cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHANGES IN THE ADRENAL OF THE HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED C3H MOUSE WITH α-CORTICOTROPIN AND GROWTH HORMONE1

Changes in the adrenal gland of the C3H mouse and in the distribution of lipid therein as a consequence of hypophysectomy were investigated, and replacement therapy with a-corticotropin and growth hormone, alone or in combination, was instituted. 20 days after removal of the pituitary, the adrenal cortex manifested an atrophy similar to that described for other strains of miceand for the rat. α-Corticotropin at daily dose levels of 0.020 mg. and 0.050 mg. given for 7 days restored the zona fasciculata of the cortex and increased the histologically-detectable lipidin the zona glomerulosa. A dose of 0.10 mg. increased the weight of the adrenals by 100 per cent and effected a substantial depletion of sudanophilic lipid from the cortex. After treatment with growth hormone, the adrenal glands were not significantly heavier than those of the untreated hypophysectomized controls.
Computation of input generalized forces for robots with closed kinematic chain mechanisms

In some comercially available industrial robots such as the Cincinnati T3, and the Bendix MA-510, the actuator of the third joint, which is one of the larger actuators, is mounted on the same platform as that of the second joint in order to reduce the load on the second joint. With this arrangement, the torque that moves the third moving link is transmitted through a four-bar or five-bar linkage mechanism, which is a closed-chain structure having a planar motion. Although a variety of computational schemes for the input joint torques/forces of industrial robots having open-chain mechanisms can be found in the literature, an efficient method of computation for robots with closed kinematic chain mechanisms is not available. A computationally efficient scheme is presented for industrial robots having three-dimensional closed-chain linkages. First the closed-chain is virtually cut open, and the kinematics of the virtual open-chain mechanism are analyzed. The holonomic constraints are applied to the virtually cut joint. As a result, the spatial closed-chain linkage can be considered as a tree-structured open-chain mechanism with kinematic constraints. Based on the known recursive Newton-Euler formulation, a computational scheme is developed for industrial robots having three-dimensional closed kinematic chain mechanisms. Two examples are given illustrating the approach.
Imaging in real-time with FRET the redox response of tumorigenic cells to glutathione perturbations in a microscale flow

Despite the potential benefits of selective redox-modulating strategies for cancer therapy, an efficacious methodology for testing therapies remains elusive because of the difficulty in measuring intracellular redox potentials over time. In this report, we have incorporated a new FRET-based biosensor to follow in real time redox-sensitive processes in cells transformed to be tumorigenic and cultured in a microfluidic channel. A microfluidic network was used to control micro-scale flow near the cells and at the same time deliver drugs exogenously. Subsequently, the response of a redox homeostasis circuit was tested, namely reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione(GSSG), to diamide, a thiol oxidant, and two drugs used for cancer therapies: BSO (L-buthionine-[SR]-sulfoximine) and BCNU (carmustine). The main outcome from these experiments is a comparison of the temporal depletion and recovery of GSH in single living cells in real-time. These data demonstrate that mammalian cells are capable of restoring a reduced intracellular redox environment in minutes after an acute oxidative insult is removed. This recovery is significantly delayed by (i) the inhibition of GSH biosynthesis by BSO; (ii) the inactivation of glutathione reductase by BCNU; and (iii) in tumorigenic cells relative to an isogenic non-tumorigenic control cell line.
Ovarian follicular dynamics during the estrous cycle in heifers monitored by real-time ultrasonography.

It isnot clearwhether the turnover of ovarianfollicles during the estrouscycle in cattleisContinuous and independent of thephase of the cycle,or whether waves of follicular growth occur at specifictimes of the cycle. To clarifythis controversy, the pattern of growth and regression of ovarian follicles was characterized during a complete estrous cycle in ten heifers by daily ultrasonographic examinations. Follicles � 5 mm were measured and theirrelativelocationswithin the ovary were determined in order tofollow the sequentialdevelopment of each individual follicle. Results indicated the presence of either two (n = 2 heifers), three (n = 7), or four (n = I) waves of follicular growth per cycle.Each wave was characterizedby the development of one large (dominant) follicle and a variable number of smaller (non-dominant) follicles. In the most common pattern observed (threewaves/cycle),thefirst, second, and third waves started on Days 1.9 ± 0.3, 9.4 ± 0.5, and 16.1 ± 0.7 (X ± SEM), respectively. The dominant follicle in the third wave was the ovulatory follicle. The maximal sizeand the growth rateof the dominant folliclein the second wave were significantlylower than inthe other waves, but no significant difference was observed between the first and third waves. For the two heifers that had two follicularwaves/cycle,the waves startedon Days 2 and 11, whereas in the remaining heifer (four waves/cycle), the waves began on Days 2, 8, 14, and 17, respectively. At 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 days before estrus, the ovulatory follicle was the largest follicle in the ovaries in 100%, 95%, 74%, 35%, and25% offollicular phases monitored, respectively. The relative size of the preovulatory follicle at the completion of luteolysis (progesterone< I ng/ml) was negatively correlated (r = -0.90; p<0.0001) with the interval of time between the end of luteolysis and the luteinizinghormone surge,suggestingthat the length of proestrus isdetermined by the sizeof thepreovulatoryfollicleat the beginning ofproestrus.In conclusion,thisstudy shows thatthe development of ovarian follicles�5 mm in heifers occurs inwaves and thatthe most common pattern isthreewaves per estrouscycle.
Functional status of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome in the Wichita, Kansas, population

Scant research has adequately addressed the impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on patients' daily activities and quality of life. Enumerating specific problems related to quality of life in chronic fatigue syndrome patients can help us to better understand and manage this illness. This study addresses issues of functional status in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatiguing illnesses in a population based sample, which can be generalized to all persons with chronic fatigue. We conducted a random telephone survey in Wichita, Kansas to identify persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatiguing illnesses. Respondents reporting severe fatigue of at least 1 month's duration and randomly selected non-fatigued respondents were asked to participate in a detailed telephone interview. Participants were asked about symptoms, medical and psychiatric illnesses, and about physical, social, and recreational functioning. Those meeting the 1994 chronic fatigue syndrome case definition, as determined on the basis of their telephone responses, were invited for clinical evaluation to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. For this analysis, we evaluated unemployment due to fatigue, number of hours per week spent on work, chores, and other activities (currently and prior to the onset of fatigue), and energy level. There was no difference between persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and persons with a chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness that could be explained by a medical or psychiatric condition for any of the outcomes we measured except for unemployment due to fatigue (15% vs. 40%, P < .01). Persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatiguing illnesses had substantially less energy and spent less time on hobbies, schooling, or volunteer work than did non-fatigued controls (P < .01). Persons with chronic fatigue syndrome are as impaired as persons whose fatigue could be explained by a medical or psychiatric condition, and they have less energy than non-fatigued controls.
Phase noise simulation and estimation methods: a comparative study

A comparison of various simulation and estimation methods available to predict the phase noise in oscillators is presented in this paper. The phase noise of two ring oscillators and one radio frequency CMOS oscillator was determined using the Hajimiri and Lee (1998) phase noise analysis method, and the commercial simulators SpectreRF and EldoRF. Good agreement was obtained between the estimated and simulated phase noise performances. These oscillators were fabricated in a 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS process. The measured data also shows reasonable agreement with the analysis and simulations.
Quantitative measurement of lipoprotein surface charge by agarose gel electrophoresis

The electrophoretic mobilities of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and six pure proteins in a 0.5% agarose gel have been compared to literature electrophoretic mobility values determined by the Tiselius moving boundary method. There is a strong correlation (r = 0.99) between the electrophoretic mobilities determined by the two techniques. The electrophoretic behavior of charged particles smaller than very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) is not markedly perturbed by a 0.5% agarose matrix, and variations in mobility primarily reflect differences in particle valence and density of surface charge. Application of electrokinetic theory to derive protein and lipoprotein net charges from the electrophoretic mobilities in agarose yields a quantitative delineation of lipoprotein electrophoretic migration patterns wherein the beta mobility region comprises a surface potential range of -4.5 to -7.0 mV; the pre-beta region a range of -7.0 to -10.5 mV; the alpha mobility region a range of -10.5 to -12.5 mV and the serum albumin region a range of -12.5 to -14.0 mV. Because protein conformation and charge are critical in metabolic regulation, the agarose gel electrophoresis technique provides a valuable analytical tool that should help to elucidate further details of the structure-function relationships of serum lipoprotein particles.
Information Diffusion and Momentum in Laboratory Markets

Theories emphasize the market's capacity of correctly aggregating disperse information so long as the market holds complete information. Recent empirical evidences suggest that the extent of information aggregation also depends upon the dissemination of existing information. In laboratory market, I investigate the market's aggregation capacity in response to the spreading of existing information. The results demonstrate that prices gradually converge to intrinsic value and exhibit momentum in the process of information diffusion. The analysis suggests that aggregation of disperse information is mitigated by the presence of equilibrium multiplicity.
Bridging Cultural Practices in Racially and Socioeconomically Diverse Civic Organizations

Although organizations can benefit from being internally diverse, they may also face significant challenges arising from such diversity. The potential benefits include increased organizational inno...
Anaerobic conversion of acetate to squalene by rat skin.

ConclusionsOthers have observed the stimulation produced by glucose(8), insulin(9) and electron acceptors(6,10) on lipogenesis in various tissues under oxygen. The present data show that a combination of these materials enhanced the anaerobic conversion of acetate to squalene in pieces of rat skin. The amount of activity incorporated(1620 cpm/g skin) was sufficient to serve as labeled squalene for subsequent conversions of squalene into sterol precursors or the sterols themselves.In contrast to human skin, rat skin contains relatively little squalene(11), and most of the activity incorporated into the unsaponified fraction of rat skin under oxygen is associated with the sterols rather than with squalene. Aerobic incubation of human skin with acetate, on the other hand, yields substantial amounts of labeled squalene(5,12). Presumably, the yield of labeled squalene by human skin could be increased by an anaerobic incubation in fortified buffers like those used in the present study.Summary. 1. Rat skin incub...
Metabolism of lithocholate in healthy man. III. Plasma disappearance of radioactivity after intravenous injection of labeled lithocholate and its derivatives.

The plasma disappearance of intravenously injected radiolabeled lithocholate, lithocholylglycine, and their respective 3α-sulfates was defined in healthy subjects. Binding of these bile acids to serum protein in vitro was measured by ultrafiltration. Lithocholate and lithocholylglycine rapidly disappeared from plasma (t1/2 95%) to serum protein. The results indicate that lithocholate, which enters the plasma compartment, whether unconjugated, conjugated, or conjugated and sulfated, will be protein-bound but nonetheless will be rapidly cleared from plasma.
Teaching Robotics and Computer Science with Pinball Machines.

Roboticists need to have a solid understanding of hardware and software. The standard computer science education in the United States, however, tends to teach students only about software. To remedy this situation, we explore new ways of teaching them about hardware in a playful way. Realizing that pinball machines are simple robots, we have developed a pinball machine interface between a PC and a recent Lord of the Rings pinball machine, which enables students to implement pinball games and gain knowledge of hardware and interface programming in the process. This paper describes both our pinball machine interface and our experience developing it. As far as we know, this is the first time that anyone has managed to control an existing pinball machine completely.
Ultra-low inductance vertical phase leg design with EMI noise propagation control for enhancement mode GaN transistors

This paper presents an improved phase leg power loop design for enhance mode lateral structure Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors. Static characterization results of a 650V/30A GaN transistor are presented to determine the design parameters of the gate driver circuits. The control of Common Mode (CM) noise current propagation is considered during the gate driver design by optimizing the power distribution and grounding structure of the gate driver and digital control circuits. By differentiating the propagation path impedance of digital control circuits and their power supply circuits, conductive CM noise can propagate through power supply path to protect the digital control circuits. In order to reduce current commutation loop inductance within the GaN phase leg, an improved power loop design with vertical structure is proposed for lateral structure GaN transistors which can significantly reduce power loop inductance compared with conventional lateral power loop design. The design is verified through experiments on a phase leg prototype which prove the performance of the proposed phase leg on the overvoltage reduction during current transition along with less cross-coupling between power loop and gate loop compared with conventional lateral power loop design. A full bridge voltage source inverter is implemented with the designed phase leg and tested with EMI noise measurement that verifies the effectiveness of the CM propagation path control.
The shifting tobacco paradigm and the role of the American Cancer Society

We shall illustrate how we undertake health promotion and how we go beyond the limits of traditional health promotion in order to be truly effective. Today’s health promotion must keep pace with the shifting tobacco paradigm, or we will just cease to be effective.
Automated denoising and segmentation of optical coherence tomography images

This paper presents a novel automated system that denoises and segments seven sub-retinal layers in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. First, the OCT images are subjected to Wiener deconvolution by varying the noise variance from 10−1 to 10−15. A new Fourier-domain structural error is introduced in this paper, and the deconvolved OCT image with the least structural error is selected as the denoised image. The properties of the structural error metric are studied, and it is shown that the error metric satisfies convexity property. For each image, the proposed denoising method increases the image SNR by 6.9 dB on average compared to 5 dB increase reported so far, and attains a mean peak SNR (PSNR) of 23.036 dB. Next, highpass filters are applied to the denoised images in an iterative manner to extract the seven sub-retinal layers. The proposed system requires on average 10.65 seconds for denoising an image and 22.07 seconds for segmenting seven sub-retinal layers. This is a significant improvement over manual segmentation that requires up to 12 minutes per image.
Factors Affecting Recognition of Senior Citizens in a Silver Alert

The current study investigated the recognition of faces of senior citizens in the context of a Silver Alert. Literature on face recognition and eyewitness identification has consistently found recognition failure due to factors such as Own-Age Bias, the Other-Race Effect, and Own-Gender Bias. Participants viewed a video of people in a naturalistic setting, a park. The target, an elderly woman, wore either typical clothing or atypical clothing (nightgown), was not present or was not present but replaced with a different senior. We measured accuracy, confidence, reaction time, and Prediction-of-Knowing in relation to type of clothing worn by the target as well as age, race, and gender of participants. We hypothesized that recognition of the target senior would be low but would be higher when the woman appeared in a nightgown (matching the stereotype of an individual with dementia) as compared to typical clothing. We did not find age, race, and gender effects on target recognition. We offer possible explanations for both significant and non-significant results as they apply to the unique population of missing elderly adults.
On in-situ evaluation of fibre strength distribution

The purpose of this letter is to analyse experimentally the difference between fibre strength distributions evaluated using both in-situ and isolated glass fibres and to illustrate the difference in extrapolated values of the strength of fibre fragments typically found in single-fibre microcomposites.
Differences in Health and Social Support between Homeless Men and Women Entering Permanent Supportive Housing

Abstract Background Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is the leading intervention to end chronic homelessness. Little is known, however, about gender differences, including potential disparities in physical and mental health and social support, that might inform services available through PSH. Methods This study included 421 homeless adults, at least 39 years old, English- or Spanish-speaking, who were moving into PSH through 26 different agencies in the Los Angeles area participated. Results Compared with men entering PSH, homeless women (28% of the sample) were younger ( p p p p p p p p p p p p Conclusions There is evidence of gender differences in mental health and social support among homeless adults moving into PSH. PSH cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. Supportive services within housing should be tailored based on gender and other individual needs.
Inactivation of the INK4A/ARF ( CDKN2 ) locus Cooperates with HMGA1 in T-Cell Leukemogenesis.

Abstract 3969 Poster Board III-905 Because T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive lymphoid leukemia with a high rate of relapse in both children and adults, research is urgently needed to discover molecular pathways that could be targeted in therapy. Recent studies have identified NOTCH1 activating mutations, genomic classifiers, and other molecular pathways that are disrupted in T-ALL, although these findings have not yet translated into better therapy or improved long-term survival. Thus, we are investigating molecular pathways that play a causative role in T-ALL and could be modulated by therapy. We previously showed that HMGA1a is overexpressed in human T-ALL. Further, HMGA1a transgenic mice develop aggressive T-ALL with complete penetrance, indicating that HMGA1a induces leukemogenic transformation in vivo . Disruption of the CDKN2A ( INK4A/ARF ) tumor suppressor locus has been reported in up to 90% of T-ALL, suggesting that this contributes to leukemic transformation in T-cells. To determine if loss of function of the INK4A/ARF tumor suppressor locus could cooperate with HMGA1a in T-ALL, we crossed our HMGA1a transgenics with mice that are null for the INK4A/ARF locus. We found that T-ALL was markedly accelerated in the HMGA1a transgenics that are also null at this tumor suppressor locus. These mice died significantly earlier than the HMGA1 transgenics that are wildtype at the INK4A/ARF locus (4.8 months+/- 1.0 month versus 10.5 +/- 2.5 months, p HMGA1a transgenic, INK4A/ARF null mice recapitulate salient clinical and pathologic features of human T-ALL. All mice appeared ill and exhibit marked organomegaly with extensive leukemic infiltration. Immunophenotyping by fluorescence activated cell sorting showed T-ALL in all cases with identical T-cell markers (CD3, CD8, and αβ-TCR) to those previously reported for the HMGA1a transgenics at 8-10 months. Interestingly, the HMGA1a-INK4A/ARF +/- mice also developed early lymphoid malignancy in 6/17 cases. The accelerated lymphoid malignancy in these mice suggests that there is loss of heterozygosity at the INK4A/ARF locus. Alternatively, haploinsufficiency of INK4A and/or ARF may be sufficient to promote lymphoid tumorigenesis in the setting of HMGA1a overexpression. To determine if HMGA1 overexpression and loss of INK4A/ARF expression occur in human T-ALL, we analyzed gene expression profile analysis in leukemic blasts from children and young adults with T-ALL. We found high levels of HMGA1 expression and low levels of INK4A/ARF expression in most patients. Taken together, our results indicate that overexpression of HMGA1 and loss of function at the INK4A/ARF ( CDKN2A ) tumor suppressor locus cooperate in T-cell leukemogenesis and these pathways could represent rational therapeutic targets. Further, our mice provide a novel preclinical model for T-ALL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Influence of postnatal glucocorticoids on hippocampal-dependent learning varies with elevation patterns and administration methods

Recent interest in the lasting effects of early-life stress has expanded to include effects on cognitive performance. An increase in circulating glucocorticoids is induced by stress exposure and glucocorticoid effects on the hippocampus likely underlie many of the cognitive consequences. Here we review studies showing that corticosterone administered to young rats at the conclusion of the stress-hyporesponsiveness period affects later performance in hippocampally-mediated trace eyeblink conditioning. The nature and even direction of these effects varies with the elevation patterns (level, duration, temporal fluctuation) achieved by different administration methods. We present new time course data indicating that constant glucocorticoid elevations generally corresponded with hippocampus-mediated learning deficits, whereas acute, cyclical elevations corresponded with improved initial acquisition. Sensitivity was greater for males than for females. Further, changes in hippocampal neurogenesis paralleled some but not all effects. The findings demonstrate that specific patterns of glucocorticoid elevation produced by different drug administration procedures can have markedly different, sex-specific consequences on basic cognitive performance and underlying hippocampal physiology. Implications of these findings for glucocorticoid medications prescribed in childhood are discussed.
William McDougall’s Lamarckian Experiments

In 1927, William McDougall published his first report on a series of experiments designed to test the Lamarckian hypothesis of acquired traits. Three succeeding papers were published in 1930, 1933, and 1938. A series of attempted replications by others extended these experiments into the 1950s. These reports provide a commentary on the Lamarckian hypothesis, the emergent neo-Darwinism, and the fallibility of experiments in testing hypotheses. Moreover, because of their centrality for McDougall’s “purposive behaviorism,” they provide a reflective picture of William McDougall as an important and controversial figure in psychology.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia as a model for the genetic basis of cancer.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal neoplasm of the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell that is characterized by a consistent cytogenetic abnormality known as the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1). Occurrence of Ph1 is a consequence of a reciprocal translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22, resulting in the creation of a new gene comprised of sequences from the c-abl gene on chromosome 9 and the BCR gene on chromosome 22. The protein encoded by this structurally altered hybrid gene differs from the normal c-abl gene product in both molecular weight and in tyrosine kinase activity. It is likely that alterations in the c-abl gene product, as a result of the Ph1 translocation, play a contributory role in the process of malignant transformation in CML.
Fast track article: Using snapshot query fidelity to adapt continuous query execution

This paper explores the fidelity of queries issued in pervasive computing networks. A query's fidelity, or how well its results reflect the state of the environment, can be significantly impacted by dynamics that occur during its distributed execution. We focus on continuous queries that can be built out of sequences of consecutive snapshot queries and show how the fidelity of snapshots can be used to determine the fidelity of continuous queries. This simple notion of continuous query fidelity can be used to adapt query processing to impact quality and cost tradeoffs given the current state of the environment.
Emerging Pet Food Drying and Storage Strategies to Maintain Safety

Abstract The chapter presents main composition of pet food and primary sources, storage strategies to minimize loss of nutritious components, and advances of pet food drying and storage with a focus on emerging trends.
Treading Lightly: Indirect Speech in Medical Directives

Medical advice and directives are key components of medical care. This chapter addresses how nurse practitioners (NPs) use indirectness to soften the force of medical advice/directives. This is accomplished by using on-record indirectness, in which advice is given with hedges and mitigation, and off-record indirectness, in which advice is hinted at rather than stated outright, and a combination of these tactics. In many cases, indirectness serves a dual purpose of both giving directives and critiquing past behavior; therefore, there is more at stake in terms of threatening the face of the patients. NPs likely employ indirectness strategies in order to avoid these potential face threats and seemingly offer optionality in terms of whether patients must follow the advice, both of which help establish positive relationships with patients.
System design and implementation of the detector assembly of the Astro-H soft x-ray spectrometer

The soft x-ray spectrometer (SXS) on-board Astro-H presents to the science community unprecedented capability (<7 eV full width half max at 6 keV) for high-resolution spectral measurements in the range of 0.5 to 12 keV to study extended celestial sources. At the heart of the SXS is the x-ray calorimeter spectrometer (XCS) where detectors (calorimeter array and anticoincidence detector) operate at 50 mK, the bias circuit operates at nominal 1.3 K, and the first stage amplifiers operate at 130 K, all within a nominal 20-cm envelope. The design of the detector assembly (DA) in the XCS originates from the Astro-E x-ray spectrometer (XRS) and lessons learned from Astro-E and Suzaku. After the production of our engineering model, additional changes were made to improve our flight assembly process for better reliability and overall performance. We present the final design and implementation of the flight DA, compare its parameters and performance with Suzaku’s XRS, and list susceptibilities to other subsystems as well as our lessons learned.
A Historical Review of School Social Work

Assumptions concerning school social work should be reappraised so that effective methods can be developed to meet neighborhood and school problems
Empiric transfusion strategies during life-threatening hemorrhage.

Background Resuscitation guided by thrombelastography improves survival after injury. If bleeding is rapid, however, or if no thrombelastography data are available, the optimal strategy remains controversial. Our current practice gives fresh frozen plasma and red blood cells (1:2) empirically in patients with life-threatening hemorrhage, with subsequent administration based on rapid thrombelastography. We identified patients at risk of massive transfusion at 1 hour, examined their initial rapid thrombelastography, and used this value to provide empiric recommendations about transfusions. Methods Massive transfusion was defined as >4 units of red blood cells in the first hour. Patients managed by a trauma activation (2014–2017) had an admission rapid thrombelastography analyzed to determine what proportion met thresholds for administration of cryoprecipitate or platelets. Results Overall, 35 patients received >4 units of red blood cells in the first hour. Based on the admission rapid thrombelastography, 37% met criteria for both platelets and cryoprecipitate, 35% for either platelets or cryoprecipitate and 29% for neither. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant delay in the administration of cryoprecipitate and platelets compared to fresh frozen plasma. Conclusion Patients who require >4 units of red blood cells within the first hour should receive cryoprecipitate and platelets if thrombelastography results are not available. Point-of-care devices are needed for optimal care of trauma-induced-coagulopathy, but these data offer guidance in their absence.
Measuring Election System Performance

The controversy surrounding the 2000 presidential election focused the country’s attention on questions concerning the quality of American democracy. That saga, however, is remembered in popular consciousness as one preoccupied with the question of voting technology. This is due in no small measure to the Supreme Court’s focus on the counting and recounting of punch card ballots, with their dangling and pregnant chads open to varied interpretations. For practitioners and scholars of election administration, however, the 2000 election represented a watershed event that exposed problems in the electoral system as a whole. Although we have made great strides as a nation in addressing the technological problems endemic to the 2000 election, we have made very little effort to evaluate the administration of elections in a systematic way. This article attempts to lay out what a system-based evaluation would entail. The first Part of this Article discusses the difficulties in evaluating both election systems’ inputs and their outputs. Inputs are the components of election administration that will vary based on state and local law and practices, such as methods of vote tabulation and voter registration. A system’s output is the success with which it accurately records voters’ intentions and encourages voter turnout. Part II examines some of the sources from which we derive data concerning elections, such as surveys, audits, and recounts. It discusses some problems encountered when collecting data, such as discrepancies between different sources, and identifies a need for more systematic collection of data. The third Part goes into more depth about systems of measurement used to analyze today’s elections. It discusses the problems of how to calculate the size of the electorate, and how to determine “lost votes,” or those votes that were not counted due to tabulation error or lack of access to the election system. Part III also reports and analyzes 2008 election data from the Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES). The Article concludes by positing that while the country has seen substantial recent improvement in election administration, there still exists a need for higher quality data in order to further assess the election system.
Acute Inflammation After Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in young adults worldwide. Immediately after the primary injury occurs due to the mechanical forces of the trauma, there is a cascade of processes that contribute to secondary brain injury. The acute inflammatory response appears to differ in early and late stages of TBI; it is believed that limited inflammation is essential for repair, but too much inflammation for too long hinders recovery. This review addresses the current state and future directions of research investigating the “double-edged sword” of acute inflammation in TBI. Topics covered include clinical, cellular, molecular, and systemic aspects of TBI; TBI-associated local and peripheral inflammation; acute management of inflammation in TBI; preclinical models; clinical data models; and future research directions from single-cell sequencing to cerebral organoids.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults with cerebral palsy.

Aim To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and the association between common metabolic markers and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels in ambulatory adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Method Metabolic markers and GMFCS levels were evaluated in a cross-sectional study of 70 ambulatory adults with CP (34 males, 36 females; mean age 24y 5mo [SD 5y 4mo], range 18y 6mo-48y 8mo) to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and CVD risk factors, and were compared to age-matched, population norms from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) registry. The Framingham Heart Study (FHS) CVD risk estimation was also used to evaluate an individual's risk for CVD. Results Metabolic syndrome was identified in 17.1% of the cohort, higher than the 10% in the NHANES registry. The FHS CVD 30-year lipid and body mass index (BMI)-based risk factor results showed that 20% to 40% of the cohort was at greater risk of developing CVD (BMI-based: 39.7% 'full' CVD risk factor; lipid-based: 26.5% 'full' CVD risk factor) as compared to the FHS normative population data. There was a positive correlation between GMFCS level, waist circumference (r=0.28, p=0.02), and waist-to-hip ratio (r=0.28, p=0.02). Interpretation Adults with CP are at higher risk of CVD and metabolic syndrome compared to the general population, which is probably because of impaired mobility.
Abstract 178: Correlation between Modified Rankin Scale and Quality of Life in DEFUSE 3

Background: The relationship between the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and quality of life in stroke patients treated in late time windows (6-16 hours) has not been explored. Using data from the rand...
Improving Turnaround Times through a Process Improvement Initiative Involving Barcoding, Floorplans, Dual Measuring Cells, Chemistry Analyzers, and Staff Shifts.

Background: Specimen turnaround time (TAT) is an important metric for laboratory safety and quality. Various methods to improve TAT have seen success using process improvement initiatives. However, there are limited data on barcoding, pneumatic receiving proximity to modular preanalytics, 1 vs 2 measuring cells, and upgrading to Cobas 8000. The example describes the complete execution of a process improvement initiative to improve TAT within these areas over a 20-month period. The study aimed to improve specimen timeliness by decreasing the TAT for preanalytic and analytic specimen processing through a systematic process improvement initiative and to empower staff to “own” their scientific method. Methods: The primary outcome TAT was reported from a prospective quality initiative beginning January 2017 for 2 analytes: troponin and potassium. TATs for albumins from the complete metabolic panels were added to the study design retrospectively during team rounds. Mean TAT was defined as time from arrival to verified times. Process improvement tools within the study design were borrowed from Lean management. Results: After implementation of the process improvement initiative, the number of steps medical laboratory assistants and technologists performed per specimen decreased from 8 to 5. Mean TATs decreased for all analytes. Preimplementation to postimplementation comparisons from 2017 to 2018 decreased for all 3 analytes and within 2017. The number of troponin specimens verified within 60 min improved from 70% in January 2017 to 95% in August 2018, with an improvement from 64% in January 2017 to 87% in August 2018 during peak hours. Conclusions: A systematic process improvement initiative whereby employees “own” the scientific process within specimen preanalytic and analytic testing phases can significantly improve metrics for laboratory quality and safety.
On the critical behavior of a homopolymer model

We begin with the reference measure P0 induced by simple, symmetric nearest neighbor continuous time random walk on Zd starting at 0 with jump rate 2d and then define, for β ⩾ 0, t > 0, the Gibbs probability measure Pβ,t by specifying its density with respect to P0 as $${{d{P_{\beta, t}}} \over {d{P^0}}} = {Z_{\beta, t}}{(0)^{-1}}{{\rm{e}}^{\beta \int_0^t {{\delta _0}({x_s})ds}}},$$ (0.1) where $${Z_{\beta, t}}(0) \equiv {E^0}{\rm{[}}{{\rm{e}}^{\beta \;\int_0^t {{\delta _0}({x_s})ds}}}].$$. This Gibbs probability measure provides a simple model for a homopolymer with an attractive potential at the origin. In a previous paper (Cranston and Molchanov, 2007), we showed that for dimensions d ⩾ 3 there is a phase transition in the behavior of these paths from the diffusive behavior for β below a critical parameter to the positive recurrent behavior for β above this critical value. The critical value was determined by means of the spectral properties of the operator Δ + βδ0, where Δ is the discrete Laplacian on Zd. This corresponds to a transition from a diffusive or stretched-out phase to a globular phase for the polymer. In this paper we give a description of the polymer at the critical value where the phase transition takes place. The behavior at the critical parameter is dimension-dependent.
Pigs as Models for Nutrient Functional Interaction

The use of pigs in studies, not only of growth and development of mammalian neonates but also of degenerative problems that accompany aging, has a long history. In this section, scientists address the use of pigs in both respects. Partly because the pig will consume a wide variety of diets, there also has been a traditional emphasis on investigation of the impact of nutrition on these aspects of health. The continuing strength of this area of investigation is born out amply by the papers in this section and they are examples of how the research continues to expand in scope. In so doing, interest is turning increasingly towards studies that focus on mechanistic, including genetic, investigations. Specific foci of the nutrition papers are: a) metabolic development and the use of the pig as a model for studying human neonate organic nutrient metabolism, b) intestinal development with an emphasis on functional development, c) the role of the pig as a model for the impact of intestinal disease, particularly diarrheal illness, on intestinal function and d) the use of pigs in studies of genetic manipulation of lipid metabolism and relationships of lipid metabolism to circulatory diseases.
Chronic Disease Medication Adherence After Initiation of Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND Although buprenorphine is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), it is unknown whether buprenorphine use may affect patients' adherence to treatments for chronic, unrelated conditions. OBJECTIVES To quantify the effect of buprenorphine treatment on patient adherence to 5 therapeutic classes: (1) antilipids; (2) antipsychotics; (3) antiepileptics; (4) antidiabetics; and (5) antidepressants. RESEARCH DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS We started with 12,719 commercially ensured individuals with a diagnosis of OUD and the buprenorphine initiation between January 2011 and June 2015 using Truven Health's MarketScan data. Individuals using any of the 5 therapeutic classes of interest were included. MEASURES Within the 180-day period post buprenorphine initiation, we derived 2 daily indicators: having buprenorphine and having chronic medication on hand for each therapeutic class of interest. We applied logistic regression to assess the association between these 2 daily indicators, adjusting for demographics, morbidity, and baseline adherence. RESULTS Across the 5 therapeutic classes, the probability with a given treatment on hand was always higher on days when buprenorphine was on hand. After adjustment for demographics, morbidity, and baseline adherence, buprenorphine was associated with a greater odds of adherence to antilipids [odds ratio (OR), 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-1.54], antiepileptics (OR, 1.22; CI, 1.10-1.36) and antidepressants (OR, 1.42; CI, 1.32-1.60). CONCLUSIONS Using buprenorphine to treat OUD may increase adherence to treatments for chronic unrelated conditions, a finding of particular importance given high rates of mental illness and other comorbidities among many individuals with OUD.
Dual-Phase Oscillation from CW Transverse Instabilities in Sodium Vapor

Dual-phase oscillations are widely used in electronics as two-phase clocks. We demonstrate an all-optical two-phase clock based on a transverse-profile Ikeda instability in sodium vapor.
Patient with Short Gut Syndrome

It is becoming more common for pain practitioners to encounter patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) while evaluating patients in the hospital setting. SBS is a syndrome that can cause pain as well as greatly impact the absorptions of medication needed to treat chronic pain conditions. This chapter will review the basic pathophysiology, risk factors, and diagnosis of SBS as well as review the medications impacted by this syndrome in order to help the pain physician devise treatment options to help those afflicted with this disorder.
VIRUS INDUCED SLOW INFECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Infections of the nervous system have traditionally been associated with acute inflammatory diseases. Such acute viral infections may cause varied neurological syndromes such as encephalitis, paralytic poliomyelitis, acute cerebellar ataxia, polyneuritis and meningitis. Most of these illness represent complications of primary infections with viruses such as the enteroviruses, mumps virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or the arthropod-borne viruses (Johnson, 1982). Others may result from the activation of a latent infection within the host, such as is seen in herpes-virus and papovavirus infections. Additionally, a few viruses produce very distinctive clinical syndromes such as dermatomal rash in shingles caused by the activation of varicellar-zoster virus or acute lower motor neuron disease caused by poliomyelytis virus. However, these very same viruses can cause quite different clinical diseases, and illness that resemble shingles and paralytic poliomyelitis occasionally are caused by other viruses (Johnson, 1982). The same can be said of the variation in histopatho-logical lesions that can be associated with viruses. Most lesions are characterized by focal or generalized inflammation and cell lysis. In contrast, the parainfectious encephalomyelitis that complicates measles, vaccinia, and several other infections show distinctive perivenular demyelinating changes believed to result from an immunopathologic process. Thus, while the cardinal signs of an acute viral infection consists essentially of febrile response, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, alterations in clinical chemistry values and hematological findings and an inflammatory pathology one must always be aware of the clinical and histopathological variations that a given virus can induce under varied circumstances (Gajdusek and Gibbs, 1975).
Atypical representation of sensorimotor cortex in a patient with autism and epilepsy confirmed by direct electrocortical stimulation

Prior studies have used functional neuroimaging to demonstrate that the organization of the autistic brain is different from that of the non-autistic brain. Similarly, patients with epilepsy have also shown cortical reorganization. We present a case study that provides direct confirmation of disorganized sensorimotor distribution in a patient with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. To our knowledge, this is the first time cortical mapping directly showing abnormal cortical organization in a patient with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy has been reported in the literature.
Experience of United States Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellows with Brain Death Examinations

Purpose: Brain death (BD) declaration is an infrequent occurrence in pediatric ICUs, occurring in less than 1% of admissions. Brain death is determined by a specialized examination including an apnea test. Pediatric BD guidelines written in 2011 suggest that the exam “should be performed by experienced clinicians who … have specific training in neurocritical care;” however, there were no recommendations as to the amount or type of training needed. Notably, there have not been any published studies evaluating current experience of pediatric critical care medicine …
Ankle-brachial index to monitor limb perfusion in patients with femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND Limb ischemia is a major complication of femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Use of ankle-brachial index (ABI) to monitor limb perfusion in VA-ECMO has not been described. We report our experience monitoring femoral VA-ECMO patients with serial ABI and the relationships between ABI and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). METHODS This is a retrospective single-center review of consecutive adult patients placed on femoral VA-ECMO between January 2019 and October 2019. Data were collected on patients with paired ABI and NIRS values. Relationships between NIRS and ABI of the cannulated (E-NIRS and E-ABI) and non-cannulated legs (N-NIRS and N-ABI) along with the difference between legs (d-NIRS and d-ABI) were determined using Pearson correlation. RESULTS Overall, 22 patients (mean age 56.5 ± 14.0 years, 72.7% male) were assessed with 295 E-ABI and E-NIRS measurements, and 273 N-ABI and N-NIRS measurements. Mean duration of ECMO support was 129.8 ± 78.3 h. ECMO-mortality was 13.6% and in-hospital mortality was 45.5%. N-ABI and N-NIRS were significantly higher than their ECMO counterparts (ABI mean difference 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13-0.19, p < .0001; NIRS mean difference 2.51, 95% CI: 1.48-3.54, p < .0001). There was no correlation between E-ABI versus E-NIRS (r = .032, p = .59), N-ABI versus N-NIRS (r = .097, p = .11), or d-NIRS versus d-ABI (r = .11, p = .069). CONCLUSION ABI is a quantitative metric that may be used to monitor limb perfusion and supplement clinical exams to identify limb ischemia in femorally cannulated VA-ECMO patients. More studies are needed to characterize the significance of ABI in femoral VA-ECMO and its value in identifying limb ischemia in this patient population.