cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noise levels in modern operating rooms during surgery.

Objective To determine if differences in noise levels exist in the cardiac operating room at various critical points. Design Prospective, nonrandomized study. Setting Cardiac operating rooms of a university hospital. Participants Cardiac surgical patients. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results The noise level was monitored in the operating room for 23 patients undergoing cardiac surgery requiring general anesthesia during room setup, induction, skin incision, 60 minutes after surgical incision, termination of extracorporeal circulation, emergence (drapes down), and transport. Results At each data point (induction, emergence, termination of extracorporeal circulation, emergence [drapes down], and transport), noise levels were louder than the baseline reference at room setup, surgical skin incision, and 60 minutes into the surgery. Conclusions The aim of this study was to compare the level of noise in the operating room at times determined critical for anesthesiologists compared with other surgical periods. This study consistently showed that noise in the operating room is louder during the critical anesthesia components of the case. Several studies have found that the loudest sound levels recorded in an operating room are related to the use of particular surgical tools, which are not used typically during the induction and emergence from anesthesia. This suggests that the increased sound levels during these periods may be somewhat controllable by the health care providers in the room.
ENERGETIC CONSTRAINTS AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY SIZE AND HOME RANGE AREA IN MAMMALS

Recent theoretical developments to explain the unimodal and asymmetric distribution of body sizes among species in higher taxa have yielded predictions for related demographic and life history traits. In particular, it has been predicted that there is an energetically optimal body size (M*) for terrestrial mammals at ∼100 g, and that the relationships of many biological characteristics will change slope or even sign at this point. We reanalyze a well-known data set on the relationship between home range size and body size in mammals. If the distribution of home range sizes as a function of body size is energetically constrained, then it is reasonable to assume that the lower size limit of a home range for a given body mass will also be constrained. To evaluate this hypothesis, we predicted that the relationship between minimal home range size and body size is nonlinear, and that the smallest home ranges should correspond to species in the vicinity of M*. Our data tentatively support both hypotheses but constitute a clear call for more comprehensive analyses with larger data sets.
Mycobacterial Diseases in HIV-Positive Patients

Mycobacterialinfectionscomprisethelargestgroupofopportunistic infections in the HIV-infected population. The incidence of these and other opportunistic infections has declined significantly since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Mortality from these illnesses has decreased as optimal combinations of antibiotics were discovered. Despite these facts, mycobacterial infections still pose a major threat to AIDS patients, particularly in underserved populations. The most common mycobacterial infections found in HIV-infected individuals are Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium kansasii, although other nontuberculous mycobacteria have been isolated. While established guidelines have made the task of preventing and treating opportunistic infections easier, resistance, toxicity, adherence, and drug interactions remain barriers to providing optimal therapy.
Radiosurgery of the rat hippocampus: magnetic resonance imaging, neurophysiological, histological, and behavioral studies.

Objective To explore the histological, electrophysiological, radiological, and behavioral effects of radiosurgery using a new model of proton beam radiosurgery (PBR) of the rodent hippocampus. Methods Forty-one rats underwent PBR of the right hippocampus with nominal doses of 5 to 130 cobalt Gray equivalents (CGE). Three control animals were untreated. Three months after PBR, 41 animals were evaluated with the Morris water maze, 23 with T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and 22 with intrahippocampal microelectrode recordings. Animals that were studied physiologically were killed, and their brains were examined with Nissl staining and immunocytochemical staining for glutamic acid decarboxylase, heat shock protein 72 (HSP-72), parvalbumin, calmodulin, calretinin, calbindin, and somatostatin. Results Ninety and 130 CGE resulted in decreased performance in the Morris water maze, increased signal on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, diminished granule cell field potentials, and tissue necrosis, which was restricted to the irradiated side. These doses also resulted in ipsilateral up-regulation of calbindin and HSP-72. Parvalbumin was down-regulated at 130 CGE. The 30 and 60 CGE animals displayed a marked increase in HSP-72 staining on the irradiated side but no demonstrable cell loss. No asymmetries were noted in somatostatin, calretinin, and glutamic acid decarboxylase staining. Normal physiology was found in rats receiving up to 60 CGE. Conclusion This study expands our understanding of the effects of radiosurgery on the mammalian brain. Three months after PBR, the irradiated rat hippocampus demonstrates necrosis at 90 CGE, but not at 60 CGE, with associated abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging, physiology, and memory testing. HSP-72 was up-regulated at nonnecrotic doses.
Magnetism of Rapidly Quenched Sm $_{1 - {\rm x}}$ Zr $_{{\rm x}}$ Co $_{5}$ Nanocrystalline Materials

The effect of Zr addition on nanostructure and magnetic properties in nanocrystalline Sm1-xZrxCo5 (x = 0-0.6) has been investigated. (Sm, Zr)Co5 with the CaCu5 structure was synthesized by melt spinning. The lattice parameters a and b decrease with x, whereas c increases. Thus, the unit cell volume of (Sm, Zr)Co5 shrinks because the smaller Zr atoms occupy the sites of the larger Sm atoms. Zr addition decreases the grain size and induces the formation of planar defects. The coercivity decreases with x, due to weakening of magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy and effective intergrain exchange coupling. A very high coercivity of 39 kOe and energy product of 13.9 MGOe are obtained for x = 0. The remanence of (Sm, Zr)Co5 increases with x. For x ≤ 0.4, the energy product slightly decreases with x. The results show that 40% of the Sm can be replaced by the less expensive Zr, with an energy-product reduction of only 10%. In addition, the planar defects are responsible for the change of coercivity mechanism from the nucleation-type of reverse domain for the x = 0 to the pinning-type of domain wall for the x = 0.4.
An empirical evaluation of two-stage species tree inference strategies using a multilocus dataset from North American pines

As it becomes increasingly possible to obtain DNA sequences of orthologous genes from diverse sets of taxa, species trees are frequently being inferred from multilocus data. However, the behavior of many methods for performing this inference has remained largely unexplored. Some methods have been proven to be consistent given certain evolutionary models, whereas others rely on criteria that, although appropriate for many parameter values, have peculiar zones of the parameter space in which they fail to converge on the correct estimate as data sets increase in size. Here, using North American pines, we empirically evaluate the behavior of 24 strategies for species tree inference using three alternative outgroups (72 strategies total). The data consist of 120 individuals sampled in eight ingroup species from subsection Strobus and three outgroup species from subsection Gerardianae, spanning ∼47 kilobases of sequence at 121 loci. Each “strategy” for inferring species trees consists of three features: a species tree construction method, a gene tree inference method, and a choice of outgroup. We use multivariate analysis techniques such as principal components analysis and hierarchical clustering to identify tree characteristics that are robustly observed across strategies, as well as to identify groups of strategies that produce trees with similar features. We find that strategies that construct species trees using only topological information cluster together and that strategies that use additional non-topological information (e.g., branch lengths) also cluster together. Strategies that utilize more than one individual within a species to infer gene trees tend to produce estimates of species trees that contain clades present in trees estimated by other strategies. Strategies that use the minimize-deep-coalescences criterion to construct species trees tend to produce species tree estimates that contain clades that are not present in trees estimated by the Concatenation, RTC, SMRT, STAR, and STEAC methods, and that in general are more balanced than those inferred by these other strategies. When constructing a species tree from a multilocus set of sequences, our observations provide a basis for interpreting differences in species tree estimates obtained via different approaches that have a two-stage structure in common, one step for gene tree estimation and a second step for species tree estimation. The methods explored here employ a number of distinct features of the data, and our analysis suggests that recovery of the same results from multiple methods that tend to differ in their patterns of inference can be a valuable tool for obtaining reliable estimates.
Numerical study of surface plasmon enhanced nonlinear absorption and refraction.

Maxwell Garnett effective medium theory is used to study the influence of silver nanoparticle induced field enhancement on the nonlinear response of a Kerr-type nonlinear host. We show that the composite nonlinear absorption coefficient, βc, can be enhanced relative to the host nonlinear absorption coefficient near the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles. This enhancement is not due to a resonant enhancement of the host nonlinear absorption, but rather due to a phase-shifted enhancement of the host nonlinear refractive response. The enhancement occurs at the expense of introducing linear absorption, αc, which leads to an overall reduced figure of merit βc/αc for nonlinear absorption. For thin (<1 µm) composites, the use of surface plasmons is found to result in an increased nonlinear absorption response compared to that of the host material.
Cropping Systems Research in the World's Driest Rainfed Wheat Region

Winter wheat - summer fallow (WW-SF) is the predominant cropping system in the 300,000acre Horse Heaven Hills (HHH) region in southcentral Washington, USA. Blowing dust from residue- and roughness-deficient summer fallow results in soil loss and causes health problems. Annual no-till cropping to replace summer fallow would provide year-round protection against wind erosion. A 6-year field study conducted from 1996 to 2002 evaluated the agronomic and economic feasibility of continuous annual no-till hard red spring wheat (HRSW) as an alternative to traditional WW-SF. Long-term average annual precipitation at the experiment site is 6 inches, which we believe is the lowest for any nonirrigated wheat region of the world. Annual precipitation during the study ranged from 4.4 to 9.5 inches and averaged 6.0 inches when two wet years were followed by a 4-year drought. Russian thistle heavily infested HRSW plots and depleted soil water during the two wet years. Seed-zone water content in summer fallow was sufficient to plant WW in late August in only two of six years. Average (6-year) grain yield was 17.7 bu/acre for WW-SF (one crop every two years) and 7.9 bu/acre for annual no-till HRSW. The number of kernels per head had a significant contribution to yield during years of acute water stress. Net economic returns for annual HRSW lagged WWSF by an average $38 per acre per year. Although continuous annual no-till cropping has clear environmental advantages, it is not economically competitive with WW-SF given current technology in the Horse Heaven Hills.
A time-domain analysis of a multiplex-bus system

The author presents a technique, using time-domain analysis, to determine the performance of a multiplex-bus system when the bus is shared by a number of identical devices. An algorithm is also developed to implement the technique into a software package. The author has verified the correctness of his time-domain analysis using frequency-domain analysis. His technique is simple and easy to implement compared to the conventional frequency-domain technique. >
An antagonistic role for the C. elegans Schnurri homolog SMA-9 in modulating TGFβ signaling during mesodermal patterning

In C. elegans , the Sma/Mab TGFβ signaling pathway regulates body size and male tail patterning. SMA-9, the C. elegans homolog of Schnurri, has been shown to function as a downstream component to mediate the Sma/Mab TGFβ signaling pathway in these processes. We have discovered a new role for SMA-9 in dorsoventral patterning of the C. elegans post-embryonic mesoderm, the M lineage. In addition to a small body size, sma-9 mutant animals exhibit a dorsal-to-ventral fate transformation within the M lineage. This M lineage defect of sma-9 mutants is unique in that animals carrying mutations in all other known components of the TGFβ pathway exhibit no M lineage defects. Surprisingly, mutations in the core components of the Sma/Mab TGFβ signaling pathway suppressed the M lineage defects of sma-9 mutants without suppressing their body size defects. We show that this suppression specifically happens within the M lineage. Our studies have uncovered an unexpected role of SMA-9 in antagonizing the TGFβ signaling pathway during mesodermal patterning, suggesting a novel mode of function for the SMA-9/Schnurri family of proteins.
Rater and occasion impacts on the reliability of pre-admission assessments.

Context Some medical schools have recently replaced the medical school pre-admission interview (MSPI) with the multiple mini-interview (MMI), which utilises objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)-style measurement techniques. Their motivation for doing so stems from the superior reliabilities obtained with the OSCE-style measures. Other institutions, however, are hesitant to embrace the MMI format because of the time and costs involved in restructuring recruitment and admission procedures. Objectives To shed light on the aetiology of the MMI’s increased reliability and to explore the potential of an alternative, lower-cost interview format, this study examined the relative contributions of two facets (raters, occasions) to interview score reliability. Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained to conduct a study of all students who completed one or more MSPIs at a large Midwestern medical college during 2003–2007. Within this dataset, we identified 168 applicants who were interviewed twice in consecutive years and thus provided the requisite data for generalisability (G) and decision (D) studies examining these issues. Results Increasing the number of interview occasions contributed much more to score reliability than did increasing the number of raters. Conclusions Replicating a number of interviews, each with one rater, is likely to be superior to the often recommended panel interview approach and may offer a practical, low-cost method for enhancing MSPI reliability. Whether such a method will ultimately enhance MSPI validity warrants further investigation.
Review of the rank transform in designed experiments.

Despite a plethora of asymptotic and small samples Monte Carlo studies on the failure of the rank transform in designed experiments, Choi in 1998 published a paper praising the technique. The purpose of this reaction is to (a) examine Choi's literature review on the rank transform, (b) provide some “new” results on the rank transform, and (c) summarize the failures of the rank transform.
Centrality in valued graphs: A measure of betweenness based on network flow

A new measure of centrality, C,, is introduced. It is based on the concept of network flows. While conceptually similar to Freeman’s original measure, Ca, the new measure differs from the original in two important ways. First, C, is defined for both valued and non-valued graphs. This makes C, applicable to a wider variety of network datasets. Second, the computation of C, is not based on geodesic paths as is C, but on all the independent paths between all pairs of points in the network.
SPECIES DIVERSITY AND SEASONAL ABUNDANCE OF SCARABAEOID DUNG BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE, GEOTRUPIDAE AND TROGIDAE) ATTRACTED TO COW DUNG IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY

Species diversity and abundance of scarabaeoid dung beetles (Coleoptera) attracted to fresh cow dung were studied in three habitats of New Jersey: Hutcheson Memorial Forest (HMF) disturbed field, HMF old growth forest, and Rutgers University Bovine Farm. Over a one year period, baited pitfall traps yielded a total of 15,206 beetles representing at least 26 species. Onthophagus hecate was a dominant species in all three sites, accounting for 55.1% of all individuals collected. Onthophagus pennsylvanicus and Copris minutus were present in high numbers in the field, comprising 25.1% and 3.8%, respectively, of specimens collected in that habitat, while O. orpheus and C. minutus were numerous in the forest (20.8% and 13.3%, respectively). Two introduced species, Aphodius lividus (68.5%) and O. taurus (9.6%), were the most numerous species on the farm. Nine species accounted for more than 96% of all scarabaeoid dung beetles collected during the year-long study. The majority of the beetles were collected during the warmer months (May-September), with general peaks appearing to be correlated with temperature. A total of five introduced species were collected: five in the farm site, two in the field site, but none in the forest; 80% of the individuals collected on the farm were introduced.
Hydrolytic Stability of a New Urethane Elastomer

Abstract A new polyether based liquid casting urethane elastomer having excellent abrasion resistance, improved electrical properties, and superior hydrolytic stability has been described. A good balance of working life, physical properties, and overall handling ease are provided when MDA is used as the curing agent. These elastomers may be safely used as the contact surface of articles intended for use in handling bulk quantities of dry food. This unique combination of properties indicates many practicable applications.
Wallerstein's World Capitalist System: A Theoretical and Historical Critique

The Modern World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century. By Immanuel Wallerstein. New York and London: Academic Press, 1974. Immanuel Wallerstein's The Modern World-System aims to achieve a clean conceptual break with theories of “modernization” and thus provide a new theoretical paradigm to guide our investigations of the emergence and development of capitalism, industrialism, and national states. This splendid undertaking could hardly be more appropriately timed and aimed. For quite some time, modernization approaches have been subjected to telling critical attacks (e.g., Gusfield 1967; Frank 1966; Bendix 1967; Tipps 1973; Smith 1973; Tilly 1975, chap. 9). They have been called to task for reifying the nation-state as the sole unit of analysis, for assuming that all countries can potentially follow a single path (or parallel and converging paths) of evolutionary development from “tradition” to “modernity,” and, concomitantly, for disregarding the world-historical development of transnational structures that constrain and prompt national or local developments along diverse as well as parallel paths. Moreover, modernization theorists have been criticized for the method of explanation they frequently employ: a historical ideal types of “tradition” versus “modernity” are elaborated and then applied to national cases; if the evidence seems to fit, one assumes that a particular historical instance is adequately explained; if not, one looks for the “chance” factors that account for its deviation. In the opening pages of The Modern World-System , and in a related essay (also published in 1974) called “The Rise and Future Demise of the World Capitalist System,” Wallerstein unequivocally defines his approach in direct opposition to these features of modernization theory.
The Canadian Peacekeeping Narrative: Myth, Legend, and Canadian Foreign Policy Beyond Afghanistan

Peacekeeping has long been a central motif in Canadian foreign affairs discourse. For some, Canadian peacekeeping has taken form as a legend: a story anchored in history yet elevated to a higher narrative form through romanticism and nostalgia. For others, Canada’s peacekeeping heritage is more akin to a myth: the personification of a poetic symbol or abstract ideal adapted to the capacity of a primitive people. As Canada’s military engagement in Afghanistan draws to an end, debate concerning the role of peacekeeping in Canadian foreign affairs is sure to be rekindled. This article will take stock of this debate and explore the significance of the peacekeeping narrative to Canadian foreign policy beyond Afghanistan. It will be argued that academic discourse often overlooks the most important implication of this debate: that whether or not this narrative is well-founded, its lasting impact on Canada’s cultural imagination and enduring popular support deserve consideration in the formulation of Canadian foreign and defense policy.
PERINATAL CHANGES OF CIRCULATING SOLUBLE FAS ANTIGEN AND SOLUBLE FAS LIGAND CONCENTRATIONS IN PREGNANCIES WITH NORMAL AND RESTRICTED FETAL GROWTH

Objective The Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) pathway of apoptosis contributes to immune tolerance at the feto-maternal interface and has been ascribed a role in implantation and placental development. We aimed to investigate concentrations of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble FasL (sFasL) in maternal, fetal and neonatal serum from intrauterine-growth-restricted (IUGR, associated with impaired maternal-fetal tolerance, increased trophoblast apoptosis and uteroplacental vascular insufficiency) and appropriate-for-gestational-age-(AGA) pregnancies. Methods Circulating sFas and sFasL concentrations were measured in 40 mothers and their 20 IUGR and 20 AGA singleton full-term fetuses-neonates on postnatal day 1-(N1) and 4-(N4). Results No significant differences in sFas and sFasL concentrations were observed between groups. However, maternal sFas concentrations were marginally elevated in the IUGR group (p = 0.054). In both groups, maternal sFas concentrations were increased compared to fetal, N1 and N4 ones (p⩽0.005 in AGA and p Conclusions The elevated maternal sFas concentrations in the IUGR cohort may reflect maternal immune intolerance, leading to increased trophoblast apoptosis and abnormal placentation. Furthermore, the results of this study imply an acceleration of Fas-FasL-mediated apoptosis during delivery and a respective decrease postpartum in both normal and IUGR pregnancies.
Spontaneous pituitary apoplexy during the second trimester of pregnancy, with sensory loss.

A 32-year-old Hispanic woman at 23 weeks gestation presented with right-sided headache, associated with photophobia and right-sided numbness. She denied visual problems, menstrual irregularities and galactorrhoea. Examination revealed visual acuity 20/40 bilaterally with some blurriness on the left side, decreased right V1-V2 facial sensation and preserved 5/5 power, but decreased sensation over the entire right upper extremity (RUE) and right lower extremity (RLE) to touch and pinprick. Laboratories suggested normal pituitary function, but MRI of the brain revealed enlargement of the pituitary (1.7 cm), with layering haemorrhage posteriorly and mild compression of the optic nerve. The patient underwent emergent evacuation of a pituitary haematoma, and histology revealed minute fragments of adenohypophysis with haemorrhage and fibrosis.
Critical Electron Transfer Rates for Exciton Dissociation Governed by Extent of Crystallinity in Small Molecule Organic Photovoltaics

Solution-processed bulk heterojunction organic solar cells fabricated with 1,3-bis[4-(N,N-diisopentylamino)-2,6-dihydroxyphenyl]squaraine and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester were found to exhibit unexpectedly low external quantum efficiency in the squaraine regions upon annealing. X-ray diffraction (XRD), spectral response, and time-resolved microwave absorption were all used to characterize the materials used and the devices prepared from them. An explanation for the drop in efficiency is proposed using Marcus–Hush theory to tie together the changes in coherent crystal domain size found by XRD and the external quantum efficiency results. Exciton dissociation at the interface was determined to be the rate-limiting step in efficient current generation for these devices.
Enhanced Antibody Response in Retrovirus-Infected Mice Treated with Endotoxin or Nontoxic Polysaccharide Derivative

AbstractFriend leukemia virus (FLV) is a retrovirus which causes marked suppression of the immune response of genetically susceptible mice. In the present study the depressed antibody response to sheep erythrocytes by spleen cells from FLV-infected mice was partially reversed by injection of either a bacterial endotoxin or a nontoxic polysaccaride derivative directly into infected mice or by addition to spleen cell cultures from these mice immunized in vitro with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The endotoxin and PS in a dose-related manner markedly increased the antibody responsiveness of the spleen cells to SRBC. Thus these results indicate that the nontoxic polysaccharide derivative has properties equivalent to the toxic endotoxin in enhancing the antibody responsiveness of FLV-suppressed spleen cells to a T-cell-dependent antigen like SRBC.
A Magnetic Bead-Based Sensor for the Quantification of Multiple Prostate Cancer Biomarkers.

Novel biomarker assays and upgraded analytical tools are urgently needed to accurately discriminate benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) from prostate cancer (CaP). To address this unmet clinical need, we report a piezeoelectric/magnetic bead-based assay to quantitate prostate specific antigen (PSA; free and total), prostatic acid phosphatase, carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1), osteonectin, IL-6 soluble receptor (IL-6sr), and spondin-2. We used the sensor to measure these seven proteins in serum samples from 120 benign prostate hypertrophy patients and 100 Gleason score 6 and 7 CaP using serum samples previously collected and banked. The results were analyzed with receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. There were significant differences between BPH and CaP patients in the PSA, CA1, and spondin-2 assays. The highest AUC discrimination was achieved with a spondin-2 OR free/total PSA operation—the area under the curve was 0.84 with a p value below 10−6. Some of these data seem to contradict previous reports and highlight the importance of sample selection and proper assay building in the development of biomarker measurement schemes. This bead-based system offers important advantages in assay building including low cost, high throughput, and rapid identification of an optimal matched antibody pair.
Metabolic Plasmid Organization and Distribution

Pseudomonas strains carry plasmids under regulation of natural and synthetic organic residues and bear primary roles in mineralization. Aromatic compounds of known oxidation pathways provide convenient models for genetic analyses and for plasmid DNA isolation and structure determination. The alkane and terpene catabolic systems, coded on larger self-fertile plasmids, have provided primary data on gene organization and regulation, as well as plasmid chromosome gene redundancy.
Design and Performance of the New NIST Hybrid Humidity Generator

Abstract:A new humidity generator has been constructed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and is now fully operational. The NIST Hybrid Humidity Generator (HHG) has replaced the Two-Pressure (2-P) Humidity Generator Mark II as the NIST primary humidity generation standard for frost/dew points from −70 °C to +25 °C using calibration gas flows up to 150 standard liters per minute. The HHG extends the NIST humidity generation range up to 85 °C, and outperforms the 2-P Generator in terms of accuracy. The HHG combines the two-pressure and divided-flow humidity generation techniques (hence the name “hybrid”). The centerpiece of the HHG is a heat-exchanger/saturator that is immersed in a temperature-controlled bath stable to within 1 mK. A precisely regulated pre-saturation process minimizes sensible and latent heat loading on the final saturator. For dew/frost point temperatures above −15 °C, the two-pressure principle is employed. For frost points at or below −15 °C, the divided-flow method ...
Practical guide to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency – Breaking the myths

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is characterized by a deficiency of exocrine pancreatic enzymes, resulting in malabsorption. Numerous conditions account for the etiology of EPI, with the most common being diseases of the pancreatic parenchyma including chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and a history of extensive necrotizing acute pancreatitis. Treatment for EPI includes dietary management, lifestyle changes (i.e., decrease in alcohol consumption and smoking cessation), and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Many diagnostic tests are available to diagnose EPI, however, the criteria of choice remain unclear and the causes for a false-positive test are not yet understood. Despite multiple studies on the treatment of EPI using exogenous pancreatic enzymes, there remains confusion amongst medical practitioners with regard to the best approach to diagnose EPI, as well as dosing and administration of pancreatic enzymes. Appropriate use of diagnostics and treatment approaches using pancreatic enzymes in EPI is essential for patients. This opinion piece aims to address the existing myths, remove the current confusion, and function as a practical guide to the diagnosis and treatment of EPI.
Factors Influencing Amino Acid Utilization

Parenteral administration is an abnormal mode of alimentation. With regard to amino acid intake, the normal sequence of events involves metabolic changes in the intestine and screening of the incoming amino acids by the liver before they pass into the peripheral circulation. Once in the systemic plasma, the level of free amino acids is only moderately elevated after each protein meal of normal composition, thus implying that tissue removal of amino acids is adequate to prevent accumulation when the amino acid supply is delivered at a steady rate by way of the intestinal tract.
Predicting preterm birth: Cervical length and fetal fibronectin

Spontaneous preterm birth remains the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, and accounts for a significant global health burden. Several obstetric strategies to screen for spontaneous preterm delivery, such as cervical length and fetal fibronectin measurement, have emerged. However, the effectiveness of these strategies relies on their ability to accurately predict those pregnancies at increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). Transvaginal cervical shortening is predictive of preterm birth and when coupled with appropriate preterm birth prevention strategies, has been associated with reductions in SPTB in asymptomatic women with a singleton gestation. The use of qualitative fetal fibronectin may be useful in conjunction with cervical length assessment in women with acute preterm labor symptoms, but data supporting its clinical utility remain limited. As both cervical length and qualitative fetal fibronectin have limited capacity to predict preterm birth, further studies are needed to investigate other potential screening modalities.
Nitrogenous Metabolism as Affected by Diet and by Alkaline Diuretics

Folin’s recent reports2 of elaborate analyses of normal urines under various dietary conditions led US to carry out the experiments described in this and in a following paper. Our reasons for studying the effect of alkaline diuretics will be explained later in the proper connection. The subjects of the experiments reported here were three normal men, two of whom were medical students and the other the writer. All three had good muscular development, and merely an ordinary amount of fatty tissue. All were in perfect health during the experiments except that E had a mild pharyngitis for a day or two. In reporting the body weight a deduction was made for the weight of clothing in each case. Students E and I, were undergoing considerable mental exertion (though not unusual exertion) but very moderate muscular exertion. H. D. H., however, had considerable muscular exercise and moderate mental exertion. The diets were purin-freeexcept for Days 13-16 in the case of H. D. H. (Table I). Purin-containing beverages and also potatoes were strictly abstained from. The nitrogen content and the fuel value of the food were calculated from Atwater’s tab1es.j The nitrogen waste was calculated approximately, account being taken of the varying degree of digestibility of
Assessment of distribution and abundance estimates for Mariana Swiftlets (Aerodramus bartschi) via examination of survey methods

ABSTRACT We described past and present distribution and abundance data to evaluate the status of the endangered Mariana Swiftlet (Aerodramus bartschi), a little-known echolocating cave swiftlet that currently inhabits 3 of 5 formerly occupied islands in the Mariana archipelago. We then evaluated the survey methods used to attain these estimates via fieldwork carried out on an introduced population of Mariana Swiftlets on the island of O'ahu, Hawaiian Islands, to derive better methods for future surveys. We estimate the range-wide population of Mariana Swiftlets to be 5,704 individuals occurring in 15 caves on Saipan, Aguiguan, and Guam in the Marianas; and 142 individuals occupying one tunnel on O'ahu. We further confirm that swiftlets have been extirpated from Rota and Tinian and have declined on Aguiguan. Swiftlets have remained relatively stable on Guam and Saipan in recent years. Our assessment of survey methods used for Mariana Swiftlets suggests overestimates depending on the technique used. We sugg...
Reframing measurement for structural health monitoring: a full-field strategy for structural identification

Structural health monitoring (SHM) describes a decision-making framework that is fundamentally guided by state change detection of structural systems. This framework typically relies on the use of continuous or semi-continuous monitoring of measured response to quantify this state change in structural system behavior, which is often related to the initiation of some form of damage. Measurement approaches used for traditional SHM are numerous, but most are limited to either describing localized or global phenomena, making it challenging to characterize operational structural systems which exhibit both. In addition to these limitations in sensing, SHM has also suffered from the inherent robustness inherent to most full-scale structural systems, making it challenging to identify local damage. These challenges highlight the opportunity for alternative strategies for SHM, strategies that are able to provide data suitable to translate into rich information. This paper describes preliminary results from a refined structural identification (St-ID) approach using fullfield measurements derived from high-speed 3D Digital Image Correlation (HSDIC) to characterize uncertain parameters (i.e. boundary and constitutive properties) of a laboratory scale structural component. The St-ID approach builds from prior work by supplementing full-field deflection and strain response with vibration response derived from HSDIC. Inclusion of the modal characteristics within a hybrid-genetic algorithm optimization scheme allowed for simultaneous integration of mechanical and modal response, thus enabling a more robust St-ID strategy than could be achieved with traditional sensing techniques. The use of full-field data is shown to provide a more comprehensive representation of the global and local behavior, which in turn increases the robustness of the St-Id framework. This work serves as the foundation for a new paradigm in SHM that emphasizes characterizing structural performance using a smaller number, but richer set of measurements.
An Optimization-Based Approach for Simultaneous Chemical Process and Heat Exchanger Network Synthesis

We propose a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model for simultaneous chemical process and heat exchanger network synthesis. The model allows process stream inlet/outlet temperatures and flow rates to vary and can be extended to handle unclassified streams, thereby facilitating integration with a process synthesis model. The proposed model is based on a generalized transshipment approach in which the heat cascade is built upon a “dynamic” temperature grid. Both hot and cold streams can cascade heat so that exchanger inlet and outlet temperature, heat duty, and area can be calculated at each temperature interval. We develop mixed-integer constraints to model the number of heat exchangers in the network. Finally, we present several solution strategies tailored to improve the computation performance of the proposed models.
Predictors of prior asthma specialist care among pediatric patients seen in the emergency department for asthma.

Background: Asthma guidelines recommend specialist care for patients experiencing poor asthma outcomes during emergency department (ED) visits. The prevalence and predictors of asthma specialist ca...
Ganzzahlige und kombinatorische Optimierungsaufgaben

Die ganzzahlige Optimierung besitzt neben der linearen und nichtlinearen Optimierung grose Bedeutung fur Anwendungen in der Praxis. Der Grund hierfur ist, das bei vielen praktischen Aufgaben nur ganzzahlige Anzahlen moglich sind. Dies ist z.B. der Fall, wenn Gegenstande (z.B. Maschinen, Tiere) betrachtet werden, die nicht teilbar sind. Ein wichtiger Spezialfall tritt haufig auf, wenn nur zwei Entscheidungen nein oder ja moglich sind (siehe Abschn.14.3).
Empirical Invertigations of Political Interregional Economic Development

This chapter introduces a three-level hierarchical approach to political interregional economic development within a multi-regional system of core and peripheral areas. The analytical model is partitioned into a political leadership action system that then impacts an interregional macroeconomic reaction system, such as EC 12.
ADMM attack: an enhanced adversarial attack for deep neural networks with undetectable distortions

Many recent studies demonstrate that state-of-the-art Deep neural networks (DNNs) might be easily fooled by adversarial examples, generated by adding carefully crafted and visually imperceptible distortions onto original legal inputs through adversarial attacks. Adversarial examples can lead the DNN to misclassify them as any target labels. In the literature, various methods are proposed to minimize the different lp norms of the distortion. However, there lacks a versatile framework for all types of adversarial attacks. To achieve a better understanding for the security properties of DNNs, we propose a general framework for constructing adversarial examples by leveraging Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) to split the optimization approach for effective minimization of various lp norms of the distortion, including l0, l1, l2, and l∞ norms. Thus, the proposed general framework unifies the methods of crafting l0, l1, l2, and l∞ attacks. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ADMM attacks achieve both the high attack success rate and the minimal distortion for the misclassification compared with state-of-the-art attack methods.
Experimental database of two-phase natural circulation with local measurements

Abstract A new database of two-phase natural circulation with a vertical annulus heated and riser section is developed by the Multiphase Thermo-fluid Dynamics Laboratory (MTDL) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focusing on such two-phase phenomena as boiling, condensing, and flashing under natural circulation in a vertical section. In addition to flow parameters, local two-phase measurements such as void fraction, interfacial area concentration, gas velocity, and Sauter mean diameter are measured at various axial locations on the annular test section. Furthermore, the area-averaged and void-weighted measurements are calculated to provide an overview on the evolution of two-phase parameters along the test section. The dataset is valuable for the validation of one-dimensional system codes as well as multi-dimensional fluid dynamics codes. Several representative cases are presented in this work to discuss the effect of flow parameters on the formation and evolution of the natural circulation in the flow loop.
Identification of essential biofilm proteins in middle ear fluids of otitis media with effusion patients

Objectives Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disease of childhood that is largely asymptomatic. However, middle ear fluid can persist for months and negatively impact a child's quality of life. Many cases of OME remain chronic and require surgical intervention. Because biofilms are known to contribute to the persistence of many diseases, this study examined effusions collected from children with chronic OME for the presence of essential biofilm structural components, members of the DNABII family of bacterial DNA-binding proteins. Methods Middle ear effusions were recovered from 38 children with chronic OME at the time of tympanostomy tube insertion. A portion of each specimen was submitted for microbiology culture. The remaining material was assessed by immunoblot to quantitate individual DNABII proteins, integration host factor (IHF), and histone-like protein (HU). Results Sixty-five percent of effusions (24 of 37) were culture-positive for bacterial species or yeast, whereas 35% (13 of 37) were culture-negative. IHF was detected in 95% (36 of 38) at concentrations from 2 to 481 ng/μL effusion. HU was detected in 95% (36 of 38) and quantitated from 13 to 5,264 ng/μL effusion (P ≤ 0.05 compared to IHF). Conclusion Because DNABII proteins are essential structural components of bacterial biofilms, these data lend further support to our understanding that biofilms are present in the vast majority of chronic middle ear effusions, despite negative culture results. The presence and ubiquity of DNABII proteins in OME specimens indicated that these proteins can serve as an important clinical target for our novel DNABII-directed strategy to treat biofilm diseases such as chronic OME. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 130:806-811, 2020.
An update on gene therapy for lysosomal storage disorders.

Introduction: Gene therapies can be envisioned for many disorders where conventional therapies fall short. Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) are inherited, mostly monogenic, disorders resulting fr...
Juvenile Spondyloarthritis: A Distinct Form of Juvenile Arthritis.

Juvenile spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a distinct form of juvenile arthritis characterized by male predominance and adolescent onset. Clinical manifestations include lower extremity and sacroiliac joint arthritis, enthesitis, and subclinical gastrointestinal inflammation. Juvenile SpA is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease long recognized as associated with HLA-B27, which may be related to the microbial environment as suggested by its coexistence with reactive arthritis and psoriasis. Treatment of peripheral arthritis includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, joint injections, and disease-modifying agents, whereas treatment of axial disease may necessitate a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor biologic agent. Fewer than half of children achieve remission off medication 5 years after diagnosis.
Heid E. Erdrich, editor, New Poets of Native Nations (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Graywolf Press, 2018, 285 pp. ISBN 978-1-55597-809-9)

Heid E. Erdrich, editor, New Poets of Native Nations (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Graywolf Press, 2018, 285 pp. ISBN 978-1-55597-809-9)by Gioia Elisa Woods
Fat Grafting to Improve Results of Facelift: Systematic Review of Safety and Effectiveness of Current Treatment Paradigms.

BACKGROUND Autologous fat grafting is a helpful supplement to facelift surgery that helps to combat age-related volume loss of facial structures. Despite the widespread prevalence of combined facelift and fat-grafting, significant procedural variation exists between providers. OBJECTIVES The primary purpose of this systematic review was to study the efficacy and complication rates of facelift with lipofilling compared with facelift alone. METHODS A systematic review of the Cochrane Library and MEDLINE databases as completed was undertaken to identify all clinical reports of fat grafting combined with facelift surgery based on the following key terms: ("fat grafting" OR "lipotransfer" OR "lipofilling" OR "fat transfer") AND ("facelift" OR "rhytidectomy" OR "SMASectomy" OR "facial rejuvenation"). Data on techniques, outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction were collected. RESULTS The systematic review was performed in April 2017. In total, 248 articles were identified for review. After application of exclusion criteria, 15 primary studies were included in this review. Various facelift techniques were reported, including deep-plane or sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift, SMAS facelift, modified minimal access cranial suspension lift, component facelift, midface lift, SMAS plication, SMAS-stacking/SMASectomy, and SMASectomy. The most common locations of fat graft injection included the nasolabial folds, tear troughs, temporal regions, midface/cheek/malar eminence, marionette groove, lips, and ear lobes. The addition of fat grafting to facelift surgery resulted in significant improvements in facial volume and aesthetic assessments. CONCLUSIONS Combined facelift and fat grafting is a safe and efficacious means to simultaneously address age-related ptosis and volume loss. Further research is required to validate and improve existing treatment modalities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3
A Lightweight, Low-Cost, Wideband Software-Defined Radio Test Bed

The concept of a software-defined radio (SDR), capable of reconfiguring its signal processing to meet situational demands, was introduced in literature over 30 years ago. At the time, systems were held back due to hardware limitations and the fact that computation was expensive. Since the inception of SDR, significant technological improvements have been made, driving the cost of SDR systems down to the point where the flexibility they provide far outweighs their price tag. In this paper, we introduce the design specification and capability of a proven SDR system dubbed the Communications Experimentation, Low-cost, Lightweight Software defined radio Test Bed (CELLS Test Bed). In addition, we provide example applications which demonstrate the wide-array of applications to which the CELLS Test Bed can be applied.
Eigenvector centrality and structural zeroes and ones: When is a neighbor not a neighbor?

Abstract There will be occasions in which a researcher wants to ignore some dyads in the computation of centrality in order to avoid biased or misleading results. This paper presents a principled way of computing eigenvector-like centrality scores when some dyads are not included in the calculations.