cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty of Prenatally Diagnosed Congenital Heart Disease: A Qualitative Study

Importance Parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease may experience more short- and long-term stress than those who receive a postnatal diagnosis. To identify potential interventions to ameliorate that stress, the longitudinal emotional experience of parents must first be understood. Objective To better understand parents’ accounts of their own prenatal experience, particularly aspects they found to be stressful or challenging, and to identify strategies to improve support. Design, Setting, and Participants This qualitative study included analysis of transcripts of audio recorded telephone interviews with pregnant mothers and their support persons, as applicable, who were referred to and seen at the Fetal Cardiology Clinic at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital from May 2019 to August 2019 with an initial likely diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease at any gestational age. Data analysis was conducted from August 2019 to November 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures An applied thematic analysis approach was used to code and analyze professionally transcribed interviews. Coding and codebook revisions occurred iteratively; intercoder reliability was assessed and confirmed routinely. One author coded all transcripts; a second author independently reviewed one-fifth of the transcripts at fixed intervals to ensure that interrater reliability remained greater than 80%. Results Twenty-seven individuals from 17 families participated in 42 phone interviews during pregnancy, 27 conducted at the first time point after the initial prenatal cardiology consultation and 15 at the second time point after a follow-up prenatal cardiology visit. Most interviewees were mothers (16 interviewees [59%]; median [interquartile range] age, 30.0 [27.3-34.8] years) or fathers (8 interviewees [30%)], with a few support individuals (3 interviewees [11%]) (median [interquartile range] age of family member or support individual, 30.0 [26.0-42.0] years). Initial fetal diagnoses included a range of severe congenital heart disease. Uncertainty was identified as a pervasive central theme and was related both to concrete questions on scheduling, logistics, or next steps, and long-term unknown variables concerning the definitiveness of the diagnosis or overall prognosis. Practitioners helped families through their framing of uncertainty at various time points including before, during, and after the clinic visit. Conclusions and Relevance Families walk an uncertain path following a fetal diagnosis of severe congenital heart disease. The challenges faced by the cardiologists caring for them overlap in many ways with those experienced by pediatric palliative care practitioners. Potential future interventions to improve parental support were identified in the areas of expectation setting before the referral visit, communication in clinic, and identity formation after the new diagnosis.
Racial Discrimination and Telomere Length in Midlife African American Women: Interactions of Educational Attainment and Employment Status.

Background Over the life course, African American (AA) women have faster telomere attrition, a biological indicator of accelerated aging, than White women. Race, sex, age, and composite socioeconomic status (SES) modify associations of institutional racial discrimination and telomere length. However, interactions with everyday racial discrimination have not been detected in AA women, nor have interactions with individual socioeconomic predictors. Purpose We estimated statistical interaction of institutional and everyday racial discrimination with age, education, employment, poverty, and composite SES on telomere length among midlife AA women. Methods Data are from a cross-section of 140 AA women aged 30-50 years residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants completed questionnaires, computer-assisted self-interviews, physical examinations, and blood draws. Adjusted linear regression estimated bootstrapped racial discrimination-relative telomere length associations with interaction terms. Results Racial discrimination did not interact with age, poverty, or composite SES measures to modify associations with telomere length. Interactions between independent SES variables were nonsignificant for everyday discrimination whereas institutional discrimination interacted with educational attainment and employment status to modify telomere length. After adjusting for covariates, we found that higher institutional discrimination was associated with shorter telomeres among employed women with lower education (β = -0.020; 95% confidence interval = -0.036, -0.003). Among unemployed women with higher education, higher institutional discrimination was associated with longer telomeres (β = 0.017; 95% confidence interval = 0.003, 0.032). Factors related to having a post-high school education may be protective against the negative effects of institutional racism on cellular aging for AA women.
Causality-in-Variance and Causality-in-Mean among European Government Bond Markets

This paper examines causality in volatility spillover (causality-in-variance) for the six major European government bond markets. Using tests of temporal causality and directed acyclic graphs, we find evidence of contemporaneous causality-in-variance, indicating that volatility spillover in the government bond markets is a short-lived phenomenon. However, we find no evidence of contemporaneous causality-in-mean for bond index returns. The tests reveal that the markets are bi-directionally linked, and reasonably well integrated.
Associations between neuroticism, subjective sleep quality, and depressive symptoms across the first year of college.

OBJECTIVE Examine neuroticism's impact on the relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality during the college transition. PARTICIPANTS First-year students (N = 302) from a southeastern university in the USA. METHODS A longitudinal cross-lagged panel model assessed direct and indirect effects between self-reported sleep and depressed mood. RESULTS Higher neuroticism was directly associated with both greater depressed mood and sleep quality. Poorer sleep quality was associated with depressive symptoms at baseline (β = 0.250, [95% CI = 0.123,0.362]) and during spring semester (β = 0.261, [95% CI = 0.126,0.383]). Baseline depressive symptoms predicted sleep quality during fall semester (β = 0.140, [95% CI = 0.031, 0.247]), and fall semester sleep quality predicted spring semester depression symptoms (β = 0.106, [95% CI = 0.007,0.201]). DISCUSSION Neuroticism is an indicator of emotional distress and disrupted sleep upon college entry. Furthermore, there was evidence for both within time-point and prospective associations between sleep quality and depression symptoms albeit at different times throughout the first year of college.
STK11 alterations in the pan-cancer setting: prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Abstract Background STK11 is an important tumour suppressor gene reported to confer immunotherapy resistance in non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) especially in the presence of KRAS co-alterations. Methods This study analysed 4446 patients for whom next-generation sequencing of tissue and/or circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) had been performed. Results Overall, 60 of 4446 tumours (1.35%) harboured STK11 alterations. STK11 alterations were associated with shorter median time to progression and overall survival (OS) across cancers from diagnosis: 6.4 months (5.1–7.9) versus 12 months (11.7–12.3; p = 0.001); and 20.5 (17.4–23.5) versus 29.1 (26.9–31.3; p = 0.03), respectively (pan-cancer). Pan-cancers, the median progression-free survival (PFS; 95% CI) for first-line therapy (regardless of treatment type) for those with co-altered STK11 and KRAS (N = 27; versus STK11-altered and KRAS wild type [N = 33]), was significantly shorter (3 [1.3–4.7] versus 10 [4.9–15.7] months, p Conclusions Across cancers, STK11 alterations correlated with a poor prognosis regardless of therapy. However, STK11 alterations alone did not associate with inferior immunotherapy outcome in the pan-cancer setting or in NSCLC. Pan-cancer patients with co-altered STK11/KRAS did worse, regardless of treatment type.
Interpreting intermediate convolutional layers of CNNs trained on raw speech.

This paper presents a technique to interpret and visualize intermediate layers in CNNs trained on raw speech data in an unsupervised manner. We show that averaging over feature maps after ReLU activation in each convolutional layer yields interpretable time-series data. The proposed technique enables acoustic analysis of intermediate convolutional layers. To uncover how meaningful representation in speech gets encoded in intermediate layers of CNNs, we manipulate individual latent variables to marginal levels outside of the training range. We train and probe internal representations on two models -- a bare WaveGAN architecture and a ciwGAN extension which forces the Generator to output informative data and results in emergence of linguistically meaningful representations. Interpretation and visualization is performed for three basic acoustic properties of speech: periodic vibration (corresponding to vowels), aperiodic noise vibration (corresponding to fricatives), and silence (corresponding to stops). We also argue that the proposed technique allows acoustic analysis of intermediate layers that parallels the acoustic analysis of human speech data: we can extract F0, intensity, duration, formants, and other acoustic properties from intermediate layers in order to test where and how CNNs encode various types of information. The models are trained on two speech processes with different degrees of complexity: a simple presence of [s] and a computationally complex presence of reduplication (copied material). Observing the causal effect between interpolation and the resulting changes in intermediate layers can reveal how individual variables get transformed into spikes in activation in intermediate layers. Using the proposed technique, we can analyze how linguistically meaningful units in speech get encoded in different convolutional layers.
Dubbing othering and belonging: The Latinx voice as the self in One Day at a Time

Netflix’s 2017 reboot of the sitcom One Day at a Time centres on a Latinx family, whose dialogue, featuring English and Spanish, portrays an authentic Latinx culture on television. This article considers the socio-pragmatic functions of code-switching, which creates a linguistic distinction between Latinx and non-Latinx characters. This contrast raises concerns about how such language use is dubbed for Spanish-speaking audiences. Focusing on Season 1 of this show, the article explores how this linguistic distinction was captured and what that can teach translators and dubbing houses about preserving linguistic duality in scripted texts portraying culturally ‘hybrid’ or fluid identities.
Digital Games and the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics: A Survey Study

There is strong theoretical and empirical support for the use of digital games for learning. Despite their research support, digital games are not widely used in mathematics classrooms. One main co...
Evaluation for food packaging potential and environmental compatibility of novel degradable starch-polyethylene plastics

xii GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Explanation of Dissertation Format 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 3 Degradable Plastics 3 Concept and necessity of degradable plastics 3 Degradation of conventional synthetic polymers 5 Categories of degradable plastics 7 Photodegradable plastics 7 Biodegradable plastics 12 Chemically degradable plastics 15 Preparation of starch-filled plastics 16 Studies for determining degradability of polymers 19 Photodegradability 19 Biodegradability 21 Laboratory tests 21 ASTM G 21-90 21 ASTM G 22-76 22 Clear zone method 22 Quantitative Petri dish method 22 Radiocarbon-14 tracer method 23 Measurement of oxygen consumption 23 Cell mass or biomass method 23 Pure-culture method 23 Extracellular-enzyme method 24 Indoor soil burial method 24 Field tests 24 Outdoor soil burial method 24 Composting 25 Chemical degradability 27 Food Packaging 28 Use of plastics as food packaging material 28 Requirements and functions of food packaging 29
Productivity Change, Technical Progress, and Efficiency Improvement in Telecommunications

Implementation of incentive regulation intelecommunications requires the accurate measurementof the change in productivity. An approach isintroduced that not only provides a measure of thechange in productivity but also allows for adecomposition into two mutually exclusive andexhaustive components – changes in technicalefficiency over time and shifts in technology overtime. Using annual data on four output measures andsix input measures for the period 1988 to 1998 fornineteen individual local exchange carriers, theresults indicate that productivity increased by about5.0 percent per year. This growth is due primarily toinnovation rather than improvements in efficiency. Ofthe nineteen LECs in the sample, thirteen wereoperating efficiently throughout the entire 1988–1998period. Of the remaining six, two showed a slightimprovement in efficiency while the efficiency of fourdeclined. In the aggregate, however, there wasvirtually no change in efficiency. Finally, acomparison is made between two methods of estimatingthe change in productivity. The conventional growthaccounting approach yields a lower estimate of therate of change in productivity than does the Malmquistindex approach. The difference between theseestimates is interpreted as the lower bound of thebias associated with the conventional growthaccounting approach to measuring the growth inproductivity.
Highly stable and active Ni-doped ordered mesoporous carbon catalyst on the steam reforming of ethanol application

Abstract A novel one-step direct synthesis of nickel embedded in an ordered mesoporous carbon catalyst (NiOMC) is done in a basic medium of nonaqueous solution by a solvent evaporation-induced self-assembly process. The NiOMC sample is characterized by a variety of analytical and spectroscopy techniques, e.g., N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and temperature-programed reduction (TPR). In this study, the NiOMC catalyst is found to exhibit superior catalytic activity for the steam reforming of ethanol (SRE), showing high hydrogen selectivity and durability. Ethanol can be completely converted at 350 °C over the NiOMC catalyst. Also, the durability of the NiOMC catalyst on the SRE reaction exceeds 100 h at 450 °C, with SH2 approaching 65% and SCO of less than 1%.
Emerging trends and persistent challenges in the management of adult syphilis

There are an estimated 10.6 million incident cases of syphilis worldwide each year. We highlight some persistent challenges and emerging trends in the clinical management of syphilis with a particular focus on therapy, serology, diagnostics, and prevention. Decades after the introduction of penicillin, the optimal management of early syphilis continues to be a controversial topic, particularly in the setting of HIV co-infection. Similarly, the need for routine lumbar puncture in HIV co-infected asymptomatic persons is an unanswered question. Despite advances in both automation and point-of-care diagnostics, we continue to rely on indirect measures of disease activity to manage this infection. As syphilis rates in some populations continue to rise, novel and effective prevention strategies are needed.
A nonlinear system perspective and guaranteed state estimation

A brief overview of nonlinear systems is presented as relevant for state observation, system identification, process control, and certain biomedical applications. The role of control in state observation is studied, and it is shown that multiplicative control, for example, with bilinear systems, can provide superior observer convergence. In this respect, an optimal control policy is derived for a bilinear example. The guaranteed state estimator or observer requires a priori knowledge only of the finite range of the state variables of interest. >
Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine in Ocular Tissue

Abstract Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), also known as osteonectin or BM-40, is the prototypical matricellular protein. Matricellular proteins are nonstructural secreted proteins that provide an integration between cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Regulation of the ECM is important in maintaining the physiologic function of tissues. Elevated levels of SPARC have been identified in a variety of diseases involving pathologic tissue remodeling, such as hepatic fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, and certain carcinomas. Within the eye, SPARC has been identified in the trabecular meshwork, lens, and retina. Studies have begun to show the role of SPARC in these tissues and its possible role, specifically in primary open-angle glaucoma, cataracts, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. SPARC may, therefore, be a therapeutic target in the treatment of certain ocular diseases. Further investigation into the mechanism of action of SPARC will be necessary in the development of SP...
Electrically induced chloride ion transport in alkali activated slag concretes and the influence of microstructure

Abstract Chloride ion transport in alkali silicate powder and liquid activated slag concretes, and the influence of the material microstructure are discussed. Increasing the Na2O-to-slag ratio (n) results in a reduction in the rapid chloride permeability (RCP) and non-steady state migration (NSSM) coefficients (Dnssm) of solid sodium silicate activated slag concretes. Increasing the SiO2-to-Na2O ratio (Ms) of the activator beneficially influences the transport parameters of liquid sodium silicate activated concretes. The chloride transport parameters are related to the reaction product microstructure and composition evaluated using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy respectively. A reduction in the critical pore sizes reduces the transport coefficients to a larger extent than porosity reduction, which is responsible for the better performance of solid sodium silicate activated concretes. The total chloride concentration determined from the charge passed and the ionic transference numbers is used to predict an apparent non-steady state transport coefficient.
The impact of unrecognized bipolar disorders for patients treated for depression with antidepressants in the fee-for-services California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) program

Background: This study compares hospital use, suicide risk and health care costs of antidepressant patients with recognized bipolar disorders (recognized-BP) and unrecognized bipolar disorders (unrecognized-BP) with non-bipolar (non-BP) patients. Methods: Data from the California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) program were used to identify 25,460 adults with a new episode of antidepressant therapy. Recognized-BP patients received either a bipolar (BP) diagnosis or a mood stabilizer (MS) on or before the initiation of antidepressant therapy. Unrecognized-BP patients received a BP diagnosis or MS therapy after antidepressant initiation. Non-BP patients had no BP diagnosis and no MS use. Multivariate models were used to estimate marginal risks and costs across groups. Results: Recognized-BP and unrecognized-BP represented 14.9% and 6.2% of all antidepressant users, respectively. Less than half of recognized-BP patients used a MS medication in conjunction with their antidepressant. Unrecognized-BP patients were nearly four times more likely to attempt suicide and 50% more likely to be hospitalized than non-BP patients. Recognized-BP patients were at lower risk for attempted suicide and hospitalization relative to unrecognized-BP patients. Unrecognized-BP patients experienced higher 1-year total costs relative to non-BP patients (US$995, p<0.01) and recognized-BP patients (US$682, p<0.05). Limitations: Clinically relevant medical records data were not available making the classification of patients as unrecognized-BP, recognized-BP and non-BP imprecise. Conclusions: Unrecognized-BP is both common and costly. More than half of all recognized-BP patients do not use an MS at the time they initiated antidepressant therapy. More effort is needed to provide early and correct diagnosis and effectively treat both recognized-BP and unrecognized-BP patients.
Bcl-2 Overexpression Increases Survival in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Exposed to H2O2

Abstract The integrity of the retinal pigment epithelium, especially that of the macula is essential for the preservation of vision into old age. The chronic exposure to sunlight and peroxidized lipids from phagocytized photoreceptor outer segments imposes a high level of oxidative stress on the retinal tissues, which increases with age as antioxidant protection declines and therefore could accelerate apoptosis. Bcl-2 known to facilitate mitochondrial DNA repair and cellular survival in other tissues was overexpressed in a single clone of human retinal pigment epithelium cells after stable transfection with humanbcl-2 in ρSFV-neoexpression factor. Near confluent cells (2nd–4th generation permanently bcl-2 transfected) were protected from mitochondrial dysfunction after exposure to H2O2 up to 150 μ M . With 200 μ M H2O2, function in transfected cells declined by only 25% control activity as determined by MTT reduction assays, compared to wild type and vector only transfected cells expressing normal bcl-2 levels. Similarly the bcl-2 -transfected cells were more resistant to mitochondrial DNA damage after H2O2 treatment than the other groups and suffered 50% less damage after exposure to 200 μ M H2O2, as assayed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. These data suggest that bcl-2 overexpression protects human RPE cells from mitochondrial respiratory dysfuction, mitochondrial DNA damage and promotes cellular survival in response to oxidative stress induced by H2O2.
From bench to museum--an unlikely journey.

Deciding to “leave the bench” and basic research after committing many, many years to graduate school is not an easy thing to do. There is real pressure from peers, principal investigators (PIs), even parents, to stick it out and follow a more established career path, either to academia or the biotech industry. In my case, I realized fairly early on in graduate school that the traditional options were not areas I was interested in pursuing. I also felt strongly about how science was frequently misrepresented in popular culture and the media. The epiphany—that I was “okay” leaving basic research, despite not really knowing what else was out there—came late one night, in the cold room of all places. I trotted down the hall of our building and announced this to my friend and classmate (also working in a cold room) who was having similar thoughts herself. We highfived. We would support each other. We would be okay. Fast-forward 15 years. I now work at the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum in San Francisco, directing the museum’s Living Systems Department. In this essay, I discuss how I wound up at the Exploratorium and what it is like to work in a museum environment, creating science experiences for the general public.
Police Encounters, Mental Illness and Injury: An Exploratory Investigation

Police encounters are believed to be particularly dangerous for people with mental illness and police officers. Despite widespread concern among advocates, researchers and police professionals, little is known about the details of these interactions including the occurrence of injuries. In the current study, we explore injuries to people with mental illness and officers to determine the extent to which situational and individual factors predict injuries. Findings suggest that injuries during police calls involving persons with mental illness are infrequent and rarely require medical attention. Predictors of injuries in these calls are similar to those in police encounters with the general population.
Elimination of Pancreatic Secretory Trypsin Inhibitor from the Circulation: A Study in Man

The elimination of human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) from the circulation of man has been examined in two human volunteers. Serial samplings of blood and urine were made for 55 h, after a rapid intravenous infusion of 125I-labeled human PSTI. The findings demonstrated a rapid initial elimination from the circulation. Within 30 min only 30% of the infused label remained (T1/2, 6 min). This was accompanied by the rapid appearance in the urine of radiolabel. Our results indicate that PSTI would prove a poor diagnostic marker for acute pancreatitis late in the course of the disease. This is opposed to the findings of Ogawa et al., who reported prolonged elevated circulating levels of PSTI weeks into the disease. However, they also noted rises of PSTI during acute pancreatitis in excess of 10 times the levels we have noted. Further exploration of population differences and the behavior of PSTI during acute pancreatitis are necessary to help resolve these findings.
Christians in Medieval Shī‘ī Historiography: From Legend to History

AbstractOver the course of the early medieval period, Shī‘ī authors collected historical reports of conversations with Christians and included them in their compilations. Beginning as legendary accounts transmitted via oral tradition, the reports and stories of imams were later compiled in “historical” collections as a way to promote the Shī‘ī historiographical tradition. Utilizing motifs from the Qur’an as well as their own interpretive traditions, medieval Shī‘ī writers collected, adapted, and/or composed these encounters in order to connect past leaders with the historical vision of their community. The texts were also a method for shaping Shī‘ī communal identity within the religiously plural society of the early Islamic Middle East. This article uses examples from some dialogues with Christian participants to illustrate these key features. Some texts promoted Shī‘ī historical claims about the imams by producing hagiographical memories of the past for contemporary communities. Other reports utilized polemical strategies of biblical polemics and dialectical reasoning to construct Islamic historiographies of Christianity. It appears that most Shī‘ī historical reports about Christian figures were not interested in contrasting Shī‘ī faith with Christianity, but sought rather to highlight Shī‘ī concepts of prophetic succession, legitimate authority, and authentic community against Sunnī historical views. While this feature appears to be the consensus among the reports, some dialogues may reflect real religious encounters. In sum, the historical reports made use of Christian figures and beliefs as a vehicle for Shī‘ī historical and theological projects in the medieval Middle East.
On the process of the psychoanalytic psychotherapy with the borderline depressive patient

Abstract A certain subgroup of borderline patients often presents depressive symptomatology (either chronic or periodic) and an underlying borderline personality organization. In this article, the effort is directed at elucidating the psychoanalytic psychotherapeutic process of these borderline depressives by presenting clinical fragments of several psychotherapeutic cases. The process goes through periods of activation of the patient's depressive or primitive mental functioning, which also reflects on the therapist's countertransference. The capacity of the therapist to tolerate and elaborate on his patient's projections, facilitates the development of the therapist-patient communication and plays a significant role in the therapeutic outcome itself.
Of people admitted within 2 h of mild/improving stroke, 31% do not receive rtPA, although many of these people have poor outcomes

Commentary on: Smith EE, Fonarow GC, Reeves MJ, et al. Outcomes in mild or rapidly improving stroke not treated with intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator: findings from get with the guidelines-stroke. Stroke 2011;42:3110–15.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] Few patients with acute ischaemic stroke receive intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), with the main exclusion criterion being hospital arrival after 4½ h.1 The second most common exclusion criterion from rtPA treatment, which is present in approximately 1/3 of all patients, is a mild or rapidly improving syndrome, termed ‘too good to treat’.2 Uncertainty remains as to whether these patients … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DStroke%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1161%252FSTROKEAHA.111.613208%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F21903949%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=strokeaha&resid=42/11/3110&atom=%2Febmed%2F17%2F5%2F162.atom
Using maximum entropy (ME) model to incorporate gesture cues for SU detection

Accurate identification of sentence units (SUs) in spontaneous speech has been found to improve the accuracy of speech recognition, as well as downstream applications such as parsing. In recent multimodal investigations, gestur]al features were utilized, in addition to lexical and prosodic cues from the speech channel, for detecting SUs in conversational interactions using a hidden Markov model (HMM) approach. Although this approach is computationally efficient and provides a convenient way to modularize the knowledge sources, it has two drawbacks for our SU task. First, standard HMM training methods maximize the joint probability of observations and hidden events, as opposed to the posterior probability of a hidden event given observations, a criterion more closely related to SU classification error. A second challenge for integrating gestural features is that their absence sanctions neither SU events nor non-events; it is only the co-timing of gestures with the speech channel that should impact our model. To address these problems, a Maximum Entropy (ME) model is used to combine multimodal cues for SU estimation. Experiments carried out on VACE multi-party meetings confirm that the ME modeling approach provides a solid framework for multimodal integration.
Massive Portal Venous Air and Pneumatosis Intestinalis Associated with Cocaine-Induced Mesenteric Ischemia

Background We report a 53-year-old female who presented to the emergency department in distress with an acute abdomen after recreational use of cocaine.
Vascular stapling of the inferior vena cava: further refinement of techniques for the excision of extensive renal cell carcinoma with unresectable vena-caval involvement.

Objectives To present our experience with a novel technique of tumor removal: en bloc resection of the tumor, thrombus, and inferior vena cava (IVC) via vascular staple ligation and excision, and to excise all tumor, which may include a portion of the IVC when invasion is present. Management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with IVC thrombus presents a challenge. Options for tumor excision include thrombectomy with or without cardiopulmonary bypass, replacement of the cava with synthetic or venous graft, or caval excision without replacement. Methods Six patients with extensive RCC with IVC thrombus were evaluated. All patients underwent preoperative imaging that depicted completely obstructing IVC thrombus of varying cranial extension with apparent invasion of the caval wall. None had lower extremity edema. Patients underwent IVC staple ligation and en bloc resection of tumor and thrombus. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative as well as pathological factors were measured. These included estimated blood loss, transfusions, and procedure length. Inpatient factors including duration of intubation, length of intensive care unit stay, and overall length of stay were recorded. Tumor-free status was evaluated. Results All patients had Fuhrman Grade 4 RCC. No perioperative deaths occurred. Mean estimated blood loss was 6350 mL (range 900-25 000). Length of intubation averaged 1.5 days. Mean intensive care unit stay was 4.3 days. Overall length of stay averaged 9.3 days. Conclusions Complete excision of a portion of the IVC, using a vascular stapler in conjunction with radical nephrectomy is a satisfactory method to remove RCC with IVC invasion. Sufficient collateral circulation exists for venous return from the lower extremities.
Diet-induced obesity drives negative mouse vein graft wall remodeling.

Introduction The heightened inflammatory phenotype associated with obesity has been linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Short-term high-fat feeding induces a proinflammatory state that may impact the blood vessel wall. CD11c, a significantly increased dendritic cell biomarker during diet-induced obesity (DIO), may have a mechanistic role in this high-fat feeding effect. We hypothesized that the proinflammatory effect of short-term DIO accelerates vein bypass graft failure via CD11c-dependent mechanisms. Methods Male 9-week-old DIO mice (n = 13, C57BL/6J recipients; n = 6, CD11c -/- recipients) and normal chow controls (n = 15, C57BL/6J recipients; n = 6, CD11c -/- recipients) underwent unilateral carotid interposition vein isografting (inferior vena cava from the same diet and genetic background donor), with a midgraft or outflow focal stenosis. Vein grafts were harvested at either 1 week (immunohistochemical staining for early CD11c expression) or 4 weeks later (morphometric analyses and CD11c evaluation). Results Despite a 40% larger body size, C57BL/6J DIO mice had 44% smaller poststenosis vein graft lumens ( P = .03) than their controls via an acceleration of overall negative vein graft wall remodeling in the day-28 midgraft focal stenosis model but not in the outflow stenosis model. Higher CD11c expression occurred in DIO midgraft-stenosis vein graft walls, both at postoperative days 7 and 28. In contrast, with in vivo CD11c deficiency, DIO did not elicit this poststenotic negative remodeling but attenuated intimal hyperplasia. Conclusions These findings highlight negative wall remodeling as a potential factor leading to vein graft failure and provide direct evidence that short-term dietary alterations in the mammalian metabolic milieu can have lasting implications related to acute vascular interventions. DIO induces negative mouse vein graft wall remodeling via CD11c-depedent pathways.
The escape of magnetic flux from a turbulent body of gas

Topological conditions on the surface of a turbulent body of highly conductive fluid under which escape of magnetic force lines would be impossible (Drobyshevski, Yuferev 1974) are studied with exact calculation of intermediate field configurations as a possible explanation of the decay of stellar magnetic fields via turbulent mixing. It is shown that upward escape of magnetic force lines in the regions between convective cells is possible through rapid reconnection of the force lines (studied as neutral point annihilation) such as occurs continually in rapidly evolving sunspot groups. It is concluded that there exists no topological barrier to the escape of magnetic flux from the sun or from the local galaxy.
Contributions to the Life History of the Longnose Gar, (Lepisosteus osseus) in Missouri

Abstract The age and growth of the longnose gar in Central Missouri were determined from the branchiostegal rays. Males and femmes differed markedly in growth and longevity. One-year-old males were 19.5 inches long, and females were 22.0 inches long. Females continued to grow approximately one inch a year for 13 to 14 years, and outlived the males. Males matured between 3 and 4 years of age, and females at about 6 years of age. Sex ratios changed with the age of the fish; initially they were in favor of the males, and after 10 years, they were in favor of females. The average number of eggs per female was 27,830; range 4,273 and 59,422. The mature eggs are toxic to mice and other higher vertebrates, but are probably not toxic to fishes. Twenty young-of-the-year gar were raised experimentally for 52 days, and grew at the rate of 2.95 millimeters per day. Their gross metabolic efficiency during this time was 43.1 percent, and their food conversion factor was 2.34. Young-of-the-year gar ate an average of 9.1...
Physicochemical properties and chromatographic performance of carbon dioxide in packed capillary column solvating gas chromatography

In this paper, the physicochemical properties of CO2, including viscosity, solute diffusivity, and solvating power, and the effects of these properties on the performance (mobile phase flow transport, column efficiency, and solute retention) of packed capillary column solvating gas chromatography (SGC) were studied. It was found that (a) at high temperature (>90°C), the flow properties of CO2 approach those of He; (b) the diffusion of solutes in the mobile phase affects the minimum reduced plate height (hmin); and (c) the solvating power of CO2 plays a very important role in the retention of solutes in SGC in contrast to high pressure gas chromatography.
Distance learning: empathy and culture in Junot Diaz's "Wildwood".

This essay discusses critical approaches to culture, difference, and empathy in health care education through a reading of Junot Diaz’s “Wildwood” chapter from the 2007 novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I begin with an analysis of the way that Diaz’s narrative invites readers to imagine and explore the experiences of others with subtlety and complexity. My reading of “Wildwood” illuminates its double-edged injunction to try to imagine another’s perspective while recognizing the limits to—or even the impossibility of—that exercise. I draw on post-colonial theory and feminist science studies to illuminate a text that is created and interpreted in a post-colonial context—the Dominican diaspora in the United States. The essay offers a model of historical and critical analysis that health care educators can use to frame the concept of empathy in the classroom and the clinic.
Perceptual identification and encoding

Sequences containing 10 numbers from 1–20 were presented in serial-order or random-order at rates of 1/sec, 2/sec, and 4/sec for serial-order or same-orderrecall by eight Ss. Stimulus duration was constant, so that the interpresentation interval decreased as rate of presentation increased. Serial-order recall was greater for serial-order presentation than for random-order presentation. The decrease in recall as presentation rate increased was similar for both serial-order and random-order presentation. This result indicates that serial-order recall of random-order presentation does not involve reordering or repeated sequential scanning. It is consistent with the view that serial-order recall of serial-order presentation is greater because identification time is decreased. due to the decrease in the range of relevant alternatives, so that increased encoding time results in storage of more information.
Rare presentation of BK encephalitis in a child: imaging and pathological findings

Clinically apparent BK virus infections mostly involve the genitourinary system of immunocompromised patients, particularly those who have undergone renal or bone marrow transplantations. Central nervous system involvement is extremely rare. In this report, we describe the pathologic and MR findings of BK encephalitis in a child. Initial involvement of the brainstem and the cervicomedullary junction was noted that later rapidly progressed to involve other regions of the supratentorial brain parenchyma including the basal ganglia and the thalami as well as the cerebellum.
Ion pump-interacting proteins: Promising new partners

: The sorting and regulation of the Na,K and H,K-ATPases requires that the pump proteins must associate, at least transiently, with kinases, phosphatases, scaffolding molecules, and components of the cellular trafficking machinery. The identities of these interacting proteins and the nature of their associations with the pump polypeptides have yet to be elucidated. We have begun a series of yeast two-hybrid screens employing structurally defined segments of pump polypeptides as baits in order to gain insight into the nature and function of these interacting proteins.
Evaluating sequential values using time-adjusted biological variation.

One can compare the difference between two sequential values with the biological variation. Biological variation is a measure of the random disturbances of an analyte's value, measured at different times. When the difference >Z2SD BV then the difference is due to an underlying disease process or physiologic change. A Z value of 1.96 yields a 95% confidence limit. When using multiple sequential values or time periods exceeding that for the empirically derived biological variance, a random walk model allows one to estimate the spread of the variance. For a difference, (Δ) to be significant, Δ>Z2nSD BV , where n is the ratio of time reflecting the longer time period divided by the shorter time period. Not all variances grow to this degree over time, because restoring forces diminish the extent of random disturbances. The relationship between a biological variance measured over a longer time period to the one measured over a shorter period can be expressed in terms of this restoring force as SD 2 Bv,n = SD 2 BV,1 Σe -2(j-1)Φ , where n is the ratio of time periods. One can calculate Φ using this formula and a spreadsheet. From Φ one can calculate the biological variance for any time period, within experimental limits, and compare the difference in sequential values with it. Test intervals can be calculated based on these biological variances.
Spatial heterogeneity of reservoir zooplankton : a matter of timing ?

Description of patterns of zooplankton abundance in reservoirs has usually taken one of two approaches: (1) determining the relative importance of spatial and temporal components of heterogeneity, or (2) relating spatial variation along a reservoir's long-axis to the effects of inflows from major tributaries. This study brings together these two approaches to better understand zooplankton heterogeneity in reservoirs. Spatial and temporal patterns of zooplankton abundance were monitored during the spring of three consecutive years in a large, southeastern United States reservoir. The amount of spatial variation in zooplankton abundance exceeded temporal variation for most taxa. The differences among sites were not fixed — but rather ephemeral, in that they changed over the course of each season. Significant spatial variation was detected on most sample dates for rotifers and crustacean zooplankton. The greatest variation was along the long-axis of the reservoir (uplake vs. downlake), and differences between mainstream and embayment sites were usually secondary contributors to heterogeneity. Spring peaks in zooplankton abundance occurred later at the upstream sites than at downstream sites. This phenomenon could not be explained by either differential rates of warming in the two regions or by temporal variation in inflow rates. This difference in timing of population peaks was the basis of heterogeneity in this reservoir and the determinant of the ephemeral nature of spatial variation observed in this study.
Intravenous cholangiography, ERCP, and selective operative cholangiography in the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Between March 1990 and March 1993 some 822 consecutive patients underwent an attempt at laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intravenous cholangiography (IVC), ERCP, and selective intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) were used in the evaluation of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Two hundred thirteen patients (26%) were identified preoperatively with either abnormal liver functions or a dilated common bile duct suggestive of CBD stones. IVC was performed in 143 patients (67%). Choledocholithiasis was identified in 14 patients (10%). Preoperative therapeutic ERCP was successful in all 14 patients (100%). Diagnostic ERCP was attempted in 61 patients and successful in 59 (97%). Choledocholithiasis was identified in 25 patients (41%). Successful extraction was accomplished in 23 patients (92%). Transcystic common bile duct exploration was used effectively in the patients with an unsuccessful ERCP. IOC was attempted in 50 patients and successful in 48 (96%). Choledocholithiasis was identified in three (6%). A retained CBD stone was present in eight patients (1%). There was one level I CBD injury (0.122%). The use of IVC, selective ERCP, and selective IOC is a reasonable approach in the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Tissue plasminogen activator and glial function

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only FDA-approved treatment of thrombotic stroke and is a major parenchymal serine protease in the brain. However, it has been implicated in a plethora of brain pathologies, raising concern about its use as a safe therapeutic. tPA is thought to regulate physiological processes that entail tissue remodeling and plasticity, purportedly due to its ability to initiate the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and possibly other substrates. Understanding the physiological role(s) of tPA promises to both elucidate important aspects of brain function and improve the available therapies for neurological disease. In this context, the effects of tPA on glial cells, mainly microglial cells, but also astrocytes and Schwann cells, appear to be of particular importance, given the increasing awareness of the significance of glia in brain physiology and pathology
Distinctions between rabbit lymph node cell populations responding to primary and secondary injections of keyhole limpet hemocyanin.

Rabbits were injected once or twice into the hind foot pads with alum-precipitated keyhole limpet hemocyanin. At the height of the primary or secondary responses individual rabbits were sacrificed for the preparation of lymph node cell suspensions from the regional lymph nodes. These cells were employed for the in vitro study of antibody synthesis by the incorporation of 14C-leucine and the secretion of antibody by the time of appearance of radioactive antibody in the medium. The primary response cells rapidly synthesized and secreted IgM and IgG antibodies. The secondary response cells rapidly synthesized IgM and IgG antibodies, secreted IgG antibody promptly, but secreted the IgM antibody with a lag of six to ten hours. Microsomal fractions could not be prepared from the primary response cells, but were readily produced from the cells of the secondary response. The primary response cells contained mainly free ribosomes, those of the secondary response predominantly membrane-bound ribosomes. It was postulated that IgM antibody was not secreted until it was glyco-sylated in the Golgi apparatus and that the lag in secretion entailed the time for this rate-limiting step to occur.