cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tricuspid Valve Repair for Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

Tricuspid valve insufficiency can be caused by organic disease of the tricuspid valve (rheumatic disease, endocarditis, carcinoid, and so on); however, most tricuspid regurgitation encountered in clinical practice occurs in patients with chronic left-sided valvular lesions. Ten percent to 50% of patients with severe mitral valve dysfunction have significant tricuspid regurgitation. '3' In this situation, functional tricuspid regurgitation is attributable to pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dilatati~n.~ Other factors that contribute to functional tricuspid insufficiency may include right ventricular-tricuspid valve disproportion with compromised function of the tricuspid valve apparatus' and depressed tricuspid annular shortening during systole. It is now generally accepted that moderate to severe functional tricuspid insufficiency should be addressed at the time of correction of left-sided valvular disease.6-8 Several surgical options have been used to treat functional tricuspid insufficiency. These include tricuspid valve replacement, bicuspidalization annuloplasty, DeVega suture annuloplasty, and ring annuloplasty (Carpentier [Baxter Healthcare, Irvine, CAI or Duran [Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN]). The first two options, tricuspid valve replacement and bicuspidalization annuloplasty, provide inferior results and should not be used in the setting of functional tricuspid regurgitation. Both the DeVega annuloplasty and the Carpentier ring annuloplasty provide excellent treatment of functional tricuspid reg~rgitation.~> ~-~ However, studies suggest that repair durability is better with the Carpentier annuloplasty, particularly in the setting of severe pulmonary hypertension.6*8 Other potential disadvantages of the DeVega annuloplasty include the possibility of complete repair dehiscence from the disruption of a single stitch and obligate semicircular deformation of the tricuspid annulus, which may impair long-term valvular function.6 Drawbacks to the Carpentier ring annuloplasty include increased cost, the introduction of foreign material with the attendant risk of endocarditis, and relative rigidity of the prosthesis, which fixes the annulus in the shape of the ring. Recent advances in understanding the physiology of the tricuspid valve have provided the rationale for the use of a new annuloplasty system to correct functional tricuspid ins~fficiency.~ Computer-based analysis of echocardiographic images of the tricuspid valve shows that the tricuspid annulus is a saddle-shaped structure that has sphincter action, being smaller in systole than in diastole." Anatomic studies show that five sixths of annular dilatation takes place at the base of the anterior and posterior leaflets.6 This understanding of the normal physiology and pathoanatomy of the tricuspid valve led us to use an annuloplasty system that is universally flexible and produces a measured plication of the annulus at the base of the anterior and posterior leaflets. Repair of the tricuspid valve using the flexible Cosgrove-Edwards Annuloplasty System (Baxter Healthcare, Irvine, CA) is described.
Silencing the Opposition: The State v. Civil Society in India's Ganges River Basin

India's Ganges River has suffered from massive amounts of pollution for decades, and despite numerous attempts, the Indian government has failed to clean up this historic water resource. This governance failure prompted the growth of civil society groups whose stated purposes included the mitigation of Ganges pollution and the empowerment of community-based solutions. These types of groups, however, have not found sustained success in alleviating Ganges pollution, despite their compatibility with the constitutional decentralization of Indian water policy. A case study of one of these civil society organizations, the Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF), serves as a first step in assessing the efficacy of this community-based approach to Ganges pollution mitigation. From a broader perspective, the story of the SMF speaks to the difficulties inherent in environmental policy decentralization and to the struggles of norm creation and diffusion across societies. Indeed, this case is particularly instructive, as it exposes potential vulnerabilities in the literature regarding the role of civil society groups as norm entrepreneurs. Rather than allow for the democratization of water policy, as called for by the Indian constitution, the case of the SMF suggests the Indian government has entrenched centralization to the point of diffusing civil society opposition and ultimately compromising the overall impact of its resistance.
Effects of Check and Connect on Attendance, Behavior, and Academics A Randomized Effectiveness Trial

Objectives:This study examined the effects of Check & Connect (C&C) on the attendance, behavior, and academic outcomes of at-risk youth in a field-based effectiveness trial.Method:A multisite rando...
Effect of aspirin on late preconditioning against myocardial stunning in conscious rabbits

Abstract Objectives The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of three different doses of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) (ASA) on the late phase of ischemic preconditioning (PC) against myocardial stunning. Background Although recent evidence indicates that the late phase of ischemic PC is mediated by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that inhibit COX-2 activity on late PC has not been evaluated; ASA is the most widely used NSAID. Therefore, we determined whether ASA impedes the development of late PC. Methods Conscious rabbits underwent a protocol consisting of three days of six 4-min coronary occlusion/4-min reperfusion cycles. Results Neither 5 mg/kg nor 10 mg/kg × 3 of ASA interfered with the protective effects of late PC against stunning. In contrast, the late PC effect was completely abrogated by 25 mg/kg of ASA. Low-dose (5 mg/kg) ASA effectively inhibited platelet aggregation but did not prevent the increase in COX-2 activity, whereas the highest dose (25 mg/kg) completely blocked COX-2 activity. Conclusions The administration of ASA either at antithrombotic doses (5 mg/kg), which are widely used to prevent cardiovascular events in patients, or at analgesic/antipyretic doses (10 mg/kg) does not interfere with the cardioprotective effects of late PC against myocardial stunning. In contrast, high doses of ASA (25 mg/kg), which are used as antirheumatic therapy, abrogate both COX-2 activity and late PC, suggesting that nonselective doses of NSAIDs should be used with caution in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease because they may deprive the heart of its innate defensive response.
Fermentation of a High Concentrate Diet as Affected by Ruminal pH and Digesta Flow

Abstract Continuous culture fermentations were conducted to determine the effect of pH and digesta flow rates on fermentation of a 65% grain, 35% forage ration by rumen microorganisms. The pH selected were 5.8, 6.2, 6.6, and 7.0. Imposed on each pH in a randomized complete block design were digesta flow rates of 30/4, 26/8, 22/12, and 18/16, where the first number represents solids retention time (hour) and the second the liquid dilution rate (percent/hour). Digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and nitrogen was significantly depressed at pH 5.8, increased markedly at pH 6.2, and increased only slightly at pH 7.0. Digestibility of total nonstructural carbohydrate averaged 91.4% and was not affected by digesta flow rate or pH. Production of total volatile fatty acid was highest at pH 6.2 and 6.6. Overall means for acetate production increased, but propionate and butyrate production decreased as pH was increased from 5.8 to 6.2 with little response to further pH increases. Microbial efficiency decreased with increasing pH but increased 36% as digesta flow rate increased. The percentage of the microbial population associated with effluent neutral detergent fiber was decreased when pH was reduced below 6.2, which reflects the pattern seen for fiber digestion.
A study of connectivity in millennium villages in Africa

The Millennium Villages Project (MVP) is a community-based comprehensive multi-sectoral approach to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa over a five-year period. MVP and Ericsson's Consumer Lab collaborated to investigate the baseline conditions for enhanced connectivity and integrating mobile telephony in MVP sites. It is hypothesized that this will accelerate the achievement of the MDGs through improved communication and availability of information. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the research team aimed to assess the effects of network strengthening and strategic integration in the context of a rural village in a low-income African country. Four Millennium Village sites were examined for this study on connectivity: Bonsaaso, Ghana; Dertu, Kenya; Ikaram, Nigeria; and Mbola, Tanzania. The survey results from the sites showed common attributes for mobile phone owners but usage trends differed across study sites. Given the results, in three of the four sites, there is a significant market to be explored for voice services to be strengthened and made more easily available in terms of infrastructure and costs. Lessons drawn from these sites can provide us with useful insights into the potential for development and use of mobile phones in the rest of the continent, in addition to providing useful policy implications.
Theoretical prediction of the impact of Auger recombination on charge collection from an ion track

The theoretical analysis presented indicates that Auger recombination can reduce charge collection from very dense ion tracks in silicon devices. It is of marginal importance for tracks produced by 270-MeV krypton, and therefore it is of major importance for ions exhibiting a significantly larger loss. The analysis shows that recombination loss is profoundly affected by track diffusion. As the track diffuses, the density and recombination rate decrease so fast that the linear density (number of electron-hole pairs per unit length) approaches a nonzero limiting value as t to infinity . Furthermore, the linear density very nearly equal to this limiting value is a few picoseconds or less. When Auger recombination accompanies charge transport processes that have much longer time scales, it can be simulated by assigning a reduced linear energy transfer to the ion. >
High-frequency characterization of twisted-pair cables

A wave propagation method model is proposed for the extraction of propagation parameters of high-bit rate digital subscriber twisted-pair cables. The model is derived from the scattering parameters of a transmission line. The frequency dependence and the skin effect are studied. Experimental simulations are performed to evaluate the accuracy of the extracted parameters. Good agreement is found in the cases studied.
REGULATION OF CARBON PROCESSES BY MACROPHYTE SPECIES IN A GREAT LAKES COASTAL WETLAND

The objective of this research was to compare and contrast C dynamics within plots occupied by Phragmites australis, Typha spp., and Sagittaria latifolia in a Lake Erie coastal wetland (Ohio, USA). The effect of each species on above- and belowground biomass, soil C pools, soil labile C, litter decomposition rates, and microbial catabolic response profiles were analyzed. Phragmites australis and Typha spp. produced significantly more aboveground biomass (1,522 ± 464 and 1,177 ± 164 g DM m−2, respectively) than S. latifolia (500 ± 80 g DM m−2), although no difference was observed in terms of belowground biomass. After 208 days in the field, litter of S. latifolia had lost 72% of its initial mass while only 47% of the litter of Typha spp. and P. australis had decomposed. This coupled process of high primary production and slow litter decomposition within P. australis and Typha spp. communities did not translate into greater accumulation of C in the soil. In fact, we observed lower rates of C mineralization and greater biomass of methanogens in the S. latifolia plots. Despite similar water level, soil conditions in the S. latifolia community was more saturated, which might have limited availability of C for microbial consumption in these plots. Microbial catabolic responses to 24 substrates demonstrated distinct differences in the respiration responses of the soil microbial communities of the three macrophyte species. The microbial community found in the rhizosphere of P. australis was particularly responsive to phenolic acids. Few differences in C fluxes and pools were observed between plots occupied by P. australis and Typha spp., but the replacement of S. latifolia by one of the two other species could have a significant effect on the C cycle in the Great Lakes coastal wetlands.
Electronic Band Structure and Carrier Effective Mass in Calcium Aluminates

First-principles electronic band structure investigations of five compounds of the $\mathrm{Ca}\mathrm{O}\text{\penalty1000-\hskip0pt}{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ family, $3\mathrm{Ca}\mathrm{O}∙{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, $12\mathrm{Ca}\mathrm{O}∙7{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, $\mathrm{Ca}\mathrm{O}∙{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, $\mathrm{Ca}\mathrm{O}∙2{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, and $\mathrm{Ca}\mathrm{O}∙6{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, as well as CaO and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-, $\ensuremath{\theta}$-, and $\ensuremath{\kappa}\text{\penalty1000-\hskip0pt}{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ are performed. We find that the conduction band in the complex oxides is formed from the oxygen antibonding $p$ states and, although the band gap in ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ is almost twice larger than in CaO, the $s$ states of both cations. Such a hybrid nature of the conduction band leads to isotropic electron effective masses which are nearly the same for all compounds investigated. This insensitivity of the effective mass to variations in the composition and structure suggests that upon a proper degenerate doping, both amorphous and crystalline phases of the materials will possess mobile extra electrons.
Medical Imaging Data Reconciliation, Part 2: Clinical Order Entry and Imaging Report Data Reconciliation

Data reconciliation in medical imaging is designed to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data across multiple steps in the imaging cycle, ultimately leading to improved continuity of patient care. An integral component of this data reconciliation is tied to the steps of clinical order entry and radiology report creation. The clinical data presented at order entry by the referring clinician influence a number of important imaging decisions, including examination selection, protocol design, image acquisition and processing, and interpretation of the imaging data set. The subsequent data derived from the radiology report have a profound impact on diagnosis, treatment, and overall clinical management. As a result, the reconciliation of clinical order entry and radiology report data affect health care delivery and in many respects are dependent on each other for optimal outcomes. The creation of a standardized reconciliation database that proactively records, tracks, analyzes, and provides feedback to radiologists and clinicians offers the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care, while providing objective accountability measures for individual and institutional health care providers.
Using time skewing to eliminate idle time due to memory bandwidth and network limitations

Time skewing is a compile-time optimization that can provide arbitrarily high cache hit rates for a class of iterative calculations, given a sufficient number of time steps and sufficient cache memory. Thus, it can eliminate processor idle time caused by inadequate main memory bandwidth. In this article, we give a generalization of time skewing for multiprocessor architectures, and discuss time skewing for multilevel caches. Our generalization for multiprocessors lets us eliminate processor idle time caused by any combination of inadequate main memory bandwidth, limited network bandwidth, and high network latency, given a sufficiently large problem and sufficient cache. As in the uniprocessor case, the cache requirement grows with the machine balance rather than the problem size. Our techniques for using multilevel caches reduce the LI cache requirement, which would otherwise be unacceptably high for some architectures when using arrays of high dimension.
MODIS aerosol optical depth observations over urban areas in Pakistan: quantity and quality of the data for air quality monitoring

Ten years (2001–2010) of aerosol optical depth (AOD) observations from the MODerate resolution Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MODIS) over two large urban centers in Pakistan have been analyzed for atmospheric aerosol loading and surface level particulate matter air quality assessments. MODIS Level 2 AOD data over Karachi and Lahore were analyzed for availability of aerosols data, spatial gradients, and long term trends. MODIS AOD used in this analysis is retrieved using the dark target algorithm. Availability of AOD data over Karachi and its surroundings is seriously impacted by the presence of bright surfaces – a well known limitation of the retrieval algorithm. The Lahore region does not experience this problem due to its relatively darker surface, and therefore permits a more in–depth analysis. Due to the lack of available AOD data, analysis over Karachi has not been performed. A spatial gradient of 0.2/degree in AOD have been found over Lahore, which indicate high aerosol loading near the city center as compared to outside the city area. Long–term trend analysis over Lahore shows a decreasing trend in AOD with slope of –0.07 over the last decade. The surface level particulate matter estimates using AOD–PM relationship suggest that Lahore experience unhealthy air quality on more than 80% days in any given year.
MADD, a Splice Variant of IG20, Is Indispensable for MAPK Activation and Protection against Apoptosis upon Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Treatment

We investigated the physiological role of endogenous MAPK-activating death domain-containing protein (MADD), a splice variant of the IG20 gene, that can interact with TNFR1 in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-induced activation of NF-κB, MAPK, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38. Using exon-specific short hairpin RNAs expressing lentiviruses, we knocked down the expression of all IG20 splice variants or MADD, which is overexpressed in cancer cells. Abrogation of MADD expression rendered cells highly susceptible to TNFα-induced apoptosis in the absence of cycloheximide. It also resulted in a dramatic loss in TNFα-induced activation of MAPK without any apparent effect on NF-κB activation. This observation was substantiated by an accompanying loss in the activation of p90RSK, a key downstream target of MAPK, whereas the NF-κB-regulated interleukin 6 levels remained unaffected. Endogenous MADD knockdown, however, did not affect epidermal growth factor-induced MAPK activation thereby demonstrating the specific requirement of MADD for TNF receptor-mediated MAPK activation. Re-expression of short hairpin RNA-resistant MADD in the absence of endogenous IG20 expression rescued the cells from TNFα-induced apoptosis. The requirement for MADD was highly specific for TNFα-induced activation of MAPK but not the related JNK and p38 kinases. Loss of MADD expression resulted in reduced Grb2 and Sos1/2 recruitment to the TNFR1 complex and decreased Ras and MEKK1/2 activation. These results demonstrate the essential role of MADD in protecting cancer cells from TNFα-induced apoptosis by specifically activating MAPKs through Grb2 and Sos1/2 recruitment, and its potential as a novel cancer therapeutic target.
The impact of an appearance-based educational intervention on adolescent intention to use sunscreen

During adolescence, there is a steady decline in the use of sun protection and increased use of indoor tanning lights. Previous health education efforts have changed knowledge but not these behaviors. Middle school students (n=113) received a single educational class that included personal viewing of skin changes visible under ultraviolet (UV) filtered light. Pre-/post-surveys assessed past, current and future intent to use sunscreen, as well as sun benefit and sun risk attitudes. Prior to the session, 42% were sunscreen non-users and 21% were consistent users. At post-test, one-third of students who had not previously intended to use sunscreen in the next month now intended to use it. Among students who had seen skin damage, 59% reported intention to use sunscreen in the next month versus 35% who did not see skin changes (P = 0.04). Viewing sun damage was an independent predictor of intent to use sunscreen in the next month (OR 2.9, P = 0.04), as was older age (OR 2.6, P = 0.04) and previous consistent sunscreen use (OR 6.1, P = 0.004). A brief educational intervention that emphasizes risk-to-appearance and personalizes the risks of UV exposure has the potential to influence early adolescent sun protection. Long-term studies of this approach are needed.
Regulation of KCa current by store-operated Ca2+ influx depends on internal Ca2+ release in HSG cells.

This study examines the Ca2+ influx-dependent regulation of the Ca2+-activated K+ channel (KCa) in human submandibular gland (HSG) cells. Carbachol (CCh) induced sustained increases in the KCa current and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), which were prevented by loading cells with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N', N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). Removal of extracellular Ca2+ and addition of La3+ or Gd3+, but not Zn2+, inhibited the increases in KCa current and [Ca2+]i. Ca2+ influx during refill (i.e., addition of Ca2+ to cells treated with CCh and then atropine in Ca2+-free medium) failed to evoke increases in the KCa current but achieved internal Ca2+ store refill. When refill was prevented by thapsigargin, Ca2+ readdition induced rapid activation of KCa. These data provide further evidence that intracellular Ca2+ accumulation provides tight buffering of [Ca2+]i at the site of Ca2+ influx (H. Mogami, K. Nakano, A. V. Tepikin, and O. H. Petersen. Cell 88: 49-55, 1997). We suggest that the Ca2+ influx-dependent regulation of the sustained KCa current in CCh-stimulated HSG cells is mediated by the uptake of Ca2+ into the internal Ca2+ store and release via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive channel.
Observations on the Reliability of thin Film Nickel-Chromium Resisiors

The reliability of 150A thick Ni-Cr films used for resistors was studied. It was found that these films deposited on SiO2 were continuous, void-free, and not susceptible to intermetallic formation with aluminum during normal device processing. No evidence of electromigration was found in these films after continuous powering at current densities up to 5.9 × 106 amps/cm2 for 1000 hours; nor were failures found for power cycling at these current densities for up to 7.2 × 109 cycles.
Hormone levels in neonatal hair reflect prior maternal stress exposure during pregnancy

Hormones present in hair provide summative information about endocrine activity while the hair was growing. Therefore, it can be collected from an infant after birth and still provide retrospective information about hormone exposure during prenatal development. We employed this approach to determine whether a delimited period of maternal stress during pregnancy affected the concentrations of glucocorticoids and gonadal hormones in the hair of neonatal rhesus monkeys. Hair from 22 infant monkeys exposed to 5 weeks of gestational disturbance was compared to specimens from 13 infants from undisturbed control pregnancies. Using an LC/MS/MS based technique, which permitted seven steroid hormones to be quantified simultaneously, we found 2 hormones were significantly different in infants from disturbed pregnancies. Cortisol and testosterone levels were lower in the hair of both male and female neonates. Maternal hair hormone levels collected on the same day after delivery no longer showed effects of the disturbance earlier during pregnancy. This study documents that a period of acute stress, lasting for 20% of gestation, has sustained effects on the hormones to which a developing fetus is exposed.
Active Surveillance of Prostate Cancer in a Community Practice: How to Measure, Manage, and Improve?

Objective To measure past active surveillance (AS) adoption rates, institute the best practice, and measure the AS adoption rates following implementation. We report our findings over a 3-year period. Methods Patient prostate needle biopsy and treatment data from the period August 2011 to August 2014 were retrieved from an integrated electronic medical records (Allscripts) and stored in a Microsoft Access database for analysis. Structured data were queried using the automated software program WizMD and unstructured data were abstracted by manual review. AS adoption was calculated according to four different selection criteria. Between 2013 and 2014, physicians at Genesis Healthcare Partners (GHP) underwent an educational training program on the University of California, San Diego/GHP AS best practice for managing low-risk prostate cancer patients and were provided report cards on their AS adoption and comparative reporting. Results AS adoption increased for the 3 years of the study. AS adoption for all newly diagnosed patients managed at GHP increased from 12.9% to 14.74%. AS adoption for patients with low-risk prostate cancer (as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network) increased from 31.90% to 58.46% from year 1 to year 3 of the study ( P P Conclusion These data highlight the potential benefit of physician education and comparative reporting to enhance AS adoption. AS adoption rates vary according to selection criteria used for analysis. Carefully selected outcomes from evidence-based guidelines have the potential to enhance medical quality.
The Management Factor in Commercial Agriculture: How Can It Be Improved?

Management of commercial farms could be improved in a number of ways. Farmers know how to farm better than they are farming. Economists and others know where improvements could be made and are working in that direction. It is not my intent in this paper to delve into these areas of possible improvement, important as they are. My objective is to explore some possibilities of two of the newer areas in managerial improvement: (a) identification and measurement of potential managerial ability and (b) use of the computer as a tool of management. Substantial further work and development are needed in these areas for them to make a major contribution. But results to date portend a revolution in management of commercial farms which will be of great significance.
Pyogenic cerebral abscesses demonstrating facilitated diffusion.

Abstract Objective Pyogenic cerebral abscesses are associated with high morbidity and mortality when treatment is delayed. Benign clinical presentation, as well as absence of restricted diffusion on MRI may contribute to missed diagnoses and delays. The authors sought to elucidate characteristics associated with facilitated diffusion on the MRIs of patients with pyogenic abscesses. Patients and methods The authors performed a 10-year retrospective review of prospectively attained data for patients undergoing mass resection by a single surgeon. Results Our findings show that 3/33 (9%) patients with microbiological diagnoses of cerebral abscesses with a thin ring of contrast enhancement but minimal or no restricted diffusion MRI imaging. All causative organisms were hemolytic streptococci and none of the subjects received antibiotic therapy prior to specimen collection. A trend in these patients was the presence of diabetes and in conjunction with other studies that cite incomplete treatment as being associated with facilitated diffusion, we conjecture that impaired inflammatory responses in some patients may be associated with the absence of restricted diffusion. Conclusion With this in mind, clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with cystic, contrast enhancing masses. A prospective multicenter study to compile imaging along with other patient characteristics may help refine the non-invasive diagnostic criteria for brain abscesses.
Thermal management of battery module consisting of multiple Li-Ion cells for hybrid power systems

Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries are promising power sources for hybrid propulsion systems, and thermal management of batteries has been identified as a critical issues for their safe and efficient application. This work studied thermal management of Li-ion battery pack both experimentally and computationally. A battery pack consisting of multiple cells was fabricated and experimentally tested in a wind tunnel facility. Systematic tests were performed under various flow velocity, charging and discharging current, and pack configuration. Computationally, a high-fidelity two dimensional CFD-FEA (Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis) model was developed to capture the detailed dynamics of thermal management of the cells. Temperature rise of cells and pressure measurements were recorded in the experiments, and compared with model simulations. Reasonable agreement was obtained, confirming the validity of the model and also revealing possible directions for future work.
GLOBAL DYNAMIC ANALYSIS AND INTENSITY CHECKING FOR RINGING COURSE OF YONGLE BELL AND ITS SUSPENDING AND SUPPORTING SYSTEM USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

A global finite element model of Yongle Bell and its suspending and supporting system is established for the first time using ANSYS program.Based on its static,dynamic analysis and dynamic intensity checking,stress and displacement distribution as well as dynamic response of the whole system and its important components are obtained.All these results provide a scientific basis and technical guidance for ringing the bell and reinforcing the whole structure.
Prevention of postoperative infections

If the incidence of nosocomial infection in surgical patients is to be reduced, the present approach to prevention and control must be re-evaluated and technological data from other sciences brought to bear. A checklist system for closer control is presented.
Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular epidermoid cyst with MRI

Objective To investigate the MRI characteristics and differential diagnosis of testicular epidermoid cyst. Methods The MRI imaging features of 7 testicular epidermoid cyst cases were retrospectively analyzed and compared with that of testicular seminoma.All cases were examined by contrast-enhanced MRI scans. Results The group of 7 cases of testicular epidermoid cyst MRI showed characteristic: On T1-weighted MR images, some lesions showed low signal-based, center with spotty high signal ( "target sign" ). On T2-weighted MRI, some lesions had a laminated appearance, with alternating low and high signal intensity areas( "onion skin" sign). On contrast-enhanced images, all lesions were sharply demarcated low signal intensity masses, and contrast enhancement were not seen in any of the cases. Conclusion MRI characteristics of testicular epidermoid cyst are distinctive in certain extent.It may express "target sign" , "onion skin" sign, T2 low signal intensity complete rings, and without enhancement. Key words: Magnetic resonance imaging; Testicular neoplasms; Epidermoid cyst
Measuring Fitness of Projects, Products and Technologies Using Data Envelopment Analysis

This paper discusses the analogy between the fitness of technological systems and the fitness of complex adaptive biological systems, and suggests that fitness landscapes are an appropriate structure upon which to evaluate technological system affordability, or fitness. This paper introduces Altenberg's generalized NK fitness landscapes, suggests the possibility that the production possibility set in data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a fitness landscape, and discusses the possible use of DEA to evaluate fitness landscapes and thus the fitness of R&D projects. This paper describes the application of DEA models to evaluate and select DoD Corrosion Prevention and Control (CPC) R&D projects using an appropriate set of input and output fitness function variables to assess the affordability of the projects. The paper also describes the subsequent implementation of the DEA methodology to the DoD Corrosion Prevention and Control R&D project selection program since 2007.
Survival After Secondary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Placement: An Analysis From the NCDR ICD Registry

Abstract Objectives This study sought to define the characteristics and risks of death of patients receiving a physician-designated secondary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in contemporary clinical practice. Background Data on utilization and outcomes of ICDs for the secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) are limited. Methods Patients enrolled in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry’s (NCDR) ICD Registry from 2006 to 2009 with a physician-designated secondary prevention indication for ICD implantation were identified and linked to the Social Security Death Master File. Those patients with a history either of tachycardic arrest or sustained ventricular tachycardia (SCD/VT) or of syncope without SCD/VT were included. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess mortality. Cox proportional hazards survival modeling was used to assess the risk of death in these groups, adjusting for patient characteristics. Results In the study cohort of 46,685 patients (mean age 66 ± 14 years, 73.5% male, 85% white), 78% had SCD/VT and 22% had syncope. Overall mortality was 10.4% at 1 year and 16.4% at 2 years. Compared with patients having SCD/VT, the adjusted hazard of death at 1 year was lower in the patients having syncope (hazard ratio: 0.89; 95% confidence interval: 0.83 to 0.96) but was not significantly different by 2 years (hazard ratio: 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 0.90 to 1.01). Conclusions Nearly 9 of 10 patients receiving a secondary prevention ICD in clinical practice are alive 1 year after implantation. The risk of death varies by indication and is highest among patients who survive SCD or sustained VT in the first year after device implantation.
A 10-b 800MS/s time-interleaved SAR ADC with fast timing-skew calibration

This paper presents a time-interleaved (TI) successive-approximation-register (SAR) ADC with a fast variance-based timing-skew calibration technique. It uses a single comparator-based window detector to calibrate the timing skew. It has low-hardware cost and 104 times faster convergence speed compared to prior variance-based timing skew calibration technique. The proposed technique brings collateral benefits of offset mismatch calibration. A prototype 10-b 800MS/s ADC in 40nm CMOS achieves Nyquist-rate SNDR of 48 dB and consumes 9.8mW, leading to a Walden FoM of 59-fJ/conversion-step.
Geomorphic process from topographic form: automating the interpretation of repeat survey data in river valleys

The ability to quantify the processes driving geomorphic change in river valley margins is vital to geomorphologists seeking to understand the relative role of transport mechanisms (e.g. fluvial, aeolian, and hillslope processes) in landscape dynamics. High-resolution, repeat topographic data are becoming readily available to geomorphologists. By contrasting digital elevation models derived from repeat surveys, the transport processes driving topographic changes can be inferred, a method termed ‘mechanistic segregation.’ Unfortunately, mechanistic segregation largely relies on subjective and time consuming manual classification, which has implications both for its reproducibility and the practical scale of its application. Here we present a novel computational workflow for the mechanistic segregation of geomorphic transport processes in geospatial datasets. We apply the workflow to seven sites along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, where geomorphic transport is driven by a diverse suite of mechanisms. The workflow performs well when compared to field observations, with an overall predictive accuracy of 84% across 113 validation points. The approach most accurately predicts changes due to fluvial processes (100% accuracy) and aeolian processes (96%), with reduced accuracy in predictions of alluvial and colluvial processes (64% and 73%, respectively). Our workflow is designed to be applicable to a diversity of river systems and will likely provide a rapid and objective understanding of the processes driving geomorphic change at the reach and network scales. We anticipate that such an understanding will allow insight into the response of geomorphic transport processes to external forcings, such as shifts in climate, land use, or river regulation, with implications for process-based river management and restoration. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mining Exosomal Genes for Pancreatic Cancer Targets

BACKGROUND Exosomes, cell-derived vesicles encompassing lipids, DNA, proteins coding genes and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are present in diverse body fluids. They offer novel biomarker and drug therapy potential for diverse diseases, including cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using gene ontology, exosomal genes database and GeneCards metadata analysis tools, a database of cancer-associated protein coding genes and ncRNAs (n=2,777) was established. Variant analysis, expression profiling and pathway mapping were used to identify putative pancreatic cancer exosomal gene candidates. RESULTS Five hundred and seventy-five protein-coding genes, 26 RNA genes and one pseudogene directly associated with pancreatic cancer were identified in the study. Nine open reading frames (ORFs) encompassing enzymes, apoptosis and transcriptional regulators, and secreted factors and five cDNAs (enzymes) emerged from the analysis. Among the ncRNA class, 26 microRNAs (miRs), one pseudogene, one long noncoding RNA (LNC) and one antisense gene were identified. Furthermore, 22 exosome-associated protein-coding targets (a cytokine, enzymes, membrane glycoproteins, receptors, and a transporter) emerged as putative leads for pancreatic cancer therapy. Seven of these protein-coding targets are FDA-approved and the drugs-based on these could provide repurposing opportunities for pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION The database of exosomal genes established in this study provides a framework for developing novel biomarkers and drug therapy targets for pancreatic cancer.
Data security evaluation for mobile android devices

Vast spreading of Android-based devices with embedded diverse sensors make them popular platforms for data collection in various research domains. However, Android OS complexity and vulnerabilities may facilitate sensor data manipulation and falsification that will have a high impact on data security and quality. This paper presents a data security and quality evaluation method based on a possibility assessment of malicious actions that exploit certain Android OS features and vulnerabilities as well as applications installed. It describes the Android OS architecture features related to security and major security mechanisms. The paper shows metrics chosen for data security evaluation and the developed method of their integration that computes Overall Security Evaluation Score representing sensor originated data trustworthiness level. The examples of Overall Security Evaluation Score calculation are presented and analyzed.
Monitoring and evaluation of wire mesh forming life

Forming tables are used with stainless steel wire mesh conveyor belts to produce variety of products. The forming tables will typically run continuously for several days, with some hours of scheduled downtime for maintenance, cleaning and part replacement after several weeks of operation. The wire mesh conveyor belts show large variation in their remaining life due to associated variations in their nominal thicknesses. Currently the industry is dependent on seasoned operators to determine the replacement time for the wire mesh formers. The drawback of this approach is inconsistency in judgements made by different operators and lack of data knowledge that can be used to develop decision making system that will be more consistent with wire mesh life prediction and replacement time. In this study, diagnostic measurements about the health of wire mesh former is investigated and developed. The wire mesh quality characteristics considered are thermal measurement, tension property, gage thickness, and wire mesh wear. The results show that real time thermal sensor and wear measurements would provide suitable data for the estimation of wire mesh failure, therefore, can be used as a diagnostic parameter for developing structural health monitoring (SHM) system for stainless steel wire mesh formers.
Improving inpatient warfarin therapy safety using a pharmacist-managed protocol

Introduction Safe management of warfarin in the inpatient setting can be challenging. At the Mayo Clinic hospitals in Rochester, Minnesota, we set out to improve the safety of warfarin management among surgical and non-surgical inpatients. Methods A multidisciplinary team designed a pharmacist-managed warfarin protocol (PMWP) which designated warfarin dosing to inpatient pharmacists with guidance from computerised dosing algorithms. Ordering this protocol was ultimately designed as an ‘opt out’ practice. The primary improvement measure was frequency of international normalised ratio (INR) greater than 5; secondary measures included adoption rate of the protocol, a counterbalance INR metric (INR Results Among over 50 000 inpatient warfarin recipients, the PMWP was adopted for the majority of both surgical and non-surgical inpatients during the study period (1 January 2005 to 31 December 2011). The primary improvement measure decreased from 5.6% to 3.4% for medical patients and from 5.2% to 2.4% for surgical patients during the preimplementation and postimplementation periods, respectively. The INR counterbalance measure did not change. Postoperative bleeding decreased from 13.5% to 11.1% among surgical patients, but bleeding was unchanged among medical patients. Conclusion Our PMWP led to achievement of improved INR control for inpatient warfarin recipients and to less near-term bleeding among higher risk, surgical patients.
Maimonides’ Secret: Leo Strauss’s “The Literary Character of the Guide for the Perplexed”

This article offers a new account of Leo Strauss’s interpretation of Maimonides’ esoteric teaching in the Guide for the Perplexed, which Strauss offers in his seminal essay ‘The Literary Character of the Guide for the Perplexed.’ According to the generally-accepted view, for Strauss, Maimonides’ esoteric teaching is the identity of the secrets of the Torah with Aristotelian philosophy, and—since that philosophy contradicts the foundational beliefs of the Torah—that the Torah has the merely instrumental function of bringing about political well-being. By contrast, I argue that, for Strauss, Maimonides’ esoteric teaching is the necessity of breaking the laws of the Torah for the sake of restoring Israel’s sovereignty. Additionally, I claim that Strauss’s interpretation depends on Carl Schmitt’s ‘decisionism.’
LEFT ATRIAL INTRAMYOCARDIAL DISSECTING HEMATOMA FROM BLUNT TRAUMA MIMICKING LEFT ATRIAL TUMOR

Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma is a rare clinical entity. We report a combat veteran who had served in Iraq and his vehicle had been blown up by an improvised explosive device 6 years prior to presentation. A 27 year-old man presented with atypical chest pain of several years’ duration,
Abstract P6-08-24: Family history of pancreatic cancer and the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants in a contemporary cohort of newly diagnosed breast cancers

Introduction: Several studies have found a relationship between familial breast cancer (BC) and pancreatic cancer (PC). Known genes associated with both BC and PC include BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, STK11, and possibly others. For carriers of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in these genes with family history of PC (FHPC), pancreas surveillance is recommended and can lead to an earlier detection of disease. Current genetics practice typically involves use of multi-gene panel (MGP) testing covering all of these genes linked to both cancers, but not all patients have had complete testing leading to likely under appreciation of PC risk in BC cohorts. With improved treatment options and survival for BC and ovarian cancer in PGV carriers, we may begin to observe an increased prevalence of PC in this group. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics including genetic testing uptake and outcomes in BC patients with and without a family history of pancreatic cancer (FHPC). Methods: We queried the Institutional Breast Cancer Database, which includes patients diagnosed with BC between January 2010 and December 2018. Variables analyzed included FHPC in a first or second-degree relative, and other clinical and tumor characteristics. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s Chi Square and logistic regression. Results: A total of 232 BC patients (7%) had a positive FHPC, including 115 (50%) with a first-degree relative and 117 (50%) with other relatives affected. When comparing BC patients with and without any FHPC, those with FHPC were 1.93 times more likely to be of White race (p Conclusions: Within a contemporary cohort of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, 7% had a positive FHPC. Although these patients were more likely than those without FHPC to have genetic testing, the majority, 77%, had incomplete or no genetic testing suggesting likely under-diagnosis of PC risk. Our study underscores the importance of querying and documenting FHPC in patients with BC and the consideration of germline testing and evaluation for pancreas surveillance in these patients and their family members. Citation Format: Annie Wang, Jessica Everett, Jennifer Chun, Elianna Kaplowitz, Diane Simeone, Freya Schnabel. Family history of pancreatic cancer and the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants in a contemporary cohort of newly diagnosed breast cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-24.
pH dependent chelation study of Zn(II) and Ni(II) by a series of hexapeptides using electrospray ionization - Ion mobility - Mass spectrometry

Abstract Presented here are the results of a study characterizing the selective metal chelating performance of the alternative metal binding (amb) peptide: acetyl-His1-Cys2-Gly3-Pro4-His5-Cys6-OH, and eight ambs with systematic modifications to His, Cys, and carboxyl C-terminus metal chelating sites. The results show that from the divalent metal ions of zinc, nickel, cobalt, magnesium and calcium, the ambs most extensively formed complexes with zinc and nickel. The ambs, which retained both Cys2 and Cys6 in their primary structure, exhibited the greatest formation of zinc complexes. The replacement of His1 and His5 residues with two additional Cys with the amidation of the C-terminus also increased the zinc chelation at pH 7.0. Density functional theory indicated that these modifications might be disrupting the hydrogen bonding between the His-Cys and carboxylate terminus making the 4Cys more available for chelation. Nickel chelation was generally lower than zinc because of competition from the Cys to form disulfide bonds in the presence of nickel. The two ambs that formed the highest number of nickel complexes both included the amidated C-termini and either 4Cys or 2Cys-2His. Comparison with recent published results of six heptapeptide ambs, which have the same primary structures, but with the inclusion of Tyr5 before the final two residues, indicates the inclusion of the Tyr5 residue increases the zinc chelation at pH 7.0 from 25%, of total observed species, to 70%. These types of studies may pave the way to discoveries of new therapeutics suitable as enzyme inhibitors or chelators for diseases associated with metal homeostasis misbalances, or as new peptide tags for recombinant protein purification.