cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Skeletal Muscle and Glioma Oxygenation by Carbogen Inhalation in Rats: A Longitudinal Study by EPR Oximetry Using Single-Probe Implantable Oxygen Sensors

The feasibility of EPR oximetry using a single-probe implantable oxygen sensor (ImOS) was tested for repeated measurement of pO2 in skeletal muscle and ectopic 9L tumors in rats. The ImOS (50 mm length) were constructed using nickel–chromium alloy wires, with lithium phthalocyanine (LiPc, oximetry probe) crystals loaded in the sensor loop and coated with AF 2400® Teflon. These ImOS were implanted into the skeletal muscle in the thigh and subcutaneous 9L tumors. Dynamic changes in tissue pO2 were assessed by EPR oximetry at baseline, during tumor growth, and repeated hyperoxygenation with carbogen breathing. The mean skeletal muscle pO2 of normal rats was stable and significantly increased during carbogen inhalation in experiments repeated for 12 weeks. The 9L tumors were hypoxic with a tissue pO2 of 12.8 ± 6.4 mmHg on day 1; however, the response to carbogen inhalation varied among the animals. A significant increase in the glioma pO2 was observed during carbogen inhalation on day 9 and day 14 only. In summary, EPR oximetry with ImOS allowed direct and longitudinal oxygen measurements in deep muscle tissue and tumors. The heterogeneity of 9L tumors in response to carbogen highlights the need to repeatedly monitor pO2 to confirm tumor oxygenation so that such changes can be taken into account in planning therapies and interpreting results.
Prehospital countershock treatment of pediatric asystole.

Prehospital care was retrospectively reviewed in 117 pulseless nonbreathing (PNB) pediatric patients (0 to 18 years of age) to determine the effects of immediate countershock treatment of asystole. Of 90 (77%) children with an initial rhythm of asystole, 49 (54%) received countershock treatment. Rhythm change occurred in ten (20%) of the asystolic children who received countershock treatment. Three of the countershocked asystolic children were successfully resuscitated, but none survived. Rhythm change occurred in nine (22%) of the asystolic children not countershocked. Six were successfully resuscitated, and one survived. The two groups (countershocked asystole v noncountershocked asystole) did not differ significantly in age, sex, witnessed arrest, witnessed arrest with bystander basic life support (BLS), prehospital endotracheal intubation, both intubation and vascular access success, or diagnosis. However, prehospital vascular access was successfully established in a significantly greater number of countershocked patients (P less than .05). The mean times to the scene, at the scene, and to the hospital for the countershocked v noncountershocked asystolic patients were 6.2, 23.8, and 6.1 v 5.9, 14.7 and 7.0 minutes. The mean time at the scene was significantly greater in the countershock group (P less than .001). The successful performance of prehospital endotracheal intubation was significantly associated with rhythm change (P less than .05). Patients age, witnessed arrest, witnessed arrest with bystander BLS, successful establishment of prehospital vascular access, diagnosis, and countershock treatment were not significantly associated with rhythm change. In conclusion, prehospital countershock treatment prolonged prehospital care time and was not associated with rhythm change in asystolic children. Therefore, prehospital countershock treatment of asystolic children is not recommended.
Climate change, species range limits and body size in marine bivalves

We use data on the Pleistocene and modern range limits of Californian marine bivalves to show that species that shifted their geographical ranges in response to Pleistocene climatic fluctuations were preferentially drawn from the large end of the regional body size‐frequency distributions. This difference is not due to phylogenetic effects (i.e. dominance of extralimital species by a few large-bodied clades), differences among major ecological categories (burrowing versus surface-dwelling, or suspension feeding versus non-suspension feeding), or differences in modes of reproduction and larval development. In addition, we show that successful invasive species of bivalves in present-day marine habitats also tend to be large-bodied, despite the difference in mechanisms between present-day and Pleistocene range expansions. These results indicate that range limits of large-bodied bivalve species are more unstable than smallbodied ones, and that body size and its correlates need to be considered when attempting to predict the responses of marine communities to climate change, biotic interchanges and human-mediated invasions.
Influencers of ethical beliefs and the impact on moral distress and conscientious objection

Considering a growing nurse shortage and the need for qualified nurses to handle increasingly complex patient care situations, how ethical beliefs are influenced and the consequences that can occur when moral conflicts of right and wrong arise need to be explored. The aim of this study was to explore influencers identified by nurses as having the most impact on the development of their ethical beliefs and whether these influencers might impact levels of moral distress and the potential for conscientious objection. Nurses whose ethical beliefs were most influenced by their religious beliefs scored higher in levels of moral distress and demonstrated greater differences in areas of conscientious objection than did nurses who developed their ethical beliefs from influencers such as family values, life and work experience, political views or the professional code of ethics.
Response to alternative genetic-economic indices for Holsteins across 2 generations

Four US genetic-economic indices for dairy cattle were retrofitted to illustrate differences in phenotypic response observed for retrospective selection over 2 generations for currently evaluated traits, even though producers did not have evaluations available at the time for direct selection for those traits. Differences among cows were compared based on ranking of their sires and maternal grandsires (MGS) for the 4 retrofitted indices. Holstein artificial insemination bulls (106,471) were categorized by quintile for each index, and 25 cow groups were formed based on quintiles for sire and MGS (2 generations). Data included records from 1,756,805 cows in 26,106 herds for yield traits, productive life, pregnancy rate, and somatic cell score; 692,656 cows in 9,967 herds for calving difficulty; and 270,564 cows in 4,534 herds for stillbirths. For each index, least squares differences between the 25 cow groups were examined for 8 first-parity traits (milk, fat, and protein yields; productive life; somatic cell score; pregnancy rate; calving difficulty; and stillbirth) that had been standardized for age. Analysis removed effects of herd and cow birth year. Seven of 25 cow groups were consolidated into 3 groups based on index ranking for their male ancestors (low, medium, and high). The cow group with high sire and MGS rankings for the 2006 net merit index produced more milk (219 kg), fat (21 kg), and protein (11 kg) and had longer productive life (6.3 mo), lower somatic cell score (0.21), higher pregnancy rate (1.2 percentage units), fewer difficult births in heifers (3.8 percentage units), and lower stillbirth rate (4.6 percentage units) than did the group with low sire and MGS rankings. For cow groups based on sire and MGS rankings for 1971 (milk and fat) and 1977 (milk, fat, and protein) indices, advantages for the group with high sire and MGS rankings were much larger for yield traits but smaller (and sometimes even unfavorable) for other traits. Cow groups based on sire and MGS rankings for the 1994 net merit index generally had differences that were intermediate to groups based on sire and MGS rankings for the 1977 and 2006 indices. Phenotypic differences revealed retrospectively between genetic-economic indices indicate that genetic improvement should be made for all traits included in recent net merit indices.
Emotion, Memory, and Attention in the Taboo Stroop Paradigm

This study tested the binding hypothesis: that emotional reactions trigger binding mechanisms that link an emotional event to salient contextual features such as event location, a frequently recalled aspect of naturally occurring flash-bulb memories. Our emotional events were taboo words in a Stroop color-naming task, and event location was manipulated by presenting the words in different task-irrelevant screen locations. Seventy-two participants named the font color of taboo and neutral words, with instructions to ignore word meaning; in one condition, several words were location consistent (i.e., always occupied the same screen location), whereas in another condition, several colors were location consistent. Then, in a surprise recognition memory test, participants recalled the locations of location-consistent words or colors. Although attention enhanced overall location memory for colors (the attended dimension during color naming), emotion (taboo vs. neutral words) enhanced location memory for words but not colors. These results support the binding hypothesis but contradict the hypothesis that emotional events induce image-like memories more often than non-emotional events.
Management of painless mid-trimester cervical dilatation: Prophylactic vs emergency placement of cervical cerclage

Women with recurrent painless mid-trimester miscarriages are often diagnosed with cervical insufficiency. Presenting symptoms typically include vaginal pressure and minimal bleeding; when the cervix is examined, advanced dilatation is usually detected. Labour is short and the premature fetus is born alive. Women with this history were traditionally considered candidates for the placement of cervical cerclage. Recently, this practice has been called into question. Rather than routine placement of prophylactic cervical cerclage at 12 - 14 weeks, many patients are followed expectantly with serial sonographic assessments of cervical length. The goal of this update is to review the literature regarding management options of mid-trimester cervical dilatation.
Differential neuromuscular training effects onACL injury risk factors in"high-risk" versus "low-risk" athletes

Background: Neuromuscular training may reduce risk factors that contribute to ACL injury incidence in female athletes. Multi-component, ACL injury prevention training programs can be time and labor intensive, which may ultimately limit training program utilization or compliance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of neuromuscular training on those classified as "high-risk" compared to those classified as "low-risk." The hypothesis was that high-risk athletes would decrease knee abduction moments while low-risk and control athletes would not show measurable changes. Methods: Eighteen high school female athletes participated in neuromuscular training 3×/week over a 7-week period. Knee kinematics and kinetics were measured during a drop vertical jump (DVJ) test at pre/post training. External knee abduction moments were calculated using inverse dynamics. Logistic regression indicated maximal sensitivity and specificity for prediction of ACL injury risk using external knee abduction (25.25 Nm cutoff) during a DVJ. Based on these data, 12 study subjects (and 4 controls) were grouped into the high-risk (knee abduction moment >25.25 Nm) and 6 subjects (and 7 controls) were grouped into the low-risk (knee abduction <25.25 Nm) categories using mean right and left leg knee abduction moments. A mixed design repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine differences between athletes categorized as high or low-risk.
Factors Associated With Dental Implant Survival: A 4-Year Retrospective Analysis

Background: Dental implants are a predictable treatment option for replacing missing teeth and have strong survival and success outcomes. However, previous research showed a wide array of potential risk factors that may have contributed to dental implant failures. The objectives of this study are to study if implant survival rates were affected by known risk factors and risk indicators that may have contributed to implant failures. The secondary outcome measures were whether the level of expertise of the periodontal residents affected success rates and how the rate of implant success at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) compared to published standards.Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients at the HSDM who had one of two types of rough-surface implants (group A or B) placed by periodontology residents from 2003 to 2006 was performed. Demographic, health, and implant data were collected and analyzed by multimodel analyses to determine failure rates and any factors that may have increas...
Towards personalised therapy for lymphangioleiomyomatosis: lessons from cancer

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cystic, destructive lung disease occurring almost exclusively in females. Bi-allelic inactivating tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) gene mutations occur in LAM cells, resulting in activation of the mTORC1 pathway. Pivotal clinical trials have demonstrated that inhibition of mTORC1 with sirolimus can induce a partial response of TSC-associated tumours and decrease the rate of lung function decline in females with LAM. Many parallels have been identified between LAM pathogenesis and neoplasia. Here, we highlight three key nodes through which advances in cancer therapy can streamline future innovation in clinical LAM research with parallels to breast and prostate cancer. These include: 1) hormonally targeted therapies to achieve true disease-free complete remissions; 2) the use of vascular endothelial growth factor-D and other plasma biomarkers to streamline early-phase clinical trials; and 3) the utilisation of histological and molecular features of biopsy material to enable patient stratification and personalised therapies.
The Effectiveness of a School-Based Adolescent Depression Education Program

In an effort to decrease the suicide rate in adolescents, many interventions have focused on school-based suicide prevention programs. Alternatively, depression education in schools might be effective in decreasing the morbidity, mortality, and stigma associated with adolescent depression. The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) developed a 3-hour curriculum to teach high school students about the illness of depression. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ADAP curriculum in improving high school students' knowledge about depression. From 2001 to 2005, 3,538 students were surveyed on their knowledge about depression before and after exposure to the ADAP curriculum. The number of students scoring 80% or higher on the assessment tool more than tripled from pretest to posttest (701 to 2,180), suggesting the effectiveness of the ADAP curriculum. Further study and replication are required to determine if improved knowledge translates into increased treatment-seeking behavior.
Intention-based diagnosis of programming errors

PROUST is a system which identifies the non-syntactic bugs in novices' programs and provides novices with help as to the misconceptions under which they were laboring that caused the bugs. In this paper we will discuss the methods which PROUST uses to identify and diagnose non-syntactic bugs. Key in this enterprise is PROUST's ability to cope with the significant variability exhibited by novices' programs: novice programs are designed and implemented in a variety of different ways, and usually have numerous bugs. We argue that diagnostic techniques that attempt to reason from faulty behavior to bugs are not effective in the face of such variability. Rather, PROUST's approach is to construct a causal model of the programmer's intentions and their realization (or non-realization) in the code. This model serves as a framework for bug recognition, and allows PROUST to reason about the consequences of the programmer's decisions in order to determine where errors were committed and why.
Recent investigations in sensing through the wall radar modeling

This paper presents radar imaging simulations for sensing through the wall (STTW) applications. One area of investigation is the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image of a human body as compared to that of common furniture objects. Another topic analyzes the advantages of using a cross-polarization radar configuration in detecting humans inside rooms and buildings. The electromagnetic scattering models were performed using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique.
On the generic name Peckhamia Simon 1900 (Araneae, salticidae)

Abstract. In order to resolve an instance of misidentified type species, under Article 70.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature I select and fix Synemosyna scorpionia Hentz, 1846 to be the type species of Peckhamia Simon, 1900 (usually cited as 1901), a genus of ant-like salticid spiders from the New World. Acting as First Reviser, for the sake of stability and universality I also establish Peckhamia Simon, 1900 as the valid name for this genus, granting it precedence over its simultaneously published subjective synonym Consingis Simon, 1900.
STM of layered-structure semiconductors

SUMMARY We have used scanning tunnelling microscopy to characterize the layered structure semiconductors MoS2, WSe2 and SnS2. Atomically resolved images as well as spectroscopic data in both tunnelling directions have been obtained for the cleaved surfaces of these materials.
Detection of Liquid Organic Solvents on Metal Oxide Nanostructure Decorated Porous Silicon Interfaces

We study the interaction of liquid organic solvents within the pores of n- and p-type porous silicon (PSi) interfaces. Several polar (acetone, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and water), borderline (chloroform), and nonpolar (toluene and isoprene) molecular solvents have been characterized on distinct n- and p-type pore structures, as analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Fundamental to these studies has been the generation of Nyquist diagrams comparing the behavior for both dry and solvent treated interfaces for each system studied. The results of these studies on an undecorated PSi interface suggest a closer correlation with the dipole moments associated with the applied organic solvents rather than their dielectric response. This is supported by the observed interaction of the considered solvents with metal oxide (AuxO (x ≫ 1) and SnOx) decorated PSi interfaces where nanostructured metal oxide-solvent dipole–dipole interactions appear to be manifest. In correlation with the Nyquist plots and the...
On to Build up the System of College-centered Teaching and Research

In the teaching practice,there are problems of preparing for lessons carelessly and formalism of teaching and research activity.We should set up the qualification system of lecturer and enhance the design and guiding of teaching and research activity so as to reform the management system.Through building up a college culture and college-centred teaching and research system,we can improve teaching reform and the quality of professional teaching staff.
Effects of elevated CO2 and O3 on N-cycling and N2O emissions: a short-term laboratory assessment

Background and aims Elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2) and tropospheric O3 (eO3) can alter soil microbial processes, including those underlying N2O emissions, as an indirect result of changes in plant inputs. In this study, effects of eCO2 and eO3 on sources of N2O in a soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) agroecosystem in Illinois (SoyFACE) were investigated. We hypothesized that increases in available C and anaerobic microhabitat under eCO2 would stimulate N2O emissions, with a proportionally larger increase in denitrification derived N2O (N2OD) compared to nitrification plus nitrifier denitrification derived N2O (N2ON+ND). We expected opposite effects under eO3.
Discontinuity, Uncertainty and Change: Atlanticism in Retreat

The Administration of President Jimmy Carter arguably represented a marked departure in style from what had gone before in domestic American politics, and—equally—in some important respects was very different from previous regimes in terms of foreign-policy themes and priorities. One should not carry this argument too far: the President, for all the emphasis on morality and modesty in power, was very much in tune with the mass-media and public-relations demands of modern American electoral politics. Only in retrospect, after the defeat in 1980 by Ronald Reagan, was the extraordinary accomplishment represented by Carter’s electoral victory in 1976 overshadowed. Likewise, the Carter regime in different ways, including seeking arms accords with the Soviet Union and integrative overall themes to foreign policy, was very much in tune with the concerns of earlier administrations. The threat of nuclear war was a most central preoccupation, with the consequent strongly felt need to do something to control the strategic nuclear arsenals held by the superpowers. In this sense the interests of the President and his associates were consistent with those of U.S. foreign policy since the Eisenhower Administration.
Prosodic Cues in Relative Clauses Disambiguation: Bilinguals vs. L2 Learners

This study investigates the preferences for attachment of a relative clause (RC) to a complex noun phrase (NP) of the type: NP1 of NP2, in Spanish-English bilinguals and advanced learners of Spanish. Spanish speakers show a moderate preference for attaching the RC to the first NP, while speakers of English prefer the second NP. Subjects were presented this construction in written (Experiment 1) and oral (Experiment 2) forms. Results show no group had a preference for either attachment in silent reading, Low Attachment was preferred with a pause after NP1 by learners, and High Attachment was preferred in the absence of any pause by bilinguals and learners. However, the learner group behaved distinctively in Experiment 2 in two ways: their reaction times were shorter, and their choice for the kind of RC attachment was more sensitive to the absence of a pause being more likely to choose Low Attachment, as English monolinguals. These results suggest that advanced learners are influenced by their L1 more heavily in oral comprehension than in reading, while bilinguals take longer for processing prosodic cues. Reasons for a slower bilingual processing are posited. Lastly, implications for prosody teaching are drawn from these results.
Abstract WP311: In-hospital Depression and Anxiety and History of Depression Predict 3 Months Post-stroke Depression and Anxiety

Background: Multiple factors may impact a patient’s response on a depression screen during hospitalization for stroke. The EQ-5D-3L is a standardized measure for use as a health outcome, and comprises the dimension of anxiety/depression. We examined the relationship between pre-hospital history of depression and in-hospital and 3 months anxiety/depression on EQ-5D. Methods: We captured 3-month outcomes on patients with stroke or TIA discharged home between September 2011 and April 2015. EQ-5D-3L dimension of anxiety/depression at 3 months dichotomized as “no symptoms” or “at least some symptoms” was the primary outcome. Two stepwise logistic regression models adjusting for age, history of congestive heart failure , and baseline NIHSS were generated: 1) using pre-hospital depression as the main predictor (N=124) and 2) using in-hospital depression as the main predictor (N=69 because of missing data in this variable). History of pre-hospital depression and in-hospital depression were highly correlated with each other and were not included in the same model. Results: The sample included 124 patients (98 with ischemic stroke, 18 hemorrhagic strokes and 8 TIA). The mean age was 66.0 y (SD12.3), 45% women, 73% white, and mean NIHSS 4.0 + 5.2. Anxiety/depression was reported by 30/69 (43%) subjects in the hospital and by 23/124 (18%) at three months post-stroke. In the first model, previous history of depression was associated with 3 months EQ-5D-3L anxiety/depression (p=0.038). In the second model, in-hospital anxiety/depression was associated with 3-month EQ-5D-3L anxiety/depression (p=0.027) (table). Conclusion: Self-reported depressive and anxiety symptoms in the hospital and history of depression were associated with 3 months post-stroke depression and anxiety. This confirms the importance of screening in subjects with acute stroke for history of depression and for in-hospital depression/anxiety.
Loss of CTRP1 disrupts glucose and lipid homeostasis

C1q/TNF-related protein 1 (CTRP1) is a conserved plasma protein of the C1q family with notable metabolic and cardiovascular functions. We have previously shown that CTRP1 infusion lowers blood gluc...
Retirement Age Ranges from Clinical Practice of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physicians.

Objectives Retirement of “baby boomer” physicians is a matter of growing concern in light of the shortage of certain physician groups. The objectives of this investigation were to define what constitutes a customary retirement age range of maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) physicians and examine how that compares with other obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) specialists. Study Design This descriptive study was based on American Medical Association Masterfile survey data from 2010 to 2014. Data from the National Provider Identifier were used to correct for upward bias in reporting retirement ages. Only physicians engaged in direct patient care between ages 55 and 80 years were included. Primary outcomes involved comparisons of retirement ages of male and female physicians with other ob-gyn specialties. Results Interquartile ranges of retirement ages were similar between specialists in MFM (64.1–71.1), gynecologic oncology (62.1–68.9), reproductive endocrinology and infertility (64.1–71.7), and general ob-gyn (61.5–67.9). In every specialty, women retired earlier, while males in MFM were most likely to retire at the oldest age (median 70.0). Conclusion MFM physicians usually retired from clinical practice between ages 64 and 71 years, which is similar to other ob-gyn specialists. Females retired earlier, however, which may impact the overall supply as more females pursue MFM careers.
Excuse Attributions: Do They Work?

In the last few years, there has been a proliferation of theory and research regarding excuse attributions in general, and self-handicaps in particular. Although researchers have demonstrated the robustness of this phenomenon (i.e., the fact that people make excuses is well-documented), the effects of these excuse attributions have received little attention. In particular, what are the actual advantages or disadvantages of proffering excuses related to the fulfillment of the motives that have been postulated to drive them? For example, do excuses influence a sense of self-esteem or personal control, or do they primarily have interpersonal effects? Do the advantages/disadvantages occur principally for the internal audience of the excuse-giver, the external audience (the excuse-recipients), or both? These and other questions about the effects of excuses and self-handicaps will be addressed.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism TGFβ1 R25P Correlates with Acute Toxicity during Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer Patients.

Purpose To validate the finding of an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and toxicity during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in rectal cancer patients, in an independent population. Methods and Materials The cohort consisted of 165 patients who received CRT for rectal cancer from 2006 to 2012. Prospectively recorded toxicity information, graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0, was retrieved from the medical record. Additionally, a subset of 52 patients recorded their gastrointestinal symptoms weekly during CRT, using the 7-item Bowel Problems Scale. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from normal tissue in the proctectomy specimens and screened for 3 SNPs: XRCC1 R399Q, XPD K751Q, and TGFβ1 R25P. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed. Results The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy, and all patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Toxicities measured by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were closely associated with patient-reported outcomes for the patients who completed the 7-item Bowel Problems Scale. Grade ≥3 toxicity occurred during CRT in 14 patients (8%). All 14 patients had either XRCC1 R399Q or TGFβ1 R25P polymorphisms. The TGFβ1 R25P polymorphism was significantly associated with grade ≥3 toxicity (odds ratio [OR] 3.47, P =.04) and, in patients who completed the Bowel Problems Scale, with grade ≥4 toxicity (OR 5.61, P =.02). The latter finding persisted in a multivariable logistic regression model controlling for ethnicity, age, and sex (adjusted OR 1.83, P =.02). Conclusions We have validated the correlation between the TGFβ1 R25P SNP and acute toxicity during CRT in an independent cohort using both clinician- and patient-reported toxicity. The information from our study could be used as a basis to formulate a prospective trial testing the utility of this SNP as a biomarker of acute toxicity during neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer.
Ethnic and gender variation in distal esophageal acid exposure

A79 Introduction : It is well recognized that African Americans (AA) develop Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma at a lower rate than non-Hispanic whites (nHw). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly accepted as one of the major contributors in the development of both Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. This suggests that there may be less distal esophageal acid exposure in AA than nHw. Very little is known about distal esophageal acid exposure in AA in comparison to nHw. The aim of the present investigation was assess distal esophageal acid exposure in healthy adult AA volunteers and compare it to the exposure observed in healthy nHw volunteers to determine if ethnic variation exists in this physiologic parameter. Methods : Healthy AA and nHw volunteers were recruited from the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Ethnicity was self-reported. Exclusion criteria were symptoms suggestive of esophageal disease, medication use or concurrent illness that could affect distal esophageal acid exposure. 24 hour pH testing was performed in all volunteers with the distal sensor 5 cm above the manometrically determined lower esophageal sphincter. Number of total number of distal esophageal acid reflux episodes, longest episode and total time below pH 4 were measured. Mean and standard deviation were compared using t-test. Results : 80 volunteers had distal esophageal acid exposure measured for a 24 hour period. 41 were AA (20 M/21 F) and 39 were nHw (18 M/21 F). Distal esophageal acid exposure was significantly different between AA females (mean + SD, 20.8 + 21.4 min) and nHw males (38.4 + 32.2 min, p Conclusions : AA females had significantly less acid exposure than nHw males. Other distal esophageal acid exposure measures were equivalent between groups. Further study is needed to determine the etiology of the variation in distal esophageal acid exposure observed and its impact in the development of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Selective Separation of Rare Earth Chlorides Utilizing Vapor Phase Extraction

The Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department at Montana Tech is investigating a new method of extracting and refining rare earth elements (REEs) from mineral ores and concentrates. The relative stabilities of various REE compounds at elevated temperatures were evaluated using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TGA/DTA). The results, in combination with thermodynamic analyses, revealed that vapor phase extraction and selective condensation is a potentially viable separation method for rare earth halides. Selective vaporization and condensation experiments were performed on selected rare earth chlorides. A series of close-coupled tube furnaces provided a temperature gradient ranging from 1150 to 400 °C. Within the condensation regions, a series of one-inch-diameter ceramic tube sections were packed with stainless steel (316L) wool to create high surface area for condensate collection. The ceramic tube sections and stainless steel wool were leached in 18 MΩ water. Analysis of the leachate samples revealed that selective separation had occurred but oxychlorides were detected in the non-volatile matter.
Other Control Specifications

Constraints of the form Lµ p ≤ b (inequality (3.4)) are useful for representing a large variety of forbidden state problems, even when the initial specification does not appear to directly involve the states of system. This chapter will show how several common varieties of system constraints can be written in the form of (3.4), enabling the use of invariant based control.
Myeloid neoplasm with eosinophilia associated with isolated extramedullary FIP1L1/PDGFRA rearrangement

Myeloid neoplasms with eosinophilia associated with PDGFRA rearrangement are very responsive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Herein, we report a case of a 53-year-old man with eosinophilia and a well-differentiated extramedullary myeloid tumor with evidence of FIP1L1/PDGFRA rearrangement by fluorescent in situ hybridization in the extramedullary tissue. His bone marrow evaluation revealed a hypercellular marrow with eosinophilia but without evidence of a FIP1L1/PDGFRA rearrangement. The patient was treated with imatinib at a dose of 100 mg daily and responded with normalization of his peripheral eosinophil count. The case raises the possibility that an extramedullary myeloid tumor may represent a primary site for PDGFRA rearrangement, and highlights the importance of performing cytogenetic testing on extramedullary tissue. Detection of the chromosomal rearrangement is critical for initiation of effective targeted therapy that can improve patient outcomes.
“Electronic Growth” of Metallic Overlayers on Semiconductor Substrates

We present a novel {open_quotes}electronic growth{close_quotes} model for metallic thin films on semiconductor substrates. Depending on the competition between the effects of quantum confinement, charge spilling, and interface-induced Friedel oscillations, different types of film stability are defined, as characterized by the existence of critical/magic thicknesses for smooth growth. In particular, smooth growth can be achieved only above a few monolayers for noble metals, and only for the first layer for alkali metals. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Prospective analysis of bleeding events in left ventricular assist device patients.

Background:Bleeding is a major cause of morbidity in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). We sought to identify clinical predictors of bleeding within the first ye...
Choice of a second vascular access in hemodialysis patients whose initial arteriovenous fistula failed to mature.

Abstract Objective We have previously shown that arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are more expensive to create and to maintain than arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) in patients undergoing their first access. Because those for whom this first access fails may be a more disadvantaged group, we hypothesized that the cost of a second access may be different from that in the primary access group. With this in mind, we compared access costs in patients receiving a secondary AVF or AVG after their initial AVF failed to mature. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 92 patients who received a second vascular access (44 AVFs and 48 AVGs) after their first AVF failed to mature. We quantified the yearly frequency of percutaneous or surgical access interventions and catheter-related bacteremias (CRBs) using a computerized vascular access database. The costs associated with access procedures were quantified using the outpatient prospective payment schedule, and those related to hospitalization for CRB were determined from the diagnosis-related groups fee schedule. Results Patients receiving an AVF had fewer percutaneous procedures than those receiving an AVG (2.09 [95% confidence interval, 1.86-2.34] vs 2.61 [2.35-2.88]; P = .004), tended to undergo surgical interventions more frequently (1.21 [1.04-1.40] vs 1.00 [0.84-1.17]; P = .08), and experienced a similar yearly frequency of CRB hospitalizations (0.40 [0.31-0.52 vs 0.28 [0.20-0.38]; P = .07). Patients with a secondary AVF vs an AVG had a similar median yearly cost of percutaneous access interventions ($3567 [interquartile range, $1219-$4680] vs $4989 [$1570-$9752]; P = .14) and surgical access procedures ($6403 [$3494-$13,127] vs $4728 [$2563-$12,254]; P = .38) but a higher annual cost for CRBs ($3405 [$0-$12,825] vs $0 [$0-$5477]; P = .04). The total yearly access-related cost was similar in both groups ($19,477 [$9162-$36,916] vs $18,285 [$6850-$31,768]; P = .56). Conclusions Patients undergoing a secondary AVF required more surgical procedures and sustained more bacteremia complications than patients undergoing a secondary AVG implantation. There was no significant difference in the total cost of access care for hemodialysis patients receiving a secondary AVF vs AVG.
The Kronecker Integral and the Sperner Degree

This chapter defines the Kronecker integral and demonstrates its use in proving a form of the intermediate-value theorem. As a necessary first step in treating the Kronecker integral, Section 60 derives formulas for the volume and for the area of the surface of the sphere Sn-1 (a) = {x:x∈ℝ n ,(x1)2 + ⋯ + (x n )2 = a2}; the formula which states the relation between the volume and the area of the surface is essentially a special case of the fundamental theorem of the integral calculus, and the formula for the area of the surface is a special case of the general Kronecker integral. As preparation for Section 60, the present section defines the gamma function and establishes its elementary properties; also, it proves a reduction formula which is used to evaluate certain definite integrals.
Murine β1,4-Galactosyltransferase

Glycoconjugates (glycolipids and glycoproteins) are a major class of biomolecules found on the cell surface of essentially all cells and tissues. A remarkable and somewhat bewildering number of different oligosaccharide structures (glycans) have been isolated and characterized from glycoconjugates. Because of this remarkable structural diversity, oligosaccharide structures have long been considered ideal candidates for information-containing molecules which can mediate intercellular communication and recognition or alternatively, communication between a cell and its environment. Indeed, ordered, sequential changes in the expression of specific glycan structures at the cell surface may provide an important mechanism for controlling cell-cell behavior and fate during development. During early murine embryogenesis, temporal changes in cell surface glycosylation patterns (stage specific antigens) have been documented using monoclonal antibodies that are specific for defined glycan structures (reviewed in 1).
Assessment of beam-matched linacs quality/accuracy for interchanging SBRT or SRT patient using VMAT without replanning.

Purpose Dosimetric accuracy is critical when switching a patient treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) or stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy (SRT) among beam-matched linacs. In this study, the dose delivery accuracy of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for SBRT/SRT patients were evaluated on three beam-matched linacs. Method Beam data measurements such as percentage depth dose (PDD10 ), beam profiles, output factors, and multi-leaf collimator (MLC) leaf transmission factor for 6 MV photon beam were performed on three beam-matched linacs. The Edge™ diode detector was used for measurements of beams of field size less than 5 × 5 cm2 . Ten lung and 15 brain plans were generated using VMAT with the same beam model. Modulation complexity score of the VMAT plan (MCSv) was used as a plan complexity indicator. Doses were measured using ArcCHECK™ and GafChromic™ EBT3 films. The measurements were compared with calculated doses through absolute dose gamma comparison using 3%/2 mm and 2%/2 mm criteria. Correlation between difference in passing rates among beam-matched linacs and MCSv was evaluated using the Pearson coefficient. Point doses were measured with the A1SL micro ion chamber. Results Difference in beam outputs, beam profiles, and MLC leaf transmission factors of beam-matched linacs were all within ±1%, except the difference in output factor for 1 × 1 cm2 field between linac 1 and 3 (1.3%). For all 25 cases, passing rates of measured doses on three linacs were all higher than 90% when using 2%/2 mm gamma criteria. The average difference in point dose measurements among three beam-matched linacs was 0.1 ± 0.2% (P > 0.05, one-way ANOVA). Conclusion Minimal differences in beam parameters, point doses, and passing rates among three linacs proved the viability of swapping SBRT/SRT using VMAT among beam-matched linacs. The effect of plan complexity on passing rate difference among beam-matched linacs is not statistically significant.
Automated detection and measurement of individual sorghum panicles using density-based clustering of terrestrial lidar data

Abstract Plant breeders normally require an assessment of various plant traits to breed new crop varieties or improve processes in crop production. This assessment, generally referred to as plant phenotyping, often involves significant manual measurement, which creates a bottleneck in breeding programs. Using current high-density terrestrial laser scanning systems presents an opportunity to measure individual plants and organ-specific traits to support various crop improvement and agronomic initiatives. The main goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of applying terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data for estimating counts and individual dimensions (panicle length, width, and height) of sorghum panicles – the flowering parts of sorghum plants that eventually yield seed when the plants mature. To achieve our goal, we developed and assessed a density-based clustering approach to derive the targeted information from TLS data. Estimated individual panicle data (panicle counts and individual panicle dimensions) from a random sample of 20 plots were compared with LiDAR-derived panicle data. Overall, panicles were detected (counted) with an overall accuracy of 89.3% with a 10.7% omission and 14.3% commission rate. Omission errors were caused mainly by poor point cloud sampling, while commission errors were driven by spectral similarities between panicle and other crop components such as dry foliage. Estimated panicle dimensions were highly correlated with reference LiDAR-derived panicle measurements (Panicle length: Pearson correlation (r) = 0.88, Root mean square error (RMSE) = 3.10 cm; panicle width: r = 0.79, RMSE = 1.67 cm; plant height: r = 1.00, RMSE = 0.80 cm). A plot-level comparison involving 43 plots was also carried out between estimated panicle data and panicle data derived from a sample of harvested panicles and showed moderate to high correlations between the two datasets (Panicle length: r = 0.79, RMSE = 2.48 cm; panicle width: r = 0.63, RMSE = 1.49 cm; plant height: r = 0.86, RMSE = 11.4 cm). The lower correlations with field data may be reflective of the impact of sampling rates, the compaction and dry down of panicles after harvest and experimental error in general. An analysis of the impact of simulated noise on estimates, showed that the developed method is moderately robust to lower noise levels (
Seatbelt Use in Females of Childbearing Age at an Urban Safety-Net Level 1 Trauma Center.

Abstract Background Safety restraint system (SRS) use is known to improve maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women. Factors associated with seatbelt use in females of childbearing age are largely unstudied despite global public health endeavors to increase use. We sought to define its use and uncover risk factors for not using a restraint system in this vulnerable patient cohort. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review of all female patients aged 15-35 y presenting from 2007 to 2017 was performed using our institutional level 1 trauma database. Age, pregnancy, insurance status (commercial or private, Medicaid plan, and uninsured), race, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were examined in unmatched data. A matched cohort was created to evaluate the impact of pregnancy on SRS use based on ISS, age, race, and insurance status with blinding to belt use during matching (two nonpregnant to one pregnant). Differences in restraint use were then examined using Mann–Whitney U and Chi-square tests. Results A total of 779 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 140 were pregnant. In unmatched data, there was no difference in belt use with regard to age, race, or insurance type. Overall belt use was 59%. Twenty-five percent of patients were uninsured, and 39% used a Medicaid plan. Pregnant patients were statistically more likely to wear belts (71% versus 57%, P = 0.003). In ISS-matched data, this difference was not upheld (63% pregnant belt use versus 58%, P = 0.615). Conclusions Pregnancy did not induce improved safety behavior in our population. More study is needed to confirm our findings. Overall SRS use in our urban population is very poor, lags behind the national average, and requires additional public health attention.
Gas-phase generations and rearrangement of silathiones, R sub 2 Si=S

Three routes are explored for the generation of silathiones: (1) the retroene elimination of propene from allythiodimethylsilane and 1-allythio-1-hydrido-1,2,2,2-tetramethylsilane; (2) the reaction of silylene, Me{sub 2}Di, with carbon disulfide which is thought to form a transient 3-membered ring with CS{sub 2} and the elimination of carbon disulfide to produce diethylsilathione; and (3) the beta-elimination of bis(trimethylsilythio)dimethylsilane. All these methods are explored in some detail. A second example of a silathione-silylene isomerization was observed in the pyrolysis of 1,1-bis(trimethylsilythio)-1,2,2,2-tetramethyldisilane. 89 refs., 5 figs., 10 tab. (BM)
Staged Biliary Reconstruction After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Practical Surgical Strategy for High-Acuity Adult Recipients.

Biliary complications (BC) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), with an incidence of 10%–45%, is strongly associated with inferior patient outcomes and increased healthcare cost.1-3 Even in the most ideal circumstances defined as benchmark OLT in low-risk patients (median model for end-stage liver disease [MELD] score of 12) utilizing excellent quality hepatic allografts, Clavien et al4 reported a 6-month BC rate of 20%. For patients with the highest acuity, the risk of BC after OLT, such as leaks and strictures, is particularly significant due to their significantly reduced physiologic reserve. Such complications in these patient populations could be lethal.5 As such, the surgical approach to OLT for high-acuity recipient patients warrants a strategy that would provide the optimal operative timing and condition to minimize the risk of BC. A damage control strategy in critically ill surgical patients, as employed in trauma settings, has been adapted in complex OLT.6 In contrast to the conventional single-stage OLT where the biliary reconstruction is performed at the time of OLT, the 2-stage OLT provides a period of resuscitation of the patient in the intensive care unit after liver graft revascularization prior to a second procedure of biliary reconstruction, staged biliary reconstruction after liver transplantation (SBRALT).6,7 In high-acuity patients undergoing OLT, SBRALT offers the benefit of performing the biliary reconstruction under a more favorable hemodynamic state and operative milieu. While the utility of a 2-stage OLT with delayed biliary reconstruction has been reported in adult and pediatric OLT, biliary outcome data are scarce.6,7 We sought to analyze the clinical utility and outcomes of SBRALT in high-acuity adult transplant recipients.