cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myocardial recovery: perfusion of the fibrillating heart versus cold chemical cardioplegia.

Abstract Recovery of left ventricular function (LVF) in the immediate post bypass period was studied in 14 patients undergoing coronary revascularization. In 5 patients recovery after normothermic perfusion of the fibrillating heart was studied and compared to recovery in 9 patients following the use of cold chemical cardioplegia. Ventricular function was evaluated by stepwise volume loading just prior to, and at 5 and 20 min after, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In the perfused fibrillating group there was a 50% increase in left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and an 18% decrease in left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) 5 min after CPB compared to 25 and 16% in the cardioplegia group. Twenty minutes after CPB, the LVF of the cardioplegia group had returned to prebypass levels while the fibrillating group showed an additional 5% increase in LVEDP and a 5% decrease in LVSWI. Changes in contractility and relaxation indices paralleled the changes in ventricular function curves. We conclude that recovery of LVF was not perfect with either technique. Volume loading was not well tolerated by either group 5 min after CPB; however, the cardioplegia group demonstrated good recovery of function 20 min after CPB.
Stroke due to late device thrombosis following successful percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure

We report a case of stroke due to device thrombosis occurring three years following percutaneous patent foramen ovale (patent foramen ovale) closure with an Amplatzer atrial septal occluder device. We discuss risk factors that may have contributed to device thrombosis and raise concerns regarding the lack of a dedicated PFO closure device for clinical use in the United States. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estimation of Seismicity Parameters Using a Computer

The book is a translation from an original in Russian, published in 1972. After 15 years, the book appears dated, its emphasis being the use of computers as an innovative technology for seismicity parameter estimation. The book is divided into two parts. Part I (29 pages) reviews the literature for quantitative measures of seismicity and for earthquake recurrence models, and describes previous uses of the computer to determine seismicity parameters. The literature reviewed is mainly that of the 1960s, with prevalence of Russian and European titles. This part of the book may retain some interest for the historical perspective it gives on the subject.
Predator size and phenology shape prey survival in temporary ponds

Theoretical efforts suggest that the relative sizes of predators and their prey can shape community dynamics, the structure of food webs, and the evolution of life histories. However, much of this work has assumed static predator and prey body sizes. The timing of recruitment and the growth patterns of both predator and prey have the potential to modify the strength of predator-prey interactions. In this study, I examined how predator size dynamics in 40 temporary ponds over a 3-year period affected the survival of spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) larvae. Across communities, gape-limited predator richness, but not size, was correlated with habitat duration (pond permanence). Within communities, mean gape-limited predator size diminished as the growing season progressed. This size reduction occurred because prey individuals grew into a body size refuge and because the largest of the predators left ponds by mid-season. Elevated gape-limited predation risk across time and space was predicted by the occurrence of two large predatory salamanders: marbled salamander larvae (Ambystoma opacum) and red-spotted newt adults (Notophthalmus viridescens). The presence of the largest gape-limited predator, A. opacum, predicted A. maculatum larval survival in the field. The distribution of large predatory salamanders among ponds and across time is expected to lead to differing community dynamics and to generate divergent natural selection on early growth and body size in A. maculatum. In general, a dynamic perspective on predator size often will be necessary to understand the ecology and evolution of species interactions. This will be especially true in frequently disturbed or seasonal habitats where phenology and ontogeny interact to determine body size asymmetries.
The simple analytics of tobacco taxation with illegal supply

This paper examines the impact of tobacco excise taxes where legal and illegal supplies coexist. The government's objective is to minimize cigarettes smoked in the economy (or to maximize revenue or to minimize illegal activity). It reacts to a competitive illegal supply in an adjoining jurisdiction. A model of consumer choice is used to demonstrate how demand response to tax changes can yield counterintuitive results. While the model mimics the Canadian market, similar situations characterize the US and European markets. A novel element of the paper is the treatment of externalities on the supply side rather than the demand side. Resume Analytique simple des taxes sur le tabac quand il y a offre illegale. Ce memoire examine l'impact des taxes sur la vente de tabac quand des offres legale et illegale coexistent. L'objectif du gouvernement est de minimiser les cigarettes fumees dans l'economie (ou de maximiser le revenu fiscal ou de minimiser l'activite illegale). Il doit prendre en compte l'offre concurrentielle illegale dans une juridiction contigue. On utilise un modele de choix du consommateur pour montrer comment la reaction de la demande aux changements dans les taxes peut engendrer des resultats contre-intuitifs. Bien que le modele soit concu pour le marche canadien, on trouve des situations avec des caracteristiques similaires dans les marches americain et europeens. Un element novateur du memoire est sa prise en compte des externalites du cote de l'offre plutot que du cote de la demande.
Setup cost reduction in an inventory model with finite-range stochastic lead times

SUMMARY Traditionally, upon solution, independent demand inventory models result in the determination of a closed form for the economic lot size. Generally, this is obtained from the result that holding costs and setup costs are constant and equal at the optimum. However, the experience of the Japanese indicates that this need not be the case. Specifically, setup cost may be reduced by investing in reduced setup times resulting in smaller lot sizes and increased flexibility. Various authors have investigated the impact of such investment on classical lot sizing formulas which has resulted in the derivation of modified relationships. A common assumption of this research has been that demand and lead time are deterministic. This paper extends this previous work by considering the more realistic case of investing in decreasing setup costs where lead time is stochastic. Closed form relationships for optimal lot size, optimal setup cost, optimal total cost, etc. are derived. Numerical results are presented for...
Mechanisms of hypertension during and after orthotopic liver transplantation in children

The aim of this study was to assess the hormonal alterations that may mediate the systemic hypertension that develops in patients during the perioperative period of orthotopic liver transplantation. We studied nine pediatric patients without previous hypertension or renal disease during six time points, starting before transplantation and ending at 48 hours after surgery. Hypertension developed in all patients in association with central venous pressures
Acceptability of Four Transformer Top-Oil Thermal Models—Part II: Comparing Metrics

Eventually, the prediction of transformer thermal performance for dynamic loading will be made using models distilled from measured data, rather than models derived from transformer heat-run tests. Which model(s) will be used for this purpose remains unclear. In this paper, we introduce metrics for measuring the acceptability of transformer thermal models. For a model to be acceptable, it must have the qualities of adequacy, accuracy, and consistency. We assess model adequacy using the metrics: prediction R2 and plot of residuals against fitted values. To assess model consistency, we use the variance inflation factor (which measures multicollinearity), condition number, eigenstructure, parameter sensitivity, and the standard deviation of model parameters and predicted maximum steady-state load (SSLmax). To assess model accuracy, we use the comparison of model parameters with nominal values and error duration curves. Other metrics of interest are also introduced. In a companion paper, these metrics are applied to the four models defined in this paper and a relative ranking of the acceptability of these models is presented.
Secure Event Dissemination in Publish-Subscribe Networks

Secure event dissemination in a pub-sub network refers to secure distribution of events to clients subscribing to those events without revealing the secret attributes in the event to the unauthorized subscribers and the routing nodes in a pub-sub network. A common solution to provide confidentiality guarantees for the secret attributes in an event is to encrypt so that only authorized subscribers can read them. The key challenge here is to build a secure and scalable content-based event dissemination infrastructure that can handle complex and flexible subscription models while preserving the efficiency and scalability of key management algorithms. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of PSGuard, for secure event dissemination in pub-sub networks. PSGuard exploit hierarchical key derivation algorithms to encode publication-subscription matching semantics for scalable key management. An experimental evaluation of our prototype system shows that PSGuard meets the security requirements while maintaining the performance and scalability of a pub-sub network.
Plantar Loading Characteristics During Walking in Females With and Without Patellofemoral Pain

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common injury, particularly in females. Foot pronation may promote knee and hip transverse plane joint kinematics during gait thought to contribute to PFP. Greater knowledge of plantar loading characteristics in females with PFP may be valuable to provide a basis for clinical decisions regarding footwear and foot orthoses. The purpose of this study was to compare plantar loading distribution in females with and without PFP during gait. Methods: Plantar pressure during walking was recorded from 19 females with PFP and 20 females without PFP. Contact area, peak force, and force-time integral were evaluated in ten plantar areas. Arch index was also calculated from contact area data during gait. Results: Contact area in females with PFP was 9% smaller in the first metatarsal region (P = .039) and 20% smaller in the midfoot region (P = .042) than in females without PFP. Peak force was 31% lower in the midfoot region for females with PFP (P = .027) and 13% lower in the...
Pion and kaon masses in staggered chiral perturbation theory

We show how to compute chiral logarithms that take into account both the $\mathcal{O}{(a}^{2})$ taste-symmetry breaking of staggered fermions and the fourth-root trick that produces one taste per flavor. The calculation starts from the Lee-Sharpe Lagrangian generalized to multiple flavors. An error in a previous treatment by one of us is explained and corrected. The one loop chiral logarithm corrections to the pion and kaon masses in the full (unquenched), partially quenched, and quenched cases are computed as examples.
Implications for design

Although ethnography has become a common approach in HCI research and design, considerable confusion still attends both ethnographic practice and the criteria by which it should be evaluated in HCI. Often, ethnography is seen as an approach to field investigation that can generate requirements for systems development; by that token, the major evaluative criterion for an ethnographic study is the implications it can provide for design. Exploring the nature of ethnographic inquiry, this paper suggests that "implications for design" may not be the best metric for evaluation and may, indeed, fail to capture the value of ethnographic investigations.
Age, sex, and dominance‐related mushroom body plasticity in the paperwasp Mischocyttarus mastigophorus

Social Hymenoptera are important models for analyzing functional brain plasticity. These insects provide the opportunity to learn how individuals' social roles are related to flexible investment in different brain regions. We assessed how age, sex, and individual behavior influence brain development in a primitively eusocial paper wasp, Mischocyttarus mastigophorus. Previous research in other species has demonstrated experience-dependent changes in central and primary sensory centers in the brain. The mushroom body (MB) calyx is a central processing region involved in sensory integration, learning and memory and may be particularly relevant to social behavior. We extend earlier cross-sectional studies of female brain/behavior associations by measuring sex- and age-related differen- ces in MB calyx volume, and by quantifying optic lobe and antennal lobe development. Age did predict MB development: calyx neuropils increased in volume with age. We show that MB development differs between the sexes. Males, who frequently depart to seek mating opportunities, have larger MB calyx collars (which receive optic input) than females. In contrast, females have augmented predominantly antenna-innervated MB calyx lips, which may be useful for nestmate recognition and interactions on the nest. Sex differences in MB devel- opment increased with age. After accounting for age and sex effects, social aggression was positively correlated with MB calyx volume for both sexes. We found little evi- dence for relationships among sex, age, or behavior and the volumes of peripheral sensory processing structures. We discuss the implications of gender- and age-related effects on brain volume in relation to male and female life history and reproductive success. ' 2008 Wiley Periodi-
Structure Rotation and Pull-in Voltage Control of MEMS Lateral Comb Resonators Under Fault Conditions

Lateral comb resonators (LCRs) theoretically possess a symmetric structure; therefore, the electrostatic force is effective only along the axis of displacement and is neutralized elsewhere. This force is not a function of the distance between the stationary and the moving (shuttle) plates in the direction of the movement. However, manufacturing imperfections and fault conditions make the device operate asymmetrically and cause rotation of the shuttle structure in a lateral gap-closing direction, putting the device in an unstable region of operation (pull-in voltage limit). In this region, the rotated structure experiences an extra force which pulls the device into the region of instability beyond the pull-in voltage limits. This paper illustrates the application of variable structure controllers to correct such behavior and to compensate for the uncertainties that exist in the microsystem parameters. The controller is equipped with a self-tuning parameter estimation block and is designed to control the LCRs under both normal and fault conditions. The controller utilizes through-wafer optical monitoring to provide the position feedback signal. The controller is implemented in a real-time control board and is experimentally verified to demonstrate the effectiveness of the control method under different operating conditions.
Positive and Negative Emotion

The more prominent theories on the hemispheric specialization or lateralization of emotion include the right hemisphere, the valence or balance, and the behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system (BIS/BAS), or approach–withdrawal models. Manuck’s model of optimistic anticipation of future events versus negative reflection on the past events is relevant here in the discussion of cerebral laterality. Heath Demaree and others contributed to this list with the addition of the dominance–submission model and the quadrant model of emotional processing. An attempt is made here to extend these emotion theories here to include the temporal duration of emotional memory. Specifically, this model briefly addresses the concept of transient duration for neutral memories and the persistence, over time, of emotional memories.
Malignant Mesothelioma - How Reliable to Make the Diagnosis on Cytology: Single Academic Center Experience

diagnosis to metastasis ranged from 0 to 12 (median 0.8) years. Seven (50%) were urothelial carcinomas, characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization (100%), multinucleation(83%), dense cytoplasm(83%), signet ring cells(50%) (Figure 1a), cell wrapping (33%) (Figure 1b), and cell windows (33%). No cercariform cells were seen. Six (43%) were renal cell carcinomas which exhibited cytoplasmic vacuoles (100%) (Figure 2a), prominent nucleoli (83%) (Figure 2b), granular (67%) and clear cytoplasm(50%). One case of malignant ascites was secondary to metastatic bladder leiomyosarcoma. No metastatic prostate cancers were identified. Six (43%) involved the peritoneum, 6(43%) were pleural, and 2(14%) were in the CSF. None were detected in the pericardium. Immunohistochemical staining was utilized to confirm 4 urothelial and 3 renal cell carcinoma cases. Conclusion: Metastatic GU cancers in serous cavities are rare, comprising only 0.2% of all effusions and 1.0% of all malignancies. To our knowledge, this is the first case of metastatic bladder leiomyosarcoma in ascites diagnosed by effusion cytology.
Youth with HIV/AIDS: Neurobehavioral Consequences

The majority of children living with HIV (around 90%) acquired the virus via mother-to-child transmission (vertical transmission), either in utero, intrapartum, or through breastfeeding (9). Other routes of transmission during childhood and adolescence include exposure in a medical setting (the use of unsterilized needles or a blood transfusion), through risky sexual behavior, either voluntary or coerced, or from drug use. Lastly, some children are exposed through sexual abuse or rape.
The temporal role of eastern Bantu -ba and -li

In the eastern Bantu languages forms of the verb 'be', -ba and/or -I i , are commonly employed in complex constructions in which they take sentential{-like) complements. Though often considered to be semantically empty in these constructions, they are analyzed here as shifters, having both referential and indexical properties. As such they function to establish additional parameters to the temporal framework in which the narrated event is to be interpreted.
Treatment patterns of very elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer

18110 Background: Among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), patients aged 80 or older, termed the ‘very elderly‘, have inferior survival. Treatment patterns within this patient popula...
External turbulence-induced axial flow and instability in a vortex

External turbulence-induced axial flow in an incompressible, normal-mode stable Lamb–Oseen (two-dimensional) vortex column is studied via direct numerical simulations of the Navier–Stokes equations. Azimuthally oriented vorticity filaments, formed from external turbulence, advect radially towards or away from the vortex axis (depending on the filament’s swirl direction), resulting in a net induced axial flow in the vortex core; axial flow increases with increasing vortex Reynolds number ( vortex circulation/viscosity). This contrasts the viscous mechanism for axial flow generation downstream of a lifting body, wherein an axial pressure gradient is produced by viscous diffusion of the swirl (Batchelor, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 20, 1964, pp. 645–658). Analysis of the self-induced motion of an arbitrarily curved external filament shows that any non-axisymmetric filament undergoes radial advection. We then studied the evolution of a vortex column starting with an imposed optimal transient growth perturbation. For a range of Re values, axial flow develops and initially grows as (time) before decreasing after two turnover times; for – the highest computationally achievable – axial flow at late times becomes sufficiently strong to induce vortex instability. Contrary to a prior claim of a parent–offspring mechanism at the outer edge of the core, vorticity tilting within the core by axial flow is the underlying mechanism producing energy growth. Thus, external perturbations in practical flows (at ) produce destabilizing axial flow, possibly leading to the sought-after vortex breakup.
Within- and between-generation effects of temperature on early fecundity of Drosophila melanogaster.

We used a repeated-measures, four-factor experimental design to determine how the fecundity of Drosophila melanogaster during the first 5 days of adult life was influenced by paternal, maternal, developmental and laying temperature, with two different temperature levels (18°C vs. 25°C) per factor. Laying temperature had by far the largest effect on fecundity and accounted for 79 per cent of the variance in overall fecundity: flies laying at 25°C began laying eggs about a day earlier and had much higher daily fecundities than did those laying at 18°C. Developmental temperature had no significant effect either on overall fecundity or on the pattern of daily egg production. Dam temperature had a slight effect on the pattern of daily egg production, but not on overall fecundity. In contrast, sire temperature slightly influenced both overall fecundity and the pattern of daily egg production. Our results demonstrate that early fecundity is extraordinarily sensitive to laying temperature (360 per cent increase if laying at 25°C vs. at 18°C), but is relatively well buffered against developmental and cross-generational effects (maximum effect only 7 per cent, for sire temperature).
ADEA President’s Address: Collaboration Forms the Fabric of Association Work

As I have grown older, the years have grown shorter. This past year as President of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) seems like the shortest year yet. Maybe it seems that way because this year’s ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition is several weeks earlier than usual, so the year was
Sterol biosynthesis in the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus.

Thefate oftheknownsterol precursorsqualene 2,3-oxide was investigated inthefreeliving nematode Panagrellus redivivus. Thenematodes were cultured axenically inthe presenceof[4-3H]squalene 2,3-oxide. Radioactivity was foundinthetotal lipids ofthe isolated nematodes. Essentially alloftheradioactivity encountered inthetotal lipids wasfound inthenon-saponifiable fraction. Thecomponents present inthenon-saponifiablefraction were separated andisolated byt.l.c. Threelabelled components were identified bya combination oft.l.c., g.l.c. andmass spectroscopy. Itisestablished that P.redivivus hasthecapacity forbiosynthesis oflanosterol. Nolabelled C27sterols could bedetected. Thebiosynthetic pathway forsynthesis ofcholesterol fromacetate hasbeenstudied extensively, and, atonetime, itwasbelieved that thecapacity for sterol biosynthesis was universal among eukaryotic organisms (Haslewood, 1960). Thecapacity forsterol biosynthesis isknowntobecompletely lacking only inprokaryotic organisms (Asselineau & Lederer, 1960; Bloch, 1965). Higher plants andanimals seem abletoeffect complete sterol biosynthesis denovo fromacetate (Nes, 1971). Amongtheinvertebrate phyla, however, there aregroupsoforganisms that appeartohavelost theability tosynthesize sterols fromshort-chain precursors. Insects characteristically require dietary sourcesofcholesterol orphytosterols forlarval growth anddevelopment(Lehoux &Sander,
Abstract 269: A Successful Blended Facilitation Approach with Internal and External Facilitators to Implement the VA Hospital-To-Home (H2H) Initiative: CHF QUERI

A Successful Blended Facilitation Approach with Internal and External Facilitators to Implement the VA Hospital-To-Home (H2H) Initiative: CHF QUERI Objectives: Reducing readmission rates for heart failure (HF) patients is the primary goal of the VA and the CHF QUERI. It is also the goal of Hospital to Home (H2H) national quality improvement (QI) initiative cosponsored by the American College of Cardiology and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. According to Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory (2003) social networks significantly affect performance and innovation. Additionally, the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS, 2008) framework emphasizes the function of dynamic relationships among evidence, context and facilitation. In January 2010 the CHF QUERI through its HF Network launched the “VA H2H” QI initiative to implement the national H2H initiative at the VA facilities. Blended facilitation approach was used with the HF Network's leadership being the “external” facilitators and the opinion leaders (OLs) at each facility being the “internal” facilitators. Methods: A total of 122 VA facilities were identified with >100 discharges during 2007-2008. Using the sociometric method OLs were identified to be “internal” facilitators. Members were to nominate up to 2 providers at own facility (physician/nurse/other/self) as the OL. Then OL teams were asked to participate in the VA H2H. As “external” facilitators the HF Network's leadership conducted web-based meetings and provided tool-kit and consultation to members at all 122 facilities. Periodic surveys were used to track projects (or interventions) recently initiated based on VA H2H, planned based on VA H2H, or ongoing to reduce HF readmissions not based on VA H2H initiative. Results: Members from 66% facilities (n=81) responded with 1-2 nominations for OLs. Members from the remaining 34% facilities (n=41) either responded with no nominations (n=3) or were non-responders (n=38). Overall, 47 facilities (39%) reported a total of 243 projects. Among them, 44 facilities had OLs (94%) with 234 projects (96%). In sharp contrast, the remaining 3 facilities (6%) with no OL had only 9 projects (4%). The 44 facilities with OLs reported 37 recently initiated VA H2H projects (versus 3 VA H2H projects at facilities without OL); 40 VA H2H projects being planned (versus 0 project at facilities without OL); and 149 projects ongoing not in response to VA H2H (versus 6 projects at facilities without OL). Conclusions: Facilities with OLs were very successful in implementing the VA H2H initiative. Impact: Use of OLs may be effective in implementing non-mandated QI initiatives to improve care for all VA HF patients.
Use of a comprehensive survey as a first step in addressing clinical competence of physicians-in-training in the management of pain.

Deficiencies in practice, knowledge, and competence among physicians are important contributing factors to the unsatisfactory level of analgesic care in hospitalized patients. By way of a comprehensive survey, we characterized these deficiencies within an internal medicine residency program as an initial step in designing remedial educational strategies. To do so, an anonymous 43-item survey was administered to residents in an internal medicine program. A total of 61 residents (69 percent) responded. The results indicated that patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), a standardized pain scale, and an opioid equivalence table were underused. Competence in opioid conversion was suboptimal, but completion of an oncology rotation and familiarity with the opioid equivalence table predicted greater competence in this area (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). Self-perceptions of adequacy of training and painmanagement competence were predictors of knowledge (p = 0.026 and p = 0.038, respectively). Attitudes regarding opioid analgesia were generally satisfactory (i.e., low “opiophobia” score), although the risk of addiction was still overestimated. The characterization of deficiencies in pain management in a residency program is an essential step in the design and implementation of educational interventions. Administration of a comprehensive survey is a simple and effective method of gathering this data and has the additional benefit of promoting awareness of pain management issues. Our experience served to establish, among other findings, the didactic value of experience on an oncology floor; this result substantiates the value of practical experience in the gaining of clinical competence in pain management. Interventions that capitalize on the findings of the survey and the interest in pain management generated by its administration are currently ongoing at our institution.
What Medicare has meant to older Americans.

In marking Medicare's 30th year in operation, it is fitting to focus on the program's successes. The fiscal pressures facing Medicare on both its own financing base and that of the Federal Government as a whole, and the rapid changes occurring elsewhere in the health care system, have led to a raft of criticisms of the program in recent years. Although Medicare could certainly be improved, pausing to reflect on the positive aspects of the program can offer some balance to the current debate on Medicare's future. Medicare is the largest public health program in the United States, providing the major source of insurance for the acute medical care needs of elderly and disabled persons. Its administrative costs are low, and it is popular with both its beneficiaries and the population as a whole. It has delivered on its promises. The success of Medicare from the perspective of older Americans can be summarized in four broad areas.
Evaluation of an alternative extended-infusion piperacillin-tazobactam dosing strategy for the treatment of gram-negative infections.

Introduction To enhance the probability of pharmacodynamic target attainment, piperacillin–tazobactam can be administered as either a continuous or extended-infusion dosage regimen for the treatment of gram-negative infections. Four hour extended-infusions of piperacillin–tazobactam 3.375 g administered intravenously (IV) every 8 h have been widely studied as an alternative to conventional, intermittent dosage regimens with largely favorable outcomes. Objective To assess the clinical and economic impact of a novel 3-h extended-infusion piperacillin–tazobactam dosing strategy for the treatment of gram-negative infections. Setting 433-bed community hospital in Lexington, KY. Methods Retrospective cohort study before and after the implementation of an alternative dosing protocol using a 3-h infusion of piperacillin–tazobactam 3.375 g IV every 6 h. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes include length of stay, ICU length of stay, 30-day all-cause hospital readmissions, total cost per admission, complications, and a composite of in-hospital mortality and readmission within 30 days of discharge. Results Readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge was significantly reduced in the extended-infusion arm (1.2 vs. 13.7 %, P = 0.002). A composite endpoint of death or readmission was lower among patients who received the extended-infusion dosing regimen [ORadj 0.20; 95 % CI (0.07–0.57)]. However this was likely driven by reductions in readmission. Conclusion An alternative regimen of extended-infusion piperacillin–tazobactam resulted in a significant reduction in 30-day all-cause hospital readmission. These results indicate that 3-h infusions of piperacillin–tazobactam 3.375 g IV every 6 h may represent a clinically effective alternative to other commonly used regimens and results in fewer readmissions within 30 days.
William James on Ethics and Faith: James's religious ethics in “The Moral Philosopher and the Moral Life”

In the first two chapters we saw how James's “will to believe” or “right to believe” doctrine informs his account of religious faith. More importantly, we saw that James's doctrine is not unreasonable once we have taken care to distinguish and clarify the psychological and epistemological aspects of his position. The next two chapters examine two additional arguments that James makes for religious faith, the first of which is compatible with his will to believe doctrine and the second of which builds upon it. Both are practical arguments, because they assert that there are certain practical goods which can be obtained or realized only through religious faith. More specifically they are moral arguments, since James understands the goods in question as essential to complete moral agency and human flourishing. The first argument, which is the subject of the present chapter, appears in the concluding section of “The Moral Philosopher and the Moral Life” (1891). Here, as we shall see, James argues that both moral philosophy and our attempts to lead “morally strenuous” lives are incomplete apart from belief in God. The basic idea underlying this argument is that while morality can exist in its essential features in a universe where the highest consciousness is human, we nevertheless cannot provide a plausible account of moral objectivity on purely humanistic and intersubjective grounds, nor fully awaken our moral capacities without measuring our moral values and ideals against an infinite standard (WB, 147–50; 159–62).
A Language for Parallel Processing, Embedded in Pascal

This chapter discusses parallel programming languages, chiefly for arrays. It discusses the major languages that have been developed. To give an idea regarding one such language, it focuses on PascalPL1. PascalPL1 extends Pascal with constructs to process parallel arrays and pyramids. It allows the programmer to code procedures that effect parallel operations over arrays of integer or, optionally, Boolean values of the sort commonly used in image processing, pattern recognition, and scene description programs. Statements can specify sets of relative locations with respect to each cell of the array and compounds of such sets, embedded in assignment statements or in conditional statements. It also has constructs that handle convergence of information that is taken from one array, then transformed and merged into another smaller array, giving a pyramid structure. PascalPL1 neither purports to handle efficiently a wide range of numerical operations nor attempts to handle the problems of parallel-serial processing by networks in general. Rather, arrays of information are the major type of parallel structures that it addresses. However, as it is embedded in Pascal, all the facilities and power of Pascal are available to the programmer.
Autophagy regulation of physiological and pathological processes in the female reproductive tract

Autophagy is a ubiquitous cell recycling pathway that delivers cytoplasmic constituents to the lysosome and is essential for normal cellular function. Autophagic activity is up-regulated under physiological conditions as well as stressful conditions such as nutrient deprivation, oxidative stress, hypoxia, inflammation, and infection. Thus, it is essential to regard the functional importance of the pathway and its components in a given tissue context. Here we review what is known about the involvement of autophagy process during physiological processes in the female reproductive tract and in pregnancy from preimplantation to oocyte function to placental development, parturition, and postpartum remodeling of the uterus; as well as in pathological and adverse events during these processes.
A Descriptive Report of Electronic Cigarette Use After Participation in a Community-Based Tobacco Cessation Trial.

Introduction Smokers are using electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, as a cessation aid, despite uncertainty about their efficacy. This report describes the association between use of e-cigarettes before and after cessation treatment and tobacco abstinence at 12 months. It also presents characteristics of e-cigarette users and reasons for use. Methods A longitudinal observational secondary analysis of self-reported e-cigarette use was conducted among adult Appalachian smokers enrolled in a community-based tobacco dependence treatment trial (n = 217). Data were collected at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months following treatment. The primary outcome measure was biochemically-confirmed 7-day point prevalence tobacco abstinence at 12 months post-treatment. Results One in five participants reported using e-cigarettes post-treatment. Baseline sociodemographic and tobacco-related characteristics did not differ by e-cigarette use. Primary reasons for e-cigarette use included help in quitting, help in cutting down on cigarettes, and not as bad for health. At the 12 month follow-up, tobacco abstinence was significantly lower among post-treatment e-cigarette users (4.7%) than nonusers (19.0%); (OR = 0.21 95% CI: 0.05-0.91, p = .021). Baseline use was not associated with 12-month abstinence. Conclusions Among adult Appalachian smokers enrolled in community-based tobacco cessation treatment, use of e-cigarettes post-treatment was associated with lower abstinence rates at 12 months. Implications This descriptive report of electronic cigarette use after participation in a community-based group randomized tobacco dependence treatment trial adds to the body of science examining e-cigarette use and cessation. Post-treatment e-cigarette use was associated with less success in achieving abstinence at 12 months, as compared to nonuse. At 3 months post-treatment, the majority of those who reported use of e-cigarettes did so to assist with cessation.
Correlates of sleep quality in midlife and beyond: a machine learning analysis.

Abstract Objectives In older adults, traditional metrics derived from polysomnography (PSG) are not well correlated with subjective sleep quality. Little is known about whether the association between PSG and subjective sleep quality changes with age, or whether quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) is associated with sleep quality. Therefore, we examined the relationship between subjective sleep quality and objective sleep characteristics (standard PSG and qEEG) across middle to older adulthood. Methods Using cross-sectional analyses of 3173 community-dwelling men and women aged between 39 and 90 participating in the Sleep Heart Health Study, we examined the relationship between a morning rating of the prior night's sleep quality (sleep depth and restfulness) and polysomnographic, and qEEG descriptors of that single night of sleep, along with clinical and demographic measures. Multivariable models were constructed using two machine learning methods, namely lasso penalized regressions and random forests. Results Little variance was explained across models. Greater objective sleep efficiency, reduced wake after sleep onset, and fewer sleep-to-wake stage transitions were each associated with higher sleep quality; qEEG variables contributed little explanatory power. The oldest adults reported the highest sleep quality even as objective sleep deteriorated such that they would rate their sleep better, given the same level of sleep efficiency. Despite this, there were no major differences in the predictors of subjective sleep across the age span. Conclusion Standard metrics derived from PSG, including qEEG, contribute little to explaining subjective sleep quality in middle-aged to older adults. The objective correlates of subjective sleep quality do not appear to systematically change with age despite a change in the relationship between subjective sleep quality and objective sleep efficiency.
Do Sticky Elites Produce Online Knowledge of Higher Quality

Online knowledge production sites, such as Wikipedia or Stack Overflow, are dominated by small groups of contributors. How does this affect knowledge production and its quality? Does the persistent presence of some key contributors among the most productive members improve or not the quality of the knowledge, considered in the aggregate? The present paper considers these issues by correlating week-by-week value changes in contribution unevenness, elite resilience (stickiness), and content quality. The goal is to detect if and how changes in social structural variables may influence the quality of the knowledge produced by online knowledge production sites. The paper addresses such question by an extensive data analysis carried out on the datasets of two representative sites: Wikipedia and Stack Overflow. Results from the analysis show that on Stack Overflow both unevenness and elite stickiness have a curvilinear effect on quality. Quality is optimized at specific levels of elite stickiness and unevenness. At the same time, on Wikipedia, quality increases linearly with a decline on entropy, overall, and with an increase in stickiness in the maturation phase, after an entropy peak is reached.
Salary Negotiation: A Role-Play Exercise to Prepare for Salary Negotiation:

Although most employers report room for negotiation in their job offers to recent graduates, fewer than half of recent graduates report attempting to negotiate. Considering that every raise employe...
Capitalizing and Compensating: Older Adults’ Religious and Spiritual Uses of Technology

This study explores how older adults use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their spiritual and religious lives. How widespread is their use? What kinds of ICTS do they use and for what reasons? What impact do they have on their religious and spiritual lives? We explored these questions by collecting interviews with 90 older adults, average age 77, from six major Judeo-Christian faith traditions. The sample was developed from nominations by pastors, priests, and rabbis in three southern California cities. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed through abductive analysis. Many older adults in our sample reported using ICTs to assist their devotional lives—nine in ten of our participants provided examples, thus dispelling technology as merely a tool for the young to incorporate into their religious lives. An unexpected finding of the research was the wide variety of ICT usage mentioned by these elderly participants —over 15 distinct ones were mentioned. The reasons for using ICTs fell into two primary categories: compensating for age related changes and capitalizing on unique opportunities for growth in later life. The results demonstrate support for Carstensen’s Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory and have implications for practitioners working with older adults, such as social workers and clergy, as well as for marketers in industry.
Mobile technology and food access

Abstract Access to food is a basic pillar of human development. It is therefore unsurprising that it features so centrally on global development agendas and that a robust, interdisciplinary literature seeks to examine its determinants. This study focuses on the relationship between mobile technology and food access. Specifically, we ask whether mobile technology can strengthen the relationship between food access and certain social and political factors such as remittance flows and political participation. We use Afrobarometer surveys and highly disaggregated data on 2G network coverage to estimate a multilevel model testing how increased connectivity measured by mobile technology influences food access. We show that mobile phone use and higher frequency of use are significantly and positively correlated with food access, but we do not find evidence that remittances and political participation levels can explain the mechanisms linking mobile technology and food access. The study highlights that connectivity can play a powerful role in shaping food outcomes even when controlling for commonly identified impediments such as income constraints or physical isolation. These findings suggest that policies aimed at improving food access should devote attention to strengthening both communication and physical infrastructure.
Mechanics of tablet formation: a comparative evaluation of percolation theory with classical concepts

AbstractThe present study is based on the fundamentals of percolation theory and its application in understanding compression and compaction of powder materials. Four materials, i.e. carbamazepine,...
The combined effect of creatine and resistance training on doxorubicin-induced muscle dysfunction.

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is associated with profound skeletal muscle dysfunction. Resistance training (RT) and creatine (Cr) monohydrate have been independently shown to protect against DOX-in...
Electronically driven collapse of the bulk modulus in δ-plutonium

Plutonium metal exhibits an anomalously large softening of its bulk modulus at elevated temperatures that is made all the more extraordinary by the finding that it occurs irrespective of whether the thermal expansion coefficient is positive, negative, or zero-representing an extreme departure from conventional Gruneisen scaling. We show here that the cause of this softening is the compressibility of plutonium's thermally excited electronic configurations, which has thus far not been considered in thermodynamic models. We show that when compressible electronic configurations are thermally activated, they invariably give rise to a softening of the bulk modulus regardless of the sign of their contribution to the thermal expansion. The electronically driven softening of the bulk modulus is shown to be in good agreement with elastic moduli measurements performed on the gallium-stabilized δ phase of plutonium over a range of temperatures and compositions and is shown to grow rapidly at small concentrations of gallium and at high temperatures, where it becomes extremely sensitive to hydrostatic pressure.
Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System Includes Parenchymal-Based Cases With Characteristic Features.

OBJECTIVES To define the clinicopathologic features of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) of the central nervous system (CNS), including cases arising in CNS parenchyma, which have been reported only rarely. METHODS Twelve cases of CNS EMZL were identified, including 5 based in CNS parenchyma and 7 nonparenchymal cases arising in dura or choroid plexus. RESULTS Histologically, parenchymal cases were perivascular infiltrates without a dominant lymphoid mass, whereas nonparenchymal cases were masses of small lymphocytes. Plasma cells were a larger component of the infiltrate in parenchymal cases (median, 30%; range, 20%-50%) than nonparenchymal cases (median, 0%; range, 0%-5%; P < .001), and plasma cells were clonal by immunohistochemistry in 4 of 5 parenchymal vs 1 of 7 nonparenchymal cases (P = .07). Fluorescence in situ hybridization for MALT1 rearrangement was positive in 1 of 3 parenchymal and none of 3 nonparenchymal cases. Chromosomal microarray was abnormal in 5 of 7 cases (71%), with chromosome 6/6q alterations identified in 3 cases. No patients with parenchymal disease but all 6 (100%) with nonparenchymal disease achieved complete remission. CONCLUSIONS This case series, the first to include multiple parenchymal cases, clarifies the spectrum of clinical, pathologic, and genetic findings in CNS EMZL and suggests that parenchymal-based lesions may show less favorable prognosis than dural-based disease.
A Flexible Operation of Distributed Generation in Distribution Networks With Dynamic Boundaries

Distributed generators performing black start to form isolated microgrids offer a flexible and resilient solution to service restoration in distribution systems. Employing the dynamic microgrid concept, distributed generators can form isolated microgrids by changing their physical boundaries through smart switches and conventional circuit breakers. However, the flexibility of distributed generators has not been thoroughly investigated and utilised in existing works. To address this issue, this letter presents a new model to the reconfiguration formulation in active distribution networks considering different operation modes of distributed generators. Compared with the existing models, this study provides a new formulation supporting different DGs’ operation modes and fully making use of their flexibility. Illustrative results on IEEE 34-test systems verify the effectiveness of the proposed model.