cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracheal gas exchange: perfusion-related differences in inert gas elimination

Exchange of inert gases across the conducting airways has been demonstrated by using an isolated dog tracheal preparation and has been characterized by using a mathematical model (E. R. Swenson, H....
Stability Testing and Analysis of Bulb Tubular Turbine Generating Units

The comprehensive performance testing for operating states of bulb tubular turbine generating units of certain power station is carried out,evaluation is conducted according to the relevant technology standards,vibration areas of the units is divided,improvement measure is proposed for existent problems of the units,and scientific basis is provided for maintenance and operation of the units.
Scent marking in shelter dogs: Effects of sex and age.

Abstract Development of scent-marking behavior from the neonatal period to early adulthood has been well studied in dogs, but there is a distinct lack of information for older dogs. I studied scent-marking behavior during single walks of 500 male and female dogs at two shelters (Tompkins County SPCA and Cortland Community SPCA). My sample included juveniles, adults, and seniors. I found a significant effect of age on frequency of urination ( P P P P P P P P P
Sensitivity of Microwave Double Impedance Bridge for Fluid Analysis and Monitoring

ABSTRACTA high sensitivity microwave double impedance bridge suitable for continuous analysis or monitoring of low loss fluid quality has been developed. Air and carbonyl sulfide gas were utilized as samples. A new microwave circuit component, “the air phase shifter” was introduced.
Legal and Regulatory Issues

When you think of media regulation, the first things that may come to your mind are the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But media managers must concern themselves with a much broader range of laws and regulations in order to do their day-to-day jobs. Consider the problem this author once faced in putting a new FM radio station on the air.
Arts-Based Research

Maybe your ethnography isn’t going to work as a written piece. Maybe this project needs to be danced or painted or acted out. Arts-based research (ABR) is outside the scope of this text, but I wanted to mention it, just in case what I’ve written here about writing ethnography isn’t working for you.
Characterization of Methanobactin from Methylosinus sp. LW4

Methanobactins (Mbns) are a growing family of ribosomally produced, post-translationally modified natural products. Characteristic nitrogen-containing heterocycles and neighboring thioamides allow these compounds to bind copper with high affinity. Genome mining has enabled the identification of Mbn operons in bacterial genomes and the prediction of diverse Mbn structures from operon content and precursor peptide sequence. Here we report the characterization of Mbn from Methylosinus (Ms.) species (sp.) LW4. The peptide backbone is distinct from all previously characterized Mbns, and the post-translational modifications correspond precisely to those predicted on the basis of the Ms. sp. LW4 Mbn operon. Thus, prediction based on genome analysis combined with isolation and structural characterization represents a phylogenetic approach to finding diverse Mbns and elucidating their biosynthetic pathways.
'Like a painting, we will be erased; like a flower, we will dry up here on earth' : Ultimate reality and meaning according to Nahua philosophy in the age of conquest

L'article est consacre aux principes fondamentaux et a la sagesse des peuples de langue Nahuatl (Mexicas ou Azteques, Acolhuans, Chalcans et d'autres) du haut plateau central du Mexique a l'epoque de la conquete espagnole. L'A. montre a la suite de Leon-Portilla que la notion de teotl, energie sacree qu'il compare au tao, est la cle d'interpretation de la metaphysique, de l'axiologie, de la praxiologie, de l'epistemologie et de l'esthetique de la pensee des Nahuas.
Plant–fungal symbiosis affects litter decomposition during primary succession

Microbial symbionts of plants can affect decomposition by altering the quality or quantity of host plant tissue (substrate) or the micro-environment where decomposition occurs (conditioning). In C3 grasses, foliar fungal endophytes (Clavicipitaceae) can increase plant resistance to drought and/or produce alkaloids that reduce herbivory – effects that may also influence host litter composition and subsequent litter decomposition. We studied the effect of the endophyte Epichloe sp. on litter decomposition in the Great Lakes dunes (USA) using a reciprocal design altering endophyte presence/absence in both American beachgrass Ammophila breviligulata substrate (litter bags) and its conditioning of the decomposition microenvironment. Symbiont treatments were crossed with rain-out shelters that altered growing season precipitation. The first year of decomposition, senesced leaf substrate from A. breviligulata with Epichloe decomposed 21% faster than endophyte-free substrate. By the third year, conditioning by live symbiotic plants reduced cumulative decomposition by 33% compared to plots planted with endophyte-free plants. Of the traits we examined – litter quantity, C:N ratio, mineral composition, fungal colonization, and carbon chemistry – increased litter quantity via greater tiller production was the primary trait shift associated with endophyte symbiosis. Epichloe in A. breviligulata litter also altered litter nitrogen decomposition dynamics, as evidenced by lower nitrogen and protein content in decomposed tissue from plants that hosted the endophyte. Differences in initial litter quality and subsequent colonization by saprotrophic fungi were ruled out as key drivers. Altered precipitation had negligible effects on decomposing processes in the dunes. Grass–Epichloe symbiosis altered nutrient cycling through increasing the rate of litter decomposition when present in the litter and through reducing litter decomposition by conditioning the decomposition microenvironment. Epichloe are widespread symbionts of grasses. Thus, their effects on decomposition could be an important, but often overlooked, driver of nutrient cycling in grass-dominated ecosystems.
Structured Benefit-Risk Assessment Across the Product Lifecycle: Practical Considerations.

Assessing the benefit-risk profile of a medicinal product is a complex but fundamental activity that sponsors and regulators must perform throughout the product’s lifecycle. In order to improve the transparency and consistency of the decision-making process, regulators and sponsors alike are increasingly applying a structured approach to benefit-risk assessment. However, to our knowledge, there has been little practical guidance in the published literature regarding how to embed such a process organizationally. This paper seeks to address this gap. Using a case study approach, we describe (1) how to integrate a lifecycle approach to structured benefit-risk assessment within a biopharmaceutical company; (2) key issues to anticipate during implementation, and (3) best practices and lessons learned to date. Based on our experience, key prerequisites for successful implementation included the selection of a structured benefit-risk assessment (SBRA) framework; application of a “core” approach to conducting SBRA with an accompanying template; development of a supporting standard operating procedure; and cross-functional team training. Common implementation challenges encountered were (1) facilitating cross-functional team adoption of SBRA nomenclature and analytic methods, including the use of a value tree and effects table, and (2) applying the SBRA framework to different products with heterogeneous data sources. Conducting transparent, systematic benefit-risk evaluations is an emerging “best practice” for medicinal product lifecycle management. Our experience using such an approach resulted in improvements in the consistency, quality, conciseness and strategic value of our benefit-risk assessments, and increased transparency and harmonization in the communication of the product benefit-risk profile.
Using suitability analysis to select and prioritize naturalization efforts in legacy cities: An example from Flint, Michigan

Abstract Given the lack of market demand and the abundance of vacant lots in legacy cities, not all vacant lands can be redeveloped or even maintained in a highly manicured state. While many vacant lots are being creatively reused as community gardens and side lots, in areas where residents are few and vacancy is high, the best use for vacant lands may be in a naturalized state such as meadows or forests. The author argues that in legacy cities, the critical question is not whether to naturalize (i.e. to stop mowing lots and allow for succession), but rather how to determine which properties to naturalize, in what order, and how. Using the example of Flint, Michigan, the author proposes suitability analysis as a method for selecting and prioritizing naturalization. Every property in the city of Flint was assigned a naturalization score derived by calculating subscores on nine variables, weighing the subscores by their importance, and summing. The nine variables included were contiguous vacant land, prospective vacancy, public ownership, land use designation, parks adjacency, proximity to industry, waterway buffers, property values, and population change. The naturalization scores can be combined with the results of a prior study to create a vacant land use decision tree pre- and post-demolition. Ultimately, the purpose of the paper is to facilitate property selection for naturalization while encouraging public discourse around what should happen with vacant lots in legacy cities.
Implementing reverse mentoring to address social isolation among older adults

Reverse mentoring is a means to address the social work Grand Challenge of social isolation. Among older adults, reverse mentoring can improve social connection by increasing the digital competence of older adults so they can use technology for social benefit, and by facilitating intergenerational connections with young adult mentors. In this paper, reverse mentoring is examined within an intergenerational program that serves older adults and utilizes the native technological knowledge and skills of young adults who mentor older adult participants. Qualitative data were collected through young adult mentor logs of each session, and through open-ended questions on the post-surveys collected from older adults and young adult mentors. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes related to social connection: (1) an increased sense of self-efficacy for older adults as they build confidence in technological use, and for young adults as they develop leadership skills through mentoring, (2) the breaking down of age-related stereotypes, and (3) intergenerational engagement and connection. The findings demonstrate that reverse mentoring can be used in various settings to decrease the social isolation of older adults by developing intergenerational connections and increasing older adult usage of technology.
Bridging the Gap between Physical Therapy and Orientation and Mobility in Schools: Using a Collaborative Team Approach for Students with Visual Impairments:

This article explores transdisciplinary collaboration and role-release strategies that would allow physical therapists and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists to more effectively support stu...
HER2 gene amplification and protein overexpression in uterine clear cell carcinoma and its implications in targeted immunotherapy.

29Background: Uterine clear cell carcinoma (UCCC) is a high-grade endometrial carcinoma. The current treatment is hysterectomy with post-operative chemotherapy and/or radiation. The 5-year disease ...
The Thought That Counts: Towards a Rational Theory of Gift-Giving

From an economic perspective, the practice of gift-giving in social relationships makes little sense due to the inefficiencies that arise from commonly mismatched gifts and preferences. This paper addresses the frequency of nonmonetary gifts compared to more efficient cash transfers. While there is a vast literature concentrated on this cultural phenomenon, we examine a model based on the idea that the sentimental value of a gift can be measured in terms of the time and energy the donor spent to select a desirable gift for the recipient. We demonstrate that under a variety of circumstances, individuals choose to give non-monetary gifts over cash in order to signal to the recipient that they exerted this effort.
Physical and Biological Aspects of Puberty

Puberty is a complex biological and maturational event, spans many years, is characterized by marked physical changes which prepare the body for reproduction, and is not well understood in terms of its onset. Menarche (the first menstrual period) occurs fairly late in this maturational process. Since menarche is such a salient event for the pubertal girl, it has been studied with more intensity than the other events of puberty.
Style Approached from the Design Process

Studies of style can be approached from two directions: the end and the means. From the end point of view, a style is a cluster of features present in artifacts; scholars usually classify the features in products to differentiate styles (Newton 1957; Finch 1974; Scott 1980; Smithies 1981; Chan 1994, 2000). Similar approaches used to examine features for further exploring the nature of style, the degree between styles, and the systematic measurement within style were extensively covered in Chap. 3. From the means point of view, a style is a mode by which designers’ personal and professional preferences are expressed, and studies attempt to deliberate the mode of expression to mark styles (Torossian 1937; Evans 1982; Cleaver 1985). Although most style researchers have studied both directions, their efforts cannot provide clear explanations of how a style is generated. That is because not enough research has been devoted to the study of the means used that create a style. This chapter begins to explore, through a case study, the aspects of style creation and the forces that generate a style (Chan 1995, 2001). Studies of style approached from the means point of view conducted in various fields and the factors determining the generation of style are reviewed first.
Low Blast Count Myeloid Disorders With Auer Rods

Auer rods are a hallmark of acute myeloid leukemia but occasionally are seen in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, rarely in cases with fewer than 5% blasts. The significance of this finding is unclear. We report 9 cases of this unusual phenomenon. All patients had cytopenias, isolated to a single lineage in 4. Circulating blasts were present in 8 cases (rare to 2.5%). Bone marrow blasts ranged from 0.4 to 4.9%; 1% to 32% of blasts contained Auer rods. There were variable degrees of dysplasia; 1 case closely mimicked refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts. Cytogenetic studies in 8 cases showed clonal changes in 4. In 5 patients, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) developed 6, 6, 5, 13, and 24 months after diagnosis; the patients subsequently died. Three patients died at 1, 1, and 8 months without progression to AML, and only 1 was alive at 10 months. MDSs with fewer than 5% blasts and Auer rods seem to be a heterogeneous group, but rapid progression to death or AML in most cases suggests that Auer rods signify an aggressive biology in MDSs with a low blast count.
Characterization of Breast Microcalcifications Using a New Ultrasound Image-Processing Technique.

Objectives To evaluate a new commercial image-processing technique (MicroPure; Toshiba America Medical Systems, Tustin, CA) for detection and characterization of breast microcalcifications in patients undergoing stereotactic or ultrasound-guided biopsies using mammography as the reference standard. Methods One hundred female patients, with a total of 104 lesions, scheduled for an image-guided biopsy of an area with breast microcalcifications (identified on a prior mammogram) underwent MicroPure examinations of the breast using an Aplio XG scanner (Toshiba America Medical Systems) with a broad-bandwidth linear array. MicroPure combines nonlinear imaging and speckle suppression to mark suspected calcifications as white spots in a blue overlay image. Four independent and blinded readers (2 radiologists and 2 physicists) analyzed 208 digital clips consisting of dual grayscale ultrasound and MicroPure imaging, counting the number of microcalcifications seen with MicroPure. The observers also assessed the level of suspicion on a qualitative, visual analog, 6-point scale from 0 (no findings) over 1 (benign) to 5 (malignant). Results The mean number of microcalcifications ± SD seen was 6.3 ± 3.5, whereas mammography saw 28.9 ± 24.6 (P = .66). When the MicroPure level of suspicion scores were compared with pathologic results using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the areas under the curve ranged from 0.54 to 0.59. Nonetheless, malignant cases were seen to have significantly more microcalcifications than benign cases (mean number of microcalcifications, 6.9 ± 5.1 versus 5.3 ± 3.7; P = .02). Conclusions MicroPure can be used to identify areas with breast microcalcifications but cannot effectively characterize such areas. Instead, MicroPure may represent a new imaging method for guiding a biopsy to areas of microcalcifications.
Femoral head chondral delamination injury and associated osteonecrosis: A case report of treatment

Avascular necrosis can develop secondary to a traumatic or atraumatic interruption of blood supply to a bony region. We present an unusual case of femoral head osteonecrosis in a patient who concomitantly suffered a complete delamination injury to the articular surface and ultimately underwent progressive degenerative changes in the femoral head requiring total hip arthroplasty (THA). A 57-year-old man without significant medical comorbidities presented for orthopedic evaluation in the outpatient setting complaining of left hip pain. The patient reported a slip and fall onto his left hip 4 months prior with no preexisting discomfort. Since then, the progressively worsening pain has centered on the left groin with radiation into the lateral aspect of the hip. Physical examination is negative for focal deficits, but provocative maneuvers for intra-articular pathology were positive. X-rays demonstrated mild degenerative changes while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a complete delamination injury to the articular surface with associated femoral head collapse. Nonoperative treatment failed to provide pain relief, and so the patient ultimately underwent surgical intervention. Treatment consisted of left uncemented THA with cable augmentation. Postoperatively, the patient was monitored with periodic follow-ups while undergoing postsurgical rehabilitation. Interval improvement was demonstrated and patient overall did well.
Rezafungin Prophylactic Efficacy in a Mouse Model of Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Background The risk of Pneumocystis pneumonia often warrants antifungal prophylaxis for bone marrow and solid organ transplantation patients. However, complications such as myelosuppression, nephrotoxicity, and intolerance with the existing standard, TMP/SMX, may hinder or interrupt prophylaxis. Rezafungin (RZF) is a novel echinocandin in development for prevention of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and Pneumocystis species in patients at high risk of infection. RZF has a favorable safety and tolerability profile and a low risk of drug-drug interactions. Furthermore, the stability and pharmacokinetics of RZF allow for once-weekly dosing and broad distribution to the lung and other target organs. RZF was shown to prevent in vitro Pneumocystis biofilm formation and to reduce the viability of mature biofilms. A previous prophylactic study was conducted using a broader range of RZF doses. In the current study, the efficacy of RZF was evaluated to better understand the minimum doses necessary to prevent Pneumocystis growth in a mouse model. Methods C3H/HeN mice were immunosuppressed (dexamethasone 4 mg/L in acidified drinking water) and then infected intranasally with P. murina (2 × 106/50 µL). Given the slow growth of P. murina, test agents were administered at the same time mice were inoculated to test for prophylactic efficacy. Mice received intraperitoneal injections of either vehicle (control/steroid [C/S]), TMP/SMX 50/250 mg/kg/3x/week (wk), caspofungin 5 mg/kg once daily, or RZF 5 mg/kg or 0.5 mg/kg once daily, 1x, or 2x/wk. After a 6-week dosing period, mice were sacrificed and lung homogenates were processed for analysis to quantify the nuclei (trophic) and asci (cyst) forms of Pneumocystis. Prophylaxis efficacy was based on reduction of organism burden compared with C/S. Nuclei and asci counts were log transformed and analyzed by ANOVA; individual groups were compared by the Student-Newman-Keuls t test. Survival rates were compared using GraphPad Prism v5. Results All mice in the RZF groups had significantly reduced nuclei and asci burdens compared with the C/S group, and all but the lowest doses of RZF (0.5 mg/kg 1x or 2x/wk) worked as well as TMP/SMX at reducing nuclei levels (Fig 1). Similarly, all RZF groups except for the 0.5 mg/kg 1x/wk group showed reductions in asci levels comparable to that of TMP/SMX (Fig 1). The survival rates were not statistically different between treatment groups. Conclusions RZF demonstrated potent in vivo efficacy as prophylaxis against Pneumocystis in an in vivo mouse infection model at dose regimens much lower than the human equivalent Ph3 regimen. These data support the development of RZF for the prevention of invasive fungal infections including Pneumocystis pneumonia.
Leadership Communication on Internal Digital Platforms, Emotional Capital, and Corporate Performance: The Case for Leader-Centric Listening:

This research examined the role of leadership communication on internal digital platforms and the nature of digital listening by leaders. A survey of managers showed that in higher emotional capita...
The Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale and Functional Status Among Elderly Medical and Surgical Rehabilitation Patients

This research was conducted in a sample of 150 older adults (mean age = 78.0) who were inpatients receiving rehabilitation services for a variety of medical and postsurgical conditions. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that the Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale (BDS), a measure of the ability to use intentions to guide purposeful activity, would be strongly associated with concurrent functional status after controlling for age, sex, education, severity of pain, medical comorbidity, depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), and general mental status (Mini Mental State Exam [MMSE]). Functional status was assessed by rehabilitaion nurses' ratings of patients on 11 individual Activities of Daily Living (ADL) items and the Barthel Index. The hypothesis, tested by means of multiple regression analysis, was supported by the results. The BDS was the independent variable most strongly associated with all 11 ADL items and the Barthel Index. The MMSE contributed significantly to none of the models. Other covariates made minimal contributions to the variance shared with functional ability. Consistent with prior results in other samples, the ability to use intentions to guide purposeful behavior appears to be an important contributor to everyday functioning among older adults.
Analysis of profitability of shrimp value chain in Delta State, Nigeria.

This study investigated the profitability of shrimp value chain. Primary data were obtained using well structured questionnaire from randomly selected 240 shrimp operators (harvesters, processors and marketers). Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyze collected data. The result revealed that the mean profit realized was N70,092 N36,255 and N26,097.30 by harvesters, processors and marketers respectively. Value added at was N500 and N1000 per basket by processors and marketers respectively. Test of hypothesis indicates that quantity sold (0.218), price (0.033), bargaining power (0.002) and union dues (0.099), showed positive and significant relationship with shrimp value chain profitability. While market levy and store rent showed negative relationship with profitability in shrimp value chain. It was recommended that there should be moderate store rent. Marketers should increase their bargaining power at the point of procurement and union dues should be reduced so that shrimp value chain profitability can be enhanced.
Predicting physical activity levels in individuals with schizophrenia through integrated global positioning system and accelerometer data.

Research has documented that individuals with schizophrenia spend a significant amount of time in sedentary activity and often do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines (Stubbs et al., 2016). Environmental factors have long been studied as facilitators or barriers to PA. Among individuals with schizophrenia, environmental factors are known to predict walking and moderate to vigorous PA (Vancampfort et al., 2013). Additionally, environmental characteristics explain 16.8% of sitting time of individuals with schizophrenia (Vancampfort et al., 2014), with factors such as neighborhood infrastructure (e.g., sidewalks or parks) or access to fitness equipment in the home reducing time spent in sedentary behavior. Consistent with Barker’s Behavior Settings Theory (Schoggen, 1989) this study is predicated on the expectation that certain locations are associated with behaviors that involve more or less PA. Thus, there is a need to study current PA levels associated with certain locations in the community, which could lead to development of ecological interventions that are personalized to a person’s time and location preference to maximize PA performance. To address this need, we propose a new methodology called Personalized PA level estimation for specific Locations over time (PerPAL) to better predict PA levels by location. The development of the personalized models involves identifying recurring locations (Townley et al., 2018) for an individual and using their baseline PA data, location, and time-window to predict future PA levels for specific locations (Brusilovskiy et al., 2016) and time-windows.
Rapid Arctic Sea Ice Loss on the Synoptic Time Scale and Related Atmospheric Circulation Anomalies

AbstractLarge sea ice loss on the synoptic time scale is examined in various subregions in the Arctic as well as at the pan-Arctic scale. It is found that the frequency of large daily sea ice loss ...
Global impact of thyroid disorders

Abstract The global impact of thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, and thyroid cancer, is increasing by about 3.3% each year. The key determinant of thyroid disease risks is iodine nutrition. However, other factors that influence the epidemiology of thyroid disorders include aging, smoking, genetics, ethnicities, endocrine disruptors, and the use of various treatments. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, in all their forms, affect every population throughout the world. However, the prevalence and incidence of thyroid dysfunction is always changing because of differences in diagnostic thresholds, sensitivity of various tests, the populations being selected for study, and changes in the availability of dietary iodine. The burden of thyroid disorders reaches up to billions of dollars, globally, every year.
Louisiana's Intentional Exposure to HIV Policy: The Social Construction of Target Populations.

In 1987, Louisiana became one of the first states to put laws in place to criminalize intentional HIV exposure. Unfortunately, the law does not correlate with science nor does it evidence any effec...
State earned income tax credits and general health indicators: A quasi-experimental national study 1993-2016.

Objective To assess the relationship between the presence and generosity of state-level Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and multiple self-reported measures of general health. Data sources Data on state-level tax credits and covariates were obtained from the National Bureau of Economic Research and University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research, respectively. These data were merged with Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey records from 1993-2016. Study design Using difference-in-differences approaches and survey-weighted Poisson regression that accounted for clustering of observations and included state and year fixed-effects, we assessed relationships between EITC and self-reported overall health, frequent mental distress, and frequent poor physical health in the prior 30 days. Covariates included state minimum wage, state GDP, and adoption of Medicaid expansion. Sensitivity analyses revealed that parallel trends were plausible; there were no significant lead and lag effects. Data extraction methods Analyses were restricted to respondents with no more than a high school diploma or equivalent because less-educated adults are more likely to be low-wage earners and therefore qualify for EITC. Principal findings Among adults with no education beyond high school (n = 2 884 790), each additional 10-percentage-point increase in the generosity of state EITC-relative to the federal credit-was associated with fewer reports of frequent mental distress (-97.3 per 100 000; 95% CI: -237.2, 42.6) and frequent poor physical health (-149.6 per 100 000; 95% CI: -284.4, -14.9). When restricted to individuals interviewed during the three months when tax rebates are commonly disbursed, the magnitude of the association between EITC and prevalence of reported frequent mental distress was greater (-329.7 per 100 000; 95% CI: -636.0, -23.5). Conclusions The generosity of state EITC policies is positively associated with significant reductions in frequent mental distress and poor physical health, especially during months when the credit is received. Interventions to reduce poverty may positively impact health by reducing material hardship and stress.
Endoscopic plastic stent therapy for bile leaks following total vs subtotal cholecystectomy.

Background and study aims Plastic biliary stents are standard therapy for treatment of post-cholecystectomy bile leaks. An increasing proportion of patients now undergo subtotal cholecystectomy and are at perceived risk for high-grade bile leak. Data are limited regarding the optimal endoscopic therapy following subtotal cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of endoscopic plastic stent therapy for treatment of bile leak following total vs subtotal cholecystectomy. Patients and methods A retrospective cohort of patients with bile leak following cholecystectomy and treated with biliary stent was identified from an institutional database. Primary outcome was defined as cholangiographic resolution of leak at follow-up endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Results Sixty-one subjects met study inclusion criteria, 27 following total cholecystectomy and 34 following subtotal cholecystectomy. A single plastic biliary stent was placed in 87 % of subjects (53/61), while a fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) was placed in 13 % (8/61). Leak resolution was evident at first follow-up ERCP in 96 % of subjects (26/27) who had undergone total cholecystectomy and 91 % of subjects (31/34) who had undergone subtotal cholecystectomy (P = 0.25). Among subjects who had received a plastic stent at index ERCP, leak resolution was evident at first follow-up ERCP in 96 % (23/24) of those who had undergone total cholecystectomy and 90 % (26/29) of those who had undergone subtotal cholecystectomy (P = 0.62). Conclusions High rates of leak resolution can be achieved with placement of a single plastic biliary stent for treatment of post-cholecystectomy bile leaks, including after subtotal cholecystectomy.
Pain as a significant symptom in patients with periodic paralysis-A cross-sectional survey.

Introduction Periodic paralysis (PP) is thought to be limited to episodes of muscle weakness, but there are reports of fibromyalgia-like pain in PP. We aimed to evaluate pain and comorbid sleep, fatigue, and mood disorders in PP patients. Methods We administered a cross-sectional survey to PP patients at the 2019 Periodic Paralysis Conference. The survey consisted of the Brief Pain Inventory, Widespread Pain Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, and ten-question Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). Descriptive statistics for PP patients were calculated and compared with earlier studies. Results Forty-four individuals with PP took the survey. Of these patients, 52.3% reported a moderate to severe interference of pain on their lives, and 45.5% met the study criteria for fibromyalgia. Patients with SCN4A mutations had higher rates of fibromyalgia than the next most prevalent gene mutation, CACNA1S. In patients with pain, there were increased rates of comorbid fatigue, depression, and poor sleep quality. Discussion Pain, akin to fibromyalgia, is a significant symptom of PP and can affect quality of life. Pain in PP was more prevalent than in the general population, at a rate comparable with other chronic neuromuscular disease groups. PP patients could benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to assess their pain, sleep, fatigue, and mood.
On multivariable matrix spectral factorization method

Spectral factorization is a prominent tool with several important applications in various areas of applied science. Wiener and Masani proved the existence of matrix spectral factorization. Their theorem has been extended to the multivariable case by Helson and Lowdenslager. Solving the problem numerically is challenging in both situations, and also important due to its practical applications. Therefore, several authors have developed algorithms for factorization. The Janashia-Lagvilava algorithm is a relatively new method for matrix spectral factorization which has proved to be useful in several applications. In this paper, we extend this method to the multivariable case. Consequently, a new numerical algorithm for multivariable matrix spectral factorization is constructed.
Economics of a Water-Yield Function for Sugar Cane

An aggregate water deficiency model developed to isolate the relationship between water and sugar cane yield is presented along with the empirical results of a specific application to plantation data. The usefulness of the model as a basis for dealing with a number of economic problems in irrigation management is demonstrated in both a theoretical and empirical analysis.
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors Views of Professional and Ethical Standards: A Focus Group Analysis

A qualitative research method was used to examine the views that Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors hold toward a selected set of professional and ethical standards related to education and training, dual and sexual relationships, and unlawful conduct. Nine Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors participated in a focus group. Analysis of the statements given by the research participants resulted in identifying two major themes, both of which have implications for the profession. Findings suggest that additional training surrounding the ethical standard of dual relationships and the development of a peer assistance program would support the unique challenges that some chemical dependency treatment professionals face.
Statistical Behavior in Conservative Classical Systems

In the following series of lectures, we will discuss how instability can arise in conservative classical systems, and how a small uncertainty in initial conditions can be amplified to complete uncertainty if a system exhibits mixing behavior. The methods we shall discuss were originally developed to treat problems in statistical mechanics and therefore, we will indicate briefly their history.
Fast Multiplication in Finite Fields GF(2N)

A method is described for performing computations in a finite field GF(2N) by embedding it in a larger ring Rp where the multiplication operation is a convolution product and the squaring operation is a rearrangement of bits. Multiplication in Rp has complexity N +1, which is approximately twice as efficient as optimal normal basis multiplication (ONB) or Montgomery multiplication in GF(2N), while squaring has approximately the same efficiency as ONB. Inversion and solution of quadratic equations can also be performed at least as fast as previous methods.
“Their Lack of Masculine Security and Aggression Was Obvious”: Gender and the Medicalization of Inebriety in the United States, 1930-50

This article examines the roles of gender and sexuality in the public and private debate over medicalizing inebriety in the United States from 1930- 50. During this period various interest groups wrestled with two competing visions of how to frame chronic drinking, which came to be labelled alcoholism following the repeal of Prohibition. Mainstream doctors and psychiatrists agreed that the underlying cause of alcoholism was in the mind of the individual. A number of psychiatrists went further, suggesting a connection between alcoholism and latent homosexuality. In contrast, laypeople identifying themselves as alcoholics advanced a second, competing vision of alcoholism that framed it as a blameless physiological illness. This second understanding of alcoholism, particularly as promoted by members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), emphasized the need for restoring heteronormative gender roles for alcoholics (who were generally men) and their spouses (who were generally women) as an important step to recovery. Indeed, this may help to explain the success of AA and its medicalization model in the US from 1930-50, as both built upon widely held cultural assumptions concerning gender roles and sexuality. Cet article examine les roles du genre et de la sexualite dans les debats publics et prives sur la medicalisation de l’ivresse aux Etats-Unis de 1930 a 1950. Pendant cette periode, divers groupes d’interet ont propose deux visions opposes sur comment encadrer la consommation chronique, apres l’abrogation de la prohibition. Les medecins et les psychiatre consideraient que la cause fondamentale de l’alcoolisme residait dans l’esprit de l’individu. Un certain nombre de psychiatres sont alles plus loin, suggerant un lien entre l’alcoolisme et l’homosexualite latente. En revanche, les gens s’identifiant comme alcooliques ont avance une seconde vision de l’alcoolisme, le presentant comme une maladie physiologique. Cette autre conception de l’alcoolisme, particulierement favorisee par des membres des alcooliques anonymes (AA), a souligne le besoin de reconstituer les roles revolus respectivement aux deux sexes pour les alcooliques (qui etaient generalement des hommes) et leurs conjoints (qui etaient generalement des femmes) comme etape importante au retablissement. En effet, ceci peut aider a expliquer le succes des AA et de son modele de medicalisation aux Etats-Unis de 1930 a 50, tous les deux etant construits sur des pretentions culturelles largement jugees au sujet des roles des deux sexes et de la sexualite.
Chapter 8 Simulated and Real Buyers in Posted Offer Markets

Publisher Summary This chapter uses the data from three previously published studies to examine the effect of real versus simulated buyers on laboratory outcomes. Real buyers can and occasionally do trategically deviate from full demand revelation. Further, the threat of strategic behavior appears to temper the pricing decisions by sellers. The chapter presents the experimental design and a discussion of demand withholding as a buyer strategy. The chapter concludes by providing results and discussion.
Los personajes afrodescendientes en “Nabo, el negro que hizo esperar a los ángeles”

En este cuento de Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1927-2014) el uso inestable de epitetos raciales es sintoma del reto que constituyo para el escritor pensar, nombrar e imaginar la condicion de los afrodescendientes colombianos. El protagonista del cuento es negro en el titulo, Nabo a secas para un narrador en tercera persona del singular y negrito para un narrador suplementario en primera persona del plural; otro personaje, segun el narrador en tercera persona, es negro en vida, pero hombre a secas cuando regresa de la muerte. El dialogo entre el par de personajes negros (uno discapacitado, otro muerto) apunta a posturas antiteticas respecto de la discapacidad; por otra parte, la fuerza emocional de la musica constituye el nucleo de la relacion entre los dos. Palabras claves: Garcia Marquez, Gabriel; “Nabo, el negro que hizo esperar a los angeles”; raza; discapacidad; trauma. Abstract: In this short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1927-2014), an unstable use of racial epithets is symptomatic of the challenge the writer faced when thinking through, naming or imaging the situation of Afrocolombians. In this early short story’s title the protagonist is identified as black , but for the story’s third-person narrator he is always Nabo , and for a supplementary first-person plural narrator he is a little black (or little nigger ); the other Afro-Colombian character in the story only appears in sections told by the thirdperson narrator; before his death, he is referred to as black , but when he returns as a ghost, he is a man . The dialogue between these two Afro-Colombian male characters invokes differing stances towards disability; a shared love of music constitutes their main bond. Keywords: Garcia Marquez, Gabriel; “Nabo, el negro que hizo esperar a los angeles”; race; disability; trauma.
A novel approach for transparent bandwidth conservation

In this paper, we present a novel approach, stealth multicast, which offers a practical solution for the adoption of network-level IP multicast. Rather than focusing on a global scale such as with previous approaches, stealth multicast optimizes efficiency on a domain-wise scale. In short, stealth multicast dynamically combines redundant data payloads into virtual groups for multicast transmission across the domain. At the edge of the domain, the packets are converted back to unicast, thus keeping stealth multicast true to its namesake in that neither the user applications nor the external domain are aware of the presence of multicast. We present simulation studies to show the potential of stealth multicast.
Network traffic modeling using connection-level information

Aggregate network traffic exhibits strong burstiness and non-Gaussian distributions, which popular models such as fractional Gaussian noise (fGn) fail to capture. To better understand the cause of traffic burstiness, we investigate the connection-level information of traffic traces. A careful study reveals that traffic burstiness is directly related to the heterogeneity in connection bandwidths and round-trip times and that a small number of high-bandwidth connections are solely responsible for bursts. This separation of connections has far-reaching implications on network control and leads to a new model for network traffic which we call the alpha/beta model. In this model, the network traffic is composed of two components: a bursty, non-Gaussian alpha component (stable Levy noise) and a Gaussian, long range dependent beta component (fGn). We present a fast scheme to separate the alpha and beta components of traffic using wavelet denoising.
Model-based filter design by minimizing median of square of residuals

Model-based digital filter design may be an attractive technique if the desired impulse response, perhaps measured in the field, closely matches a simple time series model, such as an autoregressive model. For autoregressive model based filters, a least squares solution is convenient for computational reasons, but is adversely affected by data outliers, such as a severe noise spike. Previously, the authors have shown that an Lp(p=1) may generate a robust solution in certain cases, however, such an estimator, although more robust than least squares methods, suffers breakdown when the data outliers are too frequent or occur at end points of the data record. The present paper demonstrates the increased robustness of a model based filter design via choosing model coefficients by minimizing the median of the square of the residuals. >
Neurocognitive function in sickle cell disease: have we been missing something?

In 1963, Chordokoff and Whitten published a study that compared the intellectual quotient (IQ) of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) with a group of siblings, and concluded that there were no ...
Spectrophotometric determination of microgram quantities of protein without nucleic acid interference

Abstract A spectrophotometric method which eliminates interference due to nucleic acid absorbance has been developed for determining protein concentration over the range of 5 to 180 μg/ml. Absorbance measurements are made in the 2240 to 2400 A range where light absorbance by polypeptide results from the presence of tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, histidine, methionine, cysteine, and cystine as well as some contribution apparently from peptide bond. The variation of absorbance as a function of primary structure has been studied using pure proteins with widely differing quantities of the above amino acids. With egg white lysozyme and bovine serum albumin, the results obtained by the present method have been compared to those obtained with the Folin-Lowry and microbiuret methods.
Etiology and diagnosis of systolic murmurs in adults.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether echocardiography can provide insights into the origin of systolic murmurs and the modern value of bedside cardiovascular diagnosis. METHODS: The author examined 376 inpatients and compared their physical findings to transthoracic echocardiography, exploring the associations between echocardiography and systolic murmurs and investigating the diagnostic accuracy of physical examination for pathologic murmurs. RESULTS: Four echocardiographic variables predict the presence of systolic murmurs: peak aortic velocity (P .001); mitral regurgitation severity (P .001); mitral valve E-point velocity (P.09); and absence of pericardial effusion (P.09). When diagnosing murmurs, the most helpful finding is its distribution on the chest wall with respect to the 3 rd left parasternal space, a landmark that distinguishes murmurs into 6 patterns. The “apical-base” pattern indicates increased aortic velocity (likelihood ratio [LR] 9.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 6.7-14): a delayed carotid upstroke (LR 6.8; 95% CI; 4.0-11.5); absent S2 (LR 12.7; 95% CI; 5.3-30.4); and humming quality to the murmur (LR 8.5; 95% CI; 4.3-16.5) further increase the probability of aortic valve disease. The “broad apical” murmur pattern suggests significant mitral regurgitation (LR 6.8; 95% CI; 3.9-11.9); and the “left lower sternal” murmur pattern indicates significant tricuspid regurgitation (LR 8.4; 95% CI; 3.5-20.3): additional bedside observations refine these diagnoses. Nonetheless, this study shows that some classic physical findings are no longer accurate, that physical examination cannot reliably distinguish severe aortic stenosis from less severe stenosis, and that classic physical findings, despite having proven value, are absent in many patients with significant cardiac lesions. CONCLUSIONS: In the diagnosis of systolic murmurs, physical examination has limitations but also unappreciated value. A simple system using onomatopoeia and classifying systolic murmurs into 1 of 6 patterns is diagnostically helpful.