cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tetralogy of Fallot Perioperative Anesthetic Management of Children and Adults

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a common congenital heart defect in children. Perioperative considerations include preoperative preparation for surgery, intraoperative anesthetic management, and common postoperative issues in the intensive care unit. Surgical debates have shifted away from 2-stage versus single-stage repairs to debates of how surgery to limit pulmonary insufficiency (PI) may have significant long-term impact as the child grows. There are many adult survivors of TOF repair in infancy who now present with a unique set of problems related to PI and right ventricular dysfunction. These adults provide new insights into congenital heart disease (CHD) and how management strategies early in life may have significant implications much later in life. Patients with complex CHD should have lifelong follow-up, so our knowledge will continue to improve, and the best possible care can be provided for these patients.
A randomized controlled trial of postoperative nasogastric tube decompression in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing intra-abdominal surgery

Objective : To evaluate the effect of nasogastric decompression after extensive intra-abdominal surgery in gynecologic oncology patients. Methods : Over a 1-year period, 110 gynecologic oncology patients undergoing extensive intra-abdominal surgery were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of postoperative nasogastric tube versus intra-operative orogastric tube decompression. Results : The nasogastric and orogastric groups were similar in age, case distribution, surgery length, and blood loss. The nasogastric group had significantly longer times to first passage of flatus and tolerance of a clear liquid diet than did the orogastric group. However, both groups were similar in time to tolerance of a regular diet and hospital stay. On average, the nasogastric tube was maintained for 3.2 ± 2.1 days (range 1–8) after surgery. The average daily nasogastric output was 440 ± 283 mL (range 68–1565). No patient in the orogastric group required a nasogastric tube postoperatively, but one patient in the nasogastric group had a nasogastric tube reinserted for recurrent nausea and vomiting. Use of a nasogastric tube led to significantly more subjective complaints, eg, ear pain, painful swallowing, and nasal soreness, but did not significantly reduce the incidence of abdominal distention or nausea and vomiting. Major complications, eg, pneumonia, atelectasis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and wound breakdown or infection, occurred equally in both groups. However, the incidence of febrile morbidity was significantly greater in the nasogastric group. There were no known anastamotic complications or aspirations in either group. Postoperative changes in hematological indices and electrolytes were comparable in both groups. Conclusion : Postoperative nasogastric tube decompression in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing extensive intra-abdominal surgery does not appear to provide any substantial benefit but significantly increases patient discomfort. As a result of this study, we have eliminated postoperative nasogastric decompression except in highly selected circumstances, such as extensive bowel surgery in patients with prior irradiation or substantial edema from bowel obstruction.
Functional outcomes and structural integrity after double-pulley suture bridge rotator cuff repair using serial ultrasonographic examination

Background We evaluated the integrity and functional outcomes of rotator cuff tear after performing the double-pulley suture bridge (DPSB) repair technique according to the tear size by using serial ultrasonographic examinations. Materials and methods The study included 41 consecutive arthroscopic rotator repairs using the DPSB technique. The average follow-up was 28 months. We completed the serial ultrasonographic examinations and compared the results with the functional outcome using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Constant score, the Korean Shoulder Scoring (KSS) system, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score. Results The overall retear rate was 19.5% (8 of 41), comprising 50% (2 of 4) for massive tears, 18% (2 of 11) for large tears, 17% (4 of 23) for medium tears, and no failures for small tears (0 of 3). The retear rate was 17.6% (6 of 34) after complete repair and 28.6% (2 of 7) after repair with gap formation. Seventy-five percent (6 of 8) of retears were identified within 6 months after operation and 25% (2 of 8) were identified more than 1 year after repair. The functional outcomes of the intact group and the retear group according to the ASES score, the Constant score, the KSS, and the UCLA score were 96, 93, 94, and 33, and 90, 82, 87, and 31, respectively ( P > .05). Conclusion The overall retear rate after DPSB repair was 19.5% with 2 time periods of retear. The outcome improved independent of the tear size and the cuff integrity.
Drugs of Choice for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Gonococcal Infections

Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antimicrobial agents continues to spread and intensify. Choosing an antimicrobial regimen requires knowledge of the comparative efficacy of candidate regimens, as delineated in properly conducted clinical trials; their activity against N. gonorrhoeae in vitro; and their pharmacokinetics and toxicity. We tabulated the results of trials of single-dose antimicrobial therapy for uncomplicated gonococcal infection published after 1980. Thirty regimens comprising 21 antimicrobial drugs have been shown to be highly effective for rectal and urogenital infections; the agents involved are cefixime, cefodizime, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cefuroxime axetil, ciprofloxacin, fleroxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, temafloxacin, azithromycin, aztreonam, netilmicin, rifampin plus erythromycin stearate, sisomicin, and spectinomycin. Few regimens have been shown to be highly effective against pharyngeal infections. Among those antimicrobial agents available for the treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal infections in the United States, ceftriaxone (125 mg), cefixime (400 mg), ciprofloxacin (500 mg), and ofloxacin (400 mg) appear to offer the best balance of proven efficacy and safety
Beyond calendar definitions of age, time, and cohort: The general developmental model revisited

Abstract K. W Schaie's 1965 (Psychological Bulletin, 64, 91–107) general developmental model was designed to explicate research strategies that permit the separation of age, cohort, and period (time-of-measurement) effects. Because of the dependency of each one of these constructs upon the remaining two, it has been necessary to impose restrictive assumptions to permit unconfounding of sources of developmental influences. This paper examines conditions under which the parameters of cohort and period can be freed from their dependency upon calendar time. Expanded definitions, thought to have increased explanatory power, are offered for the concepts of cohort and time-of-measurement. Implications for developmental research that might employ sequential strategies are examined, and future directions for the measurement of developmental context are sketched.
Winter climate change and coastal wetland foundation species: salt marshes vs. mangrove forests in the southeastern United States

We live in an era of unprecedented ecological change in which ecologists and natural resource managers are increasingly challenged to anticipate and prepare for the ecological effects of future global change. In this study, we investigated the potential effect of winter climate change upon salt marsh and mangrove forest foundation species in the southeastern United States. Our research addresses the following three questions: (1) What is the relationship between winter climate and the presence and abundance of mangrove forests relative to salt marshes; (2) How vulnerable are salt marshes to winter climate change-induced mangrove forest range expansion; and (3) What is the potential future distribution and relative abundance of mangrove forests under alternative winter climate change scenarios? We developed simple winter climate-based models to predict mangrove forest distribution and relative abundance using observed winter temperature data (1970–2000) and mangrove forest and salt marsh habitat data. Our results identify winter climate thresholds for salt marsh–mangrove forest interactions and highlight coastal areas in the southeastern United States (e.g., Texas, Louisiana, and parts of Florida) where relatively small changes in the intensity and frequency of extreme winter events could cause relatively dramatic landscape-scale ecosystem structural and functional change in the form of poleward mangrove forest migration and salt marsh displacement. The ecological implications of these marsh-to-mangrove forest conversions are poorly understood, but would likely include changes for associated fish and wildlife populations and for the supply of some ecosystem goods and services.
Guided-wave singly-resonant CW PPLN RPE fiber-loop ring OPO

We demonstrated a guided-wave singly-resonant CW PPLN RPE ring OPO in which the ring was closed with a single-mode fiber. Wavelength selection was achieved by means of a fiber Bragg grating inside the feedback loop.
Stabilization of the total force in multi-finger pressing tasks studied with the ‘inverse piano’ technique

When one finger changes its force, other fingers of the hand can show unintended force changes in the same direction (enslaving) and in the opposite direction (error compensation). We tested a hypothesis that externally imposed changes in finger force predominantly lead to error compensation effects in other fingers thus stabilizing the total force. A novel device, the "inverse piano", was used to impose controlled displacements to one of the fingers over different magnitudes and at different rates. Subjects (n=10) pressed with four fingers at a constant force level and then one of the fingers was unexpectedly raised. The subjects were instructed not to interfere with possible changes in the finger forces. Raising a finger caused an increase in its force and a drop in the force of the other three fingers. Overall, total force showed a small increase. Larger force drops were seen in neighbors of the raised finger (proximity effect). The results showed that multi-finger force stabilizing synergies dominate during involuntary reactions to externally imposed finger force changes. Within the referent configuration hypothesis, the data suggest that the instruction "not to interfere" leads to adjustments of the referent coordinates of all the individual fingers.
Neutral Beam Source Design and Beam Kinetic Energy Activated SiO2 Etching

An unique method is used to produce a low energy nonthermalized fast neutral radical beam wliich can activate the SiO2 surface for chemical reaction at the desired incident energy. The fast neutral beam energy is continuously adjustable (2eV<Ek<200eV) and the beam flux is typically 5x1015cm-2 sec-1(∼4L). An uniform large diameter plasma is also made for the production of neutral beam covering 5’ wafer and larger. Large diameter neutral beam single wafer reactor is feasible with off-the-shelf pumping technology.
Database structures for a class of mathematical programming models

The maintenance of large-scale mathematical programming model has long been recognized to involve a substantial task of data management. This paper aims to elucidate some of the principles of database construction for large-scale mathematical programming, by use of a linear programming example that incorporates aspects of production and network models. Two likely algebraic formations are described, and are shown to correspond to relational and hierarchical database schemes that have contrasting strengths and weaknesses. >
Combined effects of elevated CO2 and air temperature on carbon assimilation of Pinus taeda trees

Branches of 22-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda, L.) trees growing in a plantation were exposed to ambient CO2, ambient + 165 μmol mol−1 CO2 or ambient + 330 μmol mol−1 CO2 concentrations in combination with ambient or ambient + 2°C air temperatures for 3 years. Field measurements in the third year indicated that net carbon assimilation was enhanced in the elevated CO2 treatments in all seasons. On the basis of A/Ci, curves, there was no indication of photosynthetic down-regulation. Branch growth and leaf area also increased significantly in the elevated CO2 treatments. The imposed 2°C increase in air temperature only had slight effects on net assimilation and growth. Compared with the ambient CO2 treatment, rates of net assimilation were ∼1·6 times greater in the ambient + 165 μmol mol−1 CO2 treatment and 2·2 times greater in the ambient + 330 μmol mol−1 CO2 treatment. These ratios did not change appreciably in measurements made in all four seasons even though mean ambient air temperatures during the measurement periods ranged from 12·6 to 28·2°C. This indicated that the effect of elevated CO2 concentrations on net assimilation under field conditions was primarily additive. The results also indicated that the effect of elevated CO2 (+ 165 or + 330 μmol mol−1) was much greater than the effect of a 2°C increase in air temperature on net assimilation and growth in this species.
Significance of polymorphisms in the superoxide dismutase-3 gene in COPD: It's all about location!

Oxidative stress is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cigarette smoke contains high levels of oxidants, which also adds to the oxidative stress in COPD. Endogenous antioxidants are present to scavenge these harmful oxidants and help maintain lung homeostasis. An imbalance in oxidant-antioxidant levels in the lung is detrimental. Indeed, healthy smokers and COPD patients were found to have an impaired oxidant-antioxidant balance as determined by increased plasma levels of malonyldoaldehyde and decreased levels erythrocyte superoxide dismutase enzyme activity (1). Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD or SOD 3) is one member of the superoxide dismutase family of antioxidant enzymes. EC-SOD is mainly located in the extracellular matrix and is highly expressed in arteries and the lung (2). Numerous studies have shown that pulmonary EC-SOD inhibits lung injury in response to variety of pulmonary insults (3–9). EC-SOD is known to limit inflammation and prevent oxidative damage by directly binding to and preventing the oxidative fragmentation of numerous extracellular matrix components, such as type I collagen (10), heparan sulfate (11, 12), and hyaluronan (13). Therefore, inherited changes in EC-SOD expression and function could greatly influence lung homeostasis and proper pulmonary function. There are 3 known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SOD3 gene: E1 (rs8192287) in the noncoding 5’ untranslated region (14); I1 (rs8192288) in the first intron (14), and R213G (rs1799895) in the coding region for the carboxylterminal domain (15). The R213G SNP is the most commonly studied polymorphism as the carboxyl-terminal domain is essential for its affinity to the extracellular matrix. Indeed, heterozy
The influences of fiber feature and polymer melt index on mechanical properties of sugarcane fiber/polymer composites

The fiber characteristics (i.e., the fiber type, morphology, and dimension) and polymer melt flow index (MFI) significantly affected mechanical properties of sugar- cane fiber/HDPE composites. The length and diameter of sug- arcane fibers followed a lognormal distribution before and after compounding. The long fibers had a significant reduction in the dimension and aspect ratio during compounding. How- ever, the short fibers had close values in these two properties before and after compounding. For the resultant sugarcane fiber/polymer composites, the HDPE resins with a low MFI value presented high tensile and impact strengths. Because of high sugar content, the pure rind fiber had a poor performance as filler in the HDPE resins with respect to the raw bagasse fiber and alkali-extracted bagasse fiber. On the other hand, the aspect ratio was proportional to the mechanical performance of the fibers in the HDPE resins. As a result, the fibers with a large aspect ratio and low sucrose content improved the strength properties of the resultant composites. 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5607-5619, 2006
Isostatic geoid anomalies on a sphere

Long-wavelength geoid anomalies due to lateral variations in the density or thickness of a thin layer in local isostatic equilibrium on the surface of a sphere depend sensitively on the assumed state of stress within the layer. A number of common intuitive definitions of local isostasy generally believed to be essentially identical are associated with quite different states of isostatic stress, and the corresponding theoretical geoid anomalies can vary by more than a factor of 2. This sensitivity of the theoretical anomaly to the exact definition of local isostasy constitutes an obstacle to any proposed program of interpreting or exploiting observed global isostatic geoid anomalies such as those associated with the aging of the oceanic lithosphere.
Performance of commercial layers when fed diets with corn oil added from 24 to 36 weeks of age

Abstract Six percent corn oil was added to the diet of a different group of commercial laying hens at biweekly intervals from 24 to 34 wk of age. A 2 × 7 factorial arrangement of treatments was used, which involved two houses with cold and warm temperatures and seven dietary treatments. The data were collected from each treatment for the entire experiment. The interaction of house × treatment was not significant; therefore, the data for the two houses were combined, and main effects are presented. The number of eggs weighing greater than 54.3 g increased significantly each time the corn oil was added to the diet. Egg weight was increased after corn oil had been added to the diet for 2 wk. Adding corn oil to the diet increased daily energy intake and body weight but did not affect egg production. The highest percentage of large and above eggs for the entire experiment was produced when corn oil was added at 26 wk of age.
Epidemiologic, clinical, and economic evaluation of an outbreak of clonal multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in a surgical intensive care unit.

Objectives.To determine risk factors for acquisition of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii infection during an outbreak, to describe the clinical manifestations of infection, and to ascertain the cost of infection.Design.Case-control study.Setting.Surgical intensive care unit in a 400-bed urban teaching hospital and level 1 trauma center.Patients.Case patients received a diagnosis of infection due to A. baumannii isolates with a unique pattern of drug resistance (ie, susceptible to imipenem, variably susceptible to aminoglycosides, and resistant to all other antibiotics) between December 1, 2004, and August 31, 2005. Case patients were matched 1 : 1 with concurrently hospitalized control patients. Isolates' genetic relatedness was established by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results.Sixty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria. Case and control patients were similar with respect to age, duration of hospitalization, and Charlson comorbidity score. MDR A. baumannii infections included ventilator-associated pneumonia (in 56.7% of patients), bacteremia (in 25.4%), postoperative wound infections (in 25.4%), central venous catheter-associated infections (in 20.9%), and urinary tract infections (in 10.4%). Conditional multiple logistic regression was used to determine statistically significant risk factors on the basis of results from the bivariate analyses. The duration of hospitalization and healthcare charges were modeled by multiple linear regression. Significant risk factors included higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (odds ratio [OR], 1.1 per point increase; P = .06), duration of intubation (OR, 1.4 per day intubated; P<.01), exposure to bronchoscopy (OR, 22.7; P = .03), presence of chronic pulmonary disease (OR, 77.7; P = .02), receipt of fluconazole (OR, 73.3; P<.01), and receipt of levofloxacin (OR, 11.5; P = .02). Case patients had a mean of $60,913 in attributable excess patient charges and a mean of 13 excess hospital days.Interventions.Infection control measures included the following: limitations on the performance of pulsatile lavage wound debridement, the removal of items with upholstered surfaces, and the implementation of contact isolation for patients with suspected MDR A. baumannii infection.Conclusions.This large outbreak of infection due to clonal MDR A. baumannii caused significant morbidity and expense. Aerosolization of MDR A. baumannii during pulsatile lavage debridement of infected wounds and during the management of respiratory secretions from colonized and infected patients may promote widespread environmental contamination. Multifaceted infection control interventions were associated with a decrease in the number of MDR A. baumannii isolates recovered from patients.
Thyroid disease in the pediatric patient: emphasizing imaging with sonography

Thyroid disease does occur in the pediatric patient, and imaging plays an important role in its evaluation. A review is presented of normal development of the thyroid gland, the technique and indications for thyroid sonography, and key imaging features of congenital thyroid disorders (ectopic or absent thyroid, infantile goiter, thyroglossal duct remnants), benign thyroid masses (follicular adenoma, degenerative nodules, colloid and thyroid cysts), malignant masses (follicular, papillary and medullary carcinoma) and diffuse thyroid disease (acute bacterial thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Grave's disease).
Hematologic changes in a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass after ancrod defibrinogenation

n EPARIN-mduced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an uncommon syndrome caused by immunoglobulin (IgG)mediated platelet destruction. In classic HIT, exposure to heparin induces production of an IgG that interacts with a complex of heparin and a component of the platelet surface, probably platelet factor 4.1-4 These antibody/ platelet factor 4/heparin complexes bind to the platelet Fc receptor, activating and destroying the platelet and causing it to release more platelet factor 4, thereby accelerating the process. In rare cases, marked platelet aggregation and thrombosis of small and major vessels may occur. 5,6 The antibody may also interact with heparinlike molecules on the endothelial surface. Immune complex formation on the endothelial surface may lead to immune-mediated endothelial injury and a further increased risk of thrombosis. Thrombocytopenia usually develops between 5 and 7 days after restitution of heparm therapy. On reexposure, thrombocytopenia (and thrombosis) may occur more rapidly. Therapy for HIT may include discontinuation of the heparin, alternative anticoagulant agents, platelet aggregation inhibition, immunosuppression, and plasmapheresis. Reported is a patient with an unusual immune thrombocytopenla associated with laboratory evidence of increased binding of IgG to the patient's platetets in the presence of heparin. Because there was concern that this patient might develop worsening thrombocytopenia and possibly a thrombotic syndrome ff exposed to heparln during elective coronary artery bypass graftmg, ancrod, which is a fibrinogen-degradlng snake venom, was used to anticoagulate thee patient during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). 7-9 Ancrod decreases fibrinogen levels but does not reduce thrombin formation. Routine CPB causes fibrinolytlc activation even during therapeutic heparimzation. ~° Some have theorized that increased thrombin generation during CPB stimulates the release of fibrlnolytic activators, ll The authors have used this case as a unique way to evaluate the effect of ancrod anticoagulation on thrombin generation and fibrinolytic activation during CPB. This case report, therefore, sheds light on the basic mechanisms of CPB coagulopathy generation.
Ayali: Is it Time to Say Good-bye to American Indian Languages?

This article examines American Indian languages in North, Central and South America to determine how the numbers of native speakers have changed over the course of the last century. Historical research and interviews with American Indian linguists and historians indicate that nearly all American Indian languages in the United States are in danger of becoming extinct within the next forty years. Three languages are examined more closely to develop a better sense of the extent of the language loss: Chickasaw, Shawnee, and Navajo. Probable causal factors contributing to the language loss are also discussed including policies of assimilation and stigmatization, modernization, the increased necessity of English, and destruction of the American Indian’s native cultural and environmental habitat. The article also includes a survey of methods currently being used in language revitalization efforts and the ensuing stabilization or even increase in speakers that is possible from such efforts. In conclusion, this article discusses the inevitability of further language extinction and the necessity of continued and increased revitalization efforts to prevent additional loss.
Implications of ignoring telemetry error on inference in wildlife resource use models

ABSTRACT Global Positioning System (GPS) and very high frequency (VHF) telemetry data redefined the examination of wildlife resource use. Researchers collar animals, relocate those animals over time, and utilize the estimated locations to infer resource use and build predictive models. Precision of these estimated wildlife locations, however, influences the reliability of point-based models with accuracy depending on the interaction between mean telemetry error and how habitat characteristics are mapped (categorical raster resolution and patch size). Telemetry data often foster the assumption that locational error can be ignored without biasing study results. We evaluated the effects of mean telemetry error and categorical raster resolution on the correct characterization of patch use when locational error is ignored. We found that our ability to accurately attribute patch type to an estimated telemetry location improved nonlinearly as patch size increased and mean telemetry error decreased. Furthermore, ...
Crossovers, Dividends, and the Size Effect

The size effect may have been the result of high stock volatility and low dividend payments. Suppose an equity market is partitioned into a large-stock index and a small-stock index, and suppose that, over a given period of time, each of the indexes retains its share of the total market capitalization. Price volatility will cause some stocks to cross over from one index to the other, which will result in higher returns for the small-stock index and lower returns for the large-stock index. Dividend payments by large companies could offset the effect of the crossovers, but they have historically been insufficient to do so. Hence, the size effect.
Time-dependent adsorption of imazethapyr to soil.

Abstract Time-dependent adsorption of imazethapyr was studied in the laboratory on a sandy loam soil at 16% moisture for 30 d. Soil pH was adjusted to 4.5 to 6.8. Concentration of imazethapyr in soil water declined rapidly within the first day of incubation for all soil pH levels, indicating rapid initial adsorption. However, the concentration of imazethapyr in the soil water continued to decline slowly over time. Even at pH 6.8, where batch equilibrium studies at high solution to soil ratios indicated low adsorption, only 22% of the applied imazethapyr was in solution 10 d after treatment (DAT), and 10% 30 DAT. Soil column mobility studies also showed a rapid decline in mobility as time after application increased. The amount of imazethapyr remaining in soil columns rapidly increased within 4 to 10 DAT, even at pH 7.8, where low adsorption is predicted. Imazethapyr was stable during the time of these experiments, so degradation to less soluble or more tightly bound products is not the reason for the incr...
Kalman Filter in Open Channel Flow Estimation

In computing water surface profiles in open channels, uncertainties often arise in selection of resistance coefficients, such as Manning’s n. In this paper the Kalman filtering approach is developed to deal with such uncertainties. This approach combines a mathematical system model and an observation model. The former consists of (1)A stochastic nonlinear differential equation governing the steady one-dimensional open channel flow; and (2)one of three possible stochastic differential equations expressing Manning’s n (constant, function of the location of channel cross section, or function of both the location and the water depth). The observation model simply shows the observed water depth as the sum of “true water depth” and “error.” The estimation technique was tested for its accuracy in generating estimates of water depth and Manning’s n at several different schemes of sampling or measuring water depths. Results with Kalman filtering are compared with two paralle methods normally used today.
Financial Costs for Youth and Their Families in the Alameda County Juvenile Justice System: A Guide for Advocates

This manual was prepared by law school clinic students for lay advocates assisting youth and their families in Alameda County's juvenile justice system. In addition to court-ordered restitution (to repay victims for economic loss) and restitution fines (which go to the California State Restitution Fund), youth and their families are assessed fees for things like juvenile hall, probation supervision, drug testing, GPS monitoring and public defenders. The manual describes these costs and how to mitigate their impact on low-income youth and families already struggling with the burdens of court involvement and poverty.
Gridlocked: Public Pressures and Bargaining Outcomes in Two Government Shutdowns

Previous models of sequential veto bargaining in the United States do not include public opinion as a significant predictor of policy outcomes, yet work on presidential agenda setting (Kernell 1993; Canes-Wrone 2001a) suggests that public opinion can be an important factor in determining policy outcomes when the president and Congress have opposing preferences. In this paper, I argue that some instances of veto bargaining occur, in part, because the actors are uncertain about how the public will respond to an extended period of gridlock. When the public finds gridlock unacceptable, the actor(s) who receive most of the blame will be forced to make concessions in subsequent rounds of bargaining. After presenting a theory of public opinion and sequential veto bargaining, I present two case studies of conflicts in which gridlock was unacceptable and highly visible: Budget disputes that included partial shutdowns of the federal government. I argue that public opinion played an important role in the outcome of both of these cases.
Abstract 4478: Erythrocyte magnesium,TRPM7Thr1482Ile polymorphism, and colorectal adenoma risk

Background: Several epidemiologic studies indicate high intake of magnesium may be related to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma. However, results from previous studies have not been consistent. We reported previously the inverse association between dietary magnesium and risk of colorectal adenoma primarily appeared in those who carried at least one Thr1482Ile allele in the transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) gene, which plays an essential role in the homeostasis and sensing of magnesium. Serum magnesium is regulated in a narrow range and previous studies indicate erythrocyte magnesium may be a better biomarker of body magnesium status than serum magnesium. Objective: To examine whether erythrocyte magnesium is associated with adenoma risk and if the association is modified by the Thr1482Ile polymorphism. Design: Included in this nested case-control study were 341adenoma cases and 343 matched polyp-free controls from the Tennessee Colorectal Polyp Study (TCPS), a colonoscopy-based case control study conducted in Nashville, TN. Total erythrocyte magnesium levels were measured using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Genotyping assay was performed using the TaqMan OpenArray platform. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals as a measure of the strength of associations. The association of each genotype with colorectal adenoma risk was evaluated under dominant, recessive and additive models, respectively. Results: Overall erythrocyte magnesium level was not associated with risk of colorectal adenoma. However, erythrocyte magnesium tended to be associated with a reduced risk among those who carried at least one Thr1482Ile allele in the TRPM7 gene (rs8042919), particularly after adjusting for potential confounding factors, such as age, assay batch, family history, and dietary intakes of magnesium and fiber with the ORs (95% CI) of 0.19 (0.05, 0.76) and 0.34 (0.08, 1.49) respectively for the medium and highest tertile of erythrocyte magnesium levels versus the lowest tertile. In addition, among people with erythrocyte magnesium below the median, we found people who carried at least one 1482Ile allele tended to be at an elevated risk of adenoma with an OR (95% CI) of 1.7(0.85, 3.43), compared to those who did not carry the polymorphism; while the corresponding OR (95% CI) was 0.94 (0.49, 1.81) for those who carried at least one Thr1482Ile allele if erythrocyte magnesium was above the median. Conclusions: Our findings indicate the TRPM7 Thr1482Ile polymorphism may interact with erythrocyte magnesium levels in relation to colorectal adenoma risk even after controlling for dietary intake of magnesium. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4478. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4478
Electrical and Optical Properties of High Mobility W-doped In2O3 Thin Films

Transparent conducting oxides (TCO) have been widely used for opto-electronic devices such as light emitting diodes, photo-detectors, touch panels, flat panel displays, and solar cells. Low resistivity, high mobility, and good transparency are the prime requirements for these devices. There is an increasing interest in TCO with high mobility to decrease their electrical resistivity without a significant decrease in the optical transparency. Highly conducting and transparent tungsten doped indium oxide thin films were deposited on quartz substrate by ablating the sintered In2O3 target containing WO3 with a KrF excimer laser (λ = 248 nm and pulsed duration of 20 ns). The effect of growth temperature and oxygen pressure on structural, optical, and electrical properties has been studied. The transparency of the films largely depends on the growth temperature. The electrical properties are found to depend strongly on the growth temperature as well as on oxygen pressure. The temperature dependence resistivity measurement shows the transition from semiconductor to metallic behavior as the growth temperature increases from room temperature to 500 °C. The high mobility (up to 358 cm2V−1s−1), low resistivity (1.1 × 10−4 Ω.cm), and relatively high transmittance of ∼90 % have been observed on the optimized film grown at 500 °C and under oxygen pressure at 1 × 10−6 bar.
Prospective, randomized study of diagnosis and outcome in acute upper-gastrointestinal bleeding: endoscopy versus conventional radiography.

Sixty patients with mild to moderate upper-gastrointestinal bleeding were admitted to a prospective, controlled study of diagnosis and management, and were randomized to endoscopy or upper-gastrointestinal (UGI) barium series as the initial study. Definitive localization of the source of bleeding was made initially in 69% of the endoscopy group and 21% of the UGI group (P<0.0005). Of 54 patients undergoing both studies, endoscopy was definitive in 67% and UGI series in 22%. Thus, endoscopy also made more diagnoses when used as the second study (P<.01). The use of endoscopy as the initial procedure led to significantly more rapid diagnosis than with UGI series. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in clinical outcome. Endoscopy is the initial diagnostic procedure of choice in patients with mild to moderate upper-gastrointestinal bleeding because it enables detection of superficial bleeding lesions and has significantly increased the speed of diagnosis.
Isolation of skeletal muscle stem cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting

The prospective isolation of purified stem cell populations has dramatically altered the field of stem cell biology, and it has been a major focus of research across tissues in different organisms. Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are now among the most intensely studied stem cell populations in mammalian systems, and the prospective isolation of these cells has allowed cellular and molecular characterizations that were not dreamed of a decade ago. In this protocol, we describe how to isolate MuSCs from limb muscles of adult mice by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). We provide a detailed description of the physical and enzymatic dissociation of mononucleated cells from limb muscles, a procedure that is essential in order to maximize cell yield. We also describe a FACS-based method that is used subsequently to obtain highly pure populations of either quiescent or activated MuSCs (VCAM(+)CD31(-)CD45(-)Sca1(-)). The isolation process takes ∼5-6 h to complete. The protocol also allows for the isolation of endothelial cells, hematopoietic cells and mesenchymal stem cells from muscle tissue.
Future Time Perspective and End-of-Life Planning in Older Adults

This study explores the extent to which cognitive processes, specifically perceptions of one's distance to death, are associated with informal and formal advance care planning (ACP) in a sample of older adults. Data come from the New Jersey End-of-Life (EOL) study, a survey of 305 adults aged 55-91. Binary logistic regression models evaluate the odds that someone conducted ACP. Persons who perceive remaining life span to be expansive or limited have significantly lower odds of formally planning for the EOL, relative to those in the middle category. Death anxiety and having a family confidante partially explain these associations. The association between future time perspective (FTP) and discussions is not statistically significant. Practitioners may consider individuals' FTPs when discussing preferences for EOL medical care.
The Tree of Nebuchadnezzar

Sex is bewildering partly because it is a personal thing, and my own difficulties cannot help me to understand another’s.
Near Real-Time Flood Monitoring and Impact Assessment Systems

Flood detection through satellite remote sensing is a well-established practice (Brakenridge and Anderson 2006; Nigro et al. 2014) and has the potential to significantly enhance flood early warning and response systems (Brakenridge and Anderson 2003). Flood extent can be determined from optical sensors like Landsat and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS; Brakenridge and Anderson 2006), radar sensors like Sentinel, and land surface hydrologic routing models. Optical imagery can be obtained frequently at high to very high resolution. Radar sensors are sensitive to water and can penetrate through cloud cover at high resolution. Land surface models are used for hydrologic routing simulations of microwave radar precipitation data to determine flood depth and inundation extent (Brakenridge and Anderson 2006).
Sudden Cardiac Death and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Implications∗

Morbidity from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continues to rise, increasing by 58% between 1990 and 2010 [(1)][1]. The most common causes of death in COPD patients are cardiovascular events, and preliminary data implicate arrhythmias as an important mediator [(2,3)][2]. This speaks to
Cancer immunotherapy: Breakthrough or "deja vu, all over again"?

From the application of Coley’s toxin in the early 1900s to the present clinical trials using immune checkpoint regulatory inhibitors, the history of cancer immunotherapy has consisted of extremely...
Personality Theory or Spiritual Discernment? A Reaction to Clark:

The author reacts to Clark's (1989) preceding article. Clark is found to have been too generous in attributing to the writings of the inner healers an implicit personality theory. These writings ar...
CONTINUUM ABSORPTION BY H 2 O VAPOR IN THE INFRARED AND MILLIMETER REGIONS

The continuum absorption by laboratory samples of pure H 2 O and of H 2 0 + N 2 throughout the infrared and millimeter regions has been studied. The samples cover a wide range of pressures and temperatures from 296 K to 428 K. Measurements have been made in the well-known 4 μm and 8 to 12 μm windows as well as in many very narrow “windows” between rotation and vibration-rotation lines. An empirical continuum has been derived for each of several spectral regions to account for the “excess” absorption observed for pure H 2 O over that calculated on the basis of known line strengths and widths and simple line shapes. The results indicate that much of the continuum absorption previously attributed to dimers, or clusters of H 2 O molecules, is due to the extreme wings of self-broadened H 2 O lines. If this is true, the lines must have three important characteristics that are not predicted by simple line-shape theories : (1) self-broadened lines absorb much more in the extreme wings than do N 2 -broadened lines of the same intensity and width; (2) the absorption in the extreme wings decreases with increasing temperature faster than is predicted by simple theory; (3) characteristic (2) is more pronounced for self-broadened lines than for N 2 broadened lines.
A reevaluation of karyotype in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

A karyotype analysis was conducted on the mitotic chromosomes of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.; 2n = 2 × = 14), using improved chromosome preparation and C-banding techniques. Chromosome pairs were characterized on the basis of length and arm ratio value. The length of metaphase chromosomes ranged from 1.48 to 2.31 μm, and the total length of the haploid chromosome complement was 13.06 μm. The karyotype of this species was symmetric, and consisted of six metacentric and one submetacentric chromosomes. All chromosomes were defined by their unique C-banding patterns. The C-banded karyotype included centromeric, telomeric, and intercalary bands depending on chromosome pair leading to a precise identification of each pair. The C-banding patterns were distinctly different from observations made in previous study.
Comparative Effectiveness of Computed Tomography- Versus Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Among Medicare Patients 65 Years of Age or Older With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Abstract Background For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not eligible for surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a promising technique that reduces the risk of disease progression. Objectives To evaluate whether the trend of image guidance for RFA is moving toward the more expensive computed tomography (CT) technology and to determine the clinical benefits of CT guidance over the ultrasound (US) guidance. Methods A cohort of 463 patients was identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare–linked database. The temporal trends in use of image guidance were assessed using the Cochrane–Armitage test. The associations between modality of image guidance and survival, complications, and costs were assessed using the Cox regression model, the logistic regression model, and the generalized linear model, respectively. Results The use of CT-guided RFA increased sharply, from 20.7% in 2002 to 75.9% in 2011. Compared with CT-guided RFA, those who received US-guided RFA had comparable risk of periprocedural and delayed postprocedural complications. Stratified analyses by tumor size also showed no statistically significant difference. In adjusted survival analysis, no statistically significant difference was observed in overall and cancer-specific survival. Nevertheless, the cost of CT-guided RFA ($2847) was higher than that of US-guided RFA ($1862). Conclusions Despite its rapid adoption over time, CT-guided RFA incurred higher procedural costs than US-guided RFA but did not significantly improve postprocedural complications and survival. Echoing the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Choosing Wisely campaign and the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Value of Cancer Care initiative, findings from our study call for critical evaluation of whether CT-guided RFA provides high-value care for patients with HCC.
Continuous Etomidate Infusion for the Management of Severe Cushing Syndrome: Validation of a Standard Protocol.

Objective Demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a standardized intravenous etomidate infusion protocol in normalizing cortisol levels in patients with severe and life-threatening hypercortisolism. Methods A retrospective case series of seven patients representing nine episodes of severe hypercortisolism at two large academic medical centers was conducted. Patients were included in this series if they received an etomidate infusion for the treatment of severe and life-threatening hypercortisolism. The etomidate infusion was administered via a newly developed protocol designed to safely reduce cortisol levels until more long-term medical or definitive surgical therapy could be instituted. Results Seven patients representing nine episodes received etomidate treatment. In eight of nine episodes of therapy, rapid control of hypercortisolemia was achieved, generally defined as a serum cortisol level of 10 to 20 µg/dL. Patients with a median baseline cortisol of 105 µg/dL (range, 32 to 245 µg/dL) achieved a median nadir serum cortisol of 15.8 µg/dL (range, 6.9 to 27 µg/dL) after a median of 38 hours (range, 26 to 134 hours). Conclusions A standardized continuous intravenous etomidate infusion protocol is a safe and effective means of achieving a serum cortisol level of 10 to 20 µg/dL in patients with severe hypercortisolemia.