cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LGBT Identity in Immigration

The partial invalidation of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and national focus on comprehensive immigration reform has brought lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) immigrants to the forefront. This Article is the first to undertake a close examination of asymmetries in the impact of LGBT identity on access to United States citizenship. It does so by exposing how patterns of LGBT access to citizenship have long been at odds with one another, as well as out of sync with domestic civil rights trends and fundamental U.S. immigration and human rights principles.This examination focuses on the interplay of LGBT identity and the two major paths to immigration in the United States: asylum and partner-based benefits. LGBT identity has long helped noncitizens to immigrate permanently via grants of asylum, despite a concurrent lack of similar identity-based rights and protections for LGBT people harmed in the United States. On the other hand, LGBT identity has been a detriment to individuals seeking even temporary benefits on the basis of same-sex relationships with Americans, beginning prior to the passage of DOMA, even though partner-based benefits are a cornerstone of immigration law.By inadvertently mirroring the dichotomous cultural values reinforced by the Supreme Court’s major LGBT rights cases, the executive branch issued conflicting policy that protected those noncitizens who present a one-dimensional LGBT “status” in their asylum applications, while penalizing those LGBT noncitizens who, by creating queer families in the U.S., display LGBT “conduct” that offended American norms. To substantiate this claim, I trace these concepts of status and conduct throughout the Supreme Court’s major LGBT rights decisions, including the recent ruling in United States v. Windsor, and present their effects on immigration policy. Further, the uneven LGBT access to citizenship resulting from these factors contradicted the executive branch’s international human rights discourse as well. Thus, over time, agencies’ anti-LGBT immigration policies even began to conflict with pro-LGBT human rights ideals voiced by agencies’ own (executive branch) leaders on the international stage. This contradiction, in turn, illustrated a complex form of American exceptionalism resulting in part from the executive branch’s refusal to employ its significant discretionary power to improve LGBT access to immigration.
Toward a Deep Science of Affect and Motivation

We propose a “deep science” approach that can link neural, affective, and motivational levels of analysis. Recent neuroimaging research has linked neural activity to anticipatory affective experience (i.e., in the Nucleus Accumbens or NAcc to positive arousal and in the Anterior Insula or AIns to general or negative arousal). Activity in circuits implicated in anticipatory affect further predicts motivated behavior in diverse scenarios (with NAcc activity predicting approach and AIns activity predicting avoidance). More extended links can now be forged from lower levels of analysis related to neurochemistry (e.g., release of dopamine and norepinephrine in target regions), as well as to higher levels of analysis related to aggregate choice (e.g., increases versus decreases in market demand). Innovation of new methods with matching resolution has enabled the linkage of previously disparate levels of analysis, which may most rapidly yield applications capable of improving health and welfare.
Psychosocial Stress and Perceived Oral Health in African American Youth.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived stress, daily stress, racial discrimination, and perceived oral health (POH) in African American youth. Methods: Data are from a cross section convenience sample of 273 adolescents (mean age: 14.4±0.15 years old; 51.7 percent female) in Southeast Michigan. A subset of 156 African American adolescents (mean age: 14.0±0.2 years old; 55 percent female) were included in this analysis. Validated surveys were used to measure stress, discrimination, and POH. Results: Greater exposure to racial discrimination predicted lower POH (s= -0.02±0.01, P=0.03). This relationship remained significant after accounting for the confounding effects of added sugar intake, toothbrushing frequency, dental visit frequency, age, and sex (s= -0.01±0.007, P=0.048). No significant relationships were observed between perceived stress, daily stress, and POH (P>0.05). Conclusions: Experiences of racial discrimination may play a unique and important role in shaping POH in African American youth. Qualitative studies are needed to better understand how experiences of racial discrimination may impact POH in this ethnic minority group. (Pediatr Dent 2019;41(5):358-63).
Seasonality of Nitrogen Fixation in Gulf Coast Salt Marshes

One of the potential sites for nitrogen fixation within the salt marsh is the surface of living stems and leaves of marsh plants. These stems and leaves are capable of supporting a luxuriant growth of epiphytes. These bacteria and algae are replenished by floating cells which become attached during high tide inundations of the marsh. Many of these epiphytes have been identified as potential nitrogen fixers (Pomeroy, 1959), but have not been tested for actual fixation.
Decoding auditory attention from single-trial EEG for a high-efficiency brain-computer interface*

Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems enable humans to communicate with a machine in a non-verbal and covert way. Many past BCI designs used visual stimuli, due to the robustness of neural signatures evoked by visual input. However, these BCI systems can only be used when visual attention is available. This study proposes a new BCI design using auditory stimuli, decoding spatial attention from electroencephalography (EEG). Results show that this new approach can decode attention with a high accuracy (>75%) and has a high information transfer rate (>10 bits/min) compared to other auditory BCI systems. It also has the potential to allow decoding that does not depend on subject-specific training.
Impact of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes on Overall Survival in Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. As the clinical course can be variable, prognostic markers are needed to better stratify patients. Prior literature, composed of small series with limited sample size, has demonstrated that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are an important prognostic marker in MCC. To validate these findings on a population level, we sought to analyze and report the prognostic value of TILs in a large national data set. Materials and methods A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted of patients with nonmetastatic MCC from 2010 to 2015 using the National Cancer Database. Individual variables trending toward significance using a univariable analysis were included in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to assess their independent effect on overall survival (OS). TILs were subclassified into none, nonbrisk, and brisk and the survival analysis was performed. Propensity score-weighted multivariable analysis (PS MVA) was performed to adjust for additional confounding. Results A total of 2,182 patients met inclusion criteria: 611 (28.0%) were identified as having TILs present, and 1,571 (72.0%) had TILs absent in the tumor. On MVA, subdivision of TIL status into nonbrisk (hazard ratio [HR], 0.750; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.602-0.933) and brisk (HR, 0.499; 95% CI, 0.338-0.735) was associated with incrementally improved OS compared with no TILs. The association of nonbrisk and brisk TILs with improved OS was retained on PS MVA (Nonbrisk: HR, 0.720; 95% CI, 0.550-0.944; Brisk: HR, 0.483; 95% CI, 0.286-0.814). Conclusion The presence of nonbrisk and brisk TILs is associated with incrementally improved OS in patients with nonmetastatic MCC in a large national data set. This pathologic feature can aid with risk stratification, estimation of prognosis, and, importantly, decision-making with respect to treatment intensification in high-risk patients. Implications for practice Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with variable clinical course. Prognostic markers are thus needed to better stratify patients at presentation. This analysis represents the largest retrospective observational cohort study of patients with nonmetastatic MCC using the National Cancer Database. It demonstrates that increasing degrees of tumor infiltration by lymphocytes (nonbrisk and brisk, respectively) are associated with incrementally improved survival. This manuscript will impact modern practice by improving our understanding of pathologic findings that aid with risk stratification, estimation of prognosis, and, importantly, decision-making with respect to treatment intensification in high-risk patients. Intensification may include offering adjuvant radiation therapy to the primary site after wide excision despite small (
SAFER brief community intervention: a primary suicide prevention strategy to improve firearm and medication storage behaviour

Objective To determine if a brief intervention, called Signpost, Assess, Facts, Emotion, Recommend (SAFER), designed to motivate changes in behaviour to secure firearms and medications to prevent future suicide is feasible to implement in community-based settings such as gun shows, acceptable to participants at higher risk for suicide including veterans and men in the middles years (35–64) and improves firearm and medication locking behaviours. Methods 1175 people received SAFER over a 12-month period at 18 gun shows and community events in 2019 and completed a preassessment measuring firearms ownership, storage practices, knowledge about suicide as the leading type of firearm fatality and attitudes about suicide prevention. 372 responded to a brief postassessment using comparable measures. Results 85% of participants reported keeping firearms at home. 43.7% reported current or prior military service. 53.2% were males between the ages of 35 and 64. Among those who responded to the postassessment, 61% of participants reported SAFER to be highly valuable. Safe firearms storage improved among participants who completed the preassessment and postassessment (51.2% pre, 66.0% post; p Conclusions It is feasible, acceptable and effective to reach groups at elevated risk for suicide using a brief intervention strategy in unconventional settings. Community-based interventions to improve safe storage motivated by suicide prevention messaging should be prioritised because men in the middle years are less likely to use mental health services.
Set size and ensemble perception of numerical value

There is a growing body of research on ensemble perception, or our ability to form ensemble representations based on perceptual features for stimuli of varying levels of complexity, and more recently, on ensemble cognition, which refers to our ability to perceive higher-level properties of stimuli such as facial attractiveness or gaze direction. Less is known about our ability to form ensemble representations based on more abstract properties such as the semantic meaning associated with items in a scene. Previous work examining whether the meaning associated with digits can be incorporated into summary statistical representations suggests that numerical information from digit ensembles can be extracted rapidly, and likely using a parallel processing mechanism. Here, we further investigate whether participants can accurately generate summary representations of numerical value from digit sets and explore the effect of set size on their ability to do so, by comparing psychometric functions based on a numerical averaging task in which set size varied. Steeper slopes for ten- and seven-item compared to five-item digit sets provide evidence that displays with more digits yield more reliable discrimination between larger and smaller numerical averages. Additionally, consistent with previous reports, we observed a response bias such that participants were more likely to report that the numerical average was "greater than 5" for larger compared to smaller sets. Overall, our results contribute to evidence that ensemble representations for semantic attributes may be carried out via similar mechanisms as those reported for perceptual features.
Promise and Peril of Population Genomics for the Development of Genome-First Approaches in Mendelian Cardiovascular Disease.

The rich tradition of cardiovascular genomics has placed the field in prime position to extend our knowledge toward a genome-first approach to diagnosis and therapy. Population-scale genomic data h...
Street-Race in Reproductive Health: A Qualitative Study of the Pregnancy and Birthing Experiences among Black and Afro-Latina Women in South Florida.

The lived-experience of race and racism among historically vulnerable populations needs critical examination in the United States’ (US) maternal and reproductive healthcare system. This study aims to measure how street-race influences the experiences of pregnancy and birthing among Black and Afro-Latina women in the South Florida region. Street-race, in this study, focuses on the lived experiences of phenotype and colorism (as real consequences due to structural racism) imposed on women during clinical encounters. Twenty-five women who self-reported their racial and street-identity as Black and / or Afro-Latina were interviewed, utilizing the qualitative approaches of narrative medicine and phenomenology. Study participants also had to have at least one recent pregnancy or birth of a living child (< 24 months). Adverse maternal mortality outcomes also do not tell the full story of what it means to be Black while giving birth in North America. The dominance of White-presenting Latinx individuals in South Florida (a seemingly “diverse” urban region) is also historical and persistent. These oppositional consequences at the clinical encounter, regarding street-race, further illustrate how White-dominance (via phenotype and skin color) are ever-present across US healthcare institutions serving pregnant women. The lived experience of hegemonic racial hierarchies (e.g., Black and White), ongoingly contributes to the racialization of maternal and reproductive healthcare in the US, as more attention is needed to achieve health equity.
Acute aortic dissection in the Marfan syndrome during the COVID-19 epidemic

A 17-year-old boy with a recent diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was admitted with acute chest pain due to type A aortic dissection and was subsequently diagnosed with the Marfan syndrome. Literatur...
The Potential Impact of Developing High TC Superconductors on Superconductive Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)

The discovery of superconductivity with Tc > 77 K (liquid nitrogen boiling temperature) is potentially of great importance for large scale electric utility applications such as the transmission and storage of electrical energy. Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is already a promising technology for electric utility load leveling. Therefore, it is useful to assess SMES with oxide superconductors cooled by inexpensive and plentiful liquid nitrogen (LN2) instead of NbTi cooled by the more expensive liquid helium. Liquid nitrogen cooling will significantly reduce the refrigeration energy requirements, and, especially, would help make small size SMES units more economic. The paper presents the impact of LN2 on efficiency, design and economics of SMES.
An At‐Risk Profile of Probation Supervised Youthful Offenders in a Rural, Midwest County: Significant Gender and Race Differences

There have been multiple risk factors identified that lead to youth delinquent behaviors and activities. These risks are family, school, peer, disability, and neighborhood related, though the studies to date have primarily focused on larger urban juvenile court jurisdictions. This exploratory study of one rural juvenile court (in Ashtabula County, Ohio) furthers these risk factor investigations through the evaluation of 91 randomly selected, adjudicated delinquent youth (supervised in 2008 and 2009). Data on 23 risk factors was collected, with further analysis of significant gender and race differences. Key results were that a majority of youth experienced poverty and lived in a one-parent family; 40% had a mental health or substance abuse problem; 25% were in need of special education disability services; males were much more likely to have school-related difficulties and to commit felony offenses; females had significantly more mental health and substance abuse problems; and minority youth successfully completed probation more often.
A performance evaluation of texture measures for image classification and segmentation using the cascade-correlation architecture

The performance of several texture-based measures is compared with respect to their ability to classify and segment images. Texture measures considered are: co-occurrence matrices, features derived from the Fourier spectrum and Gabor filters. The performance of raw pixel gray level values and gray level averages as classification features is also investigated. The cascade-correlation neural network architecture is used as a classifier. It was found that certain measures derived from the Fourier spectrum outperformed other types. The size of the fragments used for classification played a dominant role with respect to performance. >
Diversity Matters: A Revised Guide to Myelination

The evolutionary success of the vertebrate nervous system is largely due to a unique structural feature--the myelin sheath, a fatty envelope that surrounds the axons of neurons. By increasing the speed by which electrical signals travel along axons, myelin facilitates neuronal communication between distant regions of the nervous system. We review the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the development of myelin as well as its homeostasis in adulthood. We discuss how finely tuned neuron-oligodendrocyte interactions are central to myelin formation during development and in the adult, and how these interactions can have profound implications for the plasticity of the adult brain. We also speculate how the functional diversity of both neurons and oligodendrocytes may impact on the myelination process in both health and disease.
Targeting TOR dependence in cancer

A challenge in cancer therapy has been to identify targets whose function is essential for survival of malignant cells but not normal cells. This Perspective discusses recent evidence that novel inhibitors of the kinase TOR can provide an unprecedented balance of anti-cancer efficacy and tolerability.
Health literacy challenges in the aging population.

Mullen Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of low health literacy and discuss interventions to minimize its effect on the elderly population. Conclusion Low health literacy combined with the physiological changes of aging put the elderly in a vulnerable position. It can negatively affect health behaviors and health outcomes, and can lead to economic burden, not just on the individual but on the society as a whole. Practice Implication Clinicians need to recognize the indicators of low health literacy and utilize the available assessment tools. To improve clinician–patient communication, interventions must be tailored to the patients' literacy level.
Subdural hematoma after endoscopic third ventriculostomy: Struggling against the Laplace law.

Abstract Background Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an ideal treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus. Although ETV is a safe procedure, several complications related to this procedure have been reported in the literature. We present a rare case of late onset symptomatic bilateral subdural hematoma after an uneventful ETV that proved particularly difficult to solve. Case description A 61-year-old male patient presented in our neurosurgery department three months after ETV (aqueductal stenosis) with progressive headaches and anomic aphasia. The MRI revealed bilateral chronic subdural hematomas (chSDH). They were treated via a burr hole evacuation, subduroperitoneal and external subdural drains proving to be refractory to the first two strategies. Postoperatively, his headaches improved. At the last follow-up the patient's status remains improved and there is no radiological evidence of significant residual collections. Conclusion This case confirms that chSDH formation is a rare possible complication following ETV even in the presence of a normal early postoperative image. Patients should be followed-up more closely for possible subdural collection formation. In the cases of very long-term hydrocephalus with a thin cerebral mantle, brain elastic properties are likely to be altered. As there is no possibility to close the internal shunt, the stoma, we advocate external subdural drainage to reinflate the brain, in the first intention or at least after an initial failed burr hole evacuation.
Insulin deprivation leads to deficiency of Sp1 transcription factor in H-411E hepatoma cells and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic ketoacidosis in the rat.

Members of the family of Sp transcription factors include Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 and are important regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. We previously reported that Sp1 mediated stimulation of rat calmodulin I gene expression in response to insulin. To test whether other members of the Sp family are direct targets of insulin action, we compared the levels of Sp1 and Sp3 proteins from nuclear extracts obtained from both insulin-treated and untreated rat hepatoma (H-411E) cells. We demonstrated by Western blot analysis that levels of Sp1 and Sp3 proteins were increased more than 2-fold in the insulin-treated group. Additionally, the up-regulation of both Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors by insulin was antagonized by tumor necrosis factor-α, a known inhibitor of insulin action. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that H-411E cells treated with insulin (10,000 μU/ml) had a marked increase in demonstrable Sp1 in the nucleus compared with cells incubated in insulin-free medium. We extended these in vitro ...
ZLC diffusion measurements: Combined effect of surface resistance and internal diffusion

Abstract The mathematical model for a zero length column (ZLC) system has been extended to the practically important situation in which the sorption kinetics are controlled by the combined effect of intracrystalline diffusion and surface resistance to mass transfer. The validity of the new model is demonstrated by application to experimental data for diffusion of ethane in DDR zeolite.
The Azoarcus Group I Intron Ribozyme Misfolds and Is Accelerated for Refolding by ATP-dependent RNA Chaperone Proteins

Structured RNAs traverse complex energy landscapes that include valleys representing misfolded intermediates. In Neurospora crassa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, efficient splicing of mitochondrial group I and II introns requires the DEAD box proteins CYT-19 and Mss116p, respectively, which promote folding transitions and function as general RNA chaperones. To test the generality of RNA misfolding and the activities of DEAD box proteins in vitro, here we measure native folding of a small group I intron ribozyme from the bacterium Azoarcus by monitoring its catalytic activity. To develop this assay, we first measure cleavage of an oligonucleotide substrate by the prefolded ribozyme. Substrate cleavage is rate-limited by binding and is readily reversible, with an internal equilibrium near unity, such that the amount of product observed is less than the amount of native ribozyme. We use this assay to show that approximately half of the ribozyme folds readily to the native state, whereas the other half forms an intermediate that transitions slowly to the native state. This folding transition is accelerated by urea and increased temperature and slowed by increased Mg2+ concentration, suggesting that the intermediate is misfolded and must undergo transient unfolding during refolding to the native state. CYT-19 and Mss116p accelerate refolding in an ATP-dependent manner, presumably by disrupting structure in the intermediate. These results highlight the tendency of RNAs to misfold, underscore the roles of CYT-19 and Mss116p as general RNA chaperones, and identify a refolding transition for further dissection of the roles of DEAD box proteins in RNA folding.
Oxidative DNA lesions in a rodent model of traumatic brain injury.

Background: Oxidative DNA lesions have not been well studied in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: TBI was induced with a controlled cortical impact injury in rats. Brain tissue was examined for 8-hydroxy2'-deoxyguanosine (oh8dG) using monoclonal antibodies at different time frames; 15 minutes (n = 4), 30 minutes (n = 7), 60 minutes (n = 6), and 240 minutes (n = 5). The control group consisted of sham-operated animals undergoing the same surgery without the controlled cortical impact injury (n = 5). Resells: An elevation of oh8dG was detected in the nuclear and perinuclear (mitochondrial) regions of the ipsilateral cortex, but seldom in those of the contralateral cortex. The amount of oh8dG in those animals with TBI was significant in all time frames when compared with sham-operated controls (p < 0.001). The oh8dG levels were more prominent at 15 minutes (p < 0.0001) when compared with controls. Conclusion: Oxidative DNA lesions occurred in this model of TBI maximally early after TBI. This suggests that oh8dGs may affect genetic material of the brain and that oh8dGs may adversely affect gene expression that occurs early after head injury.
Influence of the ionized medium on synchrotron emission of intermediate energy electrons.

The suppression of synchrotron emission at low frequencies, owing to the influence of the ionized medium, is investigated. Explicit expressions and detailed numerical values of the emission spectra are presented for various electron energies and plasma and cyclotron frequencies. Unlike previous studies of this suppression effect, which were applicable only to ultrarelativistic electrons, the present treatment is valid for electrons of arbitrary energies and in particular for intermediate energy electrons such as those presumably accelerated in solar flares.
Outside the fields of praise: women's rugby in Wales

Rugby union lies at the heart of Welsh identity and perhaps the very concept of Welshness itself. It is also one of the most masculine of all team sports and in some places, such as Wales, lies central to notions of toughness, manliness and hegemonic masculinity. The development of women's rugby offers an interesting arena in which to examine changing and competing discourses within the sport. Despite an often-repeated mantra about the growth of the women's game, a negative image poses a real threat to its future development. The following paper provides an account of the experiences of female rugby players and offers insights into the game, its governance and the people who play it.
High lipoprotein(a) levels and small apolipoprotein(a) sizes are associated with endothelial dysfunction in a multiethnic cohort

Abstract Objectives This study sought to determine the effect of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), levels and apolipoprotein(a), or apo(a), sizes on endothelial function and to explore ethnic differences in their effects. Background Although high levels of Lp(a) have been shown to confer increased cardiovascular risk in Caucasians, its significance in non-Caucasian populations is uncertain. The pathogenic role of the apo(a) component of Lp(a) is also unclear. Methods The relationship of Lp(a) levels and apo(a) sizes to endothelial function was examined in a multiethnic cohort of 89 healthy subjects (age 42 ± 9 years; 50 men, 39 women) free of other cardiac risk factors. Endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and endothelium-independent, nitrate-induced dilation (NTG) were assessed by ultrasound imaging of the brachial artery. Results Plasma Lp(a) levels were lowest in Caucasians (18.3 ± 21.1 mg/dl, n = 40); intermediate in Hispanics (30.2 ± 30.5 mg/dl, n = 21); and highest in African Americans (68.8 ± 46.0 mg/dl, n = 28). Lipoprotein(a) levels were found to correlate inversely to FMD (r = −0.33, p Conclusions These findings support an independent role of Lp(a) in atherogenesis, an effect that is particularly evident in African Americans. The proatherogenic property of Lp(a) can be attributed in part to its apo(a) component.
Dynamics of insulin and glucagon release in rats: influence of dietary manganese.

The effect of manganese on endocrine pancreatic function was examined in manganese-sufficient (control) and manganese-deficient (Mn–) Sprague-Dawley rats. Pancreatic insulin release was lower (P < 0.05) in Mn– rats than in controls in response to both a 300 mg/dl and a 100 mg/dl glucose stimulus. The 300 mg/dl glucose stimulus induced the synthesis of 19.4 μg insulin/g pancreas in control rats. Additionally, no appreciable intracellular degradation of insulin occurred over an 80-min perfusion period. By contrast, in Mn– rats, there occurred an intracellular insulin degradation amounting to 7.8 μg/ g pancreas. This enhanced degradation was partially compensated by a net insulin synthesis of only 3.4 μg insulin/g pancreas. Initial (min 1-3) insulin release by Mn– rats in response to 10 tnM arginine was lower (P < 0.05) than that observed in controls. Pancreatic glucagon release in response to 10 mM arginine was not affected by manganese deficiency. These findings demonstrate that manganese deficiency result...
Multialgorithm solution for automated multispectral target detection

A solution to the problem of automated detection of targets with unknown spectral properties in multispectral imagery is presented that makes use of three background characterization and suppression algorithms in series. The first, parametric Bayesian clustering, is used to accurately characterize individual elements of the background scene. The second, background suppression filtering, eliminates those dimen- sions of multispectral space containing the majority of background en- ergy. Finally, a multidimensional extension of the well-known Linde- Buzo-Gray (LBG) clustering algorithm is used to characterize what remains of the background and extract any anomalous target signatures. The results of this process are compared to spectral decorrelation (RX) filtering alone, LBG clustering alone, and RX filtering in combination with background suppression filtering. The process presented is shown to be significantly superior to each of these algorithm combinations. © 1999 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(99)00504-8)
Closed chest totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass surgery: Fantasy or reality?

With the introduction of the da Vinci robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA) into minimally invasive cardiac surgery, the outlook of performing coronary artery bypass operations “closed chest” became a reality. Between May 1999 and July 2000 this wrist-enhanced instrumentation was used in 143 patients (107 men, 36 women, median age 63 ± 10.3 y). Thirteen patients suffering from coronary artery disease (CAD) were treated as totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB), 79 patients underwent a minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass procedure, and 35 patients were treated using the robotic-enhanced Dresden Technique. Preoperative survival was 100%. All patients in the TECAB group were operated upon via a three- or four-point stab incision using the da Vinci robot for internal mammary artery takedown and for performance of anastomoses. These new robotic-enhanced surgical techniques promote an optimistic way of thinking about the further development of these procedures and its application in patients suffering from CAD.
Hypergonadotropic ovarian failure in young women

The purpose of this study is to evaluate 13 patients with primary ovarian failure (POF). All patients were less than 35 years of age. Serum FSH, performed by RIA, was in the post-menopausal range in all patients. Karyotype with Q-banding was performed on peripheral leukocytes and/or ovarian tissue. All patients had 46XX karyotype. Eleven patients had laparoscopy or laparotomy and ovarian biopsy. Two of the 11 patients had ovarian follicles. One patient had Graves' disease. Based on our data, we offer these conclusions. A thorough evaluation of patients with premature ovarian failure is essential. Testing for autoimmune endocrinopathies should be considered in POF patients who exhibit any signs of endocrine dysfunction. A peripheral karyotype with banding should be performed on all patients. The resistant ovary syndrome may occur with greater frequency than has previously been reported and a review of the literature on the resistant ovary syndrome is presented.
Diffuse iris melanoma: a report of 25 cases.

Abstract Background Diffuse iris melanoma is a rare variant of iris melanoma that has a flat growth pattern and often presents as unilateral hyperchromic heterochromia and glaucoma. There have been no large clinical reports of diffuse iris melanoma. Design Single-center retrospective case series. Participants Twenty-five consecutive patients with diffuse iris melanoma. Methods A review of the clinical features, management, histopathologic analysis, and prognosis was performed. Main outcome measures Clinical features, histopathologic features, management, and prognosis. Results At the time of diagnosis, the mean patient age was 49 years. The initial complaint was unilateral darker eye color in 13 cases (52%) and blurred vision in 6 (24%). Six patients (24%) were symptom free. On presentation elsewhere, the initial diagnosis was iris melanoma or nevus in 11 cases (44%) and glaucoma in 14 (56%), 8 (32%) of whom had prior laser or surgical treatment for glaucoma. The 25 patients were observed for a mean of 30 months before the diagnosis of melanoma was suspected and referral to our center for evaluation. The mean intraocular pressure at referral was 36 mmHg, and the mean number of clock hours involved by tumor was 11. Heterochromia iridis was present in all 25 cases (100%), corectopia in 23 (92%), and ectropion iridis in 21 (84%). Associated findings included unilateral cataract in 8 (32%), a prominent episcleral (sentinel) vessel in 7 (28%), and anterior chamber inflammation in 5 (20%), and synechiae (anterior or posterior) in none. The tumor was managed by enucleation in 22 cases (88%) and by plaque brachytherapy in 3 (12%). Five cases (20%) were classified as spindle melanoma, 17 (68%) as mixed cell type, and 3 (12%) as epithelioid cell type. Therefore, histopathologic examination showed that 80% of cases contained epithelioid cells. All 22 enucleated cases were found to have tumor invasion in the trabecular meshwork. Tumor invasion of Schlemm’s canal was found in 18 (82%), minor pars plicata in 12 (55%), and episclera in 7 cases (28%). Of seven cases with episcleral invasion, four underwent surgical treatment for glaucoma. Excluding one recent case, the patients were observed for a mean of 78 months. Liver metastasis developed in 3 cases (13%). Conclusions Diffuse iris melanoma is a serious ocular condition that causes unilateral hyperchromic heterochromia and secondary glaucoma, often leading to a delay in diagnosis. Local invasion of adjacent ocular structures is common, and distant metastasis occurs in 13% of cases at mean follow-up of 78 months.
Women in Cardiology Introspection Into the Under-Representation

Lean In ,1 the book by Facebook’s chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, has sparked a debate on the issue of women in the workplace that has spread like wildfire throughout the country. In the book, she highlights the large discrepancy between the number of men and women in positions of power and leadership. She suggests that in addition to external barriers, internal barriers, such as lack of self-confidence and anticipation of future family obligations, are hindering women from being successful. Through this book, she is petitioning for women to close the gender gap by leaning in to their careers, sitting at the main table, and being part of the discussion to promote change. Although her experiences and thoughts are predominantly about the business sector, the discussion is applicable to every field, including our own. Her book should prompt introspection to understand why even in the 21st century there is such an under-representation of women in cardiology, particularly within leadership positions, and what can be done to change this. According to the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Survey: Addressing the Cardiology Workforce Crisis, which was published in 2009, women comprise a small fraction of all cardiologists (Figure 1).2 Only ≈12% of general cardiologists and 5 years later, suggests that only 10% of Full Physician Members from the United States are women. The data are more promising for fellows-in-training because women currently make up 22% of all ACC fellows-in-training members from the United States and 27% internationally (ACC membership profile data, unpublished data, 2013). However, this proportion is still strikingly low, especially considering that 30% …
A randomized comparison of the i-gel and the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway in pediatric patients: performance and fiberoptic findings

We compared the insertion performance of the pediatric size 1.5–3 i-gel airway device with that of the ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in anesthetized children in a prospective, randomized, controlled manner. We included 134 children, aged 3 months to 15 years, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. They were randomly divided into the i-gel and the PLMA groups according to the airway device used. The primary outcome variable was oropharyngeal leak pressure. Other outcome variables were ease of insertion, required time for insertion, fiberoptic view, and first-attempt and overall success rates. There were no differences in the ease of insertion, insertion time, or leak pressure between the devices. Fiberoptic view was significantly better with the i-gel than with the PLMA (P = 0.002). The view was significantly better with the sizes 2, 2.5, and 3 i-gel than with the size 1.5 i-gel (P = 0.02, 0.004 and 0.002, respectively), and the view was significantly better with the sizes 2.5 and 3 PLMA than with the size 1.5 PLMA (P = 0.02 and 0.005, respectively). The first-attempt success rates were 94 and 97 % in the i-gel and the PLMA groups, respectively; the success rates including the second attempt were 100 % in both groups. No children developed side effects requiring treatment with either device. Both the pediatric i-gel and the PLMA were successfully inserted in children. The fiberoptic view was better with the i-gel than with the PLMA.
Heat flow from natural geysers

Abstract A natural geyser is a mechanism that extracts heat from the earth. Trapped meteoric water is heated and then thrown clear of its reservoir as hot water or steam, carrying heat with it. There are two basic types of geysers: columnar, discharging quantities of hot water; and pool, in which the eruption consists of a series of detonating steam explosions. Results of temperature measurements made deep within several geysers permit calculation of their respective approximate rates of heat extraction. Old Faithful, which discharges large quantities of water, extracts heat at the approximate rate of 1.34·106cal./sec. Narcissus, an explosive type geyser, develops power at the approximate rate of 3.3 · 103 cal./sec, and Solitary, another explosive geyser, at the rate of 6.4·.103 cal./sec.
Sol-gel processing and structure development of lead titanate particles

Spherical particles of lead titanate, PbTiO3, (PT) were prepared from partially hydrolyzed alkoxide solutions modified with benzoic acid. Modified and aged alkoxide solutions were added dropwise to isopropyl alcohol, forming particles (0.2 to 1.0 μm in diameter). FTIR spectroscopy results demonstrate chelation of the PT alkoxide which prevented the formation of an extended gel network. Diffuse reflectance FTIR (DRIFT) spectra indicate the benzoate ligands are present until 450°C; TGA results show significant weight loss at 450°C. PT particles crystallize into the perovskite phase at =450°C, as determined by DTA and XRD. The relatively low crystallization temperature may be due to the effect of benzoate ligands on amorphous structure and presence of internal surfaces.
Joint formation in granitic rock of the Sierra Nevada

A single steeply dipping joint set in the Mount Givens Granodiorite, central Sierra Nevada, was studied to clarify the mechanics of fracture and joint formation in granitic rocks. The joints were filled with fluid during, or immediately following, formation; these fluids deposited epidote and chlorite within the joints. Examination of lithologic markers in outcrop and thin section demonstrates that relative displacements are normal to the joint surfaces. These observations rule out a shear origin for these joints. The measured extensional strain acommodated by joint dilation is on the order of 1 × 10 −4 to 5 × 10 −4 . A few joints in the area exhibit small strike-slip offsets. In these joints, the mineral fillings are sheared, indicating the strike-slip motion postdated the jointing. Individual joints consist of numerous subparallel, planar segments. The lengths of joints range from metres to nearly 100 metres. Shorter joints are more abundant than longer joints. The observed distribution of joint lengths is thought to result from the elastic interaction of adjacent joints. Shorter joints are prevented from further propagation by their long neighbors. Between mapped joints, small cracks that have lengths of several centimetres are found parallel to the longer joints. These cracks represent a growth stage between grain-scale microcracks and macroscopic joints. A method is developed for estimating the tensile stress responsible for initiating joint growth. The method requires knowledge of the extensional strain accommodated by joint dilation and the spatial density of joints, both of which can be determined by field observations. Calculations based on observations of joints in the Florence Lake area indicate relative tensile stresses (average remote stress plus internal fluid pressure) of approximately 1 MPa to 40 MPa. These values of stress and estimates of initial crack length are used to estimate the quasi-static fracture toughness of the granodiorite. The calculated fracture toughnesses range from 0.04 Mpa·m 1/2 to 4 Mpa·m 1/2 . The stress and fracture toughness estimates are compatible with existing data from laboratory fracture experiments.
Nanostructured c-post wicks for advanced heat pipes

Micro-heat pipes incorporating advanced wicks are promising for the thermal management of high power density semiconductor and MEMS devices. We report experimental characterization of the heat transfer performance of wicks consisting of dense arrays of superhydrophilic Cu micropost wicks fabricated using electrochemical deposition and controlled chemical oxidation. A very high heat removal capability (as high as 800 W/cm2 with less than 35°C wick superheat) is demonstrated using 2×2 mm2 thin-film heaters as heat sources. Superhydrophilic CuO nanostructures integrated onto the micropost surfaces are shown to enhance the critical heat flux by as much as 70 %.
The Relationship Between Obsessive Compulsive Beliefs and Symptoms, Anxiety and Disgust Sensitivity, and Swine Flu Fears

Using the 2009 Swine Flu outbreak as a contemporary example of pandemic fears, this study examined the relationship between various symptoms related to anxiety sensitivity and Swine Flu fears. It was hypothesized that both obsessive-compulsive (OC) beliefs and OC symptoms would significantly predict Swine Flu fears. It was also hypothesized that symptoms of anxiety, including measures of anxiety sensitivity and disgust sensitivity would significantly mediate the relationship between both OC beliefs and OC symptoms and Swine Flu fears. A total of 393 undergraduate students completed measures of Swine Flu fears, anxiety sensitivity, OC beliefs and symptoms, and disgust sensitivity. It was found that both OC beliefs and OC symptoms significantly predicted Swine Flu fears. While disgust sensitivity significantly mediated the relationship between both OC beliefs and OC symptoms and Swine Flu fears using the Sobel test, anxiety sensitivity was a significant mediator only for OC symptoms. Additionally, path modeling showed that anxiety sensitivity mediated the relationship between OC symptoms and Swine Flu fears best. The results of this study may be useful for treating individuals suffering from anxiety in light of future pandemics, as well as continuing to research the role of anxiety symptoms in predicting pandemic fears.
Improved localization in GPS-denied environments using an autoregressive model and a generalized linear model

The Theater Positioning System (TPS), which can perform in GPS-denied environments and can work with, or independently of, GPS systems, was presented in [1]. The principal difficulty in optimally combining this new system and GPS is introduced by the environment, which may impart somewhat unpredictable transmission delays to the signal and thus results in less accurate performance when TPS works unaided in the environment while GPS is unavailable. In this paper, we propose two methods-an autoregressive process and a generalized linear model to model the transmission delays generated in TPS signal propagation. Using those, the unknown signal delays can be predicted and thus can be employed in the subsequent localization process. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the performance of both methods proposed in this paper.
Quantitative electron spin resonance (ESR) determinations of forms and total amounts of Mn in aqueous environmental samples

Abstract An electron spin resonance (ESR) method for determining quantitatively amounts and forms of Mn in 0.2 ml of marine and lacustrine waters with no chemical processing is described and applied to various samples from the Puget Sound region of western Washington state. Results over the 50 ppb15 ppm (0.9–270 μM) total Mn concentration range are reproducible to within ±3–5% and average 8 ± 7 and 13 ± 7% lower than inductively coupled plasma (ICP) determinations on marine and lacustrine pore waters, respectively. Main features in profiles of total Mn versus depth in Pacific Northwest pore waters resemble those in profiles from other coastal regions. The method reveals that 72–77% of total dissolved Mn is present as free Mn ++ in most seawaters, 14–16% is complexed with chloride, and 10–12% is complexed with sulfate. Less than 5% is associated with carbonate, bicarbonate or organic ligands. These results should significantly reduce uncertainties in equilibrium calculations of state of saturation of seawaters with respect to precipitation of various Mn-solids. The method can be easily extended to various ionic strengths and temperatures.
MATING BEHAVIOR OF HORSESHOE CRABS, LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS

Horseshoe crabs have an explosive breeding system not unlike that of some frogs and toads. They synchronize nesting to only a few hours each day at the time of the spring new and full-moon high tides. Males search for females as they come to the breeding beaches, grasp them with specially modified claws and cling to them, sometimes for weeks. Females lay several clutches of eggs in the sand and the male fertilizes them externally, the only extant arthropod with such a reproductive system. Unattached males cluster around the nesting couple, pushing on and occasionally displacing attached males. An experimental manipulation demonstrated that satellite males are capable of fertilizing eggs which suggests that sperm competition is the primary explanation for the presence of unattached males on the beach. Like other explosively breeding species, male Limulus search for females, often grabbing inappropriate objects, and satellite males compete for access to females. There is little assortative mating and attached and unattached males do not differ in size. In extreme explosively breeding species like Limulus, selection favors those males that are best able to locate and remain attached to females, and there is little opportunity for female choice or male-male competition.