cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction criticism: An introduction to the practice

Though interaction designers critique interfaces as a regular part of their research and practice, the field of HCI lacks a proper discipline of interaction criticism. By interaction criticism I mean rigorous interpretive interrogations of the complex relationships between (a) the interface, including its material and perceptual qualities as well as its broader situatedness in visual languages and culture and (b) the user experience, including the meanings, behaviors, perceptions, affects, insights, and social sensibilities that arise in the context of interaction and its outcomes. Interaction criticism is a knowledge practice that enables design practitioners to engage with the aesthetics of interaction, helping practitioners cultivate more sensitive and insightful critical reactions to designs and exemplars. Benefits of such an engagement can include informing a particular design process, critiquing and innovating on design processes and methods more generally, developing original theory beneficial to interaction design, and exposing more robustly the long-term and even unintended consequences of designs. In this article I offer a synthesis of practices of criticism derived from analytic philosophy of aesthetics and critical theory, including the introduction of five core claims from this literature; I outline four perspectives that constitute a big-picture view of interaction criticism; and I offer a case study, demonstrating interaction criticism through each of these four perspectives.
Flow and Heat Transfer in Heat Recovery Steam Generators

Computational simulations of flow and heat transfer in heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) of vertical- and horizontal-tube designs are reported. The main objective of the work was to obtain simple modifications of their internal configuration that render the flow of combustion gas more spatially uniform. The computational method was validated by comparing some of the simulation results for a scaled-down laboratory model with experimental measurements in the same. Simulations were then carried out for two plant HRSGs—without and with the proposed modifications. The results show significantly more uniform combustion gas flow in the modified configurations. Heat transfer calculations were performed for one superheater section of the vertical-tube HRSG to determine the effect of the configuration modification on heat transfer from the combustion gas to the steam flowing in the superheater tubes.
Managed care in the substance abuse arena: challenges and choices. Part I

In the US, the plight of the uninsured and their vulnerability must be viewed with a basic understanding of what is meant by health care. Half a century ago, Harry S. Truman, then US President, offered his version of a national health service plan, which was rejected. Since then, the cost of rejection of such reform measures has increased. In 1994, US citizens spent $3000 per person (or a family of four $12,000) for medical care, more than three times the cost in the UK for considerably less cover. The health care industry accounts for 14% of the gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Congressional Budget Office if changes are not made national health spending will reach almost $1.7 trillion or about 18% of the GDP by the year 2000.
Efficient VLSI architectures for baseband signal processing in wireless base-station receivers

A real-time VLSI architecture is designed for multiuser channel estimation, one of the core baseband processing operations in wireless base-station receivers. Future wireless base-station receivers will need to use sophisticated algorithms to support extremely high data rates and multimedia. Current DSP architectures are unable to fully exploit the parallelism and bit level arithmetic present in these algorithms. These features can be revealed and efficiently implemented by task partitioning the algorithms for a VLSI solution. We modify the channel estimation algorithm for a reduced complexity fixed-point hardware implementation. We show the complexity and hardware required for three different area-time tradeoffs: an area-constrained, a time-constrained and an area-time efficient architecture. The area-constrained architecture achieves low data rates with minimum hardware, which may be used in pico-cell base-stations. The time-constrained solution exploits the entire available parallelism and determines the maximum theoretical data rates. The area-time efficient architecture meets real-time requirements with minimum area overhead. The orders-of-magnitude difference between area and time constrained solutions reveals significant inherent parallelism in the algorithm. All proposed VLSI solutions exhibit better time performance than a previous DSP implementation.
The Measurement of Fabric Thickness

A discussion of the principles underlying the measurement of fabric thickness is presented. The instruments and procedures in current use are outlined, together with their advantages and disadvantages. A procedure based on the one adopted by the British Standards Institute for measuring fabric thickness under low pressures is outlined and recommended. The necessary equipment is discussed, together with the results obtained on over 200 fabrics.
On the Intricacies of the Chinese Guanxi: A Process Model of Guanxi Development

Guanxi (personal connection) has been identified as a necessary condition to do business successfully in China. In this paper, we seek a clear conceptual understanding of this prevalent construct and propose a three-stage model of guanxi development so as to stimulate systematic research in this area. Our conceptual and theoretical discussion of guanxi bases,guanxi objectives, and the operating principles at different stages of guanxi development will also help practitioners to use guanxi more effectively.
Production of ammonia by Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis

Production of ammonia is difficult to find among the various studies of amino acid metabolism in protozoa. Several studies suggest that catabolism of arginine to ammonium is important for the growth of trichomonads. Trichomonads are amitochondriate zooflagellates that thrive under microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions. The authors were able to detect accumulation of ammonium ions and ammonia in cultures of Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis, including those resistant to metronidazole. Ammonium ions and ammonia were detected using the indophenol colorimetric method. Cells incubated overnight under an ambient oxygen gas phase had 0·9 mM soluble ammonium (NH4 + and NH3) or a 20 % greater concentration of ammonium relative to sterile growth medium that had been incubated similarly. Production of ammonia itself was confirmed by analysis of a wick that was moistened with sulfuric acid (20 mM) and placed above the liquid in sealed cultures of a strain of Trichomonas vaginalis. The wicks from these cultures captured the equivalent of 0·048 mM volatile ammonia (NH3) from the liquid as compared to 0·021 mM volatile ammonia from sterile medium after overnight incubation. Intact trichomonads, 0·7×106 cells ml−1 equivalent to 0·7 mg protein ml−1, incubated in Doran's buffer with or without (1 mM) l-arginine produced significant amounts of soluble ammonium (0·07 mM and 0·04 mM, respectively) during 60 min. The results indicate that ammonium ions and the more irritating ammonia are significant metabolites of trichomonads. In addition, based upon end-product amounts, it appears that the rate of arginine metabolism is of the same order of magnitude as that for carbohydrate metabolism by trichomonads.
REGIONAL CONTROL OF NONDISJUNCTION OF THE B CHROMOSOME IN MAIZE

Control of nondisjunction in the maize B chromosome was studied using a set of B-10 translocations. The study focused on the possible effect of the proximal region of the B long arm. The experimental procedure utilized a combination of a 10B chromosome from one translocation with a B10 from another translocation. The breakpoints of the two translocations were so located that combination of the two elements created a deletion in the proximal region of the B chromosome, but no deletion in chromosome 10. Two different types of deletions were established; one involved a portion of the euchromatic region and the other the entire heterochromatic portion comprising the distal half of the B long arm, except for the small euchromatic tip. Deletion of the heterochromatic portion did not exert any effect on nondisjunction. Deletions of different portions of the euchromatic region produce different responses. Some deletions resulted in typical B nondisjunctional activity; others resulted in the disappearance of this activity. It is concluded that a region within the euchromatic portion of the chromosome is critical for the nondisjunction of B chromosomes. Among 22 translocations with breakpoints in the euchromatic regions, three were proximal to the critical region, 16 were distal and the position of three others was not determined.
Thyroid function and the duration of sodium pentobarbital anesthesia

Thyroidectomy in adult female rats lengthened the duration of sodium pentobarbital anesthesia. Thyroid administration to normal rats did not change significantly the length of anesthesia. Thiouracil feeding failed to change the length of the anesthetic period. In dogs, thyroidectomy had no significant effect on the duration of pentobarbital anesthesia. Thyroid treatment of thyroidectomized dogs did not alter the length of anesthesia.
The momentum distribution of a one-dimensional ideal gas of N atoms

We calculate the average momentum distribution and the average deviation from this distribution for a one-dimensional ideal gas of N atoms. The calculation is performed using analytical and numerical methods, and the results obtained using the two methods are compared.We use these results to show that in the limit of large N, almost all the possible microstates of an ideal gas have momentum distributions that are very close to the Maxwell distribution. We discuss the significance of this fact for understanding why an ideal gas approaches thermal equilibrium.
Intrinsically Semi-disordered State and Its Role in Induced Folding and Protein Aggregation

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) refer to those proteins without fixed three-dimensional structures under physiological conditions. Although experiments suggest that the conformations of IDPs can vary from random coils, semi-compact globules, to compact globules with different contents of secondary structures, computational efforts to separate IDPs into different states are not yet successful. Recently, we developed a neural-network-based disorder prediction technique SPINE-D that was ranked as one of the top performing techniques for disorder prediction in the biannual meeting of critical assessment of structure prediction techniques (CASP 9, 2010). Here, we further analyze the results from SPINE-D prediction by defining a semi-disordered state that has about 50 % predicted probability to be disordered or ordered. This semi-disordered state is partially collapsed with intermediate levels of predicted solvent accessibility and secondary structure content. The relative difference in compositions between semi-disordered and fully disordered regions is highly correlated with amyloid aggregation propensity (a correlation coefficient of 0.86 if excluding four charged residues and proline, 0.73 if not). In addition, we observed that some semi-disordered regions participate in induced folding, and others play key roles in protein aggregation. More specifically, a semi-disordered region is amyloidogenic in fully unstructured proteins (such as alpha-synuclein and Sup35) but prone to local unfolding that exposes the hydrophobic core to aggregation in structured globular proteins (such as SOD1 and lysozyme). A transition from full disorder to semi-disorder at about 30–40 Qs is observed in the poly-Q (poly-glutamine) tract of huntingtin. The accuracy of using semi-disorder to predict binding-induced folding and aggregation is compared with several methods trained for the purpose. These results indicate the usefulness of three-state classification (order, semi-disorder, and full-disorder) in distinguishing nonfolding from induced-folding and aggregation-resistant from aggregation-prone IDPs and in locating weakly stable, locally unfolding, and potentially aggregation regions in structured proteins. A comparison with five representative disorder-prediction methods showed that SPINE-D is the only method with a clear separation of semi-disorder from ordered and fully disordered states.
Influence of a calcium-specific chelant on biofilm removal.

This paper describes the influence of ethylene glycol-bisβ-aminoethyl ether)- N, N-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) on biofilm removal. The addition of EGTA resulted in the immediate detachment of biofilm which suggests that the chelant removed essential calcium from the biofilm, causing it to detach.
Taphonomy and ecology of modern avifaunal remains from Amboseli Park, Kenya

Avian skeletal remains occur in many fossil assemblages, and in spite of small sample sizes and incomplete preservation, they may be a source of valuable paleoecological information. In this paper, we examine the taphonomy of a modern avian bone assemblage and test the relationship between ecological data based on avifaunal skeletal remains and known ecological attributes of a living bird community. A total of 54 modern skeletal occurrences and a sample of 126 identifiable bones from Amboseli Park, Kenya, were analyzed for weathering features and skeletal part preservation in order to characterize preservation features and taphonomic biases. Avian remains, with the exception of ostrich, decay more rapidly than adult mammal bones and rarely reach advanced stages of weathering. Breakage and the percentage of anterior limb elements serve as indicators of taphonomic overprinting that may affect paleoecological signals. Using ecomorphic categories including body weight, diet, and habitat, we compared species in the bone assemblage with the living Amboseli avifauna. The documented bone sample is biased toward large body size, representation of open grassland habitats, and grazing or scavenging diets. In spite of this, multidimensional scaling analysis shows that the small faunal sample (16 out of 364 species) in the pre-fossil bone assemblage accurately represents general features of avian ecospace in Amboseli. This provides a measure of the potential fidelity of paleoecological reconstructions based on small samples of avian remains. In the Cenozoic, the utility of avian fossils is enhanced because bird ecomorphology is relatively well known and conservative through time, allowing back-extrapolations of habitat preferences, diet, etc. based on modern taxa.
State and Trait Anger, Fear, and Social Information Processing

Emotions include a configuration of facial muscles, an arousal of physiological functions, and a facilitation of particular attention and information processing patterns (Izard, 1991). This chapter focuses on how anger influences attention and information processing. We will see that the most reliable effects of anger’s influence on attention and information processing occur in anger-, hostile-, or aggression-prone individuals who are in an angry state. This trait–state interaction likely occurs because anger arousal in some ways limits processing of information, leading particular individuals to utilize processing lessons learned from past experiences of anger and threat. We discuss how and why different individuals may have different processing tendencies, especially related to the detection of anger and threat. We then review how and why other individuals might, as a product of their experiences of anger and threat, develop different anger- and threat-related processing schemas.
Making money with open-source software business initiatives

This article overview open-source software (OSS), which is a potentially disruptive technology, because it is often less expensive, more reliable, simpler, and more convenient than proprietary software. First, we examine the historical development of OSS. Next, we address why individuals would write software and share it freely, and how software firms can make money from OSS. We overview some of the leading business models that are used in the OSS market, including support sellers, loss leaders, code developers, accessorizers, certifiers, and tracking service providers. Finally, we examine future trends and directions in OSS.
Combat Situation Assessment with Respect to Terrain and Tactics

The intent of the described study is to gain insight into the nature of ground combat situations by trying to quantify the interrelationships of forces, terrain and tactics. This is done by separating major causes of combat outcome and defining a number of basic scenarios. These are described more in terms of tactical significance than by detailed terrain features. A combat situation measurement is formulated, the Break-Even Force Ratio, which allows to compare the relative value of combat situations with respect to probable outcome. The methods applied are generally valid for ground combat at battalion level, but the actual numerical results presented are more restricted in scope. More detail is available elsewhere [1]. Weapon systems considered are tanks and antitank weapons. The attacker always moves toward the defender, who is in a prepared position, in hull defilade. The terrain features include rises, dips, scattered vegetation and gaps. The area of combat considered is less than ten square kilometers. The tactics considered include surprise, variation of speed, overwatch, fire distribution and emphasis, and deliberate change of locale by smoke. The model ‘ELAN’, designed and used for this study, is of the Lanchester type.
Readmission rates after lower extremity bypass vary significantly by surgical indication.

Objective Readmission rates after vascular surgery are among the highest within surgical specialties, and lower extremity bypass has the highest readmission rate of vascular surgery procedures. We analyzed how 30-day readmissions and risk factors for readmissions vary by indication for lower extremity bypass. Methods We queried the 2012-2014 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program procedure-targeted vascular cohort to identify all patients who underwent lower extremity bypass. Emergent procedures and planned readmissions were excluded. Patients were stratified by surgical indication: claudication, critical limb ischemia rest pain (CLI RP), critical limb ischemia tissue loss (CLI TL), and other. The χ 2 and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to test the differences between categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for predictors of readmission adjusted for preoperative factors that were selected a priori. Results The overall 30-day readmission rate among the 6112 patients who underwent lower extremity bypass was 14.8%. Readmission rates varied significantly on the basis of the indication for surgery. In unadjusted comparisons, 18.8% of patients with CLI TL were readmitted compared with 16.5% with CLI RP, 9.4% with claudication, and 8.2% with other indications ( P Conclusions The 30-day readmission rates after lower extremity bypass vary significantly by surgical indication. Because lower extremity bypasses are performed for multiple indications, if readmission rates are publically reported and hospitals can be penalized for higher than expected readmission rates, the expected readmission rates should be adjusted for surgical indication.
The Effect of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor on Apoptosis of Neurons after Hypo xic-Ischemic Brain Damage in Rats

Objective To study the status and contribution of neuronal apoptosis after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD) in rat.And to evaluate the effect of selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor-7-NItroindazole(7-NI) on apoptosis of neurons after HIBD in rats.Methods HE staining,TUNEL staining and transmiss ion electron microscopy were used to detected neuronal apoptosis 24 hours after HIBD.The effect of 7-NI on neuronal apoptosis was also studied.Results Neuron al apoptosis was detected in hippocampus and cortex at 24 h after HIBD.7-NI can significantly reduced neuronal apoptosis after HIBD.Conclusions It is sugges ted that apoptosis account for important role of the delayed neuronal death after HIBD.It is selective NOS inhibitors-7-NI that shows its anti-apoptosis effect on HIBD 24 hours later.
Delay in Diagnosis and Survival in Testicular Cancer: Impact of Effective Therapy and Changes During 18 Years

AbstractIn an effort to determine the impact of a delayed diagnosis in testicular cancer the records of 148 patients with a known interval of delay were reviewed. The over-all mean symptomatic interval of this population was 21.1 weeks and did not change significantly during an 18-year review period. An increased symptomatic interval correlated with an increased presenting stage of disease for nonseminoma and a delay of greater than 16 weeks strongly (p equals 0.002) lowered survival for these patients during the study interval. However, the symptomatic interval was not significantly associated with stage for seminoma patients nor did the symptomatic interval influence survival for these patients. Further analysis of the nonseminoma patients revealed that delay strongly affected survival (p equals 0.001) in the pre-cisplatin era (1970 to 1978) but it was less pronounced (p equals 0.262) in the cisplatin era (1979 to 1987). Despite an attenuation of the effect of delay in the current era of effective chemo...
A subgroup of murine monoclonal anti-deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies traverse the cytoplasm and enter the nucleus in a time-and temperature- dependent manner.

Background The capacity of lupus autoantibodies to enter living cells and bind to molecules for which they have intrinsic affinity is not well appreciated. In previous studies, we identified a subgroup of three murine monoclonal IgG anti-DNA antibodies, derived from lupus-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice, that localized within nuclei of cells in multiple organs and induced functional perturbations, in vivo, after passive transfer to normal mice. To examine the mechanisms of this phenomenon, we now extend these observations, using the same monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies and cultured cell lines. Experimental design Multiple experimental approaches were utilized to track nuclear localization of anti-DNA antibodies, including direct immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. The requirements for nuclear localization were further evaluated quantitatively, in nuclei isolated from co-cultures of cells and 125I-Ig, under varying experimental conditions. Results Nuclear localization was observed with the same subset of anti-DNA antibodies that localized within nuclei in vivo; it was dependent on the antigen-binding region of the molecule; and it was not found with other anti-DNA antibodies. At progressive intervals, the Ig were observed: at the cell surface, within the cytoplasm, clustered at the nuclear pore, and within the nucleus. Nuclear localization of Ig was found to be a time- and temperature- dependent process, specific for a subset of anti-DNA antibodies and dependent on the antigen binding region of the Ig. Conclusions This is the first demonstration that monoclonal autoantibodies can traverse both the cell and nuclear membranes to localize within the nuclei of cultured cells. Furthermore, nuclear localization of Ig was regulated in a manner analogous to that of other large cytoplasmic proteins that enter the nucleus. This confirms and extends our results using the same antibodies in whole animals, and it provides the basis to further examine the underlying mechanisms and consequences of this phenomenon.
Currency Risk in Global Equity Markets: Determinants, Risk, and Predictability

This dissertation aims to understand the impact that currency movement — in particular U.S. dollar movement — has in determining the returns to individual global equities. To that end, the dissertation focuses on three main goals. First, is to identify the optimal approach for measuring the degree of local/U.S. dollar currency exposure among so many disparate firms. Second, is to use this exposure to identify avenues for stock return predictability. And third, is to test whether currency exposure is systematic in the cross-section of returns — be that cross- section a country, region, or the world.The first section focuses on the measurement of exchange rate sensitivity for global firms and associated predictability. The analysis reveals that firms that are most strongly sensitive to currency fluctuations tend to have higher stock returns over the short to medium run. In addition, the research finds that information in the forward currency rate structure can be used to improve the predictability for such firms.The second section takes a risk-based approach, and tests whether or not currency risk is a systematic risk factor worldwide. The findings suggest that currency risk is largely characterized as a regional — as opposed to global — consideration. However, firm fundamentals that tend to drive variation in currency exposure (such as firm size or profitability) are considerations that extend beyond regional boundaries. The section shows that because of that, worldwide systematic predictability as a result of currency exposure can still be achieved, even if the worldwide returns to that exposure are not homogeneous.
The Impact of Surgical Care Improvement Project Measures on In-Hospital Outcomes following Elective Vascular Procedures

Background As part of the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP), a national quality partnership of organizations including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented several perioperative guidelines regarding antibiotic, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and beta-blocker prophylaxis for surgical patients. We evaluated the effect of SCIP on in-hospital surgical site infections (SSI), graft infections, VTE, myocardial infarctions (MIs), cardiac complications, mortality, and length of stay following elective major vascular surgery. Methods Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnostic and procedure codes, we identified elective open abdominal aneurysm repair (OAR), endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), carotid endarterectomy (CEA), major lower extremity amputation, and lower extremity bypass (LEB) procedures in the National Inpatient Sample from 2000 to 2012. Logistic regression and generalized linear models controlling for covariates were used to compare postoperative in-hospital outcomes before and after SCIP implementation (pre-SCIP era 2000–2005 versus post-SCIP era 2009–2012). Results In the post-SCIP era, the rate of in-hospital SSI following OAR increased from 1.0% to 1.6% (P < 0.05). Nonetheless, there were improvements in in-hospital SSI (in EVAR and CEA), graft infections (in OAR, EVAR, and LEB for tissue loss), VTE (in CEA), MI (in EVAR and LEB for tissue loss), cardiac complication (in all procedures except OAR), mortality (in EVAR, CEA, major lower extremity amputation, and LEB for tissue loss), and length of stay (in all procedures except OAR) (all P < 0.05). However after adjusting for covariates, SCIP was only associated with reducing SSI in CEA and major lower extremity amputation, graft infections in OAR and LEB for tissue loss, VTE in LEB for claudication or rest pain, mortality in OAR, and length of stay in all procedures except EVAR and CEA. Conclusions Implementation of SCIP measures was associated with slight improvements in a few in-hospital outcomes following vascular procedures. Additional measures that are more specific to the clinical and technical challenges of treating vascular disease may be more effective for improving the management of vascular patents.
The Internal Organization of the Neostriatum in Mammals

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the internal organization of the neostriatum in mammals. Biochemical and pharmacological investigations into the nature of extrapyramidal disorders have brought forward the role of the neostriatum as the nodal structure of the basal ganglia system; hence, the paramount importance of unraveling the intricate organization of this nuclear mass. Three types of neurons are present in the cat caudate nucleus, on the basis of size. The medium size cells measuring 9–18 μm comprise over 98% of all neurons. They have a large round and pale nucleus and a narrow rim of pale cytoplasm. A larger version of this type contains Nissl bodies, and the nucleus is indented. The large cells are over 20 μm and represent less than 1% of the population. Their nucleus is indented and large amounts of Nissl bodies are present. The small cells, less than 8 μm in diameter and of similar frequency as the large cells, have rather dark cytoplasm and no Nissl bodies.
Evidence of "hidden hearing loss" following noise exposures that produce robust TTS and ABR wave-I amplitude reductions.

Abstract In animals, noise exposures that produce robust temporary threshold shifts (TTS) can produce immediate damage to afferent synapses and long-term degeneration of low spontaneous rate auditory nerve fibers. This synaptopathic damage has been shown to correlate with reduced auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave-I amplitudes at suprathreshold levels. The perceptual consequences of this “synaptopathy” remain unknown but have been suggested to include compromised hearing performance in competing background noise. Here, we used a modified startle inhibition paradigm to evaluate whether noise exposures that produce robust TTS and ABR wave-I reduction but not permanent threshold shift (PTS) reduced hearing-in-noise performance. Animals exposed to 109 dB SPL octave band noise showed TTS >30 dB 24-h post noise and modest but persistent ABR wave-I reduction 2 weeks post noise despite full recovery of ABR thresholds. Hearing-in-noise performance was negatively affected by the noise exposure. However, the effect was observed only at the poorest signal to noise ratio and was frequency specific. Although TTS >30 dB 24-h post noise was a predictor of functional deficits, there was no relationship between the degree of ABR wave-I reduction and degree of functional impairment.
Utility of routine urine CMV PCR and total serum IgM testing of small for gestational age infants: a single center review

BACKGROUND Due to the extremely low incidence of TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubella, CMV, herpes simplex virus) infections, diagnostic testing of all small for gestational age (SGA) infants aimed at TORCH etiologies may incur unnecessary tests and cost. OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of urine CMV PCR and total IgM testing among infants with birth weight <10% and the rate of test positivity. To evaluate the frequency of alternative etiologies of SGA in tested infants. METHODS Retrospective chart review of SGA infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at NYU Langone Medical Center between 2007 and 2012. Subjects were classified as being SGA with or without intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The IUGR subjects were then further categorized as having either symmetric or asymmetric IUGR utilizing the Fenton growth chart at birth. Initial testing for TORCH infections, which included serum total IgM, CMV PCR and head ultrasound, were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS Three hundred and eighty-six (13%) infants from a total of 2953 NICU admissions had a birth weight ≤10th percentile. Of these, 44% were IUGR; 34% being symmetric IUGR and 10% asymmetric. A total of 32% of SGA infants had urine CMV PCR and total IgM tested with no positive results. As expected, significantly higher percentage of symmetric IUGR infants were tested compared to asymmetric IUGR and non-IUGR SGA infants, (64% vs. 47% vs. 19%) P≤0.01. However, 63% of infants with a known cause for IUGR had same testing done aimed at TORCH infections. We calculated additional charges of $64,065 that were incurred by such testing. CONCLUSIONS The majority of infants in our study who received testing for urine CMV PCR and total IgM aimed at TORCH infections had one or more other known non-infectious etiologies for IUGR. Because the overall yield of such testing is extremely low, we suggest tests for possible TORCH infections may be limited to symmetric IUGR infants without other known etiologies. Improved guidelines testing for TORCH infections can result in reducing hospital charges and unnecessary studies.
Surgical Treatment of Valvular Heart Disease: Overview of Mechanical and Tissue Prostheses, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Implications for Clinical Use

Valvular heart disease (VHD) affects a large number of patients annually. From a surgical standpoint, there are two primary options for valve replacement: mechanical or bioprosthetic. While there are clear advantages and disadvantages to either option, and recent literature does challenge some of the prior dictums of valve choice, a handful of absolutes remain true. Mechanical valves provide superior durability and freedom from re-operation when compared to their bioprosthetic counterparts, at the expense of bleeding or thrombotic complications associated with the need for lifelong oral anticoagulation. Unless a clear contraindication to oral anticoagulation exists, we recommend implanting mechanical valves for patients less than 60 years old and those who are older than 65 but maintained on anticoagulation for reasons other than their valvular disease. Bioprosthetic valves should be placed in patients who are greater than 65 years old or those patients who have a postoperative life expectancy of less than 10 years. Valve choice in patients between the ages of 60 to 70 is not dictated by guidelines and is less clear, with patient preference playing a larger role than their age range.
Skin and bones (and cartilage): the dermal fibroblast connection.

New research reports that primary human dermal fibroblasts seeded into a three-dimensional biodegradable matrix can differentiate in vitro into osteoblasts and chondrocytes, and form three-dimensional bone-like and cartilage-like constructs, respectively. Is skeletal tissue engineering from skin biopsy tissue on the horizon?
Decreased early mortality associated with the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia at National Cancer Institute‐designated cancer centers in California

Background To the authors' knowledge, few population-based studies to date have evaluated the association between location of care, complications with induction therapy, and early mortality in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods Using linked data from the California Cancer Registry and Patient Discharge Dataset (1999-2014), the authors identified adult (aged ≥18 years) patients with AML who received inpatient treatment within 30 days of diagnosis. A propensity score was created for treatment at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center (NCI-CC). Inverse probability-weighted, multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations between location of care, complications, and early mortality (death ≤60 days from diagnosis). Results Of the 7007 patients with AML, 1762 (25%) were treated at an NCI-CC. Patients with AML who were treated at NCI-CCs were more likely to be aged ≤65 years, live in higher socioeconomic status neighborhoods, have fewer comorbidities, and have public health insurance. Patients treated at NCI-CCs had higher rates of renal failure (23% vs 20%; P = .010) and lower rates of respiratory failure (11% vs 14%; P = .003) and cardiac arrest (1% vs 2%; P = .014). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, treatment at an NCI-CC was associated with lower early mortality (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.57). The impact of complications on early mortality did not differ by location of care except for higher early mortality noted among patients with respiratory failure treated at non-NCI-CCs. Conclusions The initial treatment of adult patients with AML at NCI-CCs is associated with a 53% reduction in the odds of early mortality compared with treatment at non-NCI-CCs. Lower early mortality may result from differences in hospital or provider experience and supportive care. Cancer 2018;124:1938-45. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Extracellular Heat Shock Proteins as Stress Communication Signals

Intercellular communication is a fundamental process necessary to maintain homeostasis and to mount an orchestrated response to stress. Although heat shock proteins (HSP) play a critical role by participating in the repair of damaged products as a result of the stress in the intracellular milieu, it is now evident that they play an alternative role when they escape from the cells and are placed in circulation, participating in a systemic stress response. Extracellular HSP appear as signaling molecules involved in intercellular communication during stress conditions. They have been found to modulate the function of many target cells. Moreover, extracellular HSP have been detected in several biological fluids, particularly from patients suffering from a large number of maladies. Extracellular HSP are released by many cell types and by several mechanisms, including passive dissemination after necrosis and active export by a nonclassical secretory pathway. Among several potential mechanisms for the export of HSP, their release associated with extracellular vesicles has gained increasing support. The appearance of extracellular vesicles containing HSP emerges as a new form of cellular communication during stress conditions directed at avoiding the propagation of the insult.
Reduction of flame development time in nanosecond pulsed high frequency discharge ignition of flowing mixtures

Abstract The effects of discharge and flow parameters on ignition kernel development time are explored in flowing methane–air mixtures. A nanosecond pulsed high frequency discharge in a pin-to-pin configuration is used as the ignition source, providing 2.9 ± 0.23 mJ/pulse. The effects of pulse repetition frequency (PRF) in the range of 10–300 kHz, number of pulses in the range of 1–50 (≈2.9–145 mJ), equivalence ratio in the range of 0.55–0.65, gap distance in the range of 0.5–2.5 mm, and flow velocity in the range of 2.5–10 m/s are explored. For all conditions, the ignition events are in the “fully-coupled” regime, in which high ignition probability is achieved and locally extinguished ignition kernels are avoided. It is found that reducing the PRF reduces the kernel development time for fixed total energy deposition due to an increased volume of unburned mixture exposed to the discharge. Increasing the number of pulses at a given PRF also decreases the kernel development time, again by increasing the volume of gas exposed to the discharge. The equivalence ratio only has an effect on the kernel growth rate after the discharge, with identical kernel areas measured at all equivalence ratios while the discharge is active. Increasing gap distance decreases the kernel development time by providing a larger initial kernel volume as well as reducing heat and radical quenching at the electrode surfaces. Finally, the flow velocity has an effect on the kernel growth rate at velocities greater than 5 m/s, with larger flow velocities resulting in shorter kernel development time. This is due to the competing rates of self-propagating flame expansion and kernel growth due to convection past the discharge region. The combined effects of all of the above parameters on the kernel area after the discharge are summarized in a correlation equation, which predicts the trends in kernel growth rate based on an estimated plasma area defined by the discharge duration, flow velocity, and gap distance.
Doping of a quantum dot and self-limiting effect in electrochemical etching

The observation of photoluminescence (Canham, 1990) in electrochemically etched porous silicon has launched an intense research activity because this discovery has opened the door for a possible optoelectronic role for silicon, the all important material for electronics. Furthermore, the apparent increase in the fundamental optical absorption energy gap (Lehmann and Gosele, 1991) and the decrease in the Raman phonon frequency with increase of the position of the peak photoluminescence established the role of quantum confinement (Tsu et al., 1992). Fundamentally, quantum confinement pushes up the allowed energies resulting in an increase in the binding energy of shallow impurities such as the cases of quantum well (Bastard, 1981) and superlattice (Ioriatti and Tsu, 1986). Theoretical treatment of the dielectric constant in quantum confined systems (Tsu and Ioriatti, 1986) (Kahen et al., 1985) shows that a significant reduction takes place when the width of the quantum well is reduced to 2 nm and below. In a quantum dot of radius a, the reduction of the size dependent static dielectric constant e(a) results in a significant increase of the binding energy (Tsu et al., 1993) of shallow impurities. Since electrochemical etching depends on the current, significant increase in the binding energy can cut-off extrinsic conduction leading to a self-limiting process in the electrochemical etching during the formation of the porous silicon (Tsu et al., 1993). The model used in calculating e(a) is the modified Penn model (Penn, 1962) which replaces the continuous electron energies by the discrete energy states of a quantum dot. The calculated e(a) agrees (Tsu and Ioriatti, unpublished) with e(q) in the results of Walter and Cohen (1970) when q is replaced by π/a. Having obtained e(a), we are in a position to compute the binding energy of the shallow impurity, Eb, in a quantum dot.
Tunisie: une démocratisation au-dessus de tout soupçon?

The subtitle of this collection of twenty-three papers conveys suspicions about Tunisia’s transition to democracy, but none of the twenty-seven authors argues that the ancien regime has been someho...
Factors Influencing Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Empowering farmers to increase productivity by educating them on conservation agriculture (CA) could contribute to reducing vulnerability, alleviating food insecurity, and fighting poverty while being ecologically sustainable in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This study assesses the effect of a CA-promotion agriculture program. Findings suggest that location of the farm, training, having accessed credit, belonging to a farmers’ group, and being a vulnerable female all drove adoption to varying degrees and directions. Results also suggest that policy makers and CA practitioners should emphasize the ability that CA has to increase income and food security, which could widen CA adoption.
Efficacy and Safety of Gemcitabine With Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab After Prior Pertuzumab-Based Therapy Among Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Importance Taxanes with trastuzumab and pertuzumab for initial treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ERBB2, formerlyHER2)–positive metastatic breast cancer is associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival. While continued use of trastuzumab in therapeutic combinations after disease progression is standard, the efficacy of continuing pertuzumab is unknown. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pertuzumab in combination with gemcitabine and trastuzumab after prior treatment with pertuzumab forERBB2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants This is a phase 2 single-arm clinical trial of dual anti-ERBB2therapy after prior treatment with pertuzumab. The study took place at a single academic center from March 2015 to April 2017 among women withERBB2-positive metastatic breast cancer, prior pertuzumab-based treatment, and 3 or fewer prior chemotherapy regimens. Data were analyzed between January 2019 and March 2019. Intervention Treatment consisted of gemcitabine, 1200 mg/m2(later amended to 1000 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks, plus trastuzumab (8-mg/kg loading dose, then 6 mg/kg) and pertuzumab (840-mg loading dose, then 420 mg) once every 3 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was 3-month PFS. Based on prior trials, a target rate of 70% or higher was selected as the promising progression-free rate at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included safety, tolerability, and overall survival. Results A total of 45 patients (median [range] age, 57.1 [31.7-77.2] years) were enrolled; 22 (49%) were treated in the second-line setting, and 23 (51%) were treated in the third-line setting or beyond. Of these, 22 (49%) received prior trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). At a median (range) follow-up of 27.6 (8.3-36.0) months, 3-month PFS was 73.3% (95% CI, 61.5%-87.5%). Overall, median PFS was 5.5 months (95% CI, 5.4-8.2 months). Treatment was well tolerated, with no occurrences of febrile neutropenia or symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Conclusions and Relevance In this phase 2 trial, treatment with gemcitabine, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab after prior pertuzumab-based therapy forERBB2-positive metastatic breast cancer was associated with a 3-month PFS rate of 73.3% and was well tolerated. Continuation of pertuzumab beyond progression was associated with apparent clinical benefit. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT02252887
Abstract WP141: Cyclic-AMP Induces Nogo-A Receptor NgR1 Internalization and Inhibits Nogo-A-Mediated Collapse of Growth Cone

Recovery of stroke and neuronal injuries requires the promotion of axonal regeneration from the remaining neurons. However, axonal regeneration is inhibited by diverse axonal growth inhibitors, suc...
Effects of ambient temperature and humidity on kidney stone admissions in Brazil.

A nefrolitiase e uma condicao urologica comum e dolorosa que representa uma carga global significativa de doencas. Sua prevalencia nos EUA aumentou nas ultimas decadas (10,1% em 2014) e pesquisadores de todo o mundo tem feito relatos semelhantes. Diversas hipoteses para o fenomeno foram propostas incluindo a crescente prevalencia de diabetes, gota, obesidade, mudancas na dieta, mudancas climaticas, variacao geografica e fatores ocupacionais. A variacao geografica foi investigada pela primeira vez por Soucie et alby, analisando dados de duas pesquisas [...]
Beyond Dichotomies/Binaries: Twenty-First Century Post Humanities Ethics for Science Education Using a Baradian Perspective

In contrast to modernist presentations of research ethics, post humanistic ethics problematizes the human and non-human dichotomy that tends to be the basis of such modernist presentations which tend to apply instrumental, deontological and advocacy approaches to ethics in research thereby maintaining the separation of human researcher and the human or non-human researched. In contrast, post humanistic ethics includes non human entities when considering “who matters and what counts” when questioning education research practices, methods, data analysis and interpretations. The potential and possibilities for a discussion of post humanistic ethics in science education is reflected in the multiplicity of theories and approaches to utilizing the ‘unsettled and unsettling terrain’ on which science education research is based. Following Barad’s perspectives, we assume that ethics are contextual and entangled, framed from the dynamic relationalities of becoming of which we are part in the research process rather than as the traditional right response to an ‘exteriorized other’. Ethics are not a separate element of human action but are emergent as the intra-actions of research produce casual structures that foster material-discursive practices which are reworked by researchers in their efforts to frame what matters and what is excluded from mattering.