cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The unsteady aerodynamics of a first stage stator vane row

The fundamental unsteady aerodynamics on a vane row of an axial flow research compressor stage are experimentally investigated, demonstrating the effects of airfoil camber and steady loading. In particular, the rotor wake generated unsteady surface pressure distributions on the first stage vane row are quantified over a range of operating conditions. These cambered airfoil unsteady data are correlated with predictions from a flat plate cascade inviscid flow model. At the design point, the unsteady pressure difference coefficient data exhibit good correlation with the nonseparated predictions, with the aerodynamic phase lag data exhibiting fair trendwise correlation. The quantitative phase lag differences are associated with the camber of the airfoil. An aft suction surface flow separation region is indicated by the steady state surface static pressure data as the aerodynamic loading is increased. This separation affects the increased incidence angle unsteady pressure data.
Subclavian Artery Occlusion and Pseudoaneurysm Caused by Lung Apex Mucormycosis: Successful Treatment with Transcatheter Embolization

Subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm and occlusion in young patients are usually post-traumatic. We report the case of a 33-year-old diabetic woman with subclavian artery occlusion and pseudoaneurysm formation caused by pulmonary mucormycosis infection. The patient presented with diabetic ketoacidosis, Horner's syndrome, and absent left arm pulses. A cystic lesion of the left lung apex was found by imaging, was surgically resected, and was histologically diagnosed as mucormycosis infection. Magnetic resonance angiography depicted a left subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm and occlusion adjacent to the mucormycosis lesion. To protect against thromboembolic complications and rupture, the pseudoaneurysm was embolized with coils. The patient is clinically well 1 year after the intervention with no perfusion of the pseudoaneurysm.
Trust aware particle filters for autonomous vehicles

Cyber-Physical Systems have been widely employed in safety critical applications including intelligent highways, autonomous vehicles and robotic systems. State estimation is crucial for Cyber-Physical Systems because control commands that are sent to physical systems depend on the estimated states. The particle filter is a good candidate for state estimation due to its applicability to nonlinear and/or non-Gaussian dynamic systems. However, classical particle filters are not robust against false data injection from sensors compromised by attackers. In this paper, we propose a novel particle filter algorithm, trust aware particle filter, that is robust to false data injection attacks. We develop a framework in which a state estimator assigns trust values to sensors based on the measurements and we utilize the trust values in the state estimation. Simulation results demonstrate the robustness of the trust aware particle filter in the presence of false data injection attacks.
Generalized procedures for the use of plane strain and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics options in the modernization of nuclear standards

Abstract In the design of nuclear power plants and the selection of required structural materials, the assurance of reliability in operation is an essential consideration. The need for analytical criteria for defining the adequacy of fracture toughness is particularly acute for pressure vessel materials. The 1972 revision to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section III) has adopted linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) methods as a means of assuring fracture-safe operation for nuclear vessels and components. It is noted that LEFM can be used to analyze only the behavior of metals subject to plane strain constraint (i.e. brittle behavior), while many steels when used in structural applications will behave in a ductile fashion. Thus, in the modernization of nuclear codes, there is the additional need to include the full range of fracture mechanics options for system design, that is, elastic-plastic and fully plastic fracture mechanics as well as the linear elastic procedures. The choice of a particular toughness regime for application of the metal (e.g., plane strain or elastic-plastic) can then be made by the designer or regulatory body. It follows that this decision will have a major implication on the selection of nuclear structural materials. This paper describes recent developments in the means for defining the full range of plane strain, elastic-plastic, and plastic fracture mechanics options available to the designer. Comparisons are made between these options and the fracture toughness requirements of the ASME Nuclear Code (Section III). Exisiting dynamic plane strain, K Id , data for structural metals are analyzed in concert with dynamic tear (DT) test trends. The limited temperature region of K Id applicability for these materials is shown to presage the elastic-plastic regime through which sharply increasing stress is required for fracture propagation whereby a leak-before-fail condition is ultimately attained. This phenomenon highlights the need to extend the analytical capabilities for fracture assurance into the non-brittle regime. The DT test is an effective engineering tool which, like the crack opening displacement (COD) concept, can be used to define the elastic-plastic and plastic-constraint transitions. The DT test procedure is fully rationalizable in terms of section size parameters and can be used independently or together with the K Id -temperature trend to predict the onset of the elastic-plastic and plastic regimes as a function of temperature and section thickness.
Effects of adrenal medullary transplants on pain-related behaviors following excitotoxic spinal cord injury

Previous studies have shown that intraspinal injection of quisqualic acid (QUIS) produces excitotoxic injury with pathological characteristics similar to those associated with ischemic and traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Significant changes in the functional properties of sensory neurons adjacent to the site of injury have also been observed in this model. Additionally, following QUIS injections, mechanical and cold allodynia, combined with excessive grooming behavior have been shown to be the behavioral correlates of these pathological and physiological changes. These behaviors are believed to be related to the clinical conditions of spontaneous and evoked pain following SCI. Given the therapeutic properties of adrenal chromaffin cell transplantation in conditions of neuropathic and cancer pain, it is proposed that the neuroactive substances released from chromaffin cells can alter or prevent the onset and progression of QUIS-induced behavioral changes. The effects of adrenal transplants were evaluated in 14 male Long-Evans rats that received intraspinal injections of QUIS. Pain behaviors, including the progression of excessive grooming behavior (n=8) and hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli (n=6) were evaluated following transplantation. A 53% increase in mechanical thresholds was observed following adrenal transplants along with a 70% reduction in the area of skin targeted for excessive grooming. These behaviors were not affected in 11 animals receiving transplants of skeletal muscle. The effects of adrenal transplants on cold allodynia consisted of a stabilization of response latencies in contrast to the continued decrease in latencies, i.e., increased sensitivity, following transplants of skeletal muscle. The results are consistent with previous studies showing the therapeutic efficacy of adrenal chromaffin cell transplants in neuropathic pain, and support the use of this treatment strategy for the alleviation of chronic pain following spinal cord injury.
Disruptive military innovation and the War on Terror: Some thoughts for perfect opponents

(2006). Disruptive military innovation and the War on Terror: Some thoughts for perfect opponents. Defense & Security Analysis: Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 123-140.
Pharmacologic alterations in pulmonary artery pressure in the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The progressive hypoxemia of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been associated with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Pharmacologic reduction of PVR might improve oxygenation in ARDS patients. To test this hypothesis we administered vasoactive drugs to nine hypoxemic patients (PaO20.4 < 70 Torr) with increased PVR. Nitroprusside (1–3 μg/kg/min) or glucagon (0.5 mg/min) was administered iv for 15 min. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained before and during each infusion. Thirty-minute stabilization periods were allowed between infusions. Nitroprusside significantly decreased PVR, 175 to 139 dyn · sec/cm5, (P < 0.05), yet intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) increased, 34 to 42% (P < 0.05) and arterial PO2 decreased, 68 to 55 Torr (P < 0.01). O2 delivery, 615 to 519 ml/min/m2, was also significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Glucagon significantly increased arterial PO2, 67 to 73 Torr (P < 0.05), with little change in Qs/Qt) (36.4 to 33.8%). Glucagon also increased PVR (145 to 157 dyn · sec/cm5). Nitroprusside-induced vasodilation is nonselective and supercedes protective hypoxic vasoconstriction. Glucagon improves oxygenation, but does not reduce PVR. Neither drug offers the patient with ARDS and pulmonary hypertension any specific benefits. The decrease in O2 delivery with nitroprusside further indicates that this drug should be used with caution in any hypoxic patient.
Evolution of the inertial frame of the Universe.

The concept of the inertial frame of the Universe is discussed and its possible evolution treated within a causally symmetric framework modelling the empty cosmos as the universal maximal one. A simple theoretical description of the evolution in terms of a stochastic process dependent on a single parameter, which would be in principle observable, is proposed. It is invariant under the full 15-parameter causal group\(\widetilde{SU}_{2.2} /Z_2 \) of the Einstein universe, to which the universal cosmos is conformally equivalent.
Genetic variation in West Nile virus from naturally infected mosquitoes and birds suggests quasispecies structure and strong purifying selection

Intrahost genetic diversity was analysed in naturally infected mosquitoes and birds to determine whether West Nile virus (WNV) exists in nature as a quasispecies and to quantify selective pressures within and between hosts. WNV was sampled from ten infected birds and ten infected mosquito pools collected on Long Island, NY, USA, during the peak of the 2003 WNV transmission season. A 1938 nt fragment comprising the 3' 1159 nt of the WNV envelope (E) coding region and the 5' 779 nt of the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) coding region was amplified and cloned and 20 clones per specimen were sequenced. Results from this analysis demonstrate that WNV infections are derived from a genetically diverse population of genomes in nature. The mean nucleotide diversity was 0.016 % within individual specimens and the mean percentage of clones that differed from the consensus sequence was 19.5 %. WNV sequences in mosquitoes were significantly more genetically diverse than WNV in birds. No host-dependent bias for particular types of mutations was observed and estimates of genetic diversity did not differ significantly between E and NS1 coding sequences. Non-consensus clones obtained from two avian specimens had highly similar genetic signatures, providing preliminary evidence that WNV genetic diversity may be maintained throughout the enzootic transmission cycle, rather than arising independently during each infection. Evidence of purifying selection was obtained from both intra- and interhost WNV populations. Combined, these data support the observation that WNV populations may be structured as a quasispecies and document strong purifying natural selection in WNV populations.
Hypospadias and Urethral Abnormalities in Down Syndrome

In the course of general medical evaluations of 149 children and adolescents (younger than 21 years of age) and 11 adults with Down syndrome, five of the 77 males were noted to have dorsal urethral duplications. In all instances, there proved to be a single urethral meatus. The second opening led into a pit or blind channel, reflecting the presence of a distal hypospadias. In these five patients, laboratory studies were normal, nephrology histories were negative, and radiographic studies did not demonstrate any anatomic abnormalities of the urethra, ureters, or kidneys. These findings indicate that there is an increased occurrence of distal hypospadias in males with Down syndrome that may present with dorsal urethral duplications and/or glanular hypospadias.
Bridging the Methodological Divide in Game Research.

The study of video game effects has been marked by two very different approaches. The first approach is rep- resented by social scientists, who, with some exceptions, seek to understand the effects of games on users. The second approach is favored by humanists, who seek to understand the meaning and context of games. To date, these two groups have largely talked past one another due to their different goals and their different methodologies. Yet, for the advancement of science and understanding, both sets of scholarship are impor- tant and relevant. Each has contributions to make. However, unless these two groups come to possess at least a cursory understanding of the other's methodology, there will be little synthesis. This is a missed opportu- nity for scholars of every stripe, and ways are suggested to bridge these gaps.
Targeting Epigenetic Programs in MLL-Rearranged Leukemias

Rearrangements of the Mixed-Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene are found in > 70% of infant leukemia, ~ 10% of adult acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and many cases of secondary acute leukemias. The presence of an MLL rearrangement generally confers a poor prognosis. There are more than 60 known fusion partners of MLL having some correlation with disease phenotype and prognosis. The most common fusion proteins induce the inappropriate expression of homeotic (Hox) genes, which, during normal hematopoiesis, are maintained by wild-type MLL. MLL-rearranged leukemias display remarkable genomic stability, with very few gains or losses of chromosomal regions. This may be explained by recent studies suggesting that MLL-rearranged leukemias are largely driven by epigenetic dysregulation. Several epigenetic regulators that modify DNA or histones have been implicated in MLL-fusion driven leukemogenesis, including DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and histone methylation. The histone methyltransferase DOT1L has emerged as an important mediator of MLL-fusion-mediated leukemic transformation. The clinical development of targeted inhibitors of these epigenetic regulators may therefore hold promise for the treatment of MLL-rearranged leukemia.
Acoustic feedback cancellation in hearing aids

The authors describe a maximum phase cancellation scheme for hearing aids that prevents acoustic oscillations. In this scheme, the open-loop phase delay in the primary audio frequency region is cancelled to the largest extent possible. At the same time, the magnitude response of the new open-loop transfer function outside the primary audio frequency region is suppressed by using negative feedback. The use of both these techniques increases the stability and the maximum usable gain of the overall hearing aid system. Computer simulations, using real measured data, were used to confirm the results. >
Lessons in "Letting Go": Exploring Constraints on the Culturally Relevant Teaching of Mathematics in Bermuda.

Culturally relevant pedagogy has been highly regarded in its ability to impact the mathematics education outcomes of Black children as it is framed from the “wisdom-of-practice” of exemplary teachers, and recasts teaching as an intellectual, cultural, political, and social endeavor. This study illuminates the challenges in drawing potential by examining the personal and systemic challenges faced by four primary teachers in Bermuda as they endeavored to utilize perspectives of culturally relevant pedagogy to frame mathematics instruction. Through the lens of reconceptualized critical theory and a model for the culturally relevant teaching of mathematics, a collective case study was organized. Two major challenges to instruction emerged: (1) teachers' conceptions concerning the authority of the mathematics text as the “official” curriculum, and the sole legitimate source of mathematical knowledge; and (2) teachers' conceptions regarding institutional authority and assessment demands. The findings are explor...
Is cooperation viable in mobile organisms? Simple Walk Away rule favors the evolution of cooperation in groups.

The evolution of cooperation through partner choice mechanisms is often thought to involve relatively complex cognitive abilities. Using agent-based simulations, I model a simple partner choice rule, the “Walk Away” rule, where individuals stay in groups that provide higher returns (by virtue of having more cooperators), and “Walk Away” from groups providing low returns. Implementing this conditional movement rule in a public goods game leads to a number of interesting findings: (a) cooperators have a selective advantage when thresholds are high, corresponding to low tolerance for defectors, (b) high thresholds lead to high initial rates of movement and low final rates of movement (after selection), and (c) as cooperation is selected, the population undergoes a spatial transition from high migration (and many small and ephemeral groups) to low migration (and large and stable groups). These results suggest that the very simple “Walk Away” rule of leaving uncooperative groups can favor the evolution of cooperation and that cooperation can evolve in populations in which individuals are able to move in response to local social conditions. A diverse array of organisms are able to leave degraded physical or social environments. The ubiquitous nature of conditional movement suggests that “Walk Away” dynamics may play an important role in the evolution of social behavior in both cognitively complex and cognitively simple organisms.
Using Geographic Information Systems to Compare Non-Uniform Marine Bird Surveys: Detecting the Decline of Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus Brevirostris) in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Abstract Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a rare seabird whose populations are concentrated in glaciated areas of Alaska. Declines in some parts of its range have led to increased concern over population viability. The remote and cryptic nesting habits of Kittlitz's Murrelets, in contrast to colonial seabirds, preclude monitoring their populations at nest sites and necessitate use of at-sea surveys to count birds. We compared surveys for seabirds in Glacier Bay, Alaska, during 1991, 1999, and 2000, to identify trends in the local Kittlitz's Murrelet population. The surveys conducted in 1999–2000 covered much of the same habitat as those conducted in 1991 but differed in aspects of survey design (i.e., start and stop points, navigation methods, and amount of offshore sampling). We developed a technique using a geographic information system to extract and recompile data from the 1999–2000 surveys that allowed spatially “matched” comparisons with the 1991 survey transects. This comparison ...
A phase I/II trial of beta-(1,3)/(1,6) D-glucan in the treatment of patients with advanced malignancies receiving chemotherapy.

β-(1,3)/(1,6) D-glucan, a component of the fungal cell wall, has been shown to stimulate the immune system, enhance hematopoiesis, amplify killing of opsonized tumor cells and increase neutrophil chemotaxis and adhesion. In view of these attributes, the β-glucans should be studied for both their therapeutic efficacy in patients with cancer as well as an adjunctive therapy in patients receiving chemotherapy as a maneuver to limit suppression of hematopoiesis. In this study, twenty patients with advanced malignancies receiving chemotherapy were given a β-(1,3)/(1,6) D-glucan preparation (MacroForce plus IP6, ImmuDyne, Inc.) and monitored for tolerability and effect on hematopoiesis. Our results lead us to conclude that β-glucan is well-tolerated in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, may have a beneficial effect on hematopoiesis in these patients and should be studied further, especially in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma.
Chip scale integration of optical microresonator sensors with digital microfludics systems

Chip scale integration of optical microresonator sensors with digital microfluidics systems has been demonstrated. Glucose solution of different concentrations were dispensed, actuated, and sensed on this lab-on-chip platform.
The Mitochondrial Death Pathway and Cardiac Myocyte Apoptosis

Apoptosis has been causally linked to the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction and heart failure in rodent models. This death process is mediated by two central pathways, an extrinsic pathway involving cell surface receptors and an intrinsic pathway using mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. Each of these pathways has been implicated in myocardial pathology. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of the intrinsic pathway and how it relates to cardiac myocyte death and heart disease.
Isolated IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis: A report of 9 cases

Extrahepatic bile ducts are the most commonly involved extrapancreatic organ site in patients with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis. IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) alone, without evidence of pancreatic or other organ involvement, is uncommon and is difficult to distinguish from cholangiocarcinoma preoperatively. We describe 9 patients with isolated IgG4-SC over an approximate 10-year period, each clinically suspected to have cholangiocarcinoma. We examined the clinical, radiological, cytologic (including fluorescence in situ hybridization results), and histologic features. IgG and IgG4 immunohistochemistry were performed. All 9 patients were middle-aged men who presented with obstructive jaundice. The biliary strictures involved all parts of the extrahepatic biliary tree. Serum IgG4 was slightly elevated in three of eight patients. Cytologic findings were interpreted as negative in six, atypical in one, and suspicious for adenocarcinoma in one. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed aneuploidy in one and was equivocal (trisomy 7) in 2. Eight of 9 patients underwent radical resection for suspected cholangiocarcinoma. There was only one case diagnosed with IgG4-SC preoperatively based on biopsy. Histologic sections revealed a prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with storiform fibrosis and marked increased IgG4-positive plasma cells (≥30/high-power field) in all specimens. Fifty percent of cases (4/8) had IgG4/IgG plasma cell ratio >40%. On median follow-up of 2.8 years, no relapse has occurred in any patient. Extrahepatic IgG4-SC may present as an isolated lesion mimicking cholangiocarcinoma. The diagnosis can be challenging. Clinicians and pathologists should recognize this to avoid major surgery.
Continuing medical education effect on practice performance: effectiveness of continuing medical education: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Educational Guidelines.

Background There has been sizable debate and widespread skepticism about the effect of continuing medical education (CME) on the performance of physicians in the practice setting. This portion of the review was undertaken to examine that effect. Methods The guideline panel used data from a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of CME developed by The Johns Hopkins Evidence-based Practice Center, focusing on the effect of CME on clinical performance. Results The review found 105 studies, which evaluated the impact of CME on short- and long-term physician practice performance. Nearly 60% met objectives relative to changing clinical performance in prescribing; screening; counseling about smoking cessation, diet, and sexual practices; guideline adherence; and other topics. Single live and multiple media appeared to be generally positive in their effect, print media much less so. Multiple educational techniques were more successful at changing provider performance than single techniques. The amount or frequency of exposure to CME activities appeared to have little effect on behavior change. Conclusions Overall, CME, especially using live or multiple media and multiple educational techniques, is generally effective in changing physician performance. More research, however, is needed that focuses on the specific types of media and educational techniques that lead to the greatest improvements in performance.
Microstructure of Low-fat Cheddar Cheese Containing Varying Concentrations of Sucrose Polyesters

The effect of milkfat sucrose polyesters (SPE) on the microstructure of reduced and low fat Cheddar cheese was investigated. Sucrose polyesters, nonpolar fat substitutes, were synthesized using milkfat fatty acids. Full fat cheeses were made with milkfat SPE replacing 10, 25, 50, or 75% of the natural milkfat. Control cheese with no added SPE was also made. No significant differences in moisture, pH or whey titratable acidity were observed between the control cheese and cheeses containing milkfat SPE, or among the cheeses containing milkfat SPE. Cheeses containing milkfat SPE exhibited fat globules that were smaller and more uniform in size compared to the control cheese with no SPE.
Comparing Domestic and Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions in the Pharmaceutical Industry

This paper considers the determinants and effects of domestic versus cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the pharmaceutical industry. Results show that companies that have had large research and development (R&D) expenditures as a percentage of sales in the past, but which have not had a significant number of drug approvals in the previous five years, tend to merge with foreign firms. Domestic mergers are formed between two firms within the same country, which typically have lower R&D expenditures as a percentage of sales and drug approvals in the previous five years. In addition, results show that domestic mergers increase drug approvals in the short run, but the effect diminishes three years after an M&A is finalized. However, cross-border mergers, which occur between two companies from different countries, largely have long-lasting (five years or more) positive effects on new drug approvals.
Response to Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to the Heart and Pancreas

Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a lethal, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) cancer with no currently available effective therapy. Harnessing the immune system through an immune checkpoint blockade is an attractive option because the immune system appears to be dysfunctional in the Merkel cell tumor microenvironment. Although MCPyV is expressed in 80% of MCCs and serves as a powerful antigen for stimulating host immune response, intratumoral CD8+ T-cell infiltration is seen only in 18% of MCCs. In contrast, about 50% of MCPyV-positive MCCs express the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on multiple cell types in the tumor microenvironment. We present a case of a young patient with MCC involving the heart and pancreas that showed an impressive response after treatment with four cycles of the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, nivolumab.
Optimizing Alarm Location and Effects of Hearing Protection for Machining Industries

Emergency alarm systems are extremely important in our daily life since these can provide adequate and timely warning to people in event of threatened disaster. These systems cause a traumatic hearing loss due to their extremely high sound level. Hearing protection devices are the most popular and convenient solution for avoiding a traumatic hearing loss. However, the study of alarm location problems with hearing protection has not been much paid attention. The purposes of this study were; (1) to determine the number of alarm devices, their optimum locations and minimum sound power levels and; (2) to find the effectiveness of hearing protection devices. The selected working environment was a machining facility that usually generates extremely high noise level. An analytical model was provided and the effects of hearing protection devices were discussed with two examples. The results showed that hearing protection was highly required at or above 85dBA noisy environment.
Impact of Missing Data for Body Mass Index in an Epidemiologic Study.

Objective To assess the potential impact of missing data on body mass index (BMI) on the association between prepregnancy obesity and specific birth defects. Methods Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) were analyzed. We assessed the factors associated with missing BMI data among mothers of infants without birth defects. Four analytic methods were then used to assess the impact of missing BMI data on the association between maternal prepregnancy obesity and three birth defects; spina bifida, gastroschisis, and cleft lip with/without cleft palate. The analytic methods were: (1) complete case analysis; (2) assignment of missing values to either obese or normal BMI; (3) multiple imputation; and (4) probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Results Of NBDPS control mothers 4.6 % were missing BMI data, and most of the missing values were attributable to missing height (~90 %). Missing BMI data was associated with birth outside of the US (aOR 8.6; 95 % CI 5.5, 13.4), interview in Spanish (aOR 2.4; 95 % CI 1.8, 3.2), Hispanic ethnicity (aOR 2.0; 95 % CI 1.2, 3.4), and <12 years education (aOR 2.3; 95 % CI 1.7, 3.1). Overall the results of the multiple imputation and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were similar to the complete case analysis. Conclusions Although in some scenarios missing BMI data can bias the magnitude of association, it does not appear likely to have impacted conclusions from a traditional complete case analysis of these data.
The Effect of Handcycle Ergometer Exercise on Glucose Tolerance in Ambulatory and Non-Ambulatory Adolescents.

Purpose:Whole body or leg exercise before a meal can increase insulin sensitivity, but it is unclear whether the same can occur with upper body exercise since a smaller muscle mass is activated. We measured the impact of a single session of handcycle exercise on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Methods:Nonambulatory (Non-Amb) adolescents with spina bifida or cerebral palsy (4F/3M), or ambulatory peers (Control, 4F/7M) completed 2 glucose tolerance tests on separate days, preceded by either rest or a 35-min bout of moderate-to-vigorous intermittent handcycle exercise. Results:The Non-Amb group had higher body fat (mean ± SD: 38 ± 12%, Control: 24 ± 9, p = .041) but similar VO2peak (17.7 ± 6.1 ml/kg/min, Control: 21.1 ± 7.9). Fasting glucose and insulin were normal for all participants. Compared with the rest trial, exercise resulted in a reduction in glucose area under the curve (11%, p = .008) without a significant group x trial interaction and no difference in the magnitude of change between gr...
Antibody identification in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a case study.

1. Jo Ann Wilson, PhD CLDir(NCA) BCLD(ABB)[⇑][1] 1. is a professor in the Department of Environmental Health, Molecular and Clinical Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers FL 2. Susan Chabot, CLS(NCA) 1. is a Clinical Laboratory Science Program graduate from the Department of Environmental Health, Molecular and Clinical Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers FL 1. Address for correspondence: Jo Ann Wilson PhD, Department of Environmental Health, Molecular and Clinical Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers FL 33965-6565, 941-590-7481, 941-590-7474 (fax), jwilson{at}fgcu.edu CASE PRESENTATION A 77-year old man from Tennessee was on vacation in southwest Florida. He presented to the emergency room (ER) complaining of a sudden onset of weakness, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Pertinent clinical history included diagnosis and chemotherapeutic treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) ten years ago resulting in remission. This past year, the patient had a recurring episode of CLL and subsequent to treatment went back into remission. The patient had a routine physical with laboratory testing including a complete blood count (CBC) and a chemistry panel one month previous to this ER episode with all results reported within the reference range. The ER attending physician ordered hematology, coagulation, and chemistry laboratory tests. The results were reported to the physician with attention to the ‘critical values’ (Table 1). Subsequent to the receipt of the initial laboratory results the ER attending physician ordered four units of packed red blood cells (RBCs) and admitted the patient to the hospital's intensive care unit. The results of the type and crossmatch are seen in Table 2. The patient had no previous transfusion history. The immediacy of need was recognized with the resulting low RBC count and hemoglobin. Hospital transfusion services processed several units with no compatible units identified. A request from the hospital transfusion services to the regional blood bank for assistance was initiated. Leukocyte-reduced RBCs were obtained from the regional blood bank supply and administered to the patient. DISCUSSION CLL is categorized in the general lymphoproliferative disorders which… ABBREVIATIONS: CLL = chronic lymphocytic leukemia; DAT = direct antiglobulin test; RBC = red blood cells; WAIHA = warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. [1]: #corresp-1
Role of renal nerves in natriuresis of L-NMMA infusion in SHR and WKY rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the renal nerves in the natriuresis and diuresis that is observed with the systemic infusion of a high dose of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMM...
A Survey of Texas Health Educators' Family Health History-based Practice.

OBJECTIVES To examine Texas health educators' practice of providing family health history (FHH)-based services, alongside factors shaping their practice. METHODS A theoretical model of factors influencing health educators' FHH-based practice was developed and tested through structural equation modeling. (Master) Certified Health Education Specialists (N = 228; 40.93%) in Texas completed a baseline survey immediately before online or workshop FHH training. RESULTS Participants incorporated FHH into their practice at low rates (on average=37.10%). Our model fit the data adequately based on the overall model chi-square test and model-fit-indices (ie, χ(2) [df = 21]=27.20; p = .16; RMSEA=0.04; SRMR=0.05; CFI=0.97). Intention, self-efficacy, attitudes, and knowledge were associated with practice. CONCLUSIONS Training health educators to incorporate FHH into their practice is needed. Our theoretical model suggests intervention points for future training.
An eugeneodontid elasmobranch from the late Paleozoic of Kansas

A tooth battery, palatoquadrate, and a gill-arch element of Bobbodus schaefferi were collected from Late Pennsylvanian/Early Permian (Asselian) rocks near Manhattan, Kansas. Depending on the placement of the Pennsylvanian–Permian boundary, this specimen extends the upper limit of the species from the Virgilian (Gzelian) into the Gearyan (Asselian). The new range thus is Kasimovian to Asselian, a 15 my interval. Based on features of the palatoquadrate, the diagnoses of the order Eugeneodontida and the superfamily Caseodontoidea are revised. Bobbodus is the most primitive genus of the order Eugeneodontida.
Putting Your Passwords on Self-destruct Mode: Beating Password Fatigue.

Many people feel overwhelmed by the number of Web accounts they need to access on a regular basis, because of the quantity of passwords that have to be updated, especially in the context of many frequent password change mandates. This sense of challenge has been referred to as Password Fatigue (Hayday 2011) and is essentially defined as simply having too many passwords to remember (or deal with) on an erratic schedule and/or inconsistent basis.
Genetic Evaluation of the Patient with Medullary Thyroid Cancer

The hereditary form of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is termed multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). The RET gene is the only gene known to cause MEN2 syndrome, and up to 98 % of patients with MEN2 have an identifiable pathogenic mutation in this gene.
Disability stage and receipt of recommended care among elderly medicare beneficiaries.

Abstract Background Receipt of recommended care among older adults is generally low. Findings regarding service use among persons with disabilities supports the notion of disparities but provides inconsistent evidence of underuse of recommended care. Objective To examine the extent to which receipt of recommended care among older Medicare beneficiaries varies by disability status, using a newly developed staging method to classify individuals according to disability. Methods In a cohort study, we included community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older who participated in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey between 2001 and 2008. Logistic regression modeling assessed the association of receiving recommended care on 38 indicators across different activity limitation stages. Results Nearly one out of every three elderly Medicare beneficiaries did not receive overall recommended care. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) revealed a decrease in use of recommended care with increasing activity limitation stage. For instance, ORs (95% CIs) across mild, moderate, severe and complete limitation stages (stages I–IV) compared to no limitation (stage 0) in ADLs were 0.99 (0.94–1.05), 0.89 (0.83–0.95), 0.81 (0.75–0.89) and 0.56 (0.46–0.68). Disparities in receipt of recommended care by disability stage were most marked for care related to post-hospitalization follow-up and, to a lesser degree, care of chronic conditions and preventive care. Conclusions Elderly beneficiaries at higher activity limitation stages experienced substantial disparities in receipt of recommended care. Tailored interventions may be needed to reduce disparities in receipt of recommended medical care in this population.
GoDEL: A Multidirectional Dataflow Execution Model for Large-Scale Computing

As the emerging trends in hardware architectureguided by performance, power efficiency and complexity driveus towards massive processor parallelism, there has been arenewed interest in dataflow models for large-scale computing.Dataflow programming models, being declarative in nature,lead to improved programmability at scale by implicitly man-aging the computation and communication for the application.In this paper, we present GoDEL, a multidirectional dataflowexecution model based on propagation networks. Propaga-tor networks allow general-purpose parallel computation onpartial data. Implemented with efficiency and programmerproductivity as its goals, we describe the syntax and semantics of the GoDEL language and discuss its implementation and runtime. We further discuss representative examples from various programming paradigms that are encompassed by and benefit from the flexibility in the multidirectional execution model.
Comparison of Patch and Fully Encircled Bonded Composite Repair

Fully encircled bonded composite repairs in pipelines have proven effective since their introduction in the early 1990s. These fully encircled repairs completely wrap around the pipe and the defect like a sleeve. As operators became more familiar with fully encircled repairs, and as their capabilities improved, application in larger pressure equipment became viable. Increase in equipment application size corresponds to an increase in material cost and application difficulty. As such, the effectiveness of smaller patch-type repairs is of interest. Patch-type repairs, as opposed to fully encircled repairs, do not completely surround the pipe and defect, but rather only a specified area over the defect. This paper presents pressure fatigue tests comparing the performance of fully encircled and patch-type repairs installed on 6-in. nominal steel pipe with through-wall defects. Repair strain, substrate strain, and fatigue life are compared for both the fully encircled and patch-type repair. Finite element simulation results are compared to the experimental results to validate existing material models and simulation boundary conditions.
Top-stable degenerations of finite-dimensional representations I

AbstractGiven a finite-dimensional representation M of a finite-dimensional algebra, two hierarchies of degenerations of M are analyzed in the context of their natural orders: the poset of those degenerations of M which share the top M/JM with M (here J denotes the radical of the algebra) and the sub-poset of those which share the full radical layering gl(J l M/J l+1 Mgr) l≥0 with M. In particular, the article addresses the existence of proper top-stable or layer-stable degenerations — more generally, it addresses the sizes of the corresponding posets including bounds on the lengths of saturated chains — as well as structure and classification.
Carbon footprint of industrial-beet sugars stored as raw thick juice for use as a fermentation feedstock

Abstract Raw thick juice is a concentrated beet extract that enables fermentable sugar storage and could help extend campaigns and reduce capital investments for industrial-beet processing into biobased chemicals including ethanol fuel. The aim of this work was to determine the carbon footprints of fermentable sugars stored as raw thick juice and of ethanol produced from raw thick juice. This enabled comparisons with carbon footprints of fermentable sugars obtained through conventional processing of sugar beets and corn grain, and of combusted gasoline. The carbon footprint of fermentable sugars in raw thick juice was assessed from cradle to gate since raw thick juice can be used as a feedstock for various industrial fermentations, including that for ethanol production. The carbon footprint of ethanol produced from raw thick juice was assessed from cradle to grave and it included juice fermentation and ethanol purification. Ethanol production was modeled assuming either that all fermentable sugars are stored as raw thick juice before fermentation, or that only half of the sugars are stored as raw thick juice before fermentation and the other half directly fermented after extraction. Analyses were also conducted to understand the importance of beet sugar content and of frozen beet pile storage on the carbon footprints. Fermentable sugars stored as raw thick juice have a carbon footprint that is 29% and 52% lower than those of fermentable sugars from conventional processing of sugar beets and corn grain, respectively. Raw juice concentration is the processing step with the largest effect on the overall carbon footprint, representing 26% of the total. Beet ethanol produced under the assumed scenarios could enable a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions of up to 57% compared to gasoline, qualifying as an advanced biofuel in the U.S. under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
Can Starving People Go on a Hunger Strike? The Maoist Movement in India and the Global Revolution

This article discusses the relationship between the Maoist Movement in India and the multiple forms of revolt that have taken place across the globe since 2011. While the revolts since the Arab Spr...
Introduction to CMOS

Integrated electronic circuits which are based on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies are firmly established in modern electronics. CMOS provides the important characteristics needed for high-density logic designs. Moreover, with recent developments in the field of BiCMOS, it is anticipated that we have a technology which will provide a transition to the next century.
Medicare Advantage Ratings And Voluntary Disenrollment Among Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease

Populations with intensive health care needs and high care costs may be attracted to insurance plans that have high quality ratings, but patients may be likely to disenroll from a plan if their car...
Squid Optic Lobe Synaptosomes: Structure and Function of Isolated Synapses

Over the past two decades, the progress made in elucidating some of the cell biological mechanisms involved in synaptic transmission has been due, to a great extent, to the pioneering studies on the isolation of nerve endings, or synaptosomes, by the laboratories of Whittaker and De Robertis (Whittaker, 1959; De Robertis et al.,1961). These isolated nerve endings, formed during tissue homogenization, consist of a presynaptic element which is pinched off from the distal end of the axon and a postsynaptic membrane (with its adherent density) which is derived from adjacent membranes surrounding a particular postsynaptic element, such as a dendritic spine, dendrite, soma, or axon (Jones, 1975). The membranes of the presynaptic element seal up, while those of the postsynaptic element may or may not. The two elements appear to be held together by material within the cleft between the pre- and postsynaptic membranes. A multitude of experiments have demonstrated the synaptosomes’ ability to retain metabolic properties (e.g., oxygen and glucose utilization) and exhibit membrane phenomena (e.g., active transport of ions and molecules, release of putative neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, and response to depolarizing influences) characteristic of the intact nerve ending (Whittaker and Barker, 1972; De Belleroche and Bradford, 1973). In addition, synaptosomes serve as the starting point for further subfractionation into its component organelles, including synaptosomal plasma membranes, synaptic vesicles, synaptic junctional complexes, and postsynaptic densities (Whittaker and Barker, 1972).
Teaching Program Evaluation to Public Administration Students in a Single Course: An Experiential Solution

AbstractAlthough program evaluation can be a key skill of public management, most MPA programs can offer only a single course in it. The literature regarding program evaluation training stresses th...
The American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Practice Resource for Prescribing in Corrections

The practice of prescribing in jails and prisons is often different from that in the community. Serious mental illness is common among inmates, and so are co-morbidities such as substance use, impulse-control, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, and personality disorders. Operational requirements, staffing, and the physical plant of the institution may complicate the provision of treatment according to community standards. Problems related to medication nonadherence, as well as the pursuit of medications for nonmedical reasons, are often seen in these settings and may be managed differently than they are elsewhere. Existing practice resources rarely account for these challenges. Pursuant to a recommendation by the Correctional Committee of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL), the AAPL Council in May 2015 approved the creation of a task force charged with producing a document on prescribing in correctional facilities. Full Document: Tamburello A, Metzner J, Ferguson E, et al: AAPL practice resource for prescribing in corrections. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Supplement 2018, 46 (2). Available at: http://www.jaapl.org/content/46/2_Supplement