cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nano-underfills and Potting Compounds for Fine-Pitch Electronics

Packaging materials undergo dimensional changes under environmental exposure to temperature change. Thermomechanical cyclic loads induce stresses and damage interconnects. Mechanical shock during operation may subject the board assemblies to large out-of-plane deformation. Underfills and potting compounds are often used to enhance the harsh environment reliability of electronics through addition of supplemental restraints to allow for increase in the design margins. The computational tools and experimental test methods for assessing the change in thermomechanical and mechanical shock reliability of fine-pitch electronics with supplemental restraints are discussed. Methods to model the mechanical properties of underfills using unit cell approaches for property prediction and viscoelastic models to capture the constitutive behavior along with experimental measurements of nano-underfills have been presented. The use of explicit finite element models for capturing the transient dynamic response under high-g mechanical shock of unpotted and potted electronics assemblies have been discussed.
Atomistic simulation of phonon and magnon thermal transport across the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition

A temperature-dependent approach involving Green-Kubo equilibrium atomic and spin dynamics (GKEASD) is reported to assess phonon and magnon thermal transport processes accounting for phonon-magnon interactions. Using body-centered cubic (BCC) iron as a case study, GKEASD successfully reproduces its characteristic temperature-dependent spin and lattice thermal conductivities. The nonelectronic thermal conductivity, i.e., the sum of phonon and magnon thermal conductivities, calculated using GKEASD for BCC Fe, agrees well with experimental measurements. Spectral energy analysis reveals that high-frequency phonon-magnon scattering rates are one order of magnitude larger than those at low frequencies due to energy scattering conservation rules and high densities of states. Higher temperatures further accentuate this phenomenon. This new framework fills existing gaps in simulating thermal transport across the ferro- to paramagnetic transition. Future application of this methodology to phonon- and magnon-dominant insulators and semiconductors will enhance understanding of emerging thermoelectric, spin caloritronic, and superconducting materials.
Stimulated Raman excited fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging

Powerful optical tools have revolutionized science and technology. The prevalent fluorescence detection offers superb sensitivity down to single molecules but lacks sufficient chemical information1-3. In contrast, Raman-based vibrational spectroscopy provides exquisite chemical specificity about molecular structure, dynamics and coupling, but is notoriously insensitive3-5. Here we report a hybrid technique of Stimulated Raman Excited Fluorescence (SREF) that integrates superb detection sensitivity and fine chemical specificity. Through stimulated Raman pumping to an intermediate vibrational eigenstate followed by an upconversion to an electronic fluorescent state, SREF encodes vibrational resonance into the excitation spectrum of fluorescence emission. By harnessing narrow vibrational linewidth, we demonstrated multiplexed SREF imaging in cells, breaking the "color barrier" of fluorescence. By leveraging superb sensitivity of SREF, we achieved all-far-field single-molecule Raman spectroscopy and imaging without plasmonic enhancement, a long-sought-after goal in photonics. Thus, through merging Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy, SERF would be a valuable tool for chemistry and biology.
Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation With Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma.

Importance Bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation is a rare sign of several systemic malignant neoplasms. Observations A patient presenting with uveal melanocytic proliferation underwent a detailed physical examination and extensive imaging. No systemic malignant neoplasm was found. Chorioretinal biopsy was performed, and its immunohistochemical results revealed the presence of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma. Conclusions and Relevance This patient’s results suggest that diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation may be associated not just with systemic malignant disease, but also with primary intraocular tumors, in this case a primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.
Breast radiotherapy among ATM-mutation carriers.

1504Background: Syndromes of DNA repair deficiency may confer both cancer predisposition and increased sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, such as ionizing radiation. Whereas homozygous deficiency ...
Increased extracellular maspin levels after mechanical compression in vitro or allergen challenge in vivo.

Maspin secretion from bronchial epithelial cells is substantially elevated by mechanical compression and in BAL fluid of patients with asthma following an allergen challenge, suggesting a potential role of maspin in asthma pathophysiology.
Molecular correlates and therapeutic targets in T cell-inflamed versus non-T cell-inflamed tumors across cancer types

Abstract The T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment, characterized by CD8 T cells and type I/II interferon transcripts, is an important cancer immunotherapy biomarker. Tumor mutational profile may also dictate response with some oncogenes (i.e. WNT/β-catenin) known to mediate immuno-suppression. Building on these observations we performed a multi-omic analysis of human cancer correlating the T cell-inflamed gene expression signature with the somatic mutanome and transcriptome for different immune phenotypes, by tumor type and across cancers. Strong correlations were noted between mutations in oncogenes and non-T cell-inflamed tumors with examples including IDH1 and GNAQ as well as less well-known genes including KDM6A, CD11c and genes with unknown functions. Conversely, we observe many genes associating with the T cell-inflamed phenotype including VHL and PBRM1, among others. Analyzing gene expression patterns, we identify oncogenic mediators of immune exclusion broadly active across cancer types including HIF1A and MYC. Novel examples from specific tumors include sonic hedgehog signaling in ovarian cancer or hormone signaling and novel transcription factors across multiple tumors. Using network analysis, somatic and transcriptomic events were integrated, demonstrating that most non-T cell-inflamed tumors are influenced by multiple pathways. Validating these analyses, we observe significant inverse relationships between protein levels and the T cell-inflamed gene signature with examples including NRF2 in lung, ERBB2 in urothelial and choriogonadotropin in cervical cancer. Finally, we integrate available databases for drugs that might overcome or augment the identified mechanisms. These results nominate molecular targets and drugs potentially available for immediate translation into clinical trials for patients with cancer.
Radiation exposure alters airway deformability and bony structure displacement during laryngoscopy.

Background Prior therapeutic radiation exposure in the setting of head and neck malignancies is associated with difficult airway instrumentation. We sought to characterize the anatomic changes that produce this phenotype. Study design Retrospective review. Methods Five individuals with prior radiation therapy to the upper aerodigestive tract (previously irradiated) and 10 with no prior history of therapeutic radiation exposure (nonirradiated) were enrolled. Computed tomography images obtained before and during laryngoscope insertion ("uninstrumented" and "instrumented", respectively) were used to reconstruct three-dimensional representations of the pharyngeal airway, hyoid, and mandible. Results In the instrumented state, pharyngeal airway volumes were significantly greater in nonirradiated subjects relative to previously irradiated subjects (P = .01), and overall translation of both the hyoid and mandible was also greater in nonirradiated subjects (P = .01 and .04, respectively). Conclusion Individuals with prior therapeutic radiation exposure to the upper aerodigestive tract differ from nonirradiated subjects with respect to airway deformation and bony structure translation during laryngoscopy. Level of evidence 4.
De novo laboratory synthesis of life mimics without biochemistry

Natural living systems on Earth (i) process information, (ii) metabolize, (iii) self-reproduce and (iv) evolve. These functional properties of life are traditionally associated with the presence of...
Plato's Pigs and Other Ruminations: Ancient Guides to Living with Nature

The Greeks and Romans have been charged with destroying the ecosystems within which they lived. In this book, however, M. D. Usher argues rather that we can find in their lives and thought the origin of modern ideas about systems and sustainability, important topics for humans today and in the future. With chapters running the gamut of Greek and Roman experience – from the Presocratics and Plato to Roman agronomy and the Benedictine Rule – Plato's Pigs brings together unlikely bedfellows, both ancient and modern, to reveal surprising connections. Lively prose and liberal use of anecdotal detail, including an afterword about the author's own experiments with sustainable living on his sheep farm in Vermont, add a strong authorial voice. In short, this is a unique, first-of-its-kind book that is sure to be of interest to anyone working in Classics, environmental studies, philosophy, ecology, or the history of ideas.
Who’s Afraid of Infinite Regress? A Process-Tracing Exercise

How can social scientists uncover the root causes of contemporary outcomes? Many scholars have assumed that the problem of infinite regress poses a central impediment to this endeavor. However, there have been few attempts to clearly conceptualize infinite regress or confirm this assumption. This article undertakes the challenge. Using examples from four historically-oriented books on diverse subjects – modern Hindu-Muslim riots in India, Italian governance, federalism, and early European democracy – I use process-tracing and sequence elaboration to regress and weigh causes back through time. This exercise yields three findings. First, antecedent conditions in all cases are ‘contextualizing’ and not ‘diminishing’ causes. Second, causal chains often become convoluted. And lastly, mechanisms become tenuous the further back in time causes are situated. Scholars are advised that diagramming causal chains and using sequence elaboration are concrete steps to help avoid spurious relationships and locate the deepest causes of a given outcome.
Temperature dependent electron–phonon coupling of Au resolved via lattice dynamics measured with sub-picosecond infrared pulses

The detailed understanding of energy transfer between hot electrons and lattice vibrations at non-cryogenic temperatures relies primarily upon the interpretation of ultrafast pump–probe experiments, where thermo-optical models provide insight into the relationship between optical response and temperature of the respective sub-systems; in one of the more studied materials, gold, the Drude model provides this relationship. In this work, we investigate the role of intra- and interband contributions applied to transient optical responses in ultrafast pump–probe experiments using both experiments and first-principle calculations, with probe wavelengths spanning from UV wavelengths into the infrared. We find that during conditions of electron–phonon equilibrium, the Drude model is not applicable to visible wavelengths due to interband transitions. Instead, at probe wavelengths far from these interband transitions (e.g., infrared wavelengths), the optical response is linearly proportional to the temperature of the phonon sub-system and is no longer obfuscated by Fermi-smearing, thus greatly simplifying the extraction of the electron–phonon coupling factor. Our intraband-probe measurements on the electron–phonon coupling factor of Au are in excellent agreement with analytical models and ab initio calculations; we observe a constant electron–phonon coupling factor up to electron temperatures of at least ∼ 2000 K.
On design-based empirical research and its interpretation and ethics in sustainability science

Generating credible answers to key policy questions is crucial but difficult in most coupled human and natural systems because complex feedback mechanisms can confound identification of the causal mechanisms behind observed phenomena. By using explicit research designs intended to isolate the causal effects of specific interventions on community monitoring of common property resources, and on the well-being of those resources and their human neighbors, the papers in this Special Feature offer an important advance in empirical sustainability science research. Like earlier advances in my own field of development economics, however, they suffer some avoidable interpretive and ethical errors. This essay celebrates the powerful potential of design-based sustainability science studies, much of it admirably reflected in this set of papers, while simultaneously flagging opportunities to improve future work in this tradition.
Predicting COVID-19-Related Health Care Resource Utilization Across a Statewide Patient Population: Model Development Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the inability of health systems to leverage existing system infrastructure in order to rapidly develop and apply broad analytical tools that could inform state- and national-level policymaking, as well as patient care delivery in hospital settings. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to highlighted systemic disparities in health outcomes and access to care based on race or ethnicity, gender, income-level, and urban-rural divide. Although the United States seems to be recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic owing to widespread vaccination efforts and increased public awareness, there is an urgent need to address the aforementioned challenges. Objective: This study aims to inform the feasibility of leveraging broad, statewide datasets for population health–driven decision-making by developing robust analytical models that predict COVID-19–related health care resource utilization across patients served by Indiana’s statewide Health Information Exchange. Methods: We leveraged comprehensive datasets obtained from the Indiana Network for Patient Care to train decision forest-based models that can predict patient-level need of health care resource utilization. To assess these models for potential biases, we tested model performance against subpopulations stratified by age, race or ethnicity, gender, and residence (urban vs rural). Results: For model development, we identified a cohort of 96,026 patients from across 957 zip codes in Indiana, United States. We trained the decision models that predicted health care resource utilization by using approximately 100 of the most impactful features from a total of 1172 features created. Each model and stratified subpopulation under test reported precision scores >70%, accuracy and area under the receiver operating curve scores >80%, and sensitivity scores approximately >90%. We noted statistically significant variations in model performance across stratified subpopulations identified by age, race or ethnicity, gender, and residence (urban vs rural). Conclusions: This study presents the possibility of developing decision models capable of predicting patient-level health care resource utilization across a broad, statewide region with considerable predictive performance. However, our models present statistically significant variations in performance across stratified subpopulations of interest. Further efforts are necessary to identify root causes of these biases and to rectify them.
Critical Race Theory & Power: The Case for Progressive Prosecution

This note makes the case for why scholars and members of the polity should identify and support genuinely progressive prosecutors. A key Critical Race Theory tenant — that legislation and favorable judicial decisions are often inadequate avenues to subvert power structures — holds true for criminal justice. Consequently, this note urges advocates to accept that legislative bodies and courts are imperfect agents of change and to turn to another powerful actor to seek criminal justice reform — local prosecutors. But critics of progressive prosecutors take issue with the contention that prosecutors can be a source of meaningful reform. The most common criticism — that other actors in the justice system render prosecutors “powerless” to enact genuinely progressive reform — is sustained by real life examples. This note addresses these criticisms by exploring how local prosecutors wield both structural and particularized power in the American justice system. Because prosecutors can systematically reduce incarceration and institute more racially just criminal justice policies, advocates should support progressive candidates for district attorney offices.
Passing Orders: Demonology and Sovereignty in American Spiritual Warfare: by S. Jonathon O’Donnell, New York, Fordham University Press, 2021, $30.00 (paper). 9780823289684

When demons come up in secular political discourse, it is normally in the form of a metaphor. To ‘demonize’ means to treat as an enemy and an outcast in the most exaggerated possible terms. Hence, ...
The representation of emotion knowledge across development.

The present study examined how children spontaneously represent facial cues associated with emotion. 106 three- to six-year-old children (48 male, 58 female; 9.4% Asian, 84.0% White, 6.6% more than one race) and 40 adults (10 male, 30 female; 10% Hispanic, 30% Asian, 2.5% Black, 57.5% White) were recruited from a Midwestern city (2019-2020), and sorted emotion cues in a spatial arrangement method that assesses emotion knowledge without reliance on emotion vocabulary. Using supervised and unsupervised analyses, the study found evidence for continuities and gradual changes in children's emotion knowledge compared to adults. Emotion knowledge develops through an incremental learning process in which children change their representations using combinations of factors-particularly valence-that are weighted differently across development.
Why I Am Still Waiting for a Free Trip to Stockholm

The longer I live, the more convinced I am that one’s course in life is determined 99% by chance. This is especially true of my own. Although there was no family tradition of medicine or science, the earliest childhood ambitions that I can remember were both to be a physician and to do research. With an unforseeable combination of fortuitous events, I have been able to reach both goals.
Concepts of Driver Education and Their Relative Importance for a Driver Education Course in the Secondary School

Abstract The purpose of the study was to determine fundamental concepts for classroom instruction of driver education and their relative importance for a course at the secondary level. The 295 concepts obtained from textbooks, state courses of study, and the periodical Safety Education, were submitted to authorities for validation. The resulting 210 concepts were evaluated by law enforcement officials, teachers of driver education, and driver education students. Coefficients of correlation indicated general agreement between the rating groups. Concepts were ranked in descending order of importance.
Going in Reverse to Go Forward: Institutional Repositories and The New York Public Library, Summary of a Presentation by Stewart Bodner and Eric Neubacher

Stewart Bodner opened his talk giving background information on institutional repositories (IR). He also spoke of the idea of NYPL as “an institution that collects for the historical record.” His quote from former director James Wood Henderson reminds us that the ideal research library should not select its collection based on “what the librarian or the contemporary public regards as good or important,” but rather it should “record life as it passes, its evil, vulgarity and triviality, as well as its more agreeable aspects.” ...
Unification in modal theorem proving

Modal formulas can be proved by translating them into a three-typed logic and then using unification and resolution, with axioms describing properties of the reachability relation among possible worlds. In this paper, we improve on the algorithms in [1], showing that "strong skolemisation" and occurrence checks are not needed for proving theorems of Q, T, Q4, and S4. We also extend the 'path logic' approach to S5, give the appropriate unification algorithm, and prove its correctness.
Construction of Sparse Well-spaced Point Sets for Quality Tetrahedralizations

We propose a new mesh refinement algorithm for computing quality guaranteed Delaunay triangulations in three dimensions. The refinement relies on new ideas for computing the goodness of the mesh, and a sampling strategy that employs numerically stable Steiner points. We show through experiments that the new algorithm results in sparse well-spaced point sets which in turn leads to tetrahedral meshes with fewer elements than the traditional refinement methods.
A COMPARISON OF ORAL AND INTRAMUSCULAR BENZATHINE PENICILLIN G FOR THE PREVENTION OF STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS AND RECURRENCES OF RHEUMATIC FEVER

The incidence of recurrences of rheumatic fever and streptococcal infections in 50 rheumatic subjects receiving a 200,000 unit tablet of benzathine penicillin G daily was compared with that of 56 rheumatic patients receiving 1,200,000 units of benzathine penicillin G intramuscularly every 4 weeks. Three children in the oral penicillin group, who did not take their medication regularly, developed recurrences of rheumatic fever. No recurrences occurred among the patients receiving parenteral penicillin. In patients who took the oral medication regularly, the incidence of streptococcal infections, as determined by a significant rise in antistreptolysin O titer, was the same as in those who received penicillin intramuscularly. Group A streptococci were found in the throat in about the same number of patients in each group. Only one patient receiving oral penicillin developed an allergic reaction in contrast to four in the intramuscular group. In 12 additional patients in the latter group, medication was discontinued because of repeated local reactions or because the injections upset the child emotionally. During the period of this study, in children followed in an outpatient clinic, a single daily dose of oral benzathine penicillin G, taken regularly, proved as effective in the prevention of rheumatic fever as monthly intramuscular injections of 1,200,000 units of benzathine penicillin G. The disadvantage of parenteral penicillin is the occurrence of reactions. While the use of this method is preferable for patients who cannot be relied upon to take oral medication regularly, its routine use for all patients does not appear necessary.
Stretchable and flexible E-fiber antennas with high geometrical accuracy

We present new processes for fabricating: (a) stretchable and flexible antennas on electrically-conductive fibers (E-fibers), and (b) E-fiber antennas with high geometrical accuracy. Optionally, these two processes can be concurrently employed to enable stretchability and flexibility for antennas that operate in extreme environments. Additionally, the proposed approach provides high geometrical accuracy for miniature antennas and/or antennas with fine details. The developed prototypes are demonstrated to achieve excellent performance, comparable to that of their copper counterparts. Embroidery accuracy down to ~0.3mm can be achieved (viz. 3 times better than before).
WiBreathe: Estimating respiration rate using wireless signals in natural settings in the home

Sensing respiration rate has many applications in monitoring various health conditions, such as sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this paper, we present WiBreathe, a wireless, high fidelity and non-invasive breathing monitor that leverages wireless signals at 2.4 GHz to estimate an individual's respiration rate. Our work extends past approaches of using wireless signals for respiratory monitoring by using only a single transmitter-receiver pair at the same frequency range of commodity Wi-Fi signals to estimate the respiratory rate of an individual. This is done irrespective of whether they are in line of sight or not (e.g., through walls). Furthermore, we demonstrate the capability of WiBreathe in detecting multiple people and by extension, their respiration rates. We evaluate our approach in various natural environments and show that we can track breathing with the accuracy of 1.54 breaths per minute when compared to a clinical respiratory chest band.
An efficient method of solving for the eigenvalues in a dynamic transfer matrix analysis of beams, shafts and rotors

The eigenvalues in a dynamic transfer matrix analysis have usually been obtained by trial-and-error searching for values which set a characteristic determinant to zero. Such a procedure requires an initial value, a step size, and a range over which the eigenvalues are sought. To be sure that an eigenvalue has not been missed by the search, it may be necessary to find all eigenvalues. To do so may require new starting values, search increments, and ranges. The authors develop an efficient procedure for finding the eigenvalues in a dynamic transfer matrix analysis. All eigenvalues are obtained simultaneously by the convergence of a matrix equation. The convergence does not depend upon the initial eigenvalue estimates, which may be arbitrary, and the need for search increments and range estimates is eliminated. >
First-Hand Experience and Second-Hand Information: Changing Trust across Three Levels of Government

Little is known about how different sources of information drive citizen trust in government. To address that gap this article compares disaster evacuees to observers, noting how trust differs as attention to media coverage increases. First-hand experience supplies information to update trust through biological and personal processes and performance assessments, while secondary sources provide information about other people's experiences, filtered through lenses that take an active role in crafting information. These two types of information have varying effects depending on the level of government being trusted. Using surveys administered a year after Hurricane Katrina, I find that Katrina evacuees have the highest trust in federal government, until they start paying attention to media coverage, and that attention to coverage has the most dramatic effect on these evacuees compared to all other groups. I also find that increasing attention to second-hand information corresponds with higher trust in local officials, and that this effect decreases as the level of government increases. It appears media coverage creates a comparison in the mind of hurricane evacuees, causing them to update their performance assessments based on comparing their own experience to that which they observe, thereby updating their political trust.
Antibiotic- and hormonally induced alterations in Staphylococcus aureus.

The ability of penicillin to induce permeability changes inStaphylococcus aureus was markedly enhanced by selected gonadal steroids. Subinhibitory concentrations of penicillin and subinhibitory physiological concentrations of progesterone also acted in concert to reduce the incorporation of14C-alanine into staphylococcal mucopeptides by 18 to 21%. The minimal concentration of the antibiotic which significantly interfered with the incorporation of alanine into the staphylococcal mucopeptide was 3.30 units/ml. When progesterone was added to the system, the minimal concentration was lowered to 0.50 units/ml. The 17α-hydroxy-progesterone interfered with mucopeptide synthesis only when used in conjunction with penicillin. On the contrary, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and β-estradiol exerted an additive effect in decreasing the incorporation of alanine into the staphylococcal mucopeptide. These results extend our previous studies and suggest an extracellular site of hormonal action located on the cell envelope.
Atropine microdialysis within or near the pre-Bötzinger Complex increases breathing frequency more during wakefulness than during NREM sleep

Normal activity of neurons within the medullary ventral respiratory column (VRC) in or near the pre-Botzinger Complex (preBotC) is dependent on the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neuromodulat...
Superconductivity in (Hg,Tl) (Ba,Sr) CaCuOx

Abstract Several members of a new family of (Hg,Tl) (Ba,Sr) Ca n −2 Cu n −2 O x high-temperature superconductors have been synthesized at elevated pressures and temperatures. These compounds, which are analogs to the HgBaCa and TlBaCa layered cuprates, are multi-phased and have superconducting-transition temperatures which exceed 100 K. Incorporation of Hg appears to stabilize several of the Tl compounds, including a double-layer Tl/Sr system in a manner similar to the role that Pb plays in the Tl/Sr and Bi/Sr systems.
Long-term dependence in stock returns

Abstract We test for long-term dependence in US stock returns, analyzing composite and sectoral stock indices and firms' returns series to evaluate aggregation effects. Fractal dynamics are not detected in stock indices but are present in some firms' returns series.
Mortality of workers at a nuclear materials production plant at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 1947–1990

The Y-12 plant at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, produced nuclear materials for the U.S. government's nuclear weapons program beginning in 1943. Workers at Y-12 were exposed to low dose, internal, alpha radiation and external, penetrating radiation, as well as to beryllium, mercury, solvents, and other industrial agents. This paper presents updated results from a long-term mortality study of workers at Y-12 between 1947 and 1974, with follow-up of white men through 1990 and data reported for the first time for women and men of other races. Vital status was determined through searches of the National Death Index and other records, and the workers' mortality was compared to the national population's using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). Total mortality was low for all Y-12 workers and total cancer mortality was as expected. Among the 6,591 white men, there were 20% more lung cancer deaths than expected (95% confidence interval /CI/ 1.04–1.38). Death rates from brain cancer and several lymphopoietic system cancers were also elevated among white men, with SMRs of 1.28 and 1.46. Mortality from cancer of the pancreas, prostate, and kidney was similarly elevated. There was evidence of excess breast cancer among the 1,073 female workers (SMR 1.21, 95% CI 0.60–2.17). Lung cancer mortality among these workers warrants continued surveillance because of the link between internal alpha radiation exposure and this disease, but other agents, notably beryllium, also merit consideration as potential causes of lung cancer. Other cancers and agents should also be investigated as part of a comprehensive study of the health consequences of the production of nuclear weapons. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Use of an abnormal laboratory value–drug combination alert to detect drug-induced thrombocytopenia in critically Ill patients

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a commercially available clinical decision support system (CDSS) drug-laboratory result alert in detecting drug-induced thrombocytopenia in critically ill patients. Materials and Methods Adult patients admitted to the medical and cardiac intensive care unit during an 8-week period and identified by 1 of 3 signals in the CDSS, TheraDoc, were eligible. Alerts were generated when the patient had a low platelet count and was ordered a potentially causal drug. Patients were evaluated in real time for the occurrence of an adverse drug reaction using 3 causality instruments. Positive predictive values were calculated for the alert. Results Sixty-four patients with a mean age of 54 years met the inclusion criteria, generating 350 alerts. Positive predictive values were 0.36, 0.83, and 0.40 for signals 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Overall, there were 137 adverse drug reactions identified in the 350 alerts, with heparin, vancomycin, and famotidine as the 3 most common potential causes. Conclusions A commercial CDSS drug-laboratory alert is effective at identifying drug-induced thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit and may improve patient safety. Compared with previous studies, the combination alert performs better than alerts based exclusively on laboratory values and should be considered to reduce alert fatigue.
GRAVITATIONAL BALLOONING INSTABILITY OF PROMINENCES

Prominences can be unstable to a gravitational ballooning instability of the Rayleigh-Taylor type. A two-dimensional generalized Kippenhahn-Schluter prominence equilibrium is constructed. Its stability to ideal, three-dimensional, short-wavelength line-tied perturbations is analyzed. The instability requires a critical vertical density gradient. For a given magnetic field strength, the instability is sensitive to the angle at which the magnetic field lines cross the prominence. An approximate, sufficient, threshold condition is consistent with typical prominence parameters.
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF THE HEXAGONAL ANTIFERROMAGNET CsMnF$sub 3$

The magnetic properties of the hexagonal antiferromagnetic CsMn${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ have been investigated by magnetic susceptibility, torsion, electron resonance, and nuclear-antiferromagnetic double resonance. Torsion measurements establish a transition to an antiferromagnetically ordered state at 53.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. A weak sixfold anisotropy in the transverse plane and a large axial anisotropy along the $c$ axis corresponding, respectively, to the fields $\frac{36{K}_{3}}{M}=1.1$ Oe and $\frac{{K}_{1}}{M}=\ensuremath{-}7500$ Oe are detected. Susceptibility measurements at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K establish an exchange field ${H}_{E}=3.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$ Oe. The temperature dependence of ${K}_{3}$ was observed from 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to the transition temperature and compared with spin-wave and molecular field theory. From paramagnetic resonance measurements an isotropic $g$ value of 1.9989\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003 is determined. Magnetic resonance measurements below the transition temperature with the applied field in the transverse plane show a weak sixfold anisotropy consistent with the torsion measurements. Measurements out of the transverse plane confirm the large axial anisotropy. In the temperature range from 0.3 to 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K there is an additional temperature dependent anisotropy field ${H}_{A,T}=\frac{9.15}{T}$ Oe directed along the sublattices. This field arises from the hyperfine interaction with the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}$ nuclear magnetization. Assuming parallel ordering within the transverse planes with adjacent planes alternately magnetized, a calculation of the classical dipolar interactions and of the ligand field anisotropy arising from the displacement of the nearest neighbor fluorines gives a combined axial anisotropy field $\frac{{K}_{1}}{M}=\ensuremath{-}7965$ Oe. The in-plane anisotropy due to second-order dipolar interactions is estimated to be \ensuremath{\approx}2 Oe in reasonable agreement with observation. The strong coupling between the nuclei and electrons affords an opportunity to observe the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}$ nuclear resonance indirectly by monitoring the position of the electron resonance field. A saturation of the nuclear magnetization is observed at 668 Mc/sec which is (3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1)% smaller than the calculated average hyperfine field of 689\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7 Mc/sec. This indicates the presence of a zero-point reduction in the electron spin.
A new restriction endonuclease from Streptomyces albus G

A restriction endonuclease, SalI, has been partially purified from Streptomyces albus G. This enzyme cleaves adenovirus-2 DNA at three sites, bacteriophage λ DNA at two sites, but does not cleave simian virus 40 DNA or φX174 DNA. It recognizes the sequence and cuts at the sites indicated by the arrows. An endonuclease (XamI) with similar specificity has also been isolated from Xanthomonas amaranthicola.
Lymphoma of the Hands in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Case Report

The correlation of rheumatoid arthritis and lymphoma—and more generally, autoimmune disease and malignancy—has long been observed. Here, we present the case of a woman with rheumatoid arthritis who developed lymphoma limited to her hands.
Opportunistic infections in myasthenia gravis treated with mycophenolate mofetil

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is used for immunosuppression in myasthenia gravis (MG). Although there are numerous data on associated infection and prophylaxis in transplant patients who are on MMF, data in MG remains lacking. We report two elderly seropositive MG patients who developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis while on MMF for 5months and 1year, respectively. Chronic MMF therapy in MG patients may trigger life-threatening infections including CMV and EBV diseases, especially in the elderly. Similar to the practice in transplant patients, viral serology testing and appropriate prophylactic regimen with antiviral agents should be considered, particularly in older MG patients.
Ventricular performance and energy of compression, power, and rate of change of power during isovolumic contraction.

During isovolumic contraction, there is a calculable compression of the blood within the ventricle. Energy is expended by the ventricle during isovolumic contraction, and some of it is transferred to the blood in the form of elastic compression. The rate of energy transfer (power) and acceleration of energy transfer (rate of change of power) during isovolumic contraction were calculated based upon considerations of the energy of compression. In anaesthetized dogs, the isovolumic energy of compression was 42±6 (mean ± SE) dyn cm; peak isovolumic power was 1,400±300 dyn cm sec-1; and peak rate of change of power was 56,000± 15,000 dyn cm sec-2. During states of augmented contractility induced by isoproterenol, the peak acceleration of energy expenditure (peak rate of change of power) increased to 126,000 ± 33,000 dyn cm sec-2 (p<0·001). Conversely, with a reduction of contractility induced by propranolol, the peak isovolumic rate of change of power decreased to 30,000±5,700 dyn cm sec-2 (p<0·001). The peak rate of change of power was unaffected by changes of the afterload. A trend, however, suggests that it may be affected by preload. The derivations of the isovolumic energy of compression, power, and rate of change of power are based upon firm principles of fluid dynamics. No assumptions related to ventricular geometry, synergy of contraction, or characteristics of muscle fibres are implied. Because of its physiological meaning and the theoretical validity of its derivation, an expression such as the isovolumic peak rate of change of power, when utilized as an index of ventricular performance, would appear to be of value.
NON‐ENZYMATIC BROWNING OF HYGROSCOPIC WHEY POWDERS IN OPEN VERSUS SEALED POUCHES

The moisture sorption behavior and non-enzymatic browning of hygroscopic whey powders stored in open and sealed conditions were examined. The water released from crystallization of the amorphous lactose in the whey powders was entrapped within sealed pouches, resulting in an increased local moisture content as well as aw for products initially humidified in the 0.33 to 0.44 range before packaging. Thus, the rate of non-enzymatic browning reaction during storage at 35° was greatly increased in the sealed samples compared to samples stored open to the environment. In fact, at 0.33 aw a maximum was observed for the sealed storage samples, while a minimum was shown in the open stored samples. Because of this, precautions should be taken in using the results of storage studies of open systems to predict kinetics of deteriorative reactions during shelf-life tests of sealed food systems, especially if amorphous to crystalline change can occur.
Matrix ENDOR of polyenyl radicals in polymers

EPR and matrix ENDOR spectra were examined for polyenyl radicals in $gamma$-irradiated PVF, PVF$sub 2$, PVC, and PMMA polymers. Proton matrix ENDOR is observed for all four polymers, and fluorine matrix ENDOR for PVF and PVF$sub 2$. By line shape analysis of the ENDOR spectra obtained under comparable conditions, delocalization diameters for the unpaired electron of the polyenyl radical in each polymer are obtained. These diameters indicate extensive delocalization over 5 to 7 carbon double bonds for the polyenyl radicals investigated. It is suggested that these conjugated and crosslinked radiation products account for the observed nondevelopment of electron beam resist PMMA material at high radiation charge densities. (auth)
Deciphering hydrological systems by means of geochemical processes

ABSTRACT The distribution of permeability and chemical character of groundwater in carbonate aquifers is significantly influenced by the many diagenetic processes and reactions that occur in the early development of these rocks. Many of these diagenetic processes occur in the transition zone formed as the carbonate sediments emerge from the marine environment and become fresh-water aquifers. Analyses of trace elements and isotopes indicate that calcite cements and dolomites are formed in this groundwater mixing zone. Reverse reactions such as mineral dissolution and dedolomitization occur in carbonate aquifer systems. The geochemical reactivity of the fresh-water/salt-water mixing zone results from the nonlinearity of geochemical parameters as a function of ionic strength and causes extensive dissolution in coastal carbonate rocks. Interpretation of geochemical reactions and isotopic composition of groundwater provides a method to determine hydrological parameters such as porosity, hydraulic conductivity,...
An overview of energy storage technologies in electric power systems: What is the future?

Successful operation of electric grid requires continuous real-time balancing of supply and demand including losses. The US grid operates effectively without much storage at present. However, the peak demand and generation facilities are growing at a faster rate in comparison to the transmission facilities. The system has observed some congestion problems. Over the past decade numerous reasons have accelerated the renewable energy applications in the existing grid. However, renewable resources are intermittent and the energy output varies widely during the day. Electricity storage technologies, when properly designed and integrated, can smooth out this variability and allow electricity to be dispatched at a later time. This paper concentrates on the energy storage technologies as a cost-effective technique that can be used in the US to make the grid more efficient, stable and reliable. Classification of energy storage technologies, comparison of various energy storage devices and system requirements are addressed in this paper.
Mentoring graduate students: Going beyond the formal role structure

Dans cet article, l'A se penche sur les interactions entre l'enseignant universitaire et les etudiants assistants. L'A, a travers sa propre experience de plus de trente annees de suivi de theses aux Etats-Unis, analyse la perception des etudiants anisi que la place des roles formels et informels qui influencent la socialisation professionnelle des futurs sociologues
An Early Look At Changes In Employer-Sponsored Insurance Under The Affordable Care Act

Critics frequently characterize the ACA's Medicaid expansion and Marketplace subsidies as a threat to the survival of employer-sponsored insurance. This article takes advantage of timely data from the Health Reform Monitoring Survey for June 2013 through September 2014 to examine, from the perspective of workers, early changes in offer, take-up, and coverage rates for employer-sponsored insurance under the ACA. We find no evidence that these rates have declined under the ACA, either overall or for workers in small firms with lower incomes. Economic incentives for workers to obtain coverage from employers remain strong.
Empowering Students: Class-Generated Course Rules

After we gave 2 classes of introductory psychology students the syllabus, the first class (the experimental group) generated rules for classroom behavior. The instructor presented the second class (the comparison group) with the list of rules and said they were instructor generated. Students rated the rules, several aspects of the course, and the instructor. The comparison group (n = 88) reported higher frequencies of negative behavior by class members. Students in the experimental class (n = 62) rated the instructor more positively. The groups did not differ in grades, perceived fairness, or perceived importance of the rules.
Cosmic Ray 11-Year Modulation for Sunspot Cycle 24

Galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) modulation at 1 AU for sunspot (SSN) Cycle 24 is studied using data from a global network of detectors and balloon measurements of low-energy ions at high latitudes in Russia. The observed modulation is modest compared with previous cycles. The tilt angle of the heliospheric current sheet reached a maximum value for Cycle 24 even though the peak of the interplanetary magnetic-field intensity at 1 AU has a much lower value (≈ 5 nT). The solar polar field in the northern hemisphere reversed in June 2012 and again in March 2014 while that in the southern hemisphere reversed in July 2013. The double field reversal in northern hemisphere after SSN maximum is not expected from dynamo theory. GCR modulation is at maximum phase in 2013. We have also studied the anomalous GCR recovery in 2009 using data from a low-energy proton channel on Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics (PAMELA). The rigidity dependence of the Cycle 24 modulation is computed using data from neutron monitors, directional muon telescopes at Nagoya, Japan, and detectors on balloons at high latitudes in Russia. It is a power law with an exponent −1.29, similar to previous solar cycles (−1.2±0.1); the nearly linear dependence of the modulation on the rigidity over a wide range poses a challenge to the quasi-linear theory (QLT) of GCR modulation.
Calibration of BOLD fMRI using breath holding reduces group variance during a cognitive task.

The proportionality of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response during a cognitive task and that from a hypercapnic challenge was investigated in cortical structures involved in working memory (WM). Breath holding (BH) following inspiration was used to induce a BOLD response characteristic of regional vasomotor reactivity but devoid of metabolic changes. BOLD effects measured during BH were used to normalize individual subject activations during WM, which effectively reduced the confounding influence of individual- and region-specific differences in hemodynamic responsivity common to both tasks. In a study of seven subjects, the BH calibration reduced intersubject variability in WM effect amplitude by 24.8% (P < 0.03). Reduced intersubject variability resulted in a 23.7% increase in group WM activation voxel extent significant at P < 0.001, with further increases at more stringent thresholds. Because the BH task does not require CO2 inhalation or other invasive manipulations and is broadly applicable across cortical regions, the proposed approach is simple to implement and may be beneficial for use not only in quantitative group fMRI analyses, but also for multicenter and longitudinal studies. Hum Brain Mapp, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.