cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasma Cytokine Analysis in Patients with Advanced Extremity Melanoma Undergoing Isolated Limb Infusion

Background Preprocedure clinical and pathologic factors have failed to consistently differentiate complete response (CR) from progressive disease (PD) in patients after isolated limb infusion (ILI) with melphalan for unresectable in-transit extremity melanoma.
Breeding system and population genetic structure in philomycid slugs (Mollusca: Pulmonata)

Four species of philomycid slugs were collected at 13 sites in Tennessee and one site in Virginia. A total of 361 individuals were examined electrophoretically at 11 allozyme loci. Outcrossing was the primary breeding in all populations of all four species. Genetic similarities among demes, among species and among genera are similar to values obtained in studies of other animals with similar vagility and demography and are in good agreement with systematics based on morphological characters. In the species examined in greatest detail, Philomycus carolinianus, there was substantial genetic differentiation among demes. This differentiation appears to result from genetic drift and restricted gene flow. Genetic similarity between P. carolinianus demes did not correlate with the geographic distance between demes and hierarchical F-statistic analysis showed more than half of the differentiation among demes to result from differentiation at the smallest geographic scale. The Tennessee River system also appears to be a major barrier to gene flow among the P. carolinianus demes sampled.
Microstructural defects in SiC neutron irradiated at very high temperatures

Abstract Microstructures in high purity β-SiC irradiated with fast neutrons (up to ∼9.6 × 10 25 n/m 2 , in HFIR) at very high temperatures (1130, 1300, and 1460 °C) were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Cavities and dislocation loops were generally observed in irradiated samples. The cavities were preferentially formed at grown-in stacking faults, and were spherical in shape below 1300 °C and mainly faceted with {1 1 1} planes at 1460 °C. Estimated volume fractions of observed cavities were much smaller than macroscopic densitometer swelling recently reported, which implies other defects cause the swelling in this temperature regime. Larger Frank loops (>25 nm in radius) formed at 1460 °C were identified as interstitial type using the inside/outside method. Unfaulting of the loops was not observed or was very rare. Rapid loop growth and density decrease were observed in the temperature range of 1300–1460 °C concurrently with the rapid cavity growth. The limited growth rate of dense loops at lower temperature was discussed in terms of high sink density estimated from a grain-boundary-loop-denuded zone formed at 1130 °C.
Measurement of Inherent Material Density of Nanoparticle Agglomerates

We describe a new technique to measure the size dependent inherent material density of chain agglomerate particles. Measurements were carried out for diesel soot and aluminum/alumina agglomerate particles in the nanometer size range. Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure the volumes of agglomerate particles that were preselected by mass using an aerosol particle mass analyzer. We found that the density of diesel exhaust particles increased from 1.27 to 1.78 g/cm 3 as particle mobility size increased from 50 to 220 nm. When particles are preheated to remove volatile components, the density was 1.77 ± 0.07 g/cm 3 , independent of particle size. The densities measured after heating correspond to the inherent material density of diesel soot. Measurements with aluminum nanoparticles were made downstream of a furnace where aluminum (Al) was converted to alumina (Al2O3). From measurements of inherent material density we were able to infer the extent of reaction, which varied with furnace temperature.
Curriculum materials, teacher talk and student learning: case studies in fifth grade science teaching∗

∗ This is a revised version of a paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Reading Conference, Symposium on Teacher Explanatory Talk, Austin, Texas, December 1983.
Floppy mitral valve, mitral valve prolapse, and mitral valvular regurgitation

It is well recognized that the floppy mitral valve (FMV) complex is the central issue in the FMV, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), and mitral valvular regurgitation (MVR) story. MVP associated with the FMV results from the systolic movement of portions or segments of the FMV complex into the left atrium (LA). Prolapse of the FMV results in unique forms of mitral valvular dysfunction and MVR. When the FMV is recognized as the basic point of reference, diagnostic and nosologic characterizations are simplified. Each of the consequences of FMV dysfunction—MVP, MVR, and FMV surface phenomena—are dynamic entities and contribute to the symptoms and clinical course in this patient population. Although MVP may occur in the absence of a FMV in individuals with small left ventricular (LV) volume, hyperdynamic, or hypercontractile LV, we do not consider this phenomenon as part of FMV/MVP/MVR. The natural history of the FMV/MVP/MVR is long, and understanding the life history requires long-term follow-up with serial evaluations. Identification of those individuals with FMV/MVP whose symptoms are related to, or associated with, autonomic nervous system dysfunction (ie, the FMV/MVP syndrome) is important, as this distinction has diagnostic and therapeutic implications. In general, patients with FMV/MVP should receive antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis. Data suggest that therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for FMV/MVP and significant MVR may slow the natural regression of the disease. Surgical therapy should be considered in patients with significant MVR and symptoms related to MVR. Explanation for the nature of these symptoms, reassurance, avoidance of volume depletion, catecholamines or other cycle-AMP stimulants and a regular exercise program constitute the basic principles of management for patients with FMV/MVP syndrome.
Optical absorption of a dimerized interrupted strand model

Abstract The frequency-dependent susceptibility has been calculated in a one-electron tight-binding approximation for a half-filled dimerized linear chain of finite extent. It is shown that at finite temperatures the interruption of a semiconducting strand could lead to significant absorption in the gap. This absorption is associated with intraband transitions that would normally be absent for an infinite strand and consequently could provide evidence for the presence of interrupted strands.
Neutrino Intrinsic Properties: The Neutrino-Antineutrino Relation

It is shown that the scattering of electromagnetic waves by Langmuir ones, taking into account the electric drift motion of particles, is the most intense nonlinear process and should be responsible for the formation of the radiation spectrum of radio pulsars. Our analysis indicates that, in the case of existence, inertial interval formation of stationary spectra is possible. Analysis of the linear mechanisms of wave generation and sink allow us to conclude that the only possible stationary solution has the spectral index α = –1.5. The obtained spectrum is in good agreement with observational data.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Utilization of Single Crystalline Nanoparticles of Silver

This paper describes a procedure based on the Tollens’ process for preparing crystalline nanoparticles of silver with well-controlled, uniform sizes. The starting reagents are similar to those commonly used for electroless deposition of silver and are commercially available from the Peacock Laboratories (Philadelphia, PA). Only under appropriate conditions, mixing of these reagents was able to generate stable dispersions of silver colloids, rather than thin films of silver coated on surfaces of objects immersed in the solution (including the inner surface of the container). We have demonstrated the capability and feasibility of this method by forming stable dispersions of highly monodispersed, single crystalline colloids of silver with dimensions in the range of 20-50 nm.
Using constraint sets to achieve delay bounds in CIOQ switches

We previously proposed constraint sets as a simple technique to analyze routers with a single stage of buffering. We extend the technique to analyze combined input and output (CIOQ) routers with two stages of buffering.
Visual Search and Lung Nodule Detection on CT Scans

The tools that provide information about search parameters of which the reader is not aware may help improve performance and decrease variability; however, there is still a lot of room for more research on the phenomena of search and visual attention.
A human Raf-responsive zinc-finger protein that binds to divergent sequences

LZ321, a human liver cDNA, encodes a protein that bound to a Drosophila tramtrack binding site, GGTCCT. The sequence of LZ321 matched that of RREB1, a transcription factor that bound to a Ras responsive element (RRE) very different from the sequence with which we isolated LZ321. We therefore examined the binding of RREB1/LZ321 to different ligands. It bound to the GGTCCT-containing ligand and to the RRE with similar affinities (Kd50-60 nM), but did not bind to a consensus RREB1 binding site. The RREB1/LZ321 protein contains four C2H2zinc-fingers, the C-terminal two of which retained specific DNA binding to both ligands. A trimer of the GGTCCT site functioned as an enhancer in both CV-1 and H4IIE-C3 cells. Thus RREB1/LZ321 could function as a downstream activator in the Ras-Raf signaling pathway through different cis -acting elements. A longer human protein, Finb, contains RREB1/LZ321, and there are close homologs in both chicken and Drosophila, arguing that it plays important roles. The ability of transcription factors such as RREB1/LZ321 to bind diverse sequences gives them the potential to regulate previously unsuspected genes.
Introduction to mini-symposium on cholangiocyte pathophysiology--part I.

Once again it is a great pleasure to present in this issue of Digesive and Liver Disease, Part II of the 2010 Mini-Symposium on holangiocyte Pathophysiology, forwhich I am a serving in the role f Guest Editor. For this collection of articles, the Editorial Boardhas nvited an impressive line-up of renowned international experts to rite comprehensive and up-to-date reviews on a wide range of opics centered on cholangiocyte proliferation, differentiation, and echanisms of disease. To the dedicated Authors of Part II of this eries, I would like to extend the gratitude of the Editorial Board, nd congratulate them for their high calibermanuscripts. I am condent that these articleswill benefit both researchers and clinicians like and will serve to promote further research to understand holangiocyte pathophysiology during disease processes. In Part II you will find the following manuscripts that provide pdates that describe our current knowledge of primary sclerosing holangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and the role f toxic bile acids play in cholestatic disease pathogenesis and the otential for the use of novel therapeutic bile acids in the treatment f these diseases. The first review article entitled “Update on Primary Sclerosing holangitis” by Karlsen et al. is an overview of the pathogenesis of SCandcholangiocarcinoma inPSC. Theauthors thoroughlydiscuss he variable presence of comorbidities in PSC, such as, inflammaory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune diseases. In addition, the uthors provide an insightful discussion of the leading hypotheses n the molecular mechanisms governing pathogenesis of PSC. The eview also highlights current opinions on the treatment and diagosis of PSC in the perspective of the recently released European ssociation for the Study of the Liver and the American Association or the Study of Liver Diseases practice guidelines. The second review article entitled “Update of Primary Biliary irrhosis” by Invernizzi et al. summarizes the most recent findings
Cellular Changes in the Spleen During an Induced Molt

Agranulocytes proliferated in spleens of molted hens and both leucocytic and erythrocytic cells exhibited decreased numbers of pyknotic nuclei. These changes were confined to the period when the reproductive tract regressed. It was concluded that there is a relationship between the physiological status during an induced molt and the cellular population of the spleen.
Loss of p120ctn in human colorectal cancer predicts metastasis and poor survival.

Abstract The p120ctn protein (formerly p120CAS) is an armadillo family member that associates directly with the cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin and participates in the junctional complex responsible for cell–cell adhesion. Since reduced cell–cell adhesion is associated with metastasis in colorectal cancer and other neoplasms, we hypothesize that reduced expression of p120ctn may be related to metastasis in colorectal tumors. Here we describe a study of p120ctn expression in 44 primary human colorectal adenocarcinomas. As detected by immunohistochemical methods, we find altered p120ctn staining patterns in 86% of the cases. Regional complete loss of expression is seen in 18% of the cases, and it correlates with high stage disease and nodal metastasis as well as decreased survival. Although this is a preliminary study, it suggests that downregulation of p120ctn in colon cancer may be associated with metastasis and poor clinical outcome.
An adverse pulmonary reaction to cryoprecipitate in a hemophiliac.

An adult with classic Hemophilia A experienced a very severe reaction to transfusion with cryoprecipitate which was manifested as an adverse pulmonary reaction with marked hypoxemia in spite of oxygen therapy. The patient had neither leukoagglutinins nor lymphocytoxic, anti-platelet, or anti-Gm antibodies. His IgA level was normal. The possibility that debris in the cryoprecipitate from leukocytes and platelets contributed to the reaction is discussed.
Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum: how good is a biventricular repair?

In this issue of EJCTS, Romeih et al. [1] present some interesting and provocative data regarding long-term outcome for biventricular repair of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS). Debate relative to timing, technique and surgical indications has been going on for decades, and major centres still employ diverse management strategies for this relatively uncommon malformation [2]. The current cross-sectional study is very well conceived and designed, employing state-of-the-art imaging tools to assess exercise capacity and pharmacological stress response in a small group of (asymptomatic) long-term survivors of biventricular repair of PAIVS. Of note, all patients had a tricuspid Z-value >− 2.5 at birth, with 2 or more right ventricular (RV) segments present. This set of qualifications suggests that the study group represents the more favourable end of the spectrum of PAIVS as understood in the era of operation. Whatever the actual right ventricular outflow tract strategy employed, all patients had important pulmonary insufficiency at late followup, despite the universal presence of age-related RV diastolic dysfunction. Reduction in exercise capacity and limitation of response to pharmacological stress were also age-related. From clinical experience, the carefully documented current findings are not unexpected, and, of course, this cohort represents only children qualifying for an early biventricular repair. There is a growing body of data, some cited by the authors, suggesting that Fontan patients (with varying anatomy, and without arrhythmias) can achieve or surpass the exercise capacity of patients undergoing biventricular repair [3]. Of course, this is only a part of the Fontan story, but an important observation nonetheless, and the one which invites comparative studies using the same techniques. Effects of age at initial repair (as opposed to followup interval) and the risk-benefit analysis of valved repair strategies would also be of interest. The authors must be commended on this excellent study which does address some important questions relating to late follow-up for biventricular repair of PAIVS.
Comparative studies of planetary magnetospheres

Three recent “flyby” spacecraft encounters of planetary magnetospheres have provided new glimpses of the broad spectrum of plasma behaviors that occur within such environments. Voyager 2's encounter with Neptune in August 1989 and Galileo's grav itational assist encounters with Venus in February 1990 and Earth in December 1990 have revealed significant new information and have highlighted the comparative aspect of magnetospheric study. By viewing multiple examples of naturally occurring, complex plasma systems [for example, Hill and Dessler, 1991], we can gain an understanding of the fundamental behavior of astrophysical plasmas. The magnetospheres of Venus, Neptune, and Earth span a very broad range of magnetospheric types. Venus does not have a significant internal magnetic field, and the comet-like plasma regions surrounding Venus do not contain the Van Allen or radiation belt regions found at magnetized planets. Thus, it is of substantial interest that Galileo detected very energetic charged atoms (ions) outside of the Venusian bow shock (formed in the supersonic solar wind) and streaming away from Venus (D. J. Williams, personal communication, 1991). By eliminating a leaking radiation belt as a source of these particles, known to contribute if not dominate at other magnetospheres, this new result shows that planetary bow shocks are efficient accelerators of charged particles to high energies. The mechanisms of that acceleration remain highly controversial.
Interpretation of RET immunostaining in follicular lesions of the thyroid.

We applied monoclonal antibodies against RET and cytokeratin 19 (CK19) to the following tumor sections: classic papillary carcinoma (PC), 16; Hurthle-type PC (HPC), 1; sclerosing PC with nodular fasciitis-like stroma (SPC), 1; PC, follicular variant (FVPC), 12; follicular adenoma (FA), 9; Hurthle cell adenoma (HA), 4; Hurthle cell carcinoma (HC), 3; and follicular carcinoma (FC), 7. CK19+ tumors included 16 PCs, 1HPC, 1SPC, 11 FVPCs, 7 FAs, 4 FCs, and 1HC. RET+ tumors included 4 HAs, 3 HCs, 1HPC, 12 PCs, 7 FVPCs, and 2 FAs. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed a RET transcript in 6 Hurthle cell lesions. RET immunoreactivity is less sensitive and specific for PC than CK19. CK19 is useful for identifying PC, although only lesions with diffuse, intense staining should be considered positive. The detection of RET protein by immunohistochemical analysis was corroborated by the presence of the RET transcript by RT-PCR. Further study is warranted to determine whether this represents activation by gene fusion or some other mechanism in this subset of thyroid neoplasms.
Morphological and histochemical changes in the intrahepatic bile drainage system of the mouse following postnatal cholecystectomy.

Effects of cholecystectomy at weaning upon the histological, histometrical and histochemical features of the intrahepatic bile drainage system were studied in young adult BUB mice of both sexes. The operation has, in 30 to 40 days, at least three different effects on various portions of the biliary system; (1) proliferative changes of interlobular bile ducts including very small ones, the cholangioles, (2) stimulation of activity of mucin secretion in the lining epithelium of large bile ducts and (3) increased alkaline phosphatase activity of bile canaliculi. In the light of known functions of the gall bladder, the proliferative changes of the interlobular bile ducts and the stimulated mucin secretion of the epithelium of large bile ducts are conceived to be developmental compensations for functions of the gall bladder. However, the increased bile canalicular phosphatase activity seems to indicate that such compensatory mechanism of the intrahepatic biliary system is only partially established at the time of observation.
A ray-tracing approach for indoor/outdoor propagation through window structures

A ray-tracing approach for indoor/outdoor propagation through windows is proposed. Using both the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and a ray-tracing algorithm, several cases of indoor/outdoor propagation through windows were investigated. It is shown that wave transmission through windows cannot generally be accounted for through a single transmission coefficient parameter. Instead, a full diffraction pattern needs to be accounted for and multiple-ray representation is therefore required. It is also shown that a single window model may be used to calculate transmission through set of windows in a typical building structure as a building block. Results from the implementation of a multiple-ray representation and FDTD simulations showed good agreement. Results were validated for both normal and oblique incident cases. The developed ray-tracing approach, therefore, facilitates the use of the developed window model in available ray-tracing algorithms often used for propagation characterization of urban environments. Simulation results were further validated by conducting measurements on scaled models at 30 GHz. The experimental results agreed well with the simulation data, thus validating the accuracy of the developed ray-tracing model for transmission through windows.
Rates and radiocarbon content of summer ecosystem respiration in response to long-term deeper snow in the High Arctic of NW Greenland

The amount and timing of snow cover control the cycling of carbon (C), water, and energy in arctic ecosystems. The implications of changing snow cover for regional C budgets, biogeochemistry, hydrology, and albedo due to climate change are rudimentary, especially for the High Arctic. In a polar semidesert of NW Greenland, we used a ~10-year old snow manipulation experiment to quantify how deeper snow affects magnitude, seasonality, and 14C content of summer C emissions. We monitored ecosystem respiration (Reco), soil CO2, and their 14C contents over three summers in vegetated and bare areas. Additional snowpack, elevated soil water content (SWC), and temperature throughout the growing season in vegetated, but not in bare, areas. Daily Reco was positively correlated to temperature, but negatively correlated to SWC; consequently, we found no effect of increased snow on daily flux. Cumulative summertime Reco was not related to annual snowfall, but to water year precipitation (winter snow plus summer rain). Experimentally increased snowpack shortened the growing season length and reduced summertime Reco up to 40%. Soil CO2 was older under increased snow. However, we found no effect of snow depth on the R eco age because older C emissions were masked by younger CO 2 produced from the litter layer or plant respiration. In the High Arctic, anticipated changes in precipitation regime associated with warming are a key uncertainty for understanding future C cycling. In polar semideserts, water year precipitation is an important driver of summertime Reco. Permafrost C is vulnerable to changes in snowpack, with a deeper snowpack-promoting decomposition of older soil C. ©2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Can the Average U.S. Equity Fund Outperform the Benchmarks

This article compares the performance of mutual funds to appropriate benchmarks on a monthly basis over a five and a half year period. A number of interesting tendencies seem to hold regardless of capitalization or style. Small-, mid-, or large-cap funds have tended to outperform their relevant benchmark when their dominant capitalization sector has underperformed. Large-cap funds have had the highest returns but the worst performance relative to benchmarks. Just the opposite has been true for small-caps. Value outperformed growth funds relative to their benchmarks has been noticeably superior to that of value funds across all capitalization levels.
Exploring the Impact of Democratic Capital on Prosperity

Capital accumulation has long been considered one of the driving forces behind economic growth. The idea that democratic experience accumulates and depreciates like other forms of capital is a relatively unexplored idea. Much like financial and physical capital, it has been suggested that democracy is a necessary but insufficient condition for economic growth. Building on the work of Persson and Tabellini (2006), this paper constructs several alternative calculations of democratic capital. These values of democratic capital are then compared to GDP, as a measure of prosperity, and economic freedom for 161 countries. The results of this analysis support the idea that democracy acts indirectly through economic freedom to enhance prosperity. The causal relationships between democracy, economic freedom, and prosperity are self-perpetuating.
Thermal transport in three-dimensional foam architectures of few-layer graphene and ultrathin graphite.

At a very low solid concentration of 0.45±0.09 vol %, the room-temperature thermal conductivity (κGF) of freestanding graphene-based foams (GF), comprised of few-layer graphene (FLG) and ultrathin graphite (UG) synthesized through the use of methane chemical vapor deposition on reticulated nickel foams, was increased from 0.26 to 1.7 W m–1 K–1 after the etchant for the sacrificial nickel support was changed from an aggressive hydrochloric acid solution to a slow ammonium persulfate etchant. In addition, κGF showed a quadratic dependence on temperature between 11 and 75 K and peaked at about 150 K, where the solid thermal conductivity (κG) of the FLG and UG constituents reached about 1600 W m–1 K–1, revealing the benefit of eliminating internal contact thermal resistance in the continuous GF structure.
Adhesion of Tungsten Fine Lines on SiO2 by Micro-Wedge Scratching

Microscratch testing of thin films has mainly been done with a conical tip. In the wedge scratch technique introduced in this paper, thin film fine lines are scratched by a wedge-shaped diamond tip until a spallation occurs. A near plane strain situation arises, and finite element method (FEM) analysis is applied for more accurate evaluation of the work of adhesion. The material system used to demonstrate the micro-wedge scratch technique is rf-sputtered tungsten on thermally grown SiO2. When scratching a long line, delamination occurs by two mechanisms. At loads above 8–9mN/μm (normal load per unit line width), tensile stresses behind the indenter tip cause the tungsten to crack, and the thin film subsequently curls up. At loads above 1 lmN/μm, high shear stresses in front of the indenter cause delamination of the tungsten at the interface. This latter event is modeled by FEM using a bimaterial fracture mechanics approach to obtain a practical work of adhesion value.
Rho controls actin cytoskeletal assembly in renal epithelial cells during ATP depletion and recovery

Actin cytoskeletal disruption is a hallmark of ischemic injury and ATP depletion in a number of cell types, including renal epithelial cells. We manipulated Rho GTPase signaling by transfection and microinjection in LLC-PK proximal tubule epithelial cells and observed actin cytoskeletal organization following ATP depletion or recovery by confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis. ATP depletion resulted in disruption of stress fibers, cortical F-actin, and apical actin bundles. Constitutively active RhoV14 prevented disruption of stress fibers and cortical F-actin during ATP depletion and enhanced the rate of stress fiber reassembly during recovery. Conversely, the Rho inhibitor C3 or dominant negative RhoN19 prevented recovery of F-actin assemblies upon repletion. Actin bundles in the apical microvilli and cytosolic F-actin were not affected by Rho signaling. Assembly of vinculin and paxillin into focal adhesions was disrupted by ATP depletion, and constitutively active RhoV14, although protecting stress fibers from disassembly, did not prevent dispersion of vinculin and paxillin, resulting in uncoupling of stress fiber and focal adhesion assembly. We propose that ATP depletion causes Rho inactivation during ischemia and that recovery of normal cellular architecture and function requires Rho.
Inhibitory effect of Weikangning on growth and migration of gastric cancer in nude mice

[Objective]To investigate the inhibitory effect of Weikangning on growth and migration of gastric cancer cell in nude mice. [Methods] MGC-803 cell suspension was injected intohypoderm of nude mice,when it grew as a tumor tissue,incised into pieces and orthotopccally implanted into nude mouse stomach to develop implant-tumors.There were three groups including control group,high dose group and low dose group.Nude mice were feed 4 weeks.Inhibitory rate and migration rate of each group were observed.[Results] In high dose group tumor growth was slower than that of control group,and high dose of Weikangning could inhibit lymph migration around stomach,but no effect on liver migration.[Conclution] Weikangning could inhibit gastric cancer growth and lymph migration.
Test of the effects of two types of infusomat tubing on the infusion velocity

This article introduced the control experiment to compare the results for the application of the special-purˉpose infusomat tubing and Hanaco infusomat tubing with B.BRAUN infusion pump(8712212type),and proved that the practical effects on the infusion velocity are greatly different between them,so that it could infect the clinical treatment intensely.
The Fuzzy Reasoning of Neural Network Based on T-S Model and Its Application

A neural network which can facilitate reasoning was put forward on the basis of T-S fuzzy model.Its selfstudy algorithms were discussed.A method of estimate and a denotative method of three-level knowledge were provided.An example of its application was given to show its value.
Predicting Intensive Care Unit Outcome with Scoring Systems: Underlying Concepts and Principles

The accurate prediction of patient-specific outcomes is, and will continue to be, an important area of medical investigation. Physicians, health care administrators, government agencies, and insurance companies all require accurate and assessable data on which to base their decision-making processes. Within intensive care units, refinements in our ability to identify important data, collect and process the data accurately and inexpensively, and make the data readily available to those wishing access to it will be the focus of future research efforts. Advances in computer technology and the application of outcome research methods to critical care should assist in achieving these goals.
Medical Management of Non-Neoplastic Salivary Gland Disease

Non-neoplastic salivary gland disorders are increasing as a result of many factors. The role of salivary secretion in providing protection to the oral and pharyngeal tissues is discussed along with the diagnosis and treatment of some of the more common non-neoplastic salivary gland diseases.
Introduction to Computational Materials Science: A brief introduction to materials

This text is focused on the modeling of materials structure and properties. The language and choice of problems and methods reflects the interests of the materials science and engineering (MSE) community. We realize, however, that there is increased interest in these problems from people in fields outside MSE. The purpose of this chapter is to give a rapid overview of materials science strictly from the point of view of what is covered elsewhere in the text. It is certainly not a comprehensive introduction to materials. INTRODUCTION Materials in use are solids and most, but certainly not all, are crystals, by which we mean systems of atoms that have a regular, periodic structure. Few materials in actual use, however, are perfect crystals. Most have defects, imperfections in their lattices that have a profound effect on the overall properties of those materials. These defects may be point defects, such as vacancies, line defects (typically dislocations), or planar defects, such as surfaces or interfaces between two crystals. The distribution of those defects is referred to as a materials microstructure . Understanding the evolution of the microstructure as well as its role in determining overall properties is a major thrust of materials modeling and simulation. In this chapter, we introduce basic crystallography of simple crystals, as well as how to represent that crystallography in calculations. We then discuss the defects of those materials and the ramification of those defects on materials properties. We also emphasize the role of dynamic processes, such as diffusion, on materials.
Decentralized Nash equilibrium learning by strategic generators for economic dispatch

This paper studies an electricity market consisting of an independent system operator (ISO) and a group of generators. The goal is to solve the economic dispatch (ED) problem, i.e., make the generators collectively meet a given amount of power demand while minimizing the aggregate generation cost. The ISO by itself cannot solve the ED problem as the generators are strategic and do not share their cost functions. Instead, each generator submits to the ISO the price per unit of electricity at which it is willing to provide power to the ISO, which constitutes its bid. Based on the bids, the ISO decides how much production to allocate to each generator. The resulting Bertrand competition model defines the game among the generators where the actions are the bids and the payoffs are the profits. We provide a provably correct, decentralized strategy, termed NE SEEKING ALGORITHM, that takes the generators' bids to a neighborhood of the efficient Nash equilibrium and show that the optimal production of the generators converges to the optimizer of the ED problem. During the play, each generator only knows the amount of power the ISO requests it to produce and is not aware of the number of players, their actions, or their payoffs. Our algorithm can be understood as “learning via repeated play”, where generators are “myopically selfish”, changing their bid at each iteration with the sole aim of maximizing their payoff.
A self-determination theory and motivational interviewing intervention to decrease racial/ethnic disparities in physical activity: rationale and design

Although the mental and physical benefits of physical activity are well-established, there is a racial/ethnic disparity in activity such that minorities are much less likely to engage in physical activity than are White individuals. Research suggests that a lack of motivation may be an important barrier to physical activity for racial/ethnic minorities. Therefore, interventions that increase participants’ motivation may be especially useful in promoting physical activity within these groups. Physical activity interventions that utilized the clinical technique of motivational interviewing (MI) in conjunction with the theoretical background of self-determination theory (SDT) have been effective in increasing White individuals’ physical activity. Nevertheless, it remains unclear the extent to which these results apply to minority populations. The current study involves conducting a 12-week physical activity intervention based on SDT and MI to promote physical activity in a racially/ethnically-diverse sample. It is hypothesized that this intervention will successfully increase physical activity in participants. Specifically, it is expected that minorities will experience a greater relative increase in physical activity than Whites within the intervention group because minorities are expected to have lower baseline levels of activity. Results from this study will give us a greater understanding of the generalizability of SDT interventions designed to improve motivation for physical activity and level of physical activity. Clinical Trials Gov. Identifier NCT02250950 Registered 24 September 2014.
Cervical Injury Assessments for Concussion Evaluation: A Review.

Background: A concussion is a complex pathophysiologic process that is induced by biomechanical forces and affects the brain. Cervical injuries and concussion can share similar mechanisms and nearl...
What Patients Think About Their Interventional Radiologists: Assessment Using a Leading Physician Ratings Website.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction scores for interventional radiologists (IRs) across the United States using a leading physician ratings website. Methods The physician ratings website Healthgrades was manually queried for all 2,774 Medicare-participating self-designated IRs. All patient-reviewed IRs for whom the primary "likelihood of recommending to family and friends" field was scored were included, resulting in 781 included IRs. Physician characteristics were extracted from Medicare data sets. All available patient satisfaction scores (1 [poor] to 5 [excellent]: likelihood to recommend, ease of scheduling, office environment, staff friendliness, trust in physician's decisions, how well physician explains condition, how well physician listens and answers questions, whether physician spends appropriate time with patients) and wait times were extracted from Healthgrades. Associations among measures were explored. Results IRs' mean likelihood-to-recommend score was 4.3 ± 1.2 (median, 5.0; 64.5% received a score of 5; 10.5% received scores r = 0.738 to 0.780) and physician-related factors ( r = 0.918 to 0.946). Likelihood to recommend was significantly higher for IRs with shorter wait times ( P P = 0.370-0.791), nor was there any correlation with physician age, years since graduation, or group practice size ( r = −0.089 to 0.096). Conclusions Satisfaction scores on a leading physician ratings website generally range from very good to excellent for US IRs. Most patients leaving reviews are likely to recommend their own IRs to friends or family members. The likelihood to recommend is strongly associated with differences in wait times.
Technology and Enterprise in a Historical Perspective

(1993). Technology and Enterprise in a Historical Perspective. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 1309-1311.
Shopping for sources: an everyday information behavior exploration of grocery shoppers' information sources

The field of everyday information behavior addresses how individuals interact with information in their daily lives. Previous research in the field has largely ignored the banal and quotidian portions of everyday life, such as grocery shopping, which represents a gap the current project fills. Through two empirical studies using qualitative methods, the present work presents the prevalence and variety of information sources used by grocery shoppers. Findings indicate that grocery shoppers rely on close human sources, domain-specific sources, and on surprisingly few online sources throughout the process of their grocery shopping. The findings demonstrate the information-richness of grocery shopping and suggest that other everyday spaces may be fruitful areas for information behavior research.
Finite Element Synthesis of Diphthongs Using Tuned Two-Dimensional Vocal Tracts

Three-dimensional 3-D vocal tract acoustic modeling has the potential to generate high quality and natural voice sounds, but at the price of a large computational cost. Alternatively, 2-D models based on tuned vocal tracts have shown to provide similar results to the 3-D ones but with less computational demands. However, they are currently limited to the synthesis of static vowel sounds. In this paper, the tuned 2-D approach is extended by considering moving vocal tracts to generate dynamic vowel sounds, like diphthongs. Four tuning steps are followed to build a dynamic 2-D vocal tract model that can recover, to a large extent, the formant locations, bandwidths, and energies of a 3-D vocal tract with circular cross section, set in a spherical baffle representing the human head. Acoustic waves propagating through the time evolving vocal tract and radiating to free-field are simulated using the finite element method in the time-domain. As examples, the diphthongs [Ai] and [Au] have been generated using the tuning approach and compared, by means of objective and subjective evaluations, to those resulting from 3-D and conventional 2-D simulations.
The Treponema pallidum Outer Membrane

The outer membrane (OM) of Treponema pallidum, the uncultivatable agent of venereal syphilis, has long been the subject of misconceptions and controversy. Decades ago, researchers postulated that T. pallidum’s poor surface antigenicity is the basis for its ability to cause persistent infection, but they mistakenly attributed this enigmatic property to the presence of a protective outer coat of serum proteins and mucopolysaccharides. Subsequent studies revealed that the OM is the barrier to antibody binding, that it contains a paucity of integral membrane proteins, and that the preponderance of the spirochete’s immunogenic lipoproteins is periplasmic. Since the advent of recombinant DNA technology, the fragility of the OM, its low protein content, and the lack of sequence relatedness between T. pallidum and Gram-negative outer membrane proteins (OMPs) have complicated efforts to characterize molecules residing at the host–pathogen interface. We have overcome these hurdles using the genomic sequence in concert with computational tools to identify proteins predicted to form β-barrels, the hallmark conformation of OMPs in double-membrane organisms and evolutionarily related eukaryotic organelles. We also have employed diverse methodologies to confirm that some candidate OMPs do, in fact, form amphiphilic β-barrels and are surface-exposed in T. pallidum. These studies have led to a structural homology model for BamA and established the bipartite topology of the T. pallidum repeat (Tpr) family of proteins. Recent bioinformatics has identified several structural orthologs for well-characterized Gram-negative OMPs, suggesting that the T. pallidum OMP repertoire is more Gram-negative-like than previously supposed. Lipoprotein adhesins and proteases on the spirochete surface also may contribute to disease pathogenesis and protective immunity.
Persistent injury-associated anemia in aged rats.

Abstract Background Hypercatecholaminemia and bone marrow dysfunction have been implicated in the pathophysiology of persistent-injury associated anemia. The elderly may be vulnerable to this phenomenon due to high basal and peak catecholamine levels, impaired erythroid progenitor growth, and baseline anemia. We hypothesized that aged F344-BN rats subjected to severe trauma and chronic stress would have persistent injury-associated anemia. Methods Male F344-BN rats age 25 months were randomly allocated to: naive (n = 8), lung contusion (LC, n = 9), LC followed by daily chronic restraint stress (LC/CS, n = 9), LC followed immediately by hemorrhagic shock (LCHS, n = 8), and LCHS followed by daily CS (LCHS/CS, n = 8). Urine norepinephrine was measured on days one and seven. Locomotor testing was performed on day five. Bone marrow cellularity, hematopoietic progenitor growth, and peripheral blood hemoglobin levels were assessed at sacrifice on day seven. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, *p Results Norepinephrine levels (ng/mL) were significantly elevated one day after LCHS (420 ± 239* vs. naive: 97 ± 71) and LCHS/CS (375 ± 185*), and remained significantly elevated on day seven for LCHS/CS (359 ± 99*), but not LCHS (212 ± 130). On locomotor testing, groups subjected to CS traveled shorter distances at lower velocities and spent less time in the center of the cage. Colony forming units-erythroid (colonies/plate), representing late erythroid progenitors, were significantly decreased after LC/CS (40 ± 1* vs. naive: 47 ± 4), LCHS (40 ± 1*), and LCHS/CS (38 ± 3*). LCHS/CS animals had significantly lower hemoglobin (g/dL) than naive animals (13.3 ± 1.3* vs. naive: 15.2 ± 0.9). Conclusions Persistent injury-associated anemia occurs in aged rats. Further research is needed to determine whether the pathophysiology of this phenomenon differs from that of younger rats, and to translate these findings to elderly trauma patients.
Shared-spectrum multistatic radar: Experimental demonstration using FM waveforms

In light of the rapidly growing interest in spectrum sharing capabilities, we examine the prospect of multiple radars concurrently occupying the same spectrum, where the associated emissions mutually interfere in the form of waveform cross-correlation effects. To assess the practical separability of the resulting radar echoes a new version of the multistatic adaptive pulse compression (MAPC) algorithm is formulated that is applicable to FM waveforms, which remain the most commonly used in operational radar systems. It is demonstrated experimentally that this method provides effective shared-spectrum signal separation, especially when preceded both other forms of coherent gain to maximize the available dynamic range.
Measure confidence of assurance cases in safety-critical domains

Evaluation of assurance cases typically requires certifiers' domain knowledge and experience, and, as such, most software certification has been conducted manually. Given the advancement in uncertainty theories and software traceability, we envision that these technologies can synergistically be combined and leveraged to offer some degree of automation to improve the certifiers' capability to perform software certification. To this end, we present a novel confidence calculation framework that 1) applies the Dempster-Shafer theory as a mathematical model to calculate the confidence between a parent claim and its children claims; and 2) uses the vector space model to evaluate the confidence for the evidence items using traceability information. A fragment of an assurance case (expressed in the goal-structuring notation - GSN) for the coupled tank system is used to illustrate our new framework.
The PreCancer Atlas (PCA)

Reproduced from https://visualsonline.cancer.gov/details.cfm?imageid=11474. Early detection offers a better chance of saving lives from cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) supports research to improve cancer detection in its early stages, when it may be most treatable, and to accurately assess how likely it is for a precancerous growth to progress to life-threatening disease. The PreCancer Atlas (PCA) of the NCI envisages a histological and multi-omic mapping strategy in time and space to provide detailed molecular, cellular, and structural characterization of premalignant lesions and how they evolve to invasive cancers. The PCA will result in a paradigm shift in our knowledge of events initiating carcinogenesis, which may also be relevant to understanding pathogenesis related to exposure to carcinogens. It will also develop a greater understanding of the biological underpinnings of how premalignant lesions transition to invasive cancers, will help identify largely unknown molecular mechanisms operating in the clinically and microscopically occult phase of human carcinogenesis, and open unprecedented opportunities for the development of effective strategies for the early detection and prevention of cancers. Thus, the PCA represents more than an incremental advance in the field and will generate data that may change the standards of practice in oncology.
Existential Therapy of Panic Disorder: A Single System Study

Recently there has been an emphasis on biomedical and behavioral aspects of the treatment panic disorder. The symptom-based nature of these treatments may cause elements of the life context, such as systems of meaningfulness and symbolism, to be overlooked in some cases. In this paper, the successful treatment of a case of panic disorder of three years duration is presented, in which complete remission of symptoms occurred within the third week of existential psychotherapy. Prior to this therapy, the client had exhibited a deteriorating course while following a purely psychopharmacological treatment plan. Implications are discussed.