cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lemierre syndrome: a pediatric case series and review of literature.

Abstract Background Lemierre syndrome is a rare disease of the head and neck often affecting adolescents and young adults. Classically, infection begins in the oropharynx with thrombosis of the tonsillar veins followed by involvement of the parapharyngeal space and the internal jugular vein. Septicemia and pulmonary lesions develop as infection spreads via septic emboli. Although a rare entity in modern times, Lemierre syndrome remains a disease of considerable morbidity and potential mortality. Methods This was a retrospective review of 3 cases and associated literature. Results A common 1- to 2-week history of fever, sore throat, neck pain, and fatigue was observed in all patients. Patient 1 developed right facial swelling, neck tenderness, trismus, and tonsillar exudate. Patient 2 displayed right tonsillar erythema and enlargement with right neck tenderness. Patient 3 revealed bilateral tonsillar enlargement with exudate and left neck tenderness. Subsequent studies included blood cultures and computed tomography, after which empiric antibiotic therapy was started. Patient 1 underwent drainage of a right peritonsillar abscess, right pressure equalization tube placement, and ligation of the right external jugular vein. He subsequently developed subdural empyemas, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and carotid artery narrowing and required 9 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Patients 2 and 3 developed pulmonary lesions and received 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Timing was crucial in all cases. Conclusions Lemierre syndrome is a rare but severe opportunistic infection with poor prognostic outcomes if left untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential. Aggressive antibiotic therapy coupled with surgical intervention, when necessary, provides excellent outcomes.
Transverse waves in superfluid3He-B

We examine the theory of collisionless transverse current waves in bulk superfluid 3He-B, including the coupling to the order parameter collective modes. A t low frequencies, co << A(T), the order parameter modes do not contribute to the restoring force for a transverse current, and the quasiparticle contribution drops rapidly as the gap in the spectrum develops. Thus, low-frequency transverse sound becomes overdamped at temperatures near To. However, at low temperatures (T<0.3Tc) the off-resonant coupling to the J=2-, M=+I modes stabilizes a propagating transverse current mode, with a large phase velocity and low damping for frequencies above a critical frequency that is approximately that of the J = 2- mode. We also discuss the similarities and differences of longitudinal and transverse sound in the superfluid phases. For example, in zero field, right- and left-circularly polarized waves are degenerate. A magnet&field, with H II ~1, lifts this degeneracy, giving rise to the analog of circular dichroism and birefringence of electromagnetic waves. Thus, transverse waves may be more easily detected in the B-phase than in normal 3He.
Octreotide inhibits hepatic cystogenesis in a rodent model of polycystic liver disease by reducing cholangiocyte adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate

Background & Aims: In polycystic liver diseases (PCLDs), increased cholangiocyte proliferation and fluid secretion are key features and cholangiocyte adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is an important regulator of these processes. Thus, we assessed cAMP levels and evaluated octreotide (an analogue of somatostatin known to inhibit cAMP) in hepatic cyst growth using an in vitro model of cystogenesis and an in vivo animal model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), one of the PCLDs. Methods: Expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) was assessed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and confocal microscopy in cholangiocytes from normal and polycystic kidney (PCK) rats, the ARPKD model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. Effects of octreotide on cAMP levels and cyst expansion were studied in vitro using PCK bile ducts grown in 3-dimensional culture. The effects of octreotide on hepatic and renal cystogenesis were investigated in PCK rats in vivo. Results: In cholangiocytes and serum of PCK rats, cAMP concentrations were ∼2 times higher than in normal rats. SSTR subtypes that bind octreotide (ie, SSTR2, SSTR3, and SSTR5) were expressed in both normal and PCK cholangiocytes. In vitro, octreotide inhibited cAMP levels by 35% and reduced cyst growth by 44%. In vivo, octreotide lowered cAMP content in cholangiocytes and serum by 32%–39% and inhibited hepatic disease progression, leading to 22%–60% reductions in liver weight, cyst volume, hepatic fibrosis, and mitotic indices. Similar effects were observed in kidneys of PCK rats. Conclusions: This preclinical study provides a strong rationale for assessing the potential value of octreotide in the treatment of PCLDs.
Integrating and optimizing transactional memory in a data mining middleware

As the size of available datasets in various domains is growing rapidly, there is an increasing need for scaling data mining implementations. Coupled with the current trends in computer architecture, where scaling only seems possible with effective utilization of the increasing number of cores, this is leading to a programmability and performance challenge for data mining applications on emerging multi-core architectures. Recently, Software Transactional memory (STM) has been gaining popularity as a viable tool for easing programmability on shared memory machines. This paper focuses on utilizing, optimizing, and evaluating STM for data mining applications on multi-core architectures. The specific contributions of this paper are three-fold: 1) An existing STM algorithm (Transactional Locking II) has been integrated with a parallel data mining middleware, FREERIDE. This enables transparent use of the STM technique by any application developed using this middleware. 2) We have developed a new Hybrid Replication- Transactional Memory scheme, which substantially reduces the memory overhead of a replication scheme, while also reducing the number of conflicts and aborts in the STM technique, and 3) We have performed a comprehensive performance evaluation of STM techniques, where they have been compared with a replication-based scheme (which may not be scalable with increasing number of cores), and a highly optimized locking scheme. Our results show that, both STM and HyRepSTM techniques are competitive with other schemes in most cases. Also, the Hybrid Replication-Transactional memory scheme substantially reduces the number of aborts and conflicts when the number of concurrent threads are high.
Increasing the reactivity of metakaolin-cement blends using zinc oxide

Abstract This study aimed to improve the reactivity of metakaolin-cement mixtures using ZnO additions. Kaolinite samples with 0.1–1 wt% ZnO were calcined at temperature intervals of 50 °C from 500 to 650 °C for 1 h. The resulting metakaolins were examined for structural changes after calcination and for their pozzolanic reactivity, influence on the hydration behavior of cement pastes, and impact on the compressive strength of mortar cubes. ZnO behaved as a delayed accelerator for cement paste. However, when ZnO was combined with highly amorphous metakaolin, chemical retardation was eliminated while acceleration was maintained. Such systems also had increased 28-day compressive strengths. ZnO additions did not affect the degree of dehydroxylation or the pozzolanic reactivity of the metakaolin. These results could facilitate the use of less pure calcined clays as SCM by providing a mechanism for improving reactivity and may also impact the ability to use zinc-contaminated materials in concrete.
Comparison of Catalysts for Direct Transesterification of Fatty Acids in Freeze-Dried Forage Samples

Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters from for- ages comparing methanolic boron-trifl uoride (BF 3 ) to methanolic hydrochloric acid (HCl) as a catalyst in single-step direct transesterifi ca- tion has not been reported. Our objective was to compare 1.09 M methanolic HCl to 1.03 M (7%) methanolic BF 3 as catalysts for direct transesterifi cation of fatty acids in freeze-dried forage samples. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis revealed complete conversion of total lipid extracts to fatty acid methyl esters using both catalysts. Additionally, gas-liquid chroma- tography analysis confi rmed similar (P = 0.95) total fatty acid concentrations for both cata- lysts. Regression analysis indicated that similar values for total concentration would be obtained (P < 0.0001; r 2 = 0.96; slope = 0.98 ± 0.03) between the two catalysts. Concentrations of most indi- vidual fatty acids were similar (P = 0.17-0.99) for both catalysts. Summed weight percentages of identifi ed fatty acids, as well as sum of unidenti- fi ed peaks, were not affected (P = 0.27) by cata- lyst (91.8 and 8.7% vs. 90.8 and 9.2% for HCl and BF 3 , respectively). We conclude that 1.09 M methanolic HCl is an appropriate substitute for 1.03 M methanolic BF 3 for preparation of fatty acid methyl esters from freeze-dried forage samples. This result is of interest because HCL is both less costly and less caustic than BF 3 .
Delirium: Presentation, Epidemiology, and Diagnostic Evaluation (Part 1)

Delirium is a highly prevalent and complex neuropsychiatric disorder marked by attentional dysfunction, disturbances in multiple cognitive domains, and changes in motor behavior, perception, sleep, and thought process. Delirium results from diverse toxic, metabolic, infectious, and structural etiologies and is associated with a number of adverse outcomes. Delirium pathophysiology involves perturbation of multiple neurotransmitter systems. Behavioral presentations of delirium are common and are often misattributed to primary psychiatric processes. Diagnostic assessment of delirium includes thorough physical examination, careful cognitive testing, appropriate metabolic and infectious studies, review of medications, and structural brain imaging and electroencephalography as indicated. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions have been documented to reduce the incidence and severity of delirium. Antipsychotics are the treatment of choice for delirium-related agitation and psychosis.
Direct-Current Circuits and Power Supplies

This chapter concentrates on simple circuits, and in most cases this material will be a review for the reader. The understanding of direct-current (dc) circuits covers the major needs in the computer control of mechanical engineering systems, because much of the analysis is of steady-state conditions. Alternating current (ac) circuits are used particularly in the control of electric power and as the source for obtaining direct current, as well as in interfacing dc equipment. Not all control circuits are steady-state, however, because they may be required to respond to time-varying signals. Capacitors influence the behavior of circuits during changes with respect to time.
Acculturation is associated with left ventricular mass in a multiethnic sample: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Acculturation involves stress-related processes and health behavioral changes, which may have an effect on left ventricular (LV) mass, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined the relationship between acculturation and LV mass in a multiethnic cohort of White, African-American, Hispanic and Chinese subjects. Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment was available for 5004 men and women, free of clinical CVD at baseline. Left ventricular mass index was evaluated as LV mass indexed by body surface area. Acculturation was characterized based on language spoken at home, place of birth and length of stay in the United States (U.S.), and a summary acculturation score ranging from 0 = least acculturated to 5 = most acculturated. Mean LV mass index adjusted for traditional CVD risk factors was compared across acculturation levels. Unadjusted mean LV mass index was 78.0 ± 16.3 g/m2. In adjusted analyses, speaking exclusively English at home compared to non-English language was associated with higher LV mass index (81.3 ± 0.4 g/m2 vs 79.9 ± 0.5 g/m2, p = 0.02). Among foreign-born participants, having lived in the U.S. for ≥ 20 years compared to < 10 years was associated with greater LV mass index (81.6 ± 0.7 g/m2 vs 79.5 ± 1.1 g/m2, p = 0.02). Compared to those with the lowest acculturation score, those with the highest score had greater LV mass index (78.9 ± 1.1 g/m2 vs 81.1 ± 0.4 g/m2, p = 0.002). There was heterogeneity in which measure of acculturation was associated with LV mass index across ethnic groups. Greater acculturation is associated with increased LV mass index in this multiethnic cohort. Acculturation may involve stress-related processes as well as behavioral changes with a negative effect on cardiovascular health.
Markedness Theory and Second Language Acquisition

Many researchers in second language acquisition have been testing a principles-and-parameters model of acquisition for adult learners. That is, they are seeking to determine whether Universal Grammar (UG), the system of innate, constrained, parameterized principles which guides first language learners, is also responsible for the acquisition of second language (L2) grammars.
Adaptive increases in expression and vasodilator activity of estrogen receptor subtypes in a blood vessel-specific pattern during pregnancy

Normal pregnancy is associated with adaptive hemodynamic, hormonal, and vascular changes, and estrogen (E2) may promote vasodilation during pregnancy; however, the specific E2 receptor (ER) subtype, post-ER signaling mechanism, and vascular bed involved are unclear. We tested whether pregnancy-associated vascular adaptations involve changes in the expression/distribution/activity of distinct ER subtypes in a blood vessel-specific manner. Blood pressure (BP) and plasma E2 were measured in virgin and pregnant (day 19) rats, and the thoracic aorta, carotid artery, mesenteric artery, and renal artery were isolated for measurements of ERα, ERβ, and G protein-coupled receptor 30 [G protein-coupled ER (GPER)] expression and tissue distribution in parallel with relaxation responses to E2 (all ERs) and the specific ER agonist 4,4',4″-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)-tris-phenol (PPT; ERα), diarylpropionitrile (DPN; ERβ), and G1 (GPER). BP was slightly lower and plasma E2 was higher in pregnant versus virgin rats. Western blots revealed increased ERα and ERβ in the aorta and mesenteric artery and GPER in the aorta of pregnant versus virgin rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the increases in ERs were mainly in the intima and media. In phenylephrine-precontracted vessels, E2 and PPT caused relaxation that was greater in the aorta and mesenteric artery but similar in the carotid and renal artery of pregnant versus virgin rats. DPN- and G1-induced relaxation was greater in the mesenteric and renal artery than in the aorta and carotid artery, and aortic relaxation to G1 was greater in pregnant versus virgin rats. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester with or without the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin with or without the EDHF blocker tetraethylammonium or endothelium removal reduced E2, PPT, and G1-induced relaxation in the aorta of pregnant rats, suggesting an endothelium-dependent mechanism, but did not affect E2-, PPT-, DPN-, or G1-induced relaxation in other vessels, suggesting endothelium-independent mechanisms. E2, PPT, DPN, and G1 caused relaxation of Ca(2+) entry-dependent KCl contraction, and the effect of PPT was greater in the mesenteric artery of pregnant versus virgin rats. Thus, during pregnancy, an increase in ERα expression in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle layers of the aorta and mesenteric artery is associated with increased ERα-mediated relaxation via endothelium-derived vasodilators and inhibition of Ca(2+) entry into vascular smooth muscle, supporting a role of aortic and mesenteric arterial ERα in pregnancy-associated vasodilation. GPER may contribute to aortic relaxation while enhanced ERβ expression could mediate other genomic vascular effects during pregnancy.
Wave-equation Migration From Topography

Conformal mapping is a technique used widely in applied physics and engineering elds to facilitate numerical solution of boundary value problems involving solution domains characterized by complex geometry. The predominant reason for applying a conformal mapping procedure is to transform an irregular solution domain to one of symmetric geometry. The conformal map transform has the property that the angle between neighboring arc segments is (locally) conserved under the mapping. Accordingly, in the context of wave-equation imaging under topography, conformal mapping can transform an irregular, topographically-in uenced solution domain to a regular computational mesh. In this paper, we demonstrate that the use of the conformal mapping transform coupled with Riemannian wave eld extrapolation generates an orthogonal coordinate system and the governing wave eld continuation equation required for wave-equation migration directly from a topographic surface. We illustrate the potential of this approach by migrating a 2-D prestack data set acquired on a geologic model of thrust belt.
A Life Dedicated to the Science, Philosophy and Romanian Society

With outstanding contributions in Electronics, Informatics, and Philosophy, and as Professor, Researcher, and Manager, Acad. Mihai Draganescu is the most important encyclopedic personality of contemporary Romania. Educated in the nascent Romanian school of electronics, Acad. Mihai Draganescu creates a worldclass school of electronic devices and microelectronics. Envisioning the evolution of the modern society, becomes initiator and promoter of the informatics revolution in Romania, conceptually defining it and coordinating its development. Generalizing the concept of information, creates an original philosophy that leads to the development of a new type of science, called structural-phenomenological, with major implications for the understanding of the world and its future. First president of the Romanian Academy renaissance, he leads both its return to its role and traditional sources, and its renewal and adaptation to the evolution of the civilization. Promoter of the scientific and humanistic culture, brings back the deserved recognition to major personalities of the Romanian spirituality. Mentor and life model, he lightens and encourages many young generations with an extraordinary generosity. Any of these achievements would be enough to place Acad. Mihai Draganescu among the greatest Romanian personalities. Their combination, impressive through their diversity and unity, creates the image of a personality of a rare complexity and creativity.
7032 Gastrointestinal endoscopy in a large urban medical center iii- esophagogastroduodenoscopy (egd) in patients with upper gi bleeding.

During the period of 1/97- 4/99 767 EGD examinations were performed at Kings County Medical Center. 307 (40%) of these were done for the indication of upper GI bleeding. Of these, 25.1% were emergency procedures performed in the emergency area (15.8%), intensive care units (10.1%), or the GI endoscopy unit (74.1%). Successful completion of EGD examination was accomplished in 83.1% of the cases for emergencies and 93.7% for routine cases. In 46 cases (15%) a therapeutic technique was applied consisting of heater probe application (5.2%), injection therapy (12.1%), or sclerotherapy (0.7%). There were no endoscopic complications. The endoscopic diagnoses made were as follows: esophagitis 63 (20.2%), M-W tear 20 (6.5%), esophageal ulcer 8 (2.6%), esophageal ulcer w/ active bleeding 4 (1.3 %), esophageal varices 24 (7.8%), Barrett s esophagus 3 (1 %), esophageal candidiasis 11 (3.6%), esophageal cancer 3 (1%), hiatus hernia 49 (16%), gastritis 106 (34.5 %), gastric ulcer (GU) 81 (26.4%), GU w/ active bleeding 8 (2.6%), GU w/ visible vessel 13 (4.2%), gastric polyp 9 (2.9%), gastric cancer 8 (2.6%), duodenitis, 60 (19.5%), duodenal ulcer (DU) 78 (25.4%), DU w/ active bleed 9 (2.9%), DU w/ visible vessel 7 (2.3%), duodenal polyp 4 (1.3%), and abnormal papilla 2 (.7%). Conclusions: In this population: 1) Upper GI bleeding is the most common indication for EGD. 2) Gastritis, gastric ulcer, and duodenal ulcer were the most frequent diagnoses. 3) Approximately 10% of patients were actively bleeding during EGD. 4) Therapeutic intervention was performed in 15% of cases.
Thermal Activation of Superheated Lipid-Coated Perfluorocarbon Drops

This study explored the thermal conditions necessary for the vaporization of superheated perfluorocarbon nanodrops. Droplets C3F8 and C4F10 coated with a homologous series of saturated diacylphosphatidylcholines were formed by condensation of 4 μm diameter microbubbles. These drops were stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, but they vaporized back into microbubbles at higher temperatures. The vaporization transition was measured as a function of temperature by laser light extinction. We found that C3F8 and C4F10 drops experienced 90% vaporization at 40 and 75 °C, respectively, near the theoretical superheat limits (80–90% of the critical temperature). We therefore conclude that the metastabilty of these phase-change agents arises not from the droplet Laplace pressure altering the boiling point, as previously reported, but from the metastability of the pure superheated fluid to homogeneous nucleation. The rate of C4F10 drop vaporization was quantified at temperatures ranging from 55 to 75 °C...
A Primer on the Taxation of Executive Deferred Compensation Plans

The Enron scandal has piqued Congress' interest regarding the particulars of executive deferred compensation plans. While Enron's rank-and-file employees, participating in the company's qualified profit sharing plan, watched their life savings plummet in value as the company stock collapsed, Enron executives were selling off their company stock, and receiving bonuses and making withdrawals from their executive compensation plans. With respect to these executive deferred compensation plans, how could these insider Enron executives withdraw massive amounts of deferred compensation in advance of their company's bankruptcy, draining the employer's assets from its creditors? What were the provisions of these executive compensation plans? Were the particulars of these plans readily available to Enron's shareholders and employees, and to the public at large? The answers to these questions were not readily available when Congress inquired, which obviously caused even greater concerns. A variety of legislative proposals have been discussed ranging from corporate governance to tax law changes. The author was asked to testify before the Senate Finance committee in April 2002 on the tax aspects of executive deferred compensation plans, inquiring how such plans are designed to avoid current taxation to its participants. By late June 2002, the Democrats in Congress initiated a new "corporate governance" legislation that proposed to alter the taxation of executive compensation plans, but only for those plans funded with employer stock. While the Enron executives clearly help company stock, which was sold in advance of the company's bankruptcy, it is not clear whether their executive deferred compensation plans used employer stock as the basis for payment. The Senate Finance Committee proposed legislation in mid-July, tightening the tax rules applicable to executive compensation plans in an effort to prevent future Enron-type scandals. This article is a by-product of the oral and written testimony provided by the author to the Senate Finance Committee in April. It is intended to summarize the existing tax rules applicable to these plans and to recommend whether tax legislation post-Enron is warranted or appropriate. Certainly corporate governance initiatives should be encouraged as a result of Enron; however the author questions relying on the federal tax code to cure Enron's woes as the best avenue.
112 GEOGRAPHIC AND OCCUPATIONAL RISK FACTORS FOR VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECTS, WASHINGTON STATE 1987-2003.

Purpose of Study To address the hypothesis that parents9 environmental and occupational exposures can influence the presence of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) in their offspring, we conducted a population-based case-control study of infants born in Washington State from 1987-2003. Methods We used birth certificate data linked with hospital discharge information to identify children diagnosed with VSD within the first 2 years of life (N = 3,489) and controls (N = 13,290). From the birth certificate data, we obtained information on parental occupation and county of maternal residence. The latter was categorized according to region (east-west), rural-urban classification, and proportion of farm land and crop land. Results Risk of VSD was greater for infants whose mothers resided in eastern Washington (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.65). VSD in conjunction with other cardiac malformations (n = 1,205) exhibited a stronger geographical association than isolated VSD (n = 2,284). Analyses restricted to eastern Washington did not reveal a clear relationship between risk of VSD and increasing proportion of agricultural land in the mother9s county of residence. Parental occupation in agriculture was not associated with the presence of VSD. Conclusions While these findings suggest regional variation in Washington State in the occurrence of VSD, the basis for this variation remains to be determined. The first author is supported by UW NIH K30 Program and is a fellow in training.
Comparison of G-CSF with GM-CSF for mobilizing peripheral blood progenitor cells and for enhancing marrow recovery after autologous bone marrow transplant.

Primed peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) with hematopoietic growth factors enhance marrow engraftment after autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). G-CSF and GM-CSF stimulate the production of PBPC; both cytokines alone also stimulate neutrophil recovery after autologous BMT. Little data exist comparing these two cytokines. We prospectively studied G-CSF and GM-CSF in autologous BMT. Forty-four consecutive patients with either Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma underwent autologous BMT using both PBPC and autologous marrow. The autologous BMT preparative regimen was CBV (VP-16 2400 mg/m2, CY 1800 mg/m2 i.v. four times daily for 4 days, BCNU 600 mg/m2). Sixteen patients received G-CSF 5 micrograms/kg sc daily for 8 days for mobilization of PBPC and received G-CSF 16 micrograms/kg i.v. four times daily after autologous BMT. Twenty-eight patients received GM-CSF to mobilize PBPC (14 patients received 250 micrograms/m2 sc daily for 8 days; 14 patients received 125 micrograms/m2 sc twice daily for 8 days) and GM-CSF (250 micrograms/m2 i.v. four times daily) after autologous BMT. Patients underwent three to five pheresis procedures to harvest at least 3 x 10(8) nucleated cells/kg. Patients receiving G-CSF had higher peripheral WBC counts than did those receiving GM-CSF. Total numbers of mononuclear cells, total CD34+ cells and total CD34+/33-negative cells were similar in the two treatment groups. The patients receiving G-CSF after autologous BMT experienced a more rapid engraftment of both neutrophils (9 days vs 13 days, p = 0.0001) and platelets (14 days vs 18 days, p = 0.027) than did patients receiving GM-CSF after transplant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Distribution, propagation, and coordination of contractile activity in lymphatics

The propagation and coordination of lymphatic contractions were studied in the mesentery of the rat small intestine using in situ microscopic observation. Indexes of lymphatic diameter were simultaneously measured at two adjacent lymphangions in spontaneously contracting lymphatics (n = 51). Diameter index, contraction frequency, and the percentage of the intersegmental contractions that were propagated and coordinated (PP) were determined at both sites. The conduction velocity of the contractile activity and the percentage of the coordinated contractions that were propagated both antegrade to the direction of lymph flow and retrograde to the flow stream were determined. The results indicate that 1) 80-90% of the lymphatic contractions in the vessels we evaluated were propagated, 2) the wave of contractile activity propagated both centrally and peripherally, and 3) the conduction velocity of the contractile activity was approximately 4-8 mm/s. We tested the hypothesis that gap junctional communication is responsible for the coordination of the contractile event. To accomplish this, we used the gap junction blockers n-heptanol and oleic acid. PP was 90 +/- 4% under normal conditions and fell to a minimum value of 55 +/- 7% during the gap junction blockade. These results indicate that gap junctional communication played an important role in the propagation and coordination of contractions that occurred in spontaneously active lymphatics.
Relationships between firearm availability and suicide: the role of psychology

The causes and theoretical underpinnings of suicidal behavior are complex and multidimensional. A review of current research indicates a correlation between firearm availability and suicidal risk. Variables that contribute to this relationship are examined, including geographic location, legislative issues, impulsivity, and occupation. Reasons for considering this correlation as a social advocacy issue for psychologists are presented, and recommendations for the profession of psychology are described. These recommendations include potential empirical research areas, ways of incorporating the relationship between firearm availability and suicidal risk into doctoral training programs, and a variety of practice-related recommendations. Language: en
Models of Adherence

Whether patients take their medication is determined by a myriad of factors ranging from socioeconomic factors to disease-related issues [20]. While many of these factors are immutable by the dermatologist, having a solid understanding of what internally drives patients to engage in health-seeking behavior can be instrumental in tackling adherence problems. Adherence models are theoretical constructs that have been created to help further elucidate the complexities of what drives patients to adhere to their medications. These models provide a framework for which interventions can be developed to target the major determining factors that can adversely affect adherence to medication.
'Sensor'ship and Spatial Data Quality

This article describes a Los Angeles-based website that collects volunteered geographic information (VGI) on outdoor advertising using the Google Street View interface. The Billboard Map website was designed to help the city regulate signage. The Los Angeles landscape is thick with advertising, and the city efforts to count total of signs has been stymied by litigation and political pressure. Because outdoor advertising is designed to be seen, the community collectively knows how many and where signs exist. As such, outdoor advertising is a perfect subject for VGI. This paper analyzes the Los Angeles community's entries in the Billboard Map website both quantitatively and qualitatively. I find that members of the public are well able to map outdoor advertisements, successfully employing the Google Street View interface to pinpoint sign locations. However, the community proved unaware of the regulatory distinctions between types of signs, mapping many more signs than those the city technically designates as billboards. Though these findings might suggest spatial data quality issues in the use of VGI for municipal record-keeping, I argue that the Billboard Map teaches an important lesson about how the public's conceptualization of the urban landscape differs from that envisioned by city planners. In particular, I argue that community members see the landscape of advertising holistically, while city agents treat the landscape as a collection of individual categories. This is important because, while Los Angeles recently banned new off-site signs, it continues to approve similar signs under new planning categories, with more in the works.
The Interruptive Voice: Engaging Race in Public School Deliberations

ABSTRACTThe Denver Public School (DPS) District was the first district outside the southern states to undergo court-ordered desegregation. DPS is now the fastest growing urban school district in the country. As such, the societal ill of resegregation that has plagued school districts across the country also strongly influences DPS’s public deliberation. DPS-led efforts to overcome current racial isolation provide one instance to examine how citizens actually engage race in everyday contexts. Consideration of the district’s communicative successes, as well as its pathologies, forms the basis of an alternative approach, namely, encouraging the interruptive voice. This approach draws upon insights from rhetorical and political theory to offer innovative ideas about how public school districts might generate healthier discourse regarding race.
Twisted Time: The Educative Chronologies of American Indian History

Although countless public celebrations around the world announce otherwise, Christopher Columbus was not the first outsider, certainly not the first European, to set foot on what became known as the Americas (see Axtell, 2001; Mann, 2005; McGrath, 2007). He and his predecessors, transient sailors, traders, adventurers, and, in time, occupiers and conquerors, found diverse climates and topographies bearing clear signs of human manipulation. They were not discoverers, for the lands were inhabited. Whether nomadic or settled, the indigenous peoples varied as widely as their natural environments. They knew how to manage Arctic tundra, deserts, forests, animal populations, and farms. They shared a religious awe for nature’s power and unpredictability, but expressed spirituality in distinct theologies, symbols, and ceremonies. Unlike their counterparts in Europe and the Mideast, there is little to no evidence that they engaged in religious persecutions among themselves or fought religious wars, although some, like contemporaries on the other continents, practiced human sacrifice to deities. Their societies interacted with each other culturally and commercially, whether peacefully or militarily, exchanging goods, arts, technologies, seeds, rituals, languages, and ideas, leaving mixed accumulations of relics and garbage for others to ponder and identify Some established vast empires that rivaled those elsewhere in the world relative to population size, urban density, and cultural sophistication.
μ-oxo-Bis(oxobis(diethyldithiocarbamato)-rhenium(V))

Abstract Preparative details are reported for the conversion of trans-ReOCl3. 2P(C6H5)3 and Re2O3py4Cl4 to μ-oxo-bis(oxobisdiethyldithiocarbamato)-rhenium(V). The latter complex reacts with dry methanol to afford the methoxy derivative ReO(OCH3)(S2CNEt2)2 in 100% yield.
Metastatic Breast Cancer: Tailored Endocrine Therapy for Premenopausal Women

One-quarter of breast cancer patients are premenopausal at the time of diagnosis [1], and 60% are steroid hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) [2]. Fortunately, only 5% of patients present with disseminated disease, but more than 20% will ultimately become metastatic [3]. Steroid hormone-receptor expression strongly predicts efficacy of endocrine manipulation, producing responses in approximately 60% of women with estrogen receptor (ER)and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive (ER+/PR+) breast cancer, 30% with either ER+ or PR+ alone, and fewer than 10% with ERnegative (ER–)/PR-negative (PR–) tumors [4, 5]. In addition, higher levels of ER and/or PR correlate with a greater likelihood of response to hormonal therapies [4]. Endocrine therapy is generally the first-line approach to HR+ metastatic disease, except in women with visceral or central nervous system involvement or rapidly progressing disease, because of its efficacy and favorable toxicity profile. Options for endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer include ovarian ablation via oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation, ovarian suppression via administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs, monotherapy with the selective ER modulator (SERM) tamoxifen, or the combination of these modalities. In addition, aromatase inhibitors, which inhibit peripheral conversion of androgens to estrogens, may be used in conjunction with ovarian ablation or suppression. Finally, progestins such as megestrol acetate are available for third-line endocrine therapy. The challenge is to determine for an individual patient whether these therapies are best combined or given as sequential monotherapy, and if given as monotherapy, the best order in which to give them.
Effect Of Platform Type on Player Gaming Experience: An Investigation of Brain Games for Cognitive Performance Enhancement in Healthy Older Adults

In older adult populations, research has shown that the main cognitive abilities that change with aging include: perception, attention, memory, and other more specific processes such as decision-making. With the right design of games that uses motivation, goal and incentives, these games provide a learning experience that is coupled with the "fun" that comes with playing games. Although player and game characteristics are known to affect player gaming performance and outcomes, no study has researched healthy older adults and performance enhancement approaches to current computerized and non-computerized brain fitness games available for such populations. This dissertation investigates the problem with a mixed method user study by engaging participants with a commercially available game set designed to maintain and enhance mental acuity in older adults.
The Reputation Playbook: Exploring How Reputation Can Be Leveraged to Improve Recruiting Effectiveness in NCAA Men’s Basketball

Reputation is a critical factor in the recruiting process. Organizational reputation also is a complex variable. Different dimensions of reputation may play very different roles in attracting recruits. In this study, a multidimensional (i.e., performance, character/integrity, support) reputation model is used to predict male basketball recruits’ university choice. Data were collected on the ESPN Top 100 male high school athletes recruited to NCAA Division I basketball programs for each year from 2010–2014 (n = 500). Probit regression analyses using maximum likelihood estimation predicted to what extent each reputation-based dimension affected the likelihood of an athlete selecting a university. Subscribe to JASM
Longitudinal determinants of left ventricular mass and geometry: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.

Background— The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of 20-year change in left ventricular (LV) mass (LVM) and LV geometry in black and white young adults in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Methods and Results— We studied 2426 black and white men and women (54.7% white) aged 43 to 55 years with cardiovascular risk factor data and echocardiograms from CARDIA year 5 and 25 examinations. In regression models, year 25 LVM or relative wall thickness was the dependent variable and with year 5 echo values, age, sex, race, body mass index, change in body mass index, mean arterial blood pressure, change in mean blood pressure, heart rate, change in heart rate, tobacco use, presence of diabetes mellitus, alcohol use, and physical activity score as independent variables. LVM and relative wall thickness increased, whereas prevalence of normal geometry declined from 84.2% to 69.7%. Significant determinants of year 25 LVM/m2.7 were year 5 LVM, year 5 and change in body mass index, year 5 and change in mean arterial pressure, year 5 and change in heart rate, baseline diabetes mellitus, and year 5 tobacco and alcohol use (overall r 2=0.40). Significant determinants of year 25 relative LV wall thickness were year 5 value, black race, change in body mass index, year 5 and change in mean arterial pressure, starting smoking, and year 5 diabetes mellitus (overall r 2=0.11). Conclusions— Prevalence of abnormal LV hypertrophy and geometry increased from young adulthood to middle age. Both young adult cardiovascular risk traits and change in these traits predicted change in LV mass/geometry.
Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture Improves the Hemodynamic Results of Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background— Valve-in-valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be less effective in small surgical valves because of patient/prosthesis mismatch. Bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) using a high-pressure balloon can be performed to facilitate VIV TAVR. Methods and Results— We report data from 20 consecutive clinical cases in which BVF was successfully performed before or after VIV TAVR by inflation of a high-pressure balloon positioned across the valve ring during rapid ventricular pacing. Hemodynamic measurements and calculation of the valve effective orifice area were performed at baseline, immediately after VIV TAVR, and after BVF. BVF was successfully performed in 20 patients undergoing VIV TAVR with balloon-expandable (n=8) or self-expanding (n=12) transcatheter valves in Mitroflow, Carpentier-Edwards Perimount, Magna and Magna Ease, Biocor Epic and Biocor Epic Supra, and Mosaic surgical valves. Successful fracture was noted fluoroscopically when the waist of the balloon released and by a sudden drop in inflation pressure, often accompanied by an audible snap. BVF resulted in a reduction in the mean transvalvular gradient (from 20.5±7.4 to 6.7±3.7 mm Hg, P 2 , P Conclusions— BVF can be performed safely in small surgical valves to facilitate VIV TAVR with either balloon-expandable or self-expanding transcatheter valves and results in reduced residual transvalvular gradients and increased valve effective orifice area.
Decision Boundary Analysis of Adversarial Examples

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are vulnerable to adversarial examples, which are carefully crafted instances aiming to cause prediction errors for DNNs. Recent research on adversarial examples has examined local neighborhoods in the input space of DNN models. However, previous work has limited what regions to consider, focusing either on low-dimensional subspaces or small balls. In this paper, we argue that information from larger neighborhoods, such as from more directions and from greater distances, will better characterize the relationship between adversarial examples and the DNN models. First, we introduce an attack, OPTMARGIN, that generates adversarial examples robust to small perturbations. These examples successfully evade a defense that only considers a small ball around an input instance. Second, we analyze a larger neighborhood around input instances by looking at properties of surrounding decision boundaries, namely the distances to the boundaries and the adjacent classes. We find that the boundaries around these adversarial examples do not resemble the boundaries around benign examples. Finally, we show that, under scrutiny of the surrounding decision boundaries, our OPTMARGIN examples do not convincingly mimic benign examples. Although our experiments are limited to a few specific attacks, we hope these findings will motivate new, more evasive attacks and ultimately, effective defenses.
Effect of swine-waste bio-char on the water absorption characteristics of cement pastes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of an admixture, Swine-waste Bio-char (SB), on the water absorption characteristics of cement pastes. Design/methodology/approach The effect of SB percentages, heat treatment temperatures, water/binder ratios, and age on the water absorption percentages (WAPs) of SB modified cement pastes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectra, FTIR, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and laboratory experiments. Findings The WAPs of cement pastes with SBs produced at the low treatment temperature (LTT) of 340°C and 400°C were significantly lower (p<0.01) than pastes with SBs produced at the high treatment temperature (HTT) of 600°C and 800°C. This was attributed primarily to the more dominant presence of hydrophobic alkyl surface groups from non-volatilized matter in LTT-SBs. This had also resulted in lower surface areas and pore volumes in LTT-SBs. As a result of the volatilization of these labile hydrophobic groups at HTT, HTT-SBs were more hydrophilic and had higher surface areas and pore volumes. Consequently, HTT-SB pastes had higher WAPs and no significant differences (p<0.05) existed between HTT-SB pastes and control pastes. Also, low water/binder ratios and aging reduced water absorption of SB modified cement pastes. Practical implications LTT-SBs reduce water absorption and could reduce concrete deterioration; and as such, associated building repair, maintenance, and adaptation costs. Notably, reductions in concrete water absorption will extend the service life of concrete buildings and infrastructures, particularly in unfavorable environmental conditions. The observed benefits are tempered by the current lack of information on the effects of SB on compression strength, workability, and other durability properties. Social implications SB utilization in concrete buildings will enhance swine-waste disposal and reduce negative environmental impacts on swine farming communities; consequently, improving their quality of life. Originality/value Current bio-char research is focused on plant-derived bio-char toward soil remediation and contaminant removal, with very limited applications in concrete. This research advances knowledge for developing livestock-derived bio-char, as a PCRM, toward more sustainable and durable concrete structures.
Design of Embedded System for Multivariate Classification of Finger and Thumb Movements Using EEG Signals for Control of Upper Limb Prosthesis

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) determines the intent of the user from a variety of electrophysiological signals. These signals, Slow Cortical Potentials, are recorded from scalp, and cortical neuronal activity is recorded by implanted electrodes. This paper is focused on design of an embedded system that is used to control the finger movements of an upper limb prosthesis using Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. This is a follow-up of our previous research which explored the best method to classify three movements of fingers (thumb movement, index finger movement, and first movement). Two-stage logistic regression classifier exhibited the highest classification accuracy while Power Spectral Density (PSD) was used as a feature of the filtered signal. The EEG signal data set was recorded using a 14-channel electrode headset (a noninvasive BCI system) from right-handed, neurologically intact volunteers. Mu (commonly known as alpha waves) and Beta Rhythms (8–30 Hz) containing most of the movement data were retained through filtering using “Arduino Uno” microcontroller followed by 2-stage logistic regression to obtain a mean classification accuracy of 70%.
Associations between Infant Behaviors during the Face-To-Face Still-Face Paradigm and Oppositional Defiant and Callous-Unemotional Behaviors in Early Childhood.

Deficits in social orienting (i.e., gazing toward caregivers) during dyadic interactions and reactivity to stressful stimuli have been identified as behavioral correlates of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and callous-unemotional (CU) behaviors in older children. The goal of the current study was to investigate infants' mother-directed gaze and reactivity during the face-to-face and still-face episodes of the face-to-face stillface paradigm performed at 6 months in the prediction of ODD and CU behaviors in early childhood. Using data from the Durham Child Health and Development study (n = 206), hierarchical regression analyses revealed that infants' negative reactivity during the still-face episode and mother-directed gaze during the face-to-face episode predicted fewer ODD behaviors in early childhood. Examination of interaction effects suggested that mother-directed gaze attenuated the negative relation between reactivity and ODD and CU behaviors in early childhood. The current study is one of the first to extend downward the investigation of ODD and CU behaviors into infancy.