocity Anisotropy: Observations from Microearthquakes near the Calaveras Fault in Central California

We attempt to distinguish between structure-related and stress-induced shear-wave velocity anisotropy in the upper crust using microearthquakes ( M ≤ 2.6) that occurred before and after the Tres Pinos, California earthquake ( M 5.5) of 26 January 1986. The Tres Pinos earthquake occurred on the Quien Sabe fault, a northwest–southeast trending right-lateral strike-slip fault, approximately 10 km east of the Calaveras fault in central California. Digital, three-component seismograms are available from 1984 to 1992 from the Quien Sabe Ranch station (HQR), located only 7.3 km north-northeast of the epicenter of the main event. We studied polarization directions and delay times using a method that combines cross-correlation techniques and particle-motion plots. To enhance the significance of our interpretations we reduced uncertainties related to the hypocenter-location of the earthquakes by source relocation based on joint-hypocenter determination and cross correlation. In the study area we found two zones with different but stable polarization directions. Around the Quien Sabe fault system, shear-wave polarizations of over 30 microearthquakes clearly indicate that the slow shear-wave direction is normal to the northwest-southeast trend of this vertical right-lateral strike-slip fault. Thus, velocity anisotropy appears to be caused by the fault system itself. However, anisotropy associated with a cluster of microearthquakes located about 4 km to the east is quite different. In this zone the fast and slow shear-polarization directions are correlative with the maximum and minimum horizontal-stress directions, respectively. Thus in this case, it appears the crustal velocity anisotropy is controlled by the state of stress in the crust. The observation of these two polarization directions at one station suggests that the shallow crust below the station HQR does not influence shear-wave polarization directions.
A review of extractive processes for lithium from ores and brines

Abstract A review of the methods and techniques used to win lithium from pegmatites, natural brines and clays. Additionally, the present procedures for extracting lithium metal from the chloride are outlined with purification and analytical methods discussed. Areas where research would be of benefit are pointed out in those circumstances where additional information will improve process efficiency or increase reserves.
Oxygen consumption in the parotid gland

Abstract Carbachol, substance P and epinephrine, but not isoproterenol, transiently stimulated O 2 consumption by 40–50% in rat parotid gland slices. The response to carbachol, but not to substance P, was blocked by atropine. Ouabain (1 mM) did not affect the response to carbachol. Also, the response to carbachol did not require external Ca, and was not significantly diminished by 1.0 mM LaCl 3 . Reintroduction of Ca to a low Ca medium increased O 2 consumption only if carbachol was present. Procaine inhibited the increase in O 2 consumption due to carbachol, but not that due to substance P. When both carbachol and substance P were presented to the tissues in series and in the absence of external Ca, the second agonist failed to produce a response. When these results are considered in the light of previous studies on Ca and the responses of the parotid gland, they suggest that the primary stimulus for the O 2 consumption is the release of a limited pool of membrane-bound Ca following receptor activation.
Undernutrition potentiates melatonin effects in maturing female rats.

Prepubertal (21–22 days) female Sprague-Dawley rats were caged singly in either long (LP; 14:10 LD) or short (SP; 8:16 LD) photoperiod and fed ad libitum or underfed (1 /2 the food intake of controls). Additionally, a fed and underfed group in LP received a daily sc injection of saline or 100 μg melatonin at 1700 h. Food restriction delayed vaginal opening and resulted in a reduction in body weight and in the weights of the pituitary, ovary and uterus in all underfed groups. Melatonin treatment (but not SP exposure) significantly enhanced the reduction in pituitary, ovarian and uterine weight compared to the underfed saline-treated controls. Thyroid weights were significantly increased in underfed LP and SP groups compared to their respective controls where melatonin treatment in either fed or underfed animals was ineffective. Underfeeding caused a significant rise in pituitary LH (except for SP-underfed group) and FSH concentrations and a fall in pituitary prolactin concentrations and plasma T3 levels. Melatonin injections in underfed rats significantly increased pituitary LH and FSH and decreased prolactin concentrations compared to underfed saline-treated animals. Plasma prolactin levels increased after melatonin administration in both fed and underfed rats. These observations emphasize that environmental influences such as undernutrition can alter the physiological status of immature animals and enhance the sensitivity of the neuroendocrine axis to the pineal and one of its hormones, melatonin.
The partition of elastic strain energy in solid foams and lattice structures

Rapid advances in additive manufacturing techniques promise that, in the near future, the fabrication of functional cellular structures will be achieved with the desired cellular microstructures tailored to specific applications. It is therefore essential to develop a detailed understanding of the relationship between macroscopic mechanical response and cellular microstructure. The present study reports on the results of a series of computational experiments that explore the effect of topology and microstructural irregularity (or non-periodicity) on deformation modes of cellular structures under both uniaxial and biaxial stress states. A simple quantitative technique based on the partition of elastic strain energy into bending and stretch components is used to identify the distribution of deformation modes at a microstructural level. The relationship between nodal connectivity, morphological regularity and deformation modes is then explored through their influence on biaxial yield surfaces as obtained from finite element analyses.
A Pliocene sailfish Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw and Nodder, 1791) from southern California

ABSTRACT A vertebra referred to the sailfish Istiophorus platypterus is described from the upper Pliocene (Blancan) San Diego Formation, San Diego County, California. The specimen represents the first reported billfish of this age from western North America and adds to the poor fossil record of the Istiophoridae.
Grain growth in bismuth coatings

Abstract The values for activation energy and diffusion coefficient are needed for a predictive processing of grain size in bismuth coatings. A method is adopted wherein the grain size is measured for isothermally deposited coatings. The measured exponent for grain growth with time indicates that ideal grain growth behavior is followed over the temperature range of deposition. The activation energy for grain growth in bismuth is determined as 0.47 eV atom −1 with a diffusion coefficient of 3.3 × 10 −4 cm 2 s −1 .
Minocycline in the treatment of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: Results of a pilot study

Minocycline in the Treatment of Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Results of a Pilot Study