cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A queueing-theoretic foundation of available bandwidth estimation: single-hop analysis

Most existing available-bandwidth measurement techniques are justified using a constant-rate fluid cross-traffic model. To achieve a better understanding of the performance of current bandwidth measurement techniques in general traffic conditions, this paper presents a queueing-theoretic foundation of single-hop packet-train bandwidth estimation under bursty arrivals of discrete cross-traffic packets. We analyze the statistical mean of the packet-train output dispersion and its mathematical relationship to the input dispersion, which we call the probing-response curve. This analysis allows us to prove that the single-hop response curve in bursty cross-traffic deviates from that obtained under fluid cross traffic of the same average intensity and to demonstrate that this may lead to significant measurement bias in certain estimation techniques based on fluid models. We conclude the paper by showing, both analytically and experimentally, that the response-curve deviation vanishes as the packet-train length or probing packet size increases, where the vanishing rate is decided by the burstiness of cross-traffic.
Gaining Experience with Military Medical Situational Awareness and Geographic Information Systems in a Simulated Influenza Epidemic

ABSTRACT The purpose of medical situational awareness is to provide useful and actionable information for preparing and employing medical assets in support of a wide variety of operational missions around the world, and monitoring and protecting the health of the force in the face of rapidly changing health threats. Since 2005, the Medical Situational Awareness in the Theater Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration has exploited advances in information technology, geographic information systems, and open systems architecture to produce a functioning prototype of a medical situational enhancement capability. In May 2006, this prototype supported the medical staff of a combined/joint task force in a realistic command postexercise featuring a simulated outbreak of influenza during Exercise COBRA GOLD in Thailand. The proliferation and maturation of geographic information systems present many opportunities for the military medical community to improve the health of the populations for which it is responsible.
Angiotensin-related intakes of water and NaCl in Fischer 344 and Sprague-Dawley rats

Rats of the Fischer 344 (F344) strain drank less water after either peripheral or central acute administration of angiotensin III (ANG III) than rats of the Sprague-Dawley (SD) strain. In contrast, water intakes following acute administration of ANG II were comparable in the two strains. Chronic peripheral administration of ANG II produced a salt appetite in SD but not in F344 rats; ANG III was ineffective in both strains. These data suggest that some aspects of responsiveness to ANG peptides are reduced in F344 rats. In two of three studies, water intake after acute peripheral administration of either ANG I or the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol did not differ between strains; in one study, the response to both dipsogens was lower in F344 rats. Plasma renin activity was elevated to the same level by isoproterenol in both strains of rats. These results suggest that the ability of isoproterenol to release renin, the subsequent generation of ANG I, and the conversion to ANG II are similar in the two strains. However, this similarity did not extend to cardiovascular responses. Rats of the F344 strain showed a smaller decrease in blood pressure following administration of isoproterenol than did those of the SD strain. Whether this is related to differences in either the regulation of beta-adrenoreceptors or postreceptor effects in vascular smooth muscle between strains will require additional investigation.
The safety and efficacy of pregabalin for treating subjects with fibromyalgia and moderate or severe baseline widespread pain

AbstractObjective To evaluate pregabalin’s efficacy (≤12 weeks) for pain relief and sleep improvement in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and moderate-to-severe baseline pain.Research design and methods Data were pooled from five randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III clinical trials of pregabalin (300–450 mg/day) for FM treatment. Subjects, aged ≥18 years, had moderate (≥4–<7) or severe (≥7–10) mean baseline pain scores. Analyses included mixed effects repeated measures (MMRM), baseline observation carried forward (for parameters without enough data points for MMRM), or logistic regression.Clinical trial registration Study number/ClinicalTrials.gov number: A0081056/NCT00645398, A0081077/NCT00230776, A0081100/NCT00333866, A0081208/NCT00830167.Main outcomes measures Endpoints included mean change in pain and sleep quality scores (Weeks 8 and 12), patient-reported outcomes, and adverse events (AEs).Results Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable between pregabalin and placebo in...
Defining Avoidable and Unavoidable Complications in Spine Surgery: A Survey-based Study of Spine Fellowship Directors.

Study design A cross-sectional survey of orthopedic spine surgery fellowship directors in the United States. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether consensus exists with respect to spine-related adverse events and certain hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) or "never events." Summary of background data As part of a broad effort to improve health care outcomes, providers are no longer reimbursed for HACs, which are deemed avoidable. Although some HACs are unquestionably preventable with proper quality control measures, research suggests that even scrupulous adherence to evidence-based guidelines cannot eliminate others. Methods Surveys were distributed via email and post. Participants rated 27 HACs and selected spine-specific events on an ordinal scale. Interobserver reliability was assessed among all 46 spine directors (respondents) using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), based on a two-way random effects model, assuming that the participants were a representative population sample of spine surgeons. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed on each of the 27 complications to identify potential demographic factors that could be associated with variation among respondents in their ratings of "avoidable" to "unavoidable." Results Forty-six fellowship directors responded, of whom 98% were orthopedic spine surgeons. The majority (80.4%) of respondents had greater than 10 years' experience as a spine surgeon, and 66.7% had an annual surgical volume >201 cases. The multivariable linear regression analyses found that demographic factors were not predictive of the directors' ratings. The complications thought to be completely avoidable (median scores 1) included "Incompatible blood," "Retained foreign object," and "Wrong level surgery." The HAC considered least avoidable was "Site infection with risk factors" (median score 8). Among 17 spine-specific complications, "L4-L5 disc re-herniation within 3 months" (median score 9) was considered least avoidable. Conclusion This survey suggests that orthopedic spine surgeons consider most "never events" neither avoidable nor unavoidable. There is strong consensus only about the HACs resulting from obvious medical error. Level of evidence 4.
CHRNE Mutation and Congenital Myasthenia

The CHRNE e1293insG mutation was identified in 14 (60%) of 23 North African families with an early onset form of congenital myasthenic syndrome studied at centers in France, Tunisia, Algeria, and UK.
Aggregate and Disaggregate Travel Demand Models

An empirical investigation of the relative merits of aggregate and disaggregate travel demand models is carried out. Specifically, the empirical investigation concerns models of travel mode choice, using work-trip data for CBD trips in London, England, and Syracuse, N.Y. This research represents the first such comparison to be made between aggregate and disaggregate models of intraurban trips. Initially, the statistically best disaggregate models were constructed for each data set and estimation of the modal choices from the other data set was attempted. Statistical measures were computed for each model to assess the goodness-of-fit achieved. Subsequently, the data were aggregated to districts, based on the London Transportation Study, for the London data, and to zip code areas for the Syracuse data. Again, the statistically best aggregate models were constructed for each data set and the same statistical and estimation tests were made for the aggregate models.
Ecophysiological and morphological responses to shade and drought in two contrasting ecotypes of Prunus serotina

Photosynthesis (A), water relations and stomatal reactivity during drought, and leaf morphology were evaluated on 2-year-old, sun- and shade-grown Prunus serotina Ehrh. seedlings of a mesic Pennsylvania seed source and a more xeric Wisconsin source. Wisconsin plants maintained higher A and leaf conductance (g(wv)) than Pennsylvania plants during the entire drought under sun conditions, and during the mid stages of drought under shade conditions. Compared to shade plants, sun plants of both sources exhibited a more rapid decrease in A or % A(max) with decreasing leaf water potential (Psi). Tissue water relations parameters were generally not significantly different between seed sources. However, osmotic potentials were lower in sun than shade plants under well-watered conditions. Following drought, shade plants, but not sun plants, exhibited significant osmotic adjustment. Sun leaves had greater thickness, specific mass, area and stomatal density and lower guard cell length than shade leaves in one or both sources. Wisconsin sun leaves were seemingly more xerophytic with greater thickness, specific mass, and guard cell length than Pennsylvania sun leaves. No source differences in leaf structure were exhibited in shade plants. Stomatal reactivity to sun-shade cycles was similar between ecotypes. However, well-watered and droughted plants differed in stomatal reactivity within and between multiple sun-shade cycles. The observed ecotypic and phenotypic variations in ecophysiology and morphology are consistent with the ability of Prunus serotina to survive in greatly contrasting environments.
An Analysis of Peritonitis Rates with Bagless Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

This study was performed to evaluate if the increased number of connections needed to perform bagless continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with the Delmed system was associated with an ...
Development of Tract-Specific White Matter Pathways During Early Reading Development in At-Risk Children and Typical Controls

Developmental dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic basis. Previous studies observed white matter alterations in the left posterior brain regions in adults and school-age children with dyslexia. However, no study yet has examined the development of tract-specific white matter pathways from the pre-reading to the fluent reading stage in children at familial risk for dyslexia (FHD+) versus controls (FHD-). This study examined white matter integrity at pre-reading, beginning, and fluent reading stages cross-sectionally ( n = 78) and longitudinally (n = 45) using an automated fiber-tract quantification method. Our findings depict white matter alterations and atypical lateralization of the arcuate fasciculus at the pre-reading stage in FHD+ versus FHD- children. Moreover, we demonstrate faster white matter development in subsequent good versus poor readers and a positive association between white matter maturation and reading development using a longitudinal design. Additionally, the combination of white matter maturation, familial risk, and psychometric measures best predicted later reading abilities. Furthermore, within FHD+ children, subsequent good readers exhibited faster white matter development in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus compared with subsequent poor readers, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of white matter pathway maturation in the development of typical and atypical reading skills.
Synthesis of two-dimensional titanium nitride Ti4N3 (MXene)

We report on the synthesis of the first two-dimensional transition metal nitride, Ti4N3-based MXene. In contrast to the previously reported MXene synthesis methods – in which selective etching of a MAX phase precursor occurred in aqueous acidic solutions – here a molten fluoride salt is used to etch Al from a Ti4AlN3 powder precursor at 550 °C under an argon atmosphere. We further delaminated the resulting MXene to produce few-layered nanosheets and monolayers of Ti4N3Tx, where T is a surface termination (F, O, or OH). Density functional theory calculations of bare, non-terminated Ti4N3 and terminated Ti4N3Tx were performed to determine the most energetically stable form of this MXene. Bare and functionalized Ti4N3 are predicted to be metallic. Bare Ti4N3 is expected to show magnetism, which is significantly reduced in the presence of functional groups.
Brain Stimulation to Understand and Modulate the Autism Spectrum

Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined complex neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by impairments in social communication, by the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests and activities, and by abnormalities in sensory reactivity. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an emerging tool for the study and potential treatment of ASD. Recent studies suggest that TMS measures may represent putative translatable biomarkers for pathophysiological characterization in ASD. Furthermore, repetitive TMS (rTMS) may represent a novel treatment strategy for reducing some of the core and associated symptoms of ASD. In this chapter we review the literature in the use of TMS in ASD in the context of the unique challenges required for the study and exploration of treatment strategies in this population.
Coupled Persuasive Systems: A Case Study in Learning Japanese Characters

One of the challenges faced by Japanese language learners is becoming comfortable with three types of writing scripts: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji (Chinese characters). The need to learn many characters often seems overwhelming to Japanese learners; however, instructors can play a pivotal role in assisting learners by helping them cognitively organize the information expressed in the scripts. This cognitive organization can help the learner develop better ways to memorize characters at an early stage and can also help accelerate the learning process later. This paper presents a case study in that shows how a human teacher can leverage a pen-based instructional technology system to provide Japanese learners with feedback and suggestions that persuade them to change the way they draw Japanese scripts.
ACCOUNTING HISTORY AND THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES: A RESPONSE TO “KNOWING MORE AS KNOWING LESS? . . . ”

Hoskin and Macve (H&M) continue to accredit certain events in the early 1840s as enabling the creation of norm-based accounting and its use to control labor and improve productivity at the Springfield Armory (SA). Although critics have refuted H&M's interpretation of these events and reproached their use of inflated language, H&M maintain their unique perspective with undiminished fervor. This rejoinder further questions the validity of H&M's perspective of U.S. accounting history. It identifies the many conventional business historians who refute it and emphasizes that no other evidence has been presented to indicate that norm-based accounting was ever employed in the U.S. before the early 1900s. It also describes how H&M have tried to bolster their position by citing several contemporary and more critical scholars who in fact refute it. More substantively, the paper emphasizes that the core debate between H&M and their critics is not simply over the timing of particular events at SA. Rather, it centers ...
The Role of Child and Adolescent Adjustment Problems and Sleep Disturbance in Parent Psychological Distress

The goal of this study was to examine the moderating role of youth sleep disturbance on the relationship between youth internalizing and externalizing symptoms and parent psychological distress. Participants were 225 youth (ages 8–17) and parent dyads attending a primary care clinic appointment. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed parent psychological distress, youth internalizing symptoms, youth externalizing symptoms, and youth sleep disturbance. Moderation analyses were conducted to examine whether youth sleep disturbance moderated the relationship between youth internalizing and externalizing symptoms and parent psychological distress. The interaction between youth internalizing symptoms and youth sleep disturbance was significantly related to parent psychological distress, such that having increased sleep disturbance amplified the positive relationship between internalizing symptoms and parent psychological distress. The moderation model explained 52% of the variance in parent psychol...
The Mechanism of Action of Methotrexate: II. Augmentation by Vincristine of Inhibition of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis by Methotrexate in Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells

Incorporation of deoxyuridine into DNA persists in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vitro even after high-affinity intracellular binding sites have been saturated with methotrexate (MTX). Further suppression of deoxyuridine metabolism requires exposure of cells to extracellular MTX to achieve intracellular MTX levels in excess of the tightly bound fraction. Vincristine (10 µM) augments the steady-state level of intracellular MTX, and this is associated with an increased inhibition of deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA. Exposure of cells to vincristine in the absence of MTX, or under conditions in which high-affinity binding sites are completely associated with MTX but intracellular MTX in excess of this component is not present, did not alter the incorporation of deoxyuridine into DNA over 35 min. These observations relate to other studies which suggest that vincristine acts as a metabolic poison to inhibit energy-dependent processes which limit the net accumulation of MTX, an effect which occurs in the absence of an alteration in the unidirectional influx or the extracellular MTX level. These data further indicate a crucial role for intracellular MTX in excess of the usual tightly bound fraction in the inhibition of DNA synthesis, and suggest a rational basis for the design of chemotherapeutic regimes with MTX and vincristine.
AN UNUSUAL PATIENT WITH HASHIMOTO THYROIDITIS, FEATURES OF STEROID-RESPONSIVE ENCEPHALOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS, AND CONCURRENT MINIMAL CHANGE RENAL DISEASE

ABSTRACT Objective: To present an unusual patient with Hashimoto thyroiditis, encephalopathy with features of steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT), and acute kidney injury secondary to minimal change renal disease. Methods: We present clinical, laboratory, imaging, electroencephalography, and renal histopathologic findings, and review the relevant literature for evaluation and treatment of SREAT. Results: A 53-year-old woman with a history of hypothyroidism on levothyroxine was admitted for progressive altered mental status and bizarre behavior for 3 weeks. On exam she was lethargic with myoclonic jerks, hypertonia, and hyperreflexia. Laboratory analyses showed thyroid-stimulating hormone of 0.057 μU/mL (normal, 0.27 to 4.0 μU/mL), free thyroxine of 1.5 ng/dL (normal, 0.7 to 1.5 ng/dL), triiodothyronine of 0.7 ng/mL (normal, 0.6 to 1.6 ng/dL), and elevated anti–thyroid peroxidase (>600 U/L) and antithyroglobulin (57.2 U/L) antibodies. The patient failed to impro...
Seasonal changes in above- and below-ground non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in Spartina alterniflora in a marsh in Georgia, USA

Abstract Spartina alterniflora is the dominant grass appearing in salt marshes along the east coast of the USA. The development of predictive, mechanistic models of Spartina has been hindered by the lack of information on below-ground biomass and its dynamics, and in particular the storage of resources that can be used for spring re-growth. We studied the dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose, and starch) and biomass in 8 different above- and below-ground tissues in S. alterniflora over the course of a year in a salt marsh on Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA. We found greater seasonal variability in non-structural carbohydrates in S. alterniflora than had been previously reported, with concentrations varying between 3.3% through 17.3% of the total biomass and between 0% and 19.5% of dry weight depending on the type of tissue, with statistical differences between the different tissues. We found that sucrose was the dominant non-structural carbohydrate in above- and below-ground tissue, and that this sugar was likely used for long-term storage during winter months and as a resource for early spring growth. Glucose, fructose, and starch showed less variability, with glucose following changes in above-ground biomass more closely indicating their use as short-term storage. We were unable to develop a coherent carbon budget for the plants largely because of uncertainties in modeled net primary production and heterogeneity in below-ground biomass.
Developmental Considerations of Eukaryotic DNA Replication and Replicon Size

DNA replication in eukaryotes begins at multiple sites along the length of the chromosome (1) and proceeds bidirectionally from each point of origin (2). The factors which govern the temporal order of replication initiation remain unknown. These unresolved determinants may endow early embryonic cells with replication characteristics which distinguish them from adult cells. Among these are an altered temporal sequence of DNA replication and an extremely brief S phase. In this report I will provide evidence supporting the former contention and indirectly address the latter. It has been argued that the brevity of the early embryonic S phase is due to the activation of a number of replication initiation sites that are not available in adult cells with longer S phases (3,4). The argument proposes that the increase in the number of available replication initiation sites is accompanied by a decrease in replicon size. I wish to interject a cautionary note with respect to the second part of the argument by demonstrating that replicons as small as any seen in embryonic cells can be detected in cultured mammalian cells.
Mobilizing Urban America: Racial Representation as an Explanation for Local Nonprofits' Participation in National Elections

Local social service and community development organizations are playing an increasingly important role in mobilizing clients to participate in elections. Yet it is not clear why organizations choose to engage in these activities, given that they are outside the scope of their mission and involve uncompensated efforts. Political theories of descriptive representation and representative bureaucracy offer one possible explanation for this seemingly non-rational organizational behavior. Theories of racial representation suggest that organizations will act in ways that advance the political interests of their clients when organizational leadership is racially reflective of the clientele served. This analysis uses survey data from a random sample of 314 nonprofits in sixteen U.S. metropolitan areas to examine the effects of racial representation on the likelihood that nonprofits will register their clients to vote, and the extent to which they encourage clients to go the polls on election day. Findings indicate that nonprofits have an increased likelihood of registering clients to vote when African Americans and Latinos are represented on their boards at levels commensurate with these groups' presence in the community, but only Latino representativeness predicts that these organizations will encourage their clients to go to the polls.
Survey of Protocols for Nursery-Rearing Infant Macaques

If there is one monkey species that could be considered the standard laboratory animal for use in biomedical and behavioral research, it would have to be the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). This species, known for its hardiness and adaptability to the rigors of laboratory confinement, has been the mainstay of experimental research for many years. Consequently, a wealth of data on many parameters of growth and development exists for this species. Many nursery facilities throughout the world have continued, modified, or adopted the techniques for rearing nonhuman primates from procedures initiated by a few individuals years ago for rhesus monkeys.
Abstract 699: Endothelial Mineralocorticoid Receptor and Neutrophils Mediate Aldo plus Salt-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Background: We recently reported that administration of mice with Aldo or deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) plus salt induces abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and treatment of mice with mineralocor...
Stochastic Flows of Diffeomorphisms and Image Matching

The previous chapter considered in detail an example driven by a Brownian sheet, namely a stochastic reaction–diffusion equation. In this chapter we consider an application of one of the other formulations of infinite dimensional Brownian motion, which is the infinite sequence of independent one-dimensional Brownian motions. Such a collection will be used to define a general class of Brownian flows of diffeomorphisms [178], which are a special case of the stochastic flows of diffeomorphisms studied in [16, 25, 124, 178]. We will consider small noise asymptotics, prove the corresponding LDP, and then use it to give a Bayesian interpretation of an estimator used for image matching.
Reducing resource utilization for patients with uncomplicated appendicitis through use of same-day discharge and elimination of postoperative antibiotics.

Abstract Background There is controversy over certain aspects of post-appendectomy care for children with uncomplicated appendicitis. Some institutions have embraced the practice of same-day discharge after appendectomy, while others are hesitant due to concerns about increased readmissions or emergency department (ED) visits. Similarly, some surgeons have transitioned to treating gangrenous appendicitis with a single perioperative dose, while others are concerned about increased risk of infection in this population. Methods We developed a pathway for the management of patients undergoing appendectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis which included same-day discharge and elimination of postoperative antibiotics for patients with gangrenous appendicitis. We compared outcomes for children treated at our institution before and after implementation of the protocol. Results We identified 575 patients undergoing appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis (307 pre- and 268 post-protocol). We observed a significant decrease in postoperative length-of stay (10.6 to 2.6 h, p Conclusions These findings suggest that incorporating same-day discharge for simple appendicitis and eliminating postoperative antibiotics for children with gangrenous appendicitis does not increase complication rates. Implementation of similar pathways across institutions has the potential to significantly reduce resource utilization for children undergoing appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis. Type of Study Retrospective comparative study. Level of Evidence Level III.
Opportunities and Challenges in Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI): A Survey

Nowadays, deep neural networks are widely used in mission critical systems such as healthcare, self-driving vehicles, and military which have direct impact on human lives. However, the black-box nature of deep neural networks challenges its use in mission critical applications, raising ethical and judicial concerns inducing lack of trust. Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) is a field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that promotes a set of tools, techniques, and algorithms that can generate high-quality interpretable, intuitive, human-understandable explanations of AI decisions. In addition to providing a holistic view of the current XAI landscape in deep learning, this paper provides mathematical summaries of seminal work. We start by proposing a taxonomy and categorizing the XAI techniques based on their scope of explanations, methodology behind the algorithms, and explanation level or usage which helps build trustworthy, interpretable, and self-explanatory deep learning models. We then describe the main principles used in XAI research and present the historical timeline for landmark studies in XAI from 2007 to 2020. After explaining each category of algorithms and approaches in detail, we then evaluate the explanation maps generated by eight XAI algorithms on image data, discuss the limitations of this approach, and provide potential future directions to improve XAI evaluation.
Hat Guessing on Books and Windmills

The hat-guessing number is a graph invariant defined by Butler, Hajiaghayi, Kleinberg, and Leighton. We determine the hat-guessing number exactly for book graphs with sufficiently many pages, improving previously known lower bounds of He and Li and exactly matching an upper bound of Gadouleau. We prove that the hat-guessing number of $K_{3,3}$ is $3$, making this the first complete bipartite graph $K_{n,n}$ for which the hat-guessing number is known to be smaller than the upper bound of $n+1$ of Gadouleau and Georgiou. Finally, we determine the hat-guessing number of windmill graphs for most choices of parameters.
Strikebreaking and the Labor Market in the United States, 1881-1894

Using data from a sample of over 2,000 individual strikes in the United States from 1881 to 1894 this article examines geographic, industrial, and temporal variations in the use of strikebreakers and the sources from which they were recruited. The use of strikebreakers was not correlated with the business cycle and did not vary appreciably by region or city size, but employers located outside the Northeast or in smaller cities were more likely to use replacement workers recruited from other places. The use of strikebreakers also varied considerably across industries, and was affected by union authorization and strike size.
Proton pump inhibitor use status does not modify the microbiome signature for cirrhosis.

Oh et al. address concerns about the influence of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use on a gut microbiome signature for cirrhosis. By removing PPI using subjects from the training cohort and retraining a 19-species Random Forest model, they demonstrate the impact of PPI usage on the signature's diagnostic accuracy is minimal.
The Effect of Early Aggressive Diuresis on Hospital Length of Stay in Acute Congestive Heart Failure.

Background: Diuresis is the mainstay of treatment during hospitalization for patients admitted with congestive heart failure (CHF). Hospital length of stay (LOS) is considered an important patient outcome for CHF patients; previous studies comparing higher rates of diuresis (aggressive) versus relatively lower rates (nonaggressive) on patient outcomes have shown contradicting results. In fact, no specific guidelines to direct diuretic therapy exist. This investigation was designed to study the effect of early aggressive diuresis on hospital LOS. Methods: Data from 194 CHF patients (admitted to the hospital for 1 year) were collected and analyzed in a retrospective cohort study design. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on urine output achieved in the first 24 h of admission; the aggressive diuresis cohort (urine output ≥2400 mL) comprised of 29 subjects while the nonaggressive diuresis cohort (urine output ≤2400 mL) had 165 subjects. The primary endpoint was LOS. Results: Median LOS for the aggressive diuresis cohort was 4 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.95–5.06) as compared to 5 days (95% CI 4.40–5.60) for the nonaggressive diuresis cohort; log-rank test showed no significant differences between the hospitalized proportions between the two cohorts over time (P = 0.67). Conclusion: Hospital LOS for CHF patients treated with early aggressive diuresis was not significantly different compared to patients treated with nonaggressive diuresis.
Fostering Inclusivity: Exploring the Impact of Identity Safety Cues and Instructor Gender on Students’ Impressions and Belonging:

Background: Students with marginalized identities can experience identity threats in higher education. Instructors can help improve student outcomes by using identity safety cues (ISCs), which sign...
The experience of musical jamming: Testing the fit of a model of hermeneutic phenomenology of spirituality in music education:

The authors sought to test the fit of a new model of spirituality in music education by examining one jamming session through a hermeneutic phenomenological lens. In accordance with the work of Van...
Perceived Work-Related Discrimination by Women

Abstract This study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey, Young Women's cohort, to assess the relationship between perceived discrimination and investments in human capital. Nearly 45% of the study sample (N = 654) reported job-related discrimination between 1972 and 2003. Women who perceived work-related discrimination were 1.6 times as likely to complete additional schooling, 2.4 times as likely to participate in occupational training, and nearly twice as likely to participate in on-the-job training (OJT) than those perceiving no such discrimination when controlling for a variety of measures. They also had higher average annual earnings.
Europe: The New Cultural and Political Setting

The Rise of a New Zeitgeist Ideological and cultural trends do not know state borders. In the second half of the twentieth century, the “Western world” – meaning Western Europe, North America, and Australia – were more closely connected than ever before. The United States of America, the recognized leader of the Western world, had special influence. The new ideological and cultural trends since the 1970s and 1980s were not narrowly European, nor merely American, but “Western.” The role of Western Europe was decisive, however. Neo-liberalism, one of the most important new ideological trends, was the child of both the Vienna School of Economics and the Chicago School of Economics. The newly emerging anti-Enlightenment philosophical trend, postmodernism, was strongly French, while neo-conservatism emerged in the United States. Decisive new political trends, such as the dramatic decline of the Left parties, were British and Italian-influenced, while traditional social democracy remained intact in Scandinavia. The rise of single-issue movements and leftover left-wing trends, such as the Green movement, was strongest in Germany. Feminism conquered Scandinavia and had strong roots in the United States as well. New populism emerged in Italy, while extreme right-wing populism was equally strong in France and Austria. The “dual-crises” of the 1960s and 1970s, together with rising globalization and the transforming world order, generated a major about-face in the cultural-ideological environment of the Western world. The sudden change generated doubts about the policy, and harsh critiques erupted about the unintended negative side effects of postwar policies and institutions.
Drug and Radiation Sensitivity Measurements of Successful Primary Monolayer Culturing of Human Tumor Cells Using Cell-adhesive Matrix and Supplemented Medium

The limitations of the agar suspension culture method for primary culturing of human tumor cells prompted development of a monolayer system optimized for cell adhesion and growth. This method grew 83% of fresh human tumor cell biopsy specimens, cultured and not contaminated, from a heterogeneous group of 396 tumors including lung cancer (93 of 114, 82%); melanoma (54 of 72, 75%); sarcoma (46 of 59, 78%); breast cancer (35 of 39, 90%); ovarian cancer (16 of 21, 76%); and a miscellaneous group consisting of gastrointestinal, genitourinary, mesothelioma, and unknown primaries (78 of 91, 86%). Cell growth was characterized morphologically with Papanicolaoustained coverslip cultures and cytogenetically with Giemsastained metaphase spreads. Morphological features such as nuclear pleomorphism, chromatin condensation, basophilic cytoplasm, and melanin pigmentation were routinely seen. Aneuploid metaphases were seen in 90% of evaluable cultures, with 15 of 28 showing 70% or more aneuploid metaphases. Colony-forming efficiency ranged between 0.01 and 1% of viable tumor cells, with a median efficiency of 0.2%. This culture system uses a low inoculum of 25,000 viable cells per well which permitted chemosensitivity testing of nine drugs at four doses in duplicate from 2.2 × 106 viable tumor cells and radiation sensitivity testing at five doses in quadruplicate from 0.6 × 106 cells. Cultures were analyzed for survival by computerized image analysis of crystal violet-stained cells. Drug sensitivity studies showed variability in sensitivity and in survival curve shape with exponential cell killing for cisplatin, Adriamycin, and etoposide, and shouldered survival curves for 5-fluorouracil frequently seen. Radiation sensitivity studies also showed variability in both sensitivity and survival curve shape. Many cultures showed exponential cell killing, although others had shouldered survival curves. This method for growing cells from primary human biopsy specimens is more efficient than the agar culture method, enables easier and better biological analysis of the actual cells grown, and permits improved characterization of drug and radiation survival curves.
Genetic differentiation among populations of the cave fish Schistura oedipus (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae)

DNA sequences were determined for portions of the mitochondrial control region and 16S rRNA genes in five populations of Schistura oedipus, a troglobitic fish from northwestern Thailand. Based on variation at seven sites out of 593 sequenced, the five populations fall into three groups, apparently isolated by altitude and distance. Nucleotide diversity within groups is on the order of 1.0 × 10-3 while the extra increment of diversity among groups is on the order of 5.0 × 10-3. While the groups are distinct, the level of differentiation among them is low enough to accept provisionally that the five populations represent a single species. On the basis of 16S sequence, Schistura oedipus appears to be more closely related to S. poculi than to S. reidi, a proposed sister taxon.
Hydromagnetic interaction in a fluid dielectric

It is shown that a dielectric fluid is capable of hydromagnetic interaction, much like a conducting fluid. The physical principle of this interaction is outlined and the criteria for dominance of the interaction are derived.
SPECT attenuation correction comparison of CT with Gadolinium-153 transmission sources

2213 Objectives: SPECT images contain soft tissue attenuation artifacts that may be perceived as perfusion defects in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Gadolinium-153 (Gd) transmission sources are commonly used for attenuation correction (AC); however, due to the low radiation flux of Gd, CT-AC has been found to be more accurate and effective in minimizing attenuation artifacts. The purpose of this study is to compare CT-AC with Gd-AC in MPI. Methods: Using a SPECT phantom with a cardiac insert (Data Spectrum Corp, Chapel Hill, NC) containing two defects and varying amounts of background, three separate studies were acquired on each of the following SPECT camera systems: Hybrid SPECT/CT (Philips Precedence, Milpitas, CA) and a gamma camera equipped with Gd-AC (Philips Forte, Milpitas, CA). The amount of radioactivity in the wall of the cardiac phantom was determined by calculating the percentage of sestamibi that is normally taken up by the myocardium (~1.2 %) following injection of a dose (40 mCi). The first study on each system contained no phantom background activity. The second and third studies had increasing background activities of 4.2 mCi and 6.1 mCi of TcO4, respectively, to simulate chest background activity found in patients of varying sizes. Each study was processed using iterative reconstruction with scatter correction and compared for myocardial edge detection, chamber volume, and myocardial wall volume. Results: When visually comparing the processed data from the two systems, the SPECT/CT displayed less image noise, better edge detection, and defect definition than Gd-AC. As background activity increased, the SPECT/CT images showed little variation in defect detection and myocardial edge definition, whereas Gd-AC edge detection appeared less distinct. The SPECT/CT calculated phantom chamber and wall volumes were 83 mL and 114 mL, respectively, while the Gd-AC calculated volumes were 82 mL and 130 mL. The actual phantom volumes were 63 mL for the chamber and 112 mL for the wall. Conclusions: CT-AC demonstrated better edge detection and more accurate wall volume measurements than Gd-AC.
Essays in Entrepreneurship - Dissertation Executive Summary

This dissertation studies who becomes an entrepreneur and why he or she does so, what factors influence the success of an entrepreneurial venture, and what types of institutions best facilitate entrepreneurial activity. The first chapter shows that contrary to the standard result that most self-employed individuals report earning less, they in fact consume more without any observable offsetting (financial) costs. The second chapter studies how the relationship amongst individuals in terms of prior employment influences the success of a new business. Finally, the third chapter presents a theoretical discussion of the emergence of not-for-profit, entrepreneurial organizations.
A randomized trial of etoposide and G-CSF with or without rituximab for PBSC mobilization in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Some reports have suggested that rituximab administration before PBSC mobilization may adversely affect PBSC yield. We conducted a prospective randomized trial of PBSC mobilization using etoposide and G-CSF with or without rituximab to determine whether its addition would adversely affect CD34+ cell yield in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Twenty seven patients were mobilized with etoposide and G-CSF and 28 with etoposide, G-CSF and rituximab. There were no adverse consequences of rituximab on CD34+ cell yield, or hematopoietic recovery or immunoglobulin levels after transplantation.
Patient-Staff Interactions and Mental Health in Chronic Dialysis Patients

Chronic dialysis imposes ongoing stress on patients and staff and engenders recurring contact and long-term relationships. Thus, chronic dialysis units are opportune settings in which to investigate the impact of patients' relationships with staff on patient well-being. The authors designed the present study to examine the degree to which perceptions of open communication between patients and staff affect patient mental health. A one-year, two-wave longitudinal survey assessed patient (N = 109) perceptions of the interpersonal environment and mental health. Assessments included sharing personal information (open disclosure), assisting one another (helping), staff respect for patients (respect), and hierarchical patient-staff relations (formal staff authority). Cross-sectional and longitudinal regression analyses examined how these characteristics of the interpersonal environment relate to depression and subjective well-being among patients. Multivariate analysis showed that open disclosure correlated independently with lower levels of depression at baseline (N = 109) and a predicted significant decrease in depression over time (N = 64). Other interpersonal characteristics did not correlate with depression or subjective well-being at baseline or longitudinally. The interpersonal climate in chronic dialysis units influences patient well-being. Contrary to traditional views, open disclosure in patients' relationships with staff is not detrimental and contributes to well-being.
Supramolecular recognition: association of palladium molecular clefts with planar platinum complexes

Abstract The crystal structures of two new molecular recognition adducts formed between a dicationic, di-terpyridyl-Pd–Cl molecular cleft and two square planar platinum complexes are reported. In both structures, the planar platinum-containing guests are located within the molecular cleft formed by the two parallel disposed terpyridyl-Pd–Cl + units of the receptor. The crystal structure of the adduct formed between the molecular cleft and a neutral platinum complex has interplanar distances between the host and guest of 3.24 A, a distance shorter than that usually ascribed to π-stacking interaction (∼3.45 A). The short distance is likely the result of metal–metal interaction between the host and guest. The second adduct, that between the dicationic molecular receptor and an anionic platinum complex, also bears the guest within the molecular cleft. The interplanar distances between the cationic terpyridyl-Pd–Cl units of the host and the anionic guest (3.21 and 3.29 A) are also shorter than typical π-stacking distances but no metal–metal interaction is present. Coulombic attraction between the host and guest is believed to be responsible for the short interplanar separation. These data are discussed in relation to analogous systems that associate through π–π and metal–metal interaction.
High-precision measurement of parity nonconserving optical rotation in atomic lead.

We have completed a new measurement of parity nonconserving (PNC) optical rotation near the 1.279 \ensuremath{\mu}m magnetic dipole absorption line in lead, improving earlier results on this line by a factor of 20. We find the ratio of the PNC E1 amplitude to the M1 amplitude to be scrR=(-9.86\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.12)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}8}$, consistent with theoretical predictions. Difficulties in the atomic theory of lead presently limit the extent to which our result tests the standard model of electroweak interactions. The amplitude of the nuclear spin-dependent PNC rotation is found to be less than 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ of the nuclear spin-independent rotation.