cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Randomized trial of oxygen weaning strategies following chest compressions during neonatal resuscitation.

BACKGROUND The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) recommends using 100% O2 during chest compressions and adjusting FiO2 based on SpO2 after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The optimal strategy for adjusting FiO2 is not known. METHODS Twenty-five near-term lambs asphyxiated by umbilical cord occlusion to cardiac arrest were resuscitated per NRP. Following ROSC, lambs were randomized to gradual decrease versus abrupt wean to 21% O2 followed by FiO2 titration to achieve NRP SpO2 targets. Carotid blood flow and blood gases were monitored. RESULTS Three minutes after ROSC, PaO2 was 229 ± 32 mmHg in gradual wean group compared to 57 ± 13 following abrupt wean to 21% O2 (p < 0.001). PaO2 remained high in the gradual wean group at 10 min after ROSC (110 ± 10 vs. 67 ± 12, p < 0.01) despite similar FiO2 (~0.3) in both groups. Cerebral O2 delivery (C-DO2) was higher above physiological range following ROSC with gradual wean (p < 0.05). Lower blood oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio (suggesting less oxidative stress) was observed with abrupt wean. CONCLUSION Weaning FiO2 abruptly to 0.21 with adjustment based on SpO2 prevents surge in PaO2 and C-DO2 and minimizes oxidative stress compared to gradual weaning from 100% O2 following ROSC. Clinical trials with neurodevelopmental outcomes comparing post-ROSC FiO2 weaning strategies are warranted. IMPACT In a lamb model of perinatal asphyxial cardiac arrest, abrupt weaning of inspired oxygen to 21% prevents excessive oxygen delivery to the brain and oxidative stress compared to gradual weaning from 100% oxygen following return of spontaneous circulation. Clinical studies assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes comparing abrupt and gradual weaning of inspired oxygen after recovery from neonatal asphyxial arrest are warranted.
Suitability of a single imager multispectral sensor for tree health analysis

Abstract The objective of this project was to validate the efficacy of a miniature multispectral, single-sensor camera for detecting stress in deciduous juvenile tree foliage in a controlled environment. To that end, deciduous liners (one year old, nursery-grown transplants) representing five tree species (Celtis occidentalis L., Gleditsia triacanthos forma inermis Schneid, Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch, Quercus rubra L., and Ulmus americana L.) were containerized and subsequently subjected to two treatments representing common landscape site stresses: drought and elevated soil pH. To minimize any atmospheric effects on reflectance values, the trees were placed in enclosed, artificially lit chambers during the detection process. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was utilized as the metric for analysis. Results showed the single imager sensor derived NDVI values were reliable indicators of tree stress within the species groups. Results also revealed that the derived values were not reliable indicators of tree stress across the species groups.
Recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone vs thyroid hormone withdrawal in 124I-PET/CT based 3D radiobiological dosimetry (3D-RD) for 131I therapy of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer

1259 Objectives Patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) can be prepared either using recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) or thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) prior to radioiodine administration for treatment. The objective of this study was to compare rhTSH and THW in terms of the absorbed dose (AD) to the critical organs for 131I therapy of metastatic DTC, where the same patients were prepared and imaged following both methods. Methods Three DTC patients at MedStar Wash Hosp Ctr were first prepared using the rhTSH method and imaged by 124I-PET/CT at 2, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs post administration of about 0.8 mCi Na124I. After 1-2 months the same patients were prepared using the THW method and imaged as before. The diagnostic PET/CT images were used to perform dosimetric calculations for 131I therapy, using the dosimetry package 3D-RD. The AD in Gy/mCi of 131I, for lungs, liver, heart, kidneys and bone marrow was obtained for each study. Results The AD per administered activity of 131I (in Gy/mCi) to the normal organs is higher in the THW compared to the rhTSH study for 2 patients. In the third patient, a slightly higher organ AD following rhTSH compared to THW was obtained. The THW to rhTSH ratio for each patient, averaged over 5 organs was 1.5, 2.7 and 0.5. The bone marrow AD for each patient following rhTSH was 5.1, 3.6, 24.0 mGy/mCi and 4.6, 6.1, 19.0 mGy/mCi following THW. Conclusions The availability of 124I diagnostic images following preparation using rhTSH and THW for the same patients, allows for a head-to-head comparison of the two methods. The organ AD in Gy/mCi is higher for the THW case vs rhTSH case for 2/3 patients. More patient data that have followed both rhTSH and THW diagnostic studies, will be analyzed in order to understand the impact of rhTSH vs THW on organ AD.
Pulling up or binding down: A review of upgrading trajectories in apparel and agro-processing global value chains for developing countries

There exist a plethora of developing country value chain studies based on a variety of methodological approaches, both in the academic literature and through policy reports. However, there has been little systematic synthesis of the findings and approaches taken in these studies. This study presents the results of a meta-analysis of 35 case studies (including 12 policy reports from the World Bank and 23 academic articles) on the determinants and outcomes of integration in apparel and agro-processing global value chains (GVCs) for primarily low-income developing countries.
Beescape: Characterizing user needs for environmental decision support in beekeeping

Abstract Pollinators, particularly managed honey bees, are crucial for global food systems. However, declines in populations of both wild and managed pollinators have been reported across the world. In the United States, approximately 30% of managed honey bee colonies die each year. The factors underlying these losses are well understood and include reductions in the abundance and diversity of flowering plants that pollinators depend on for food, increased insecticide use, and reduced nesting habitat for wild bees. However, translating pollinator research findings into actionable knowledge for beekeepers presents a sizable spatial decision support challenge. In this work we evaluate the utility and usability of a prototype system called Beescape which intends to support environmental decision-making for beekeepers and other stakeholders. Beescape includes tools for exploring and visualizing maps that link to modeled environmental factors that impact managed bees, including honey bees, and wild bee health. Thirty beekeepers were recruited to take part in an online user study that included task analysis and survey components to elicit user input on areas of improvement for future Beescape development. The results of our evaluation of usability and utility metrics for Beescape highlighted the need for spatially-specific foraging information, better descriptions of modeled habitat quality measures, and actionable guidance to help them manage their hives. The results of our study highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with providing decision support systems that attempt to translate emerging environmental science for audiences that may be motivated by a common goal to improve honey bee survival, but who have a diverse range of technical backgrounds, applied practices, and reasons for their interest.
A multispeaker dataset of raw and reconstructed speech production real-time MRI video and 3D volumetric images

Real-time magnetic resonance imaging (RT-MRI) of human speech production is enabling significant advances in speech science, linguistics, bio-inspired speech technology development, and clinical applications. Easy access to RT-MRI is however limited, and comprehensive datasets with broad access are needed to catalyze research across numerous domains. The imaging of the rapidly moving articulators and dynamic airway shaping during speech demands high spatio-temporal resolution and robust reconstruction methods. Further, while reconstructed images have been published, to-date there is no open dataset providing raw multi-coil RT-MRI data from an optimized speech production experimental setup. Such datasets could enable new and improved methods for dynamic image reconstruction, artifact correction, feature extraction, and direct extraction of linguistically-relevant biomarkers. The present dataset offers a unique corpus of 2D sagittal-view RT-MRI videos along with synchronized audio for 75 participants performing linguistically motivated speech tasks, alongside the corresponding public domain raw RT-MRI data. The dataset also includes 3D volumetric vocal tract MRI during sustained speech sounds and high-resolution static anatomical T2-weighted upper airway MRI for each participant.
The iTHRIV Commons: a cross-institution information and health research data sharing architecture and web application.

OBJECTIVE The integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV) aims to develop an information architecture to support data workflows throughout the research lifecycle for cross-state teams of translational researchers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The iTHRIV Commons is a cross-state harmonized infrastructure supporting resource discovery, targeted consultations, and research data workflows. As the front end to the iTHRIV Commons, the iTHRIV Research Concierge Portal supports federated login, personalized views, and secure interactions with objects in the ITHRIV Commons federation. The canonical use-case for the iTHRIV Commons involves an authenticated user connected to their respective high-security institutional network, accessing the iTHRIV Research Concierge Portal web application on their browser, and interfacing with multi-component iTHRIV Commons Landing Services installed behind the firewall at each participating institution. RESULTS The iTHRIV Commons provides a technical framework, including both hardware and software resources located in the cloud and across partner institutions, that establishes standard representation of research objects, and applies local data governance rules to enable access to resources from a variety of stakeholders, both contributing and consuming. DISCUSSION The launch of the Commons API service at partner sites and the addition of a public view of nonrestricted objects will remove barriers to data access for cross-state research teams while supporting compliance and the secure use of data. CONCLUSIONS The secure architecture, distributed APIs, and harmonized metadata of the iTHRIV Commons provide a methodology for compliant information and data sharing that can advance research productivity at Hub sites across the CTSA network.
Metrology for Project Development

Presentation Topics are: 1. What is metrology 2. Measurement related risks and their consequences
An Assessment of Mayor Bloomberg’s Public Health Legacy

This article contains Rodger D. Citron's interview with Lawrence O. Gostin, Professor of Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center and the Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Public Health Law and Human Rights, regarding Gostin's article for the Hasting Center Report addressing former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s public health legacy.
Bullet Ricochet: A Comprehensive Review

The urban environment provides many surfaces from which bullets or shotgun pellets may ricochet. Factors that determine whether a ricochet will occur include the nature of the target surface, the angle of incidence, the shape of the projectile, and its velocity. Investigators of shooting incidents in which ricochets may have played a role must pay attention to the nature of the wounds suffered by the shooting victims, the deformation of the bullets or shotgun pellets, the presence of trace evidence on the bullets or shotgun pellets, ricochet marks on surfaces at the scene and the probable geometry of ricochet.
Protection of Epithelial Barrier Function Against Bacterial Infection by the IBD Candidate Gene PTPN2

Intestinal pathogenic bacteria target various pathways to alter intestinal barrier function including modifying expression and distribution of tight junction proteins. Single nucleotide polymorphis...
Tem of Nickel Aluminides Produced by Shock Compaction

Nickel aluminides were produced by high pressure shock loading. X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe microanalysis show large regions of the intermediate phase Ni3Al resulting form chemical synthesis of the elemental nickel and aluminum powders. Microhardness tests of this Ni3Al show mechanical properties similar to Ni3Al alloys prepared by rapid solidification techniques. To understand the structure/property relationships TEM was used to analyze the Ni3Al regions in two samples fabricated by different explosives, mean pressures and bulk temperatures. Increasing pressure and resulting peak temperatures gives rise to a much finer grain size of less than 5 nm with a corresponding increase in hardness.2 No antiphase boundaries were seen as is common in rapidly solididied material3 and very little defect damage was seen as is common in shock loaded samples.
Digital Information Literacy: Teaching Students to Use The Internet in Source-Based Writing

The rich resources of the Internet increasingly call writing faculty to incorporate digital research strategies into source-based writing. Yet, research shows that some students do not have basic competency to use the Internet for academic research. Composition classes can help students to be information literate and know how to effectively find, evaluate, use, communicate and manage both traditional and digital research information that is reliable and valid. Composition teachers can provide guided practice for students who are learning to read and use the Internet in an information literate way. Source-based writing instruction can also alert students to the important difference between the library and the Internet. Lessons in source-based writing can be enhanced by incorporating one of the many widely available, public-domain online-information literacy tutorials that are published by libraries.
Estrogen Selectively Regulates Spine Density within the Dendritic Arbor of Rat Ventromedial Hypothalamic Neurons

Estrogen acts in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMH) to promote female sexual behavior. One potential mechanism through which estrogen may facilitate this behavior is by reconfiguring synaptic connections within the VMH. Estrogen treatment increases the number of synapses and dendritic spines in the VMH, but how this remodeling occurs within the context of the local, behaviorally relevant microcircuitry is unknown. The goal of this study was to localize estrogen-induced changes in spine density within the VMH and relate these to dendritic morphology and the presence of nuclear estrogen receptor. The hypothalami from ovariectomized rats, treated with either vehicle or estradiol, were lightly fixed, and VMH neurons were iontophoretically filled with Lucifer yellow. Confocal microscopy was used to examine neuronal morphology. Estrogen treatment increased dendritic spine density by 48% in the ventrolateral VMH but had no effect on spine density in the dorsal VMH. The primary dendrites of VMH neurons were differentially affected by estrogen. Estrogen treatment increased spine density twofold on the short primary dendrites but did not affect spine density on long primary dendrites. Immunocytochemical staining showed that none of the filled neurons expressed estrogen receptor-α. Thus, although the effect of estrogen on spine density is localized to a VMH subdivision where estrogen receptor is expressed, estrogen treatment induces spines on neurons that lack estrogen receptor. Taken together, our results suggest that the effect of estrogen on ventrolateral VMH spines is selective within the dendritic arbor of a neuron and may be mediated by an indirect, possibly transynaptic, mechanism.
Yarn Package Inspection with Computer Vision and Robotics

A system for the automatic inspection of open-end polyester/cotton blend yarn packages, including package transportation and inspection algorithms, has been developed and implemented. An American r...
Once Upon A Time in War: The 99TH Division in World War II

During World War II, the U.S. Army created eighty-seven active divisions, sixty-two of which, including the 99th also known as the Checkerboard Division for its distinctive left shoulder patch, ser...
Efficient broadcasting in ad hoc networks using directional antennas

Using directional antennas to conserve bandwidth and energy consumption in ad hoc networks is becoming popular in recent years. However, applications of directional antennas for broadcasting have been limited. We propose a novel broadcast protocol called directional self-pruning (DSP) for ad hoc networks using directional antennas. DSP is a non-trivial generalization of an existing localized deterministic broadcast protocol using omnidirectional antennas. Compared with its omnidirectional predecessor, DSP uses about the same number of forward nodes to relay the broadcast packet, while the number of forward directions that each forward node uses in transmission is significantly reduced. With the lower broadcast redundancy, DSP is more bandwidth- and energy-efficient. DSP is based on 2-hop neighborhood information and does not rely on location or angle-of-arrival (AoA) information. DSP is a pure localized protocol. We prove that the expected number of forward nodes in DSP is within a constant factor of the minimal value in an optimal solution. Our simulation results show that DSP can reduce the transmission cost by 30%–65%.
A Population Analysis of Aortic Aneurysm Repair—Better Than Randomized Clinical Trials?

6. Malas M, Arhuidese I, Qazi U, Black J, Perler B, Freischlag JA. Perioperative mortality following repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: application of a randomized clinical trial to real-world practice using a validated nationwide data set. JAMA Surg. 2014;149(12):1260-1265. 7. Greenhalgh RM, Brown LC, Kwong GP, Powell JT, Thompson SG; EVAR Trial Participants. Comparison of endovascular aneurysm repair with open repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR Trial 1), 30-day operative mortality results: randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2004;364 (9437):843-848.
The myth of the short esophagus.

I read with interest the recent article by Madan et al. which suggests that the incidence of short esophagus (SE) is much lower than that reported by a number of recently published trials [1]. The authors retrospectively reviewed 628 fundoplications and found no cases of SE. I feel uncomfortable with their contention that ‘‘with proper mobilization, clinically the entity described as ‘‘short esophagus’’ may not exist [2]. The Madan study contradicts data from the literature that 3–14% of patients who undergo antireflux surgery have a SE [1]. Most esophageal surgeons would not agree that different techniques and methods were developed and perfected throughout the years to treat a nonexisting condition. Madan et al.’s claim that they have performed proper esophageal mobilization in all patients [2] needs additional data regarding the extent of intraoperative dissection and how the gastroesophageal junction was identified: Was this accomplished by identifying the angle of His, the oblique sling muscle fibers, the phrenoesophageal attachment, or another method? Was intraoperative endoscopy used to locate the gastroesophageal junction? Clarification regarding the patients preoperative characteristics including risk factors for SE would also be helpful. Madan’s 100% success in mobilizing a minimum of 3–5 cm of the abdominal esophagus is, to the best of my knowledge, unmatched among the published series. I am curious to know what criteria were used to determine that esophageal mobilization was performed adequately and tension-free. The conclusions reported by Madan et al. must be reviewed cautiously until all the above raised concerns are addressed.
A new look at large-scale systems and decentralized control: Recent graduates speak out

Existing decision and control methodology does not appear to be adequate for complex, large-scale systems. One area of research that attempts to develop techniques for such systems is decentralized control theory, where "decentralized" applies not only to the control strategy, but also to the information structure. To explore the future directions of decentralized control, the panel members will address the following questions: 1) how has their training as students in decentralized control helped them in their current research, and 2) can the current state-of-the-art in centralized control theory be extended or is a whole new theory needed?
Flow sensing and control strategies to address race-tracking disturbances in resin transfer molding. Part I: design and algorithm development

In the resin transfer molding process for advanced polymer composites manufacturing, the fiber preform is placed in the mold cavity and a thermoset resin is injected into the mold to impregnate the stationary preform. The resin displaces the air in the mold through openings called vents. Once the resin emerges out of the vents, the injection is discontinued. The near net-shaped composite part can be demolded after the resin cures. Ideally, the vents should be placed at the locations where the resin arrives last to ensure the complete saturation of the preform. However, the racetracking phenomenon, in which the resin flows faster along the minuscule channels induced by imperfect fits between the preform edges and the mold walls, can dramatically change the resin infiltration process. The ramifications of racetracking are that the resin may arrive at the vents before completely impregnating the preform and create undesired dry spots, which are fiber regions devoid of resin. The racetracking strength is not repeatable and may vary from one injection trial to next. Hence, the online strategic flow control can be useful in improving the processing reliability and the parts quality by re-directing the flow to arrive last at the vents. In this article, an online strategic flow control system consisting of a flow sensing network and a flow actuation network is proposed. A flow pattern recognition technique, which is based on the dimensionless time vector collected by the flow-sensing network, is developed in order to perform the online flow characterization effectively. Flow simulations are utilized to off-line design the flow control system. An evaluation function is formulated to optimize the flow sensing network design. A multi-tier genetic algorithm is implemented to optimize the locations of vents and gates along with the necessary control actions. A numerical case study for testing the computer-generated flow control solutions is presented. It was found that there was significant improvement in the success rate (fewer dry spot regions) due to the use of the strategic flow control and the automated design approach.
An improved low diffusion E-CUSP upwind scheme

An improved low diffusion E-CUSP (LDE) scheme is presented. The E-CUSP scheme can capture crisp shock profile and exact contact surface. Several numerical cases are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the new scheme.
The Nurse Midwives' Story, An Allegory

This is an excerpt from a fictional account of a nurse midwifery student on the verge of graduation from the Maternity Center Association (MCA) School of Nurse Midwifery. The original article was written by 6 students at MCA about nurse midwifery and published in the original Public Health Nursing in 1952. After graduation, 4 of the authors served in mission groups in Saudi Arabia, Formosa, and the Philippines, and the others were employed in California and New York. The story conveys the hopes and limitations perceived by the midwifery students and serves as an allegory for those who push the boundaries of accepted practice.
Modeling and Design of High-Radix On-Chip Crossbar Switches

The crossbar is a popular topology for on-chip networks that offers non-blocking connectivity and uniform latency. However, as the number of nodes increases, crossbars typically scale poorly in area, power, and latency/throughput. To better understand the design space, we have developed an on-chip crossbar modeling tool based on analytical models calibrated using circuit-level simulation results in 40nm CMOS. We present a design space exploration showing how crossbar area, power, and performance vary across input/output node number, data width, wire parameters, and circuit implementation. Using the modeling results, we identify a design point that demonstrates 2X higher throughput, 1.4X lower power and 1.2X lower area compared to previous published designs.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Youth with Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Current Status and Future Directions

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a distressing or impairing preoccupation with nonexistent or slight defect(s) in appearance, usually begins during early adolescence and appears to be common in youth. BDD is characterized by substantial impairment in psychosocial functioning and markedly high rates of suicidality. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tailored to BDD’s unique features is the best tested and most promising psychosocial treatment for adults with BDD. CBT has been used for youth with BDD, but it has not been systematically developed for or tested in this age group, and there is a pressing need for this work to be done. This article focuses on CBT for BDD in adults and youth, possible adaptations for youth, and the need for treatment research in youth. We also discuss BDD’s prevalence, clinical features, how to diagnose BDD in youth, recommended pharmacotherapy for BDD (serotonin-reuptake inhibitors), and treatments that are not recommended (surgery and other cosmetic treatments).
Forage Harvest Representation in RUSLE2

The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE and RUSLE2) has long been used by the USDA and others for management plan ning based on soil erosion and sediment delivery estimates. It has worked well for normal annual agronomic crops but proved to be awkward for forage crops. This is partly because RUSLE and earlier versions of RUSLE2 calculated vegetative residue production only during periods of canopy decline or in response to management operations, resulting in underestimation of residue amounts, with subsequent overestimation of soil erosion from pasture and hay lands. To solve this problem, a new vegetation model was implemented in RUSLE2 to track the growth, death, and characteristics of perennial vegetation. A complementary comprehensive RUSLE2 harvest process developed to interact with the new vegetation growth model was also developed. This harvest process includes an extensive set of options that provide great flexibility in describing perennial vegetation management systems. In this study, the ability of the new growth model and harvest process to dynamically adjust residue creation in response to alternative forage harvest schemes was investigated through comparison with published studies involving bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The new modeling tools make it easier to model haying and grazing scenarios in perennial systems, to create better estimates of the amount and timing of plant residue added by perennial vegetation during its growth, and thus to improve runoff and soil erosion estimates for conservation planning.
Commissioning of the ATLAS pixel detector

The ATLAS pixel detector is a high precision silicon tracking device located closest to the LHC interaction point. It belongs to the first generation of its kind in a hadron collider experiment. It will provide crucial pattern recognition information and will largely determine the ability of ATLAS to precisely track particle trajectories and find secondary vertices. It was the last detector to be installed in ATLAS in June 2007, has been fully connected and tested in situ during spring and summer 2008, and is ready for the imminent LHC turn-on. The highlights of the past and future commissioning activities of the ATLAS pixel system are presented.
Effect of interleukin-1β on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in sensitized and nonsensitized Brown-Norway rats

Airway responsiveness (AR) to inhaled acetylcholine and bradykinin and inflammatory cell recruitment in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were studied in inbred male Brown-Norway rats actively sensitized to ovalbumin and later given 500 U interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) intratracheally. We examined animals 14 to 21 days after initial sensitization at 18 to 24 hours after the intratracheal administration of IL-1 beta. We evaluated AR to acetylcholine as -log PC200, which is -log10 transformation of provocative concentration of acetylcholine producing 200% increase in lung resistance, and to bradykinin as percent increase in lung resistance. BALF was examined as an index of inflammatory changes within the lung. Although there was no significant difference in baseline lung resistance, nonsensitized and sensitized animals that were given IL-1 beta demonstrated a significant increase of AR to bradykinin at 18 to 24 hours and a significant increase of neutrophil counts in BALF, which was already observed by 4 to 6 hours. There was a significant correlation between AR to bradykinin and neutrophil counts in BALF in all animals (r = 0.644; p < 0.0005). We conclude that intratracheal administration of IL-1 beta induces the inflammatory changes, which are characterized by an increase in neutrophil counts in BALF, and increased AR to bradykinin, and that active sensitization per se does not potentiate the effect of IL-1 beta on AR to acetylcholine or bradykinin or on airway inflammation.
Multi-channel hybrid active noise control system for infant incubators

This paper presents a new active noise control system for infant incubators in neonatal intensive care units. To overcome the problem of complexity of noise sources and their locations, a multi-channel hybrid ANC system using the filtered-x least mean square (FXLMS) algorithm was developed. This hybrid ANC system integrates both the feedforward and the feedback ANC systems to cancel noises from both inside and outside the incubator. Computer simulations and real-time experiments were performed to compare the proposed hybrid ANC algorithm with the existing feedforward ANC algorithms under various complex noise environments.
B lymphocyte alloantigens controlled by the I region of the major histocompatibility complex in mice

An antiserum was produced by reciprocal immunization of congenic resistent inbred strains of mice which differed only with respect to theI andS regions of theH- 2 complex. This antiserum permitted the serological detection of lymphocyte alloantigens, designated Ia (=I region associated antigens). Ia determinants are only present on mature B lymphocytes. They could not be found on thymocytes, splenic or lymph node T cells, or on the majority of bone marrow cells. Absorption studies demonstrated existence of several Ia specificities which are associated with differentI region types. Thus, theI region of theH- 2 complex appears to control not only T-cellexpressed antigen specific immune response genes, but also B-cell-expressed Ia determinants. The relevance of the Ia alloantigen system for cellular interaction in immune reactions is discussed.
Health disparities in genomics and genetics.

Disparities or inequities in health refer to sociodemographic group differences in the distribution of disease, health outcomes, or access to health care [1]. In order to eliminate health disparities, more efforts are needed to address social issues directly contributing to the healthy inequities observed across racial and ethnic groups. With broad support from many federal agencies, alleviating health disparities in the United States remains a goal of Healthy People 2010 [2]. However, genetic research also has a significant role to play in alleviating and understanding disparities. With tremendous advances in technology and increased investigation into human genetic variations, genomics is poised to play a valuable role in bolstering efforts to find new treatments and preventions for chronic conditions that disparately affect certain ethnic groups. The recent statement regarding the future of genomics from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) [3] indicated that the need to develop genome-based tools to address health disparities remains a “grand challenge”. The statement acknowledges that social and economic factors contribute significantly to disparities but nevertheless assert the need for extensive research to better understand the contribution of genetics.
Talker variation and systematicity in voice onset time: A corpus study

Previous research has demonstrated variation across talkers in the phonetic realization of speech sounds, including vowels (e.g., Peterson and Barney, 1952), fricatives (e.g., Newman et al., 2001) and stop consonants (e.g., Allen et al., 2003; Theodore et al., 2009). The challenge that talker variation presents to perceptual processes may be significantly reduced if different aspects of talker-specific phonetics are strongly correlated. The present study employs a subset of read speech from the Mixer-6 corpus (Brandschain et al., 2013), containing recordings from 129 native English participants (60 male). The voice onset time (VOT) of prevocalic word-initial stops (N = 59,075) was measured using forced alignment (Yuan & Liberman, 2008) and subphonemic postprocessing (AutoVOT; Sonderegger & Keshet, 2012). Talker means of the voiceless stops are highly correlated with each other (rs = /p/-/t/: 0.76; /p/-/k/: 0.79; /t/-/k/: 0.74; ps < 0.0006, alpha-corrected), as are /b/ and /g/ among the voiced stops (r = 0.49, p < 0.0006). Additionally, talker means of each stop category are correlated with corresponding standard deviations (r = 0.87, p < 0.0001). These suggest a degree of systematicity in variation, with implications for talker adaptation, as listeners may extrapolate from few input values to approximate talker-specific variance and cross-category means.
A review of the neural and behavioral consequences for unitizing emotional and neutral information.

A special type of association, called a “unitization,” is formed when pieces of information are encoded as a single representation in memory (e.g., “shirt” and “blue” are encoded as a “blue shirt”; Graf & Schacter, 1989) and typically are later reactivated in memory as a single unit, allowing access to the features of multiple related stimuli at once (Bader et al., 2010; Diana et al., 2011). This review examines the neural processes supporting memory for unitizations and how the emotional content of the material may influence unitization. Although associative binding is typically reliant on hippocampal processes and supported by recollection, the first part of this review will present evidence to suggest that when two items are unitized into a single representation, memory for those bound items may be accomplished on the basis of familiarity and without reliance on the hippocampus. The second part of this review discusses how emotion may affect the processes that give rise to unitizations. Emotional information typically receives a mnemonic benefit over neutral information, but the literature is mixed on whether the presence of emotional information impedes or enhances the associative binding of neutral information (reviewed by Mather, 2007). It has been suggested that the way the emotional and neutral details are related together may be critical to whether the neutral details are enhanced or impeded (Mather, 2007; Mather & Sutherland, 2011). We focus on whether emotional arousal aides or inhibits the creation of a unitized representation, presenting preliminary data and future directions to test empirically the effects of forming and retrieving emotional and neutral unitizations.
Laparoscopy in childhood.

Abstract The indications and technique for laparoscopy in childhood are discussed. During the last 5 years 59 laparoscopies were carried out in the Surgical Department of the University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. These cases are described in some detail. No complications were encountered.
Preliminary Investigations of Forced Convection on Flame Propagation along Paper and Matchstick Arrays

Abstract Experimental observations are made on the burning of a linear, uniformly spaced, single row of vertically oriented matchsticks, and on rows of continuous paperstrips, with an imposed wind, up to three feet per second, blowing with and opposed to the direction of fire spread. Matchstick height and spacing are varied. One height and row spacing are used for the paperstrips, and the number of rows is varied. Necessary conditions for flame propagation in the matchstick arrays are presented in a non-dimensional plot. Linear rates of flame propagation for the paper and matchstick arrays are presented as functions of the wind velocities for various spacings and heights. A correlation of the matchstick results is made by use of a semi-empirical model based on an ignition temperature and convective heat transfer. The experimental results are compared with previous work with no convection, of Emmons and Shen (1971) and Vogel and Williams (1970).
Interaction of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion with human platelets

When uptake of the Parkinson's syndrome inducing neurotoxin MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) and its major brain metabolite MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion) by human platelets were compared in platelet rich plasma, a much higher rate was observed for the metabolite. The uptake process was saturable (Km = 6.8 microM; Vmax = 0.064 nmole/min/mg protein) and could be blocked by inhibitors of serotonin uptake. The accumulation of MPP+ by the platelets was accompanied by a decrease in intracellular ATP and an inhibition of mitochondrial state 3 respiration. These findings are consistent with earlier reports of the effect of MPP+ on isolated mitochondria as a potential cytotoxic mechanism, but also demonstrate that the dopamine uptake system is not the only means by which this metabolite can be efficiently transported into cells.
Comments on “Structure and Evolution of a Possible U.S. Landfalling Tropical Storm in 2006”

Abstract The Best Track Change Committee of the National Hurricane Center evaluates proposed changes to the Hurricane Database (HURDAT) in the Atlantic and eastern North Pacific basins. In the companion paper, Gruskin documents a possible tropical cyclone that affected portions of the eastern United States on 27–28 June 2006 and proposes that it be added to HURDAT. The committee reviewed the aircraft, radar, rawinsonde, satellite, and surface data available on this system and found it to be a challenging and complex system. A reconnaissance aircraft flying in the system in real time failed to find a closed circulation before landfall, and kinematic parameters suggest the system was more likely to have the structure of an open wave, with any surface circulation at best being poorly defined. Because of the lack of conclusive evidence regarding the existence of a closed surface circulation before landfall, the committee has decided not to add this system to HURDAT as a tropical cyclone.
Listening Competency on Campus: A Psychometric Analysis of Student Listening

Primarily used in corporate and organizational contexts, this study evaluates the psychometric properties of the 30-item Organizational Listening Survey (OLS) as a measure of listening behavior with a sample of undergraduate college students. The first study analyzed 1,475 students' self-reports of their listening behavior on campus, indicating a single-factor model of listening with strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .96), incorporating aspects of affirming the relational partner as well as confirming the message communicated. The second study involved students' other-reports of their professors' listening behaviors. It demonstrated high interrater agreement using the OLS to evaluate a common professor.
Pilot Trial of Bacterial Interference for Preventing Urinary Tract Infection

Objectives. To examine the safety and efficacy of bacterial interference in preventing symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods. A prospective, nonrandomized, pilot clinical trial was conducted in patients with spinal cord injury who had neurogenic bladder and had frequent episodes of symptomatic UTI. The bladder of patients was inoculated with a nonpathogenic prototype of Escherichia coli 83972. The rate of symptomatic UTI in successfully colonized patients while colonized with E. coli 83972 was compared with (a) their own baseline prestudy rate and (b) the rate of symptomatic UTI in patients who were not successfully colonized. Results. Of 44 inoculated patients, 30 (68%) became colonized with E. coli 83972 for 1 month or longer. Only two episodes of symptomatic UTI occurred in the group of 30 patients while colonized with E. coli 83972 (a total of 34 patient-years), and none was attributed to E. coli 83972. The group of 30 patients experienced a 63-fold reduction in the rate of symptomatic UTI while colonized with E. coli 83972 versus their baseline prestudy period (mean 0.06 versus 3.77 episodes of symptomatic UTI/patient-year, P <0.001). The rate of symptomatic UTI was also 33-fold lower in this group of 30 patients while colonized with E. coli 83972 than in the well-matched group of 14 patients who were not successfully colonized (mean 0.06 versus 1.80 episodes of symptomatic UTI/patient-year, P <0.001). Conclusions. The results of this pilot study indicate that bacterial interference using E. coli 83972 may be safe and effective in preventing UTI.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes after uterine rupture in labor

Abstract Objective: There is significant controversy about the risks related to attempted vaginal birth after cesarean and the implications for informed consent of the patient. Recent data suggest that women who deliver in hospitals with high attempted vaginal birth after cesarean rates are more likely to experience successful vaginal birth after cesarean, as well as uterine ruptures. We conducted a study to evaluate maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality after uterine rupture at a tertiary care center. Study Design: We performed a retrospective chart review of cases of uterine rupture from 1976 to 1998. All women who had a history of uterine rupture were identified with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, identifiers with hospital discharge data cross-referenced with a separate obstetric database. We abstracted demographic information, fetal heart rate patterns, maternal pain and bleeding patterns, umbilical cord gas values, and Apgar scores from the medical record. Outcome variables were uterine rupture events and major and minor maternal and neonatal complications. Results: During the study period there were 38,027 deliveries. The attempted vaginal birth after cesarean rate was 61.3%, of which 65.3% were successful. We identified 21 cases of uterine rupture or scar dehiscence. Seventeen women had prior cesarean deliveries (10 with primary low transverse cesarean delivery, 3 with unknown scars, 1 with classic cesarean delivery, 2 with two prior cesarean deliveries, and 1 with four prior cesarean deliveries). Of the 4 women who had no history of previous uterine surgery, one had a bicornuate uterus whereas the others had no factors increasing the risk for uterine rupture. We confirmed uterine rupture and scar dehiscence in 19 women. Specific details were not available for 2 patients. Uterine rupture or scar dehiscence was clinically suspected in 16 women with 3 cases identified at delivery or after delivery. Sixteen women had symptoms of increased abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, or altered hemodynamic status. There were 2 patients who required hysterectomies and 3 women who received blood transfusions; there were no maternal deaths related to uterine rupture. The fetal heart rate pattern in 13 cases showed bradycardia and repetitive variable or late decelerations. Thirteen neonates had umbilical artery pH >7.0. Two cases of fetal or neonatal death occurred, one in a 23-week-old fetus whose mother had presented to an outlying hospital and the second in a 25-week-old fetus with Potter's syndrome. All live-born infants were without evidence of neurologic abnormalities at the time of discharge. Conclusion: Our data confirm the relatively small risk of uterine rupture during vaginal birth after cesarean that has been demonstrated in previous studies. In an institution that has in-house obstetric, anesthesia, and surgical staff in which close monitoring of fetal and maternal well-being is available, uterine rupture does not result in major maternal morbidity and mortality or in neonatal mortality. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:1576-81.)
Expression of cupular dynamics while the macaque sleeps.

Abstract 1.(1) The effect of brief periods of sleep on neural processing in the vestibulo-ocular reflex was studied in Macaca speciosa. 2.(2) When sleep interrupted nystagmus during a modified Barany spinning test, the time constant of nystagmus remained unchanged. 3.(3) This finding shows that during light sleep the neural circuitry which generates a long nystagmus time constant from a short cupular time constant continues to function, even though nystagmus ceases.