cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A nonlinear thermal stress analysis of surface mount solder joints

A set of nonlinear finite-element (FE) cyclic thermal stress analyses of leaded ceramic chip carriers (LCCC) was performed. The FE models included the geometric and elastic compliance effects associated with the LCCC cavity, Kovar lid, copper solder pads and thermal joints, the orthotropic printed wiring board (PWB), and a constraining thermal core. The effect of nonlinear and rate-dependent constitutive characteristics of the solder alloy on the distribution of cyclic stress, strain, and energy-dissipation behavior was studied. It is shown that the inclusion of rate effects in the material behavior has a paramount effect on the stress, strain, and energy-dissipation predictions. The difference is due to the creep relaxation leading to redistribution of the load, which was not predicted by an elastic-plastic material model alone. Acceleration factors were calculated from the results of analyses performed for an accelerated thermal test cycle case and a specific real-life thermal cycle case. >
Accuracy of reporting endocervical component adequacy--a continuous quality improvement project.

Inaccurate reporting of the absence of an endocervical (EC) component on Pap smears often results in slide rescreens, amended reports, clinician dissatisfaction, and sometimes unnecessary repeat smears. Therefore, the accuracy of reporting EC component adequacy was selected as a quality indicator for the laboratory continuous quality improvement program (CQI). The process consisted of problem identification, analysis of the situation, collection of data, implementation of solutions, and evaluation of results. The objective of the study was to determine if the accuracy of reporting EC component adequacy on Pap smears improved after application of such a program. During the first phase, 150 Pap smears originally reported with the absence of an adequate EC component and 150 smears reported with the presence of an adequate EC component were rescreened to measure the baseline accuracy of EC component adequacy reporting. The improvement process was then implemented. A cause-and-effect diagram was developed and root cause was determined. A presentation was then made to the cytology staff. Criteria for EC component adequacy were reviewed, examples were shown, and standardized marking of EC component was implemented. Following improvement actions, a second audit of 150 Pap smears reported with the absence of an adequate EC component as well as 150 smears reported with the presence of an adequate EC component was undertaken to measure change in performance in assessing EC component adequacy. For the baseline rescreening, before initiation of the CQI program, 98% accuracy was achieved with smears that were reported as adequate for EC component present. However, the accuracy with smears reported as absence of an adequate EC component was only 71%, i.e., an adequate EC component was identified in almost 1/3 of these cases on rescreen. After the implementation of improvement actions, the accuracy with smears reported with the presence of EC component remained high (98%) and the accuracy of reporting the absence of EC component was 90%. The difference of the latter before and after the implementation was statistically significant (P = 0.015, z-test). The accuracy of reporting EC component adequacy increased following the CQI process. Using reporting EC component adequacy as an example, we demonstrate that by treating clinical problems as quality control issues and applying basic quality improvement tools, a positive outcome can be effected.
MODY3 and Pancreatic Transplant: Making a Case for Universal MODY Screening Before Transplant

ABSTRACT Objective: Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) comprise a group of autosomal dominant forms of diabetes and account for approximately 1 to 2% of diabetes. Of these, MODY3 is the most common form, and patients are often misdiagnosed as having type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Moreover, many of these patients develop end-stage renal disease. Because of this, there is frequent clinical discussion as to whether simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation is warranted. Although MODY3 can often be treated with sulfonylureas, many of these patients have never received this class of drugs. This raises an important clinical question: should sulfonylureanaive MODY3 patients undergo pancreas transplants? Methods: We present the case of a 31-year-old female with a history of T1D and end-stage renal disease. Results: After receiving a living-donor kidney transplant, the patient's C-peptide level was detectable during evaluation for a pancreas transplant. Genetic testing was performed due to an exte...
Identifying Redevelopment and Other Land Use Changes: No Permits Required

Identifying which areas of a municipality are experiencing redevelopment, zoning changes, land assembly, and land subdivision is of great interest to many real estate professionals. Despite this interest, finding out where this activity is occurring across a large municipality can be quite problematic. Often, the only feasible approach is to attempt to obtain a list of permits containing the desired information from the municipality of record. However, certain permits can be notoriously difficult or impossible to obtain, and even if successfully acquired there are other potential issues related to these documents. The purpose of this study is to introduce a novel, yet simple (and often free) approach to identify where redevelopment and other land use changes are occurring without having to obtain permits.
Realistic Survival Outcomes After Vasopressor Use in the Intensive Care Unit.

Aim:Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have significantly increased mortality rates. Frequently, clinicians are called upon to help families make decisions regarding aggressiveness of care. Having a realistic expectation of outcome is critical for these discussions. This article looked at survival and outcomes following initiation of vasopressors.Methods:All patients admitted to the ICU between January and June 2011were included. Patients were classified into those who had been started on vasopressors (VP+) and those who had not (VP−). Outcomes of these groups including survival were calculated and compared.Results:A total of 1023 patients were included: 169 in the VP+ group and 854 in the VP− group. The survival rate in the VP+ group was 29.6% compared to 92.0% in the VP− group. This was both clinically and statistically significant (P < .001).Conclusion:Patients started on vasopressors in the ICU have very poor outcomes. Being able to quantify this accurately is important to clinicians having dis...
A method to minimize the time needed for formation of mycorrhizas in sweet corn seedlings for outplanting using AM fungus inoculum produced on-farm☆

Abstract A preliminary greenhouse growth phase prior to outplanting allows for earlier stand establishment and the greater profits that early-harvested crops can receive. Inoculation of these crops with arbuscular mycorrhizal [AM] fungi would help combat the effects of low soil temperatures upon phosphorus uptake and establishment of mycorrhizas in the field. Significant establishment of mycorrhizas on roots of sweet corn ( Zea mays L.) in the greenhouse is constrained by the approximate two week residence time. Experiments were conducted to examine the benefits of a one week incubation of inoculated potting media at greenhouse temperatures prior to sowing Z. mays seeds upon subsequent development of mycorrhizas. Resulting levels of colonization of roots were contrasted to those of seedlings grown in media that received a 4 °C incubation to inhibit spore germination prior to sowing seeds. Levels of AM fungus colonization were compared to those of other seedlings grown in media with a range of inoculum densities. Pre-incubation of inoculated potting media in the greenhouse prior to sowing significantly increased both percentage root length colonized and total root length colonized by AM fungi 2–5 fold at the 9–11 day sampling period over that in media incubated in the cold room prior to sowing. Comparison to colonization levels in plants exposed to a range of inoculum densities showed that warm incubation increased the effective inoculum density an average of 80%. Pre-incubation in the greenhouse of AM fungus inoculated compartmented flats of potting media proved to be an effective way to enhance formation of mycorrhizas and should prove to be an effective tool to enhance the effective potency of inoculated potting media.
A METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF MUTINUS CANINUS FRUIT BODIES IN CULTURE

(1979). A Method for Production of Mutinus Caninus Fruit Bodies in Culture. Mycologia: Vol. 71, No. 5, pp. 1076-1078.
Corticosteroids and immune checkpoint blockade

Novel immunotherapies acting through immune checkpoint blockade to stimulate the immune response have demonstrated promising outcomes in advanced malignancies [1]. As a result, novel cancer immunotherapy was named a scientific breakthrough of the year in 2013 by Science. Consistent with its mechanism of action of de novo stimulation or enhancement of pre-existing T cell responses, a number of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been observed in patients treated with ipilimumab.
Dynamic Network Models

Exponential random graph models, as presented in Chap. 11, allow for sophisticated and powerful modeling of network structures and relationships. Generative models of networks can be built using a wide variety of predictors, including node characteristics, dyad characteristics, local structural characteristics, and even other network relations. Substantive hypotheses can be tested with ERGM models, and estimated models can be explored with the rich simulation and goodness-of-fit tools that are provided by the ergm package.
Research on technical framework and cyber security protection system of IOT in smart grid

As an advanced technology for information sensing and transmission,Internet of things(IOT) has been applied extensively in power generation,transmission,transformation,distribution,utilization and other processes,and will develop with broad prospect in smart grid.Therefore,it is necessary to resolve security problems and decrease cyber security risks,which aims to guarantee steady IOT operating in smart grid.The typical IOT system structure applied in smart grid is identified and modeled.The existing cyber security risks are assessed.Furthermore,a cyber security protection system and key protection measures for IOT in smart grid are presented,which provided an available guidance for IOT applied in smart grid.
COLLEGE ENGLISH TEACHERS′ ATTRIBUTIONAL BIAS AND MEASURES TO IMPROVE ATTRIBUTIONS

In psychology,an attributional bias is a cognitive bias that affects the way we determine who or what was responsible for an event or action.But teachers′ attributional styles are not highly valued in college English teaching.By analyzing the rationales and manifestations of college English teachers′ attributional bias,this paper suggests effective strategies to help college English teachers make positive attributions so that they may promote their self-efficacy and teaching quality and create a good English learning environment for students as well.
[Detection of Ehrlichia in ticks in Suizhou city of Hubei province, China].

埃立克体是一类严格细胞内寄生的革兰阴性菌,属无形体科(richettsiaceae),埃立克体属[1].主要寄生在单核细胞、巨噬细胞内,引起人或动物感染埃立克体病[2],蜱是其传播媒介[1]。
A diploid drop in the tetraploid ocean: hybridization and long-term survival of a singular population of Centaurea weldeniana Rchb. (Asteraceae), a taxon new to Austria

A population of Centaurea weldeniana was discovered recently near Wien (Vienna). The species is reported from Austria for the first time. Determination is confirmed by morphometric analysis of Central European and additional Balkan material of the C. jacea agg. and karyological data. All sampled populations of C. weldeniana are diploid, while only tetraploids have been reported from Central Europe within the C. jacea agg. so far. Detailed morphometric analysis of the newly discovered C. weldeniana population revealed several hybrids with tetraploid C. jacea. The hybrids are tetraploid and originate from unreduced gametes of diploids. No triploids were found. Indeed, the incidence of hybridization is surprisingly low. The population was probably discovered already in 1886 (determined as C. bracteata) and was described as a new species C. argyrolepis in 1901, but these data were lost. However, this isolated diploid population has survived for at least 125 years, which provides a good example of the strength of inter-cytotype reproductive barriers in Centaurea sect. Jacea.
Shaggy and dishevelled exert opposite effects on Wingless and Decapentaplegic expression and on positional identity in imaginal discs

The finding that Wingless (WG) and Decapentaplegic (DPP) suppress each others transcription provides a mechanism for creating developmental territories in fields of cells. Here, we address the mechanism of that antagonism. The dishevelled (dsh) and shaggy (sgg) genes encode intracellular proteins generally thought of as downstream of WG signaling. We have investigated the effects of changing either DSH or SGG activity on both cell fate and wg and dpp expression. At the level of cell fate in discs, DSH antagonizes SGG activity. At the level of gene expression, SGG positively regulates dpp expression and negatively regulates wg expression while DSH activity suppresses dpp expression and promotes wg expression. Sharp borders of gene expression correlating precisely with clone boundaries suggest that the effects of DSH and SGG on transcription of wg and dpp are not mediated by secreted factors but rather act through intracellular effectors. The interactions described here suggest a model for the antagonism between WG and DPP that is mediated via SGG. The model incorporates autoactivation and lateral inhibition, which are properties required for the production of stable patterns. The regulatory interactions described exhibit extensive ability to organize new pattern in response to manipulation or injury.
A structural topology design method based on principal stress line

Abstract Topology optimization is an important topic in structural mechanics. One common application is to obtain the optimal distribution of material that maximizes the stiffness of the solution (minimize the compliance). However, as an iterative process, topology optimization of large and complex structures is computationally intensive. The problem becomes even more complicated if the manufacturing constraints are taken into account in the optimization process. In this paper, a novel growth method based on principal stress lines (PSLs) is presented for topology optimization. The PSLs are traced in the design domain along the direction of principal stresses, in which the materials would be located to define the geometry and topology of the structure. Consequently, the optimization problem is converted into a geometric design problem. Compared to previous methods, the computation based on PSLs is fast, and the designer can have explicit control over the number of structural members. In addition, the manufacturing constraints can easily be incorporated. Multiple test cases are given to illustrate the presented method. The PSL-based method is promising for building practical designing tools for various structural applications.
Membrane Structural Biology: Protein Folding and Biogenesis

With an appreciation of the structural characteristics and functional diversity of membrane proteins, the question of their biogenesis arises. How does a nascent peptide, a chain of amino acids emerging from the ribosome, fold into a three-dimensional structure and insert into the membrane bilayer? Evidence suggests that folding and insertion are coupled processes in cells. However, given the nature and complexity of these processes, different approaches are taken to study folding and insertion in vitro . Protein folding studies give information about the thermodynamic forces that drive folding and about its kinetic pathways, identifying transient but detectable intermediates. Recently these techniques have been applied to purified membrane proteins of both the α-helical and β-barrel classes. While the folding mechanisms determined by in vitro studies of membrane proteins may differ significantly from mechanisms of their biogenesis in the cell, these studies do provide insights into the necessary steps, as well as their stability and their lipid requirements. Thermodynamic analysis of the in vitro folding process gives insights into the evolution of the complex machinery used to assemble membrane proteins in cells. Finally, the in vitro studies provide valuable practical information on refolding techniques that are applicable to other membrane proteins that have been denatured during purification. Insertion of nascent proteins into the membrane involves their translocation out of the cytoplasm by the same export machinery used to secrete proteins.
Political Islam and the Darfur Conflict: Religious Violence and the Interreligious Potential for Peace in Sudan

The Darfur conflict is often viewed as an ethnic conflict between Arabs against Africans or farmers and nomads; a conflict spurred by environmental scarcity; or a conflict between the marginalized against those in power. This chapter contributes to a deeper understanding of the political dynamics in the Darfur conflict, and to ongoing conflict resolution efforts in the region, arguing that the Darfur conflict is borne out of the “Politicization of Islam” in the region. Political Islamic movements in Sudan are driven by an ideology that upholds the principles of “God governance” and presents Islam as the solution to a fractured and corrupt state. The chapter therefore asks how Political Islam has come to cause conflict, and the movement has changed the political dynamics in the country. This question raises other questions about the weakening of traditional, educational, economic, and social systems and how this weakening is intertwined with the state.
Explicating mathematical concept and mathematicalconception as theoretical constructs for mathematics education research

Mathematical understanding continues to be one of the major goals of mathematics education. However, what is meant by “mathematical understanding” is underspecified. How can we operationalize the idea of mathematical understanding in research? In this article, I propose particular specifications of the terms mathematical concept and mathematical conception so that they may serve as useful constructs for mathematics education research. I discuss the theoretical basis of the constructs, and I examine the usefulness of these constructs in research and instruction, challenges involved in their use, and ideas derived from our experience using them in research projects. Finally, I provide several examples of articulated mathematical concepts.
Separation and concentration of bacterial spores and vegetative cells by foam flotation.

COSTILOW, R. N. AND HUMPHREYS, T. W. 1955 Nitrate reduction by certain strains of Lactobacillus plantarum. Science, 121, 168. CUNNINGHAM, A. AND SMITH, A. M. 1940 The microbiology of silage made by the addition of mineral acids to crops rich in protein. II. The microflora. J. Dairy Research, 11, 243-265. DACRE, J. C. AND SHARPE, M. E. 1956 Catalase production by lactobacilli. Nature, 178, 700. EVANS, J. B. AND NIVEN, C. F., JR. 1951 Nutrition of the heterofermentative lactobacilli that cause greening of cured meat products. J. Bacteriol., 62, 599-603. FELTON, E. A., EVANS, J. B., AND NIVEN, C. F., JR. 1953 Production of catalase by the pediococci. J. Bacteriol., 65, 481-482. FRED, E. B., PETERSON, W. H., AND DAVENPORT, A. 1919 Acid fermentation of xylose. J. Biol. Chem., 39, 347-384. HARRISON, A. P., JR., AND HANSEN, P. A. 1950a A motile Lactobacillus from the cecal feces of turkeys. J. Bacteriol., 59, 444-446. HARRISON, A. P., JR., AND HANSEN, P. A. 1950b Lactobacilli from turkeys. J. Bacteriol., 60, 543-555. HAYS, G. L. AND REISTER, D. W. 1952 The conitrol of "offodor" spoilage in frozen concentrated orange juice. Food Technol., 6, 386-389. MANN, S. 0. AND OXFORD, A. E. 1954 Studies of some presumptive lactobacilli isolated from the rumens of young calves. J. Gen. Microbiol., 11, 83-90. ORLA-JENSEN, S. 1919 The lactic acid bacteria. Mem. Acad. RoV. Sci., Danemark, Sect. Sci., 8 ser., 5, 81-197. ORLA-JENSEN, S. 1943 The lactic acid bacteria. Ergainzungsband. Mem. Acad. Roy. Sci., Danemark, Sect. Sci. Biol., 2, (3), 1-145. ROGOSA, M., WISEMAN, R. F., MITCHELL, J. A., DISRAELY, M. N., AND BEAMAN, A. J. 1953 Species differentiation of oral lactobacilli from man including descriptions of Lactobacillus salivarius nov. spec. and Lactobacillus cellobiosus nov. spec. J. Bacteriol., 65, 681-699. VANKOVA, J. 1957 Motile catalase-producing strains of Lactobacillus delbruckii. Nature, 179, 204. WEINSTEIN, L. AND RETTGER, L. F. 1932 Biological and chemical studies of the Lactobacillus genus with special reference to xylose fermentation by Lactobacillus pentoaceticu.s. J. Bacteriol., 24, 1-28.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Pros and Cons

With the abundance of informational material freely available to patients, they often present to the surgeon with a preconceived idea of which weight loss procedure is right for them. It is up to their surgeon and their team, however, to help the patient weigh the pros and cons of each procedure and make a final determination.
Spiritual Media Experiences, Trait Transcendence, and Enjoyment of Popular Films

ABSTRACTRecent scholarship on media psychology acknowledges that media entertainment offers not only purely hedonistic enjoyment but also meaningful experiences. This study expands our understanding of media enjoyment by exploring the role of media entertainment in evoking spiritual emotions and beliefs, such as those related to connectedness, blessedness, and transcendence. Results from an online survey (N = 220) indicate that media entertainment elicits meaningful as well as spiritual emotions and increases the saliency of spiritual beliefs as related to self-actualization and spiritual experiences in everyday life. Furthermore, trait transcendence and eudaimonic media motivations add to the explanation of audiences’ mediated spiritual experiences. Open-ended responses, analyzed by three coders, revealed that themes of transcendence and human connectedness are an integral part of viewers’ entertainment experiences. This exploratory study provides the groundwork to investigate spiritual media experiences...
Coordinating the Distribution Chain: New Models for New Challenges

Recent business and technological trends have transformed the structure and performance requirements for distribution channels in many industries. Higher service level expectations of retail customers, distribution outsourcing by manufacturers, and the proliferation of advanced information technologies drive these transformations, presenting new problems in supply chain management. Motivated by a project with a leading building-products manufacturer, this paper addresses some of these new issues. Over the past two decades, this manufacturer witnessed the migration of building-products sales from independent specialty retailers to largeretail chains, prompting it to create a new network of independent distributors to meet the service expectations of these ‘big-box’ retailers. This paper addresses three important challenges in managing the new distribution network. We first develop a fee-setting model to decide the manufacturer’s compensation scheme for the services provided by its in dependent distributors. Next, we address a tactical distribution planning problem, incorporating resource acquisition and deployment decisions, for scheduled deliveries when demand is highly variable. Lastly, we investigate possible mechanisms for limiting retail store-order variability, and analyze the system-wide cost benefits resulting from variability reduction. In addition to identifying new modeling opportunities and discussing their implications for the building-products manufacturer, this paper highlights new research opportunities resulting from the evolving dynamics of supply chain management.
NTOS from the Physical Therapists’ Point of View

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the evaluation by a physical therapist of a patient who has been diagnosed as having neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS). Such an evaluation is designed to obtain the facts that will guide both the technique and vigor of treatment. The initial evaluation can be separated into three sections: First, subjective evaluation of the history of symptoms (with emphasis paid to characteristic pain patterns and their persistence), numeric assessment of current symptoms, and functional assessment (ideally using a standardized functional questionnaire). Second, an objective evaluation, including assessment of active movements and palpation, to determine both the sensitivity of the nervous system and to help differentiate various other problems from NTOS. Emphasis is placed on tests that are performed at every treatment session to assess the effect of the treatment. Finally, emphasis on evaluation of motor dysfunction (Kabat test), breathing, and neurodynamics of the brachial plexus are performed.
The Mechanical Behavior of Lanthanum Cobaltite-Based Perovskites with a Mixed Ion-Electron Conductivity at Different Temperatures

The mechanical behavior of a perovskite-type ceramic based on partially substituted lanthanum cobaltites is studied over a wide temperature range. The La0.8Ca0.2CoO3 composite is shown to be the most inelastically deformable, high-strength, and crack-resistant. In perovskites, the brittleness can be considered as a measure of both inelasticity and ferroelasticity. The perovskites are tested for deformability using bending and indentation techniques, and an analogy in the results obtained by the two techniques is noted. Specific features of the fracture of perovskites tested by the Vickers indentation method are discussed. The crack resistance and stress-strain diagrams of the La0.8Ca0.2CoO3 composite are studied as a function of temperature. Fractographic test data are used to analyze the results obtained.
Source Segment Encoding for Neural Machine Translation

Sequential word encoding lacks explicit representations of structural dependencies (e.g. tree, segment) over the source words in neural machine translation. Instead of using source syntax, in this paper we propose a source segment encoding (SSE) approach to modeling source segments in encoding process by two methods. One is to encode off-the-shelf n-grams of the source sentence into original source memory. The other is to jointly learn an optimal segmentation model with the translation model in an end-to-end manner without any supervision of segmentation. Experimental results show that the SSE method yields an improvement of 2.1+ BLEU points over the baselines on the Chinese-English translation task.
A phase 1 study of veliparib, a PARP-1/2 inhibitor, with gemcitabine and radiotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Background Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) has a dismal prognosis with current treatment modalities and one-third of patients die from local progression of disease. Preclinical studies with orthotopic PC demonstrated dramatic synergy between radiotherapy (RT) and the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1/2 inhibitor (PARPi), veliparib. We conducted a phase I trial of gemcitabine, radiotherapy and dose-escalated veliparib in LAPC. Methods This was a single institution investigator-initiated open-label, single-arm phase 1 clinical trial (NCT01908478). Weekly gemcitabine with daily IMRT and veliparib dose escalated using a Bayesian adaptive design were administered in treatment naive LA or borderline resectable PC. The primary end point was identification of the MTD. Secondary endpoints included efficacy, characterization of PAR levels using ELISA, DDR alterations with targeted next generation sequencing and transcriptome analysis, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) status. Findings Thirty patients were enrolled. The MTD of veliparib was 40 mg BID with gemcitabine 400 mg/m2 and RT (36 Gy/15 fractions). Sixteen DLTs were identified in 12 patients. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events included lymphopenia (96%) and anemia (36%). Median OS for all patients was 15 months. Median OS for DDR pathway gene altered and intact cases was 19 months (95% CI: 6.2–27.2) and 14 months (95% CI: 10.0–21.8), respectively. There were no significant associations between levels of PAR, TMB, or MSI with outcomes. The DDR transcripts PARP3 and RBX1 significantly correlated with OS. Interpretation This is the first report of a PARPi-chemoradiotherapy combination in PC. The regimen was safe, tolerable at the RP2D, and clinically active as an upfront treatment strategy in patients biologically unselected by upfront chemotherapy. Expression of the DDR transcripts, PARP3 and RBX1, were associated with OS suggesting validation in a follow up phase 2 study. Fund Phase One Foundation; National Institutes of Health [1R01CA188480-01A1, P01 CA098912]. Veliparib was provided by Abbvie.
Effectiveness of Treatments and Diagnostic Tools and Declining Mortality in Patients With Severe Sepsis: A 12-Year Population-Based Cohort Study:

Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. With the advance of medical care, the mortality of sepsis has decreased in the past decades. Many treatments and diagnostic tools still lack supporting evidence. We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study with propensity score matched subcohorts based on a prospectively collected national longitudinal health insurance database in Taiwan. Severe sepsis-associated hospital admissions from 2000 to 2011 based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes of infections and acute organ dysfunction were identified. To compare the effectiveness of treatment and diagnostic tool, propensity scores were generated to match the comparable control groups. During the 12-year period, 33 375 patients and 50 465 hospitalizations of severe sepsis were identified. The age-standardized 28-day in-hospital mortality decreased significantly from 21% in 2008 to 15% in 2011 with increasingly implemented treatment and diagnostic tool. After propensity score matching, procalcitonin (odds ratio [OR]: 0.70, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.61-0.81) and lactate testing (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.97, respectively), transfusion of packed red blood cell (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.52-0.69), albumin (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.93), balanced crystalloid (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.20-0.41), and use of dopamine (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.39-0.49) were found to be significantly associated with lower mortality rate. However, inconsistent findings need to be further validated.
Heavy quarkonium suppression beyond the adiabatic limit

Many prior studies of in-medium quarkonium suppression have implicitly made use of an adiabatic approximation in which it was assumed that the heavy quark potential is a slowly varying function of time. In the adiabatic limit, one can separately determine the in-medium breakup rate and the medium time evolution, folding these together only at the end of the calculation. In this paper, we relax this assumption by solving the three-dimensional Schr\"odinger equation in real time in order to compute quarkonium suppression dynamically. We compare results obtained using the adiabatic approximation with real-time calculations for both harmonic oscillator and realistic complex heavy quark potentials. Using the latter, we find that, for the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}(1s)$, the difference between the adiabatic approximation and full real-time evolution is at the few percent level; however, for the $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}(2s)$, we find that the correction can be as large as 18% in low temperature regions. For the $J/\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Psi}}$, we find a larger difference between the dynamical evolution and the adiabatic approximation, with the error reaching approximately 36%.
Using nanoconfinement to inhibit the degradation pathways of conversion-metal oxide anodes for highly stable fast-charging Li-ion batteries

Nanostructured hybrids that physically encapsulate highly morphable, high capacity Li-ion battery anodes can potentially enable much longer cycle life than straightforward deployment of the same chemistry. This study demonstrates improved reaction reversibility (longer cycle life) and increased reaction rate (faster charge/discharge) for conversion metal oxides (MOs) reacting with Li-ions in a new architecture where they are physically confined inside of nanostructured carbon. The specific system of focus is nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles that are selectively deposited inside of, and fully encapsulated by, carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The physical and electrochemical behavior of the resulting nano-confined NC-NiO@CNT10 anode shows that confinement, and more specifically isolation from the electrolyte, eliminates the primary mechanisms for degradation and coulombic efficiency loss in MO anodes. Importantly, the elimination of these parasitic degradation mechanisms allows a nano-confined NC-NiO@CNT10 anode to achieve a stable reversible capacity of ca. 700 mA h g−1 and >99.9% coulombic efficiency, even after 2000 deep charge/discharge cycles (0–100% state-of-charge) at 1C. These findings provide a blueprint for future understanding of the role of material confinement in controlling reactions that are not only applicable to achieving long-term cycle performance for future high rate MO@CNT anodes in Li-ion batteries, but other chemical and electrochemical systems as well.
Identifying cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity in epidemiologic studies.

Background Cardiovascular severe maternal morbidity (CSMM) is rising and has become the leading cause of maternal mortality. Research using administrative data sets may allow for better understanding of this critical group of diseases. Objective To validate a composite variable of CSMM for use in epidemiologic studies. Methods We analysed delivery hospitalisations at an obstetric teaching hospital from 2007 to 2017. We utilised a subset of indicators developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on ICD codes to form the composite variable for CSMM. Two expert clinicians manually reviewed all qualifying events using a standardised tool to determine whether these represented true CSMM events. Additionally, we estimated the number of CSMM cases among delivery hospitalisations without qualifying ICD codes by manually reviewing all hospitalisations with severe preeclampsia, a population at high risk of CSMM, and a random sample of 1000 hospitalisations without severe preeclampsia. We estimated validity of the composite variable. Results Among 91 355 admissions for delivery, we captured 113 potential CSMM cases using qualifying ICD codes. Of these, 65 (57.5%) were true CSMM cases. Indicators for acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and cardioversion had the highest true-positive rates (100% for all). We found an additional 70 CSMM cases in the 2102 admissions with severe preeclampsia and a single CSMM case in the random sample. Assuming a rate of 1 CSMM case per 1000 deliveries in the remaining cohort, the composite variable had a positive predictive value of 57.5% (95% CI 47,9, 66.8), a negative predictive value of 99.8% (95% CI 99.8, 99.9), a sensitivity of 29.0% (95% CI 23.2, 35.4), and a specificity of 100% (95% CI 99.9, 100.0). Conclusion A novel composite variable for CSMM had reasonable PPV but limited sensitivity. This composite variable may enable epidemiologic studies geared towards reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.
Using Linear Viscoelastic Modeling to Evaluate the Low Temperature Properties of Asphalt Mixtures Prepared With Aggregates of Different Sizes

This paper evaluates the low temperature properties of asphalt mixtures prepared with aggregates of different sizes using a linear viscoelastic analysis method. Three nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) asphalt mixtures (i.e., 12.5 mm, 9.5 mm, and 4.7 5 mm) were produced and trimmed into small asphalt mixture beams to be tested using a bending beam rheometer (BBR). Creep compliance data were obtained from the BBR at three different temperatures (−18°C, −24°C, and −30°C). Linear viscoelastic modeling associated with Laplace transform methods was performed to determine the relaxation modulus curves and thermal stresses of three NMAS mixture specimens. The results indicate that even though the maximum aggregate sizes were different, the behavior was essentially the same, suggesting that the effect of aggregate size on the low temperature behavior of asphalt mixtures is minimal. The low temperature properties of asphalt mixtures are not affected by spatial distributions within an asphalt mixture beam.
The Reach of Bella Lewitzky

Bella Lewitzky made important contributions to the advancement of modern dance as an art form through her teaching, performance, and movement explorations. In this article, I relate my experiences ...
Inside Corporate Innovation: A Study of Team Leader Experiences and Strategies During the New Venture Development Process

This chapter explores an area of new venture management that has received limited research attention. The primary focus centers on how successful new venture team leaders experience the management of their new venture teams (NVTs). Areas examined include interorganizational relationships between the new venture and the parent organization; managing relationships and expectations with senior management sponsors; challenges encountered during the development of the new venture; and major lessons learned from leading a new venture team. All new ventures studied were considered successful by the CEO or other senior managers in the parent or host organization. To assist the reader in understanding challenges new venture leaders face, several quotations or “voices from the field” are used to help amplify our findings. Several directions for future research on managing new ventures are presented.
Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Rifaximin Therapy for Lowering Gut-Derived Cardiovascular Toxins and Inflammation in CKD.

Background Recent evidence suggests the systemic accumulation of by-products of gut microbes contributes to cardiovascular morbidity in patients with CKD. Limiting the generation of toxic bacterial by-products by manipulating the intestinal microbiota may be a novel strategy for reducing cardiovascular disease in CKD. Rifaximin is a minimally absorbed, oral antibiotic that targets intestinal pathogens and is commonly used as chronic therapy for the prevention of encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of a 10-day course of oral rifaximin 550 mg BID versus placebo on circulating concentrations of gut-derived cardiovascular toxins and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with stage 3–5 CKD (n=38). The primary clinical outcome was change in serum trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) concentrations from baseline to study end. Secondary outcomes included change in serum concentrations of p-cresol sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, kynurenic acid, deoxycholic acid, and inflammatory cytokines (C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-1β), and change in composition and diversity of fecal microbiota. Results A total of 19 patients were randomized to each of the rifaximin and placebo arms, with n=17 and n=14 completing both study visits in these respective groups. We observed no difference in serum TMAO change (post-therapy minus baseline TMAO) between the rifaximin and placebo groups (mean TMAO change −3.9±15.4 for rifaximin versus 0.5±9.5 for placebo, P=0.49). Similarly, we found no significant change in serum concentrations for p-cresol sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, kynurenic acid, deoxycholic acid, and inflammatory cytokines. We did observe differences in colonic bacterial communities, with the rifaximin group exhibiting significant decreases in bacterial richness (Chao1, P=0.02) and diversity (Shannon H, P=0.05), along with altered abundance of several bacterial genera. Conclusions Short-term rifaximin treatment failed to reduce gut-derived cardiovascular toxins and inflammatory cytokines in patients with CKD. Clinical Trial registry name and registration number Rifaximin Therapy in Chronic Kidney Disease, NCT02342639
Comparative Study on Measured Volumes and Pressures for Two Pediatric Ventilator Circuits

Background: This study was undertaken to determine if there were any functional differences between two pediatric ventilator circuits. An in vitro study was performed to examine compressible volumes and volume accuracy in 2 pediatric ventilator circuits, looking at differences in measured peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), and inspiratory and expiratory tidal volumes (VTI and VTE). Methods: Two pediatric ventilator circuits: Fisher & Paykel (FP compliance = 20 mL/cm H2O) and an injured lung model (resistance = 20 cm H2O; compliance = 10 mL/cm H2O) with set VT of 20mL, 50mL, 100mL, and 150mL. Flow and pressure waveforms were acquired utilizing a pneumotachograph (PNT) and a computerized digital recorder over 30 seconds. Five breaths were analyzed for each circuit and PIP, VTI, and VTE for both normal and injured lung models. Results are shown as mean ± SD. The circuit types were compared using t-tests with significance set at p Results: The measured mean compressible volumes for each circuit type were different: FP p .99, and .82; respectively) or the injured lung model (P= .88, .81, and .94; respectively). Conclusions: The compressible volumes for each circuit type were significantly different, although there would be a small difference clinically. With the circuit compensation mode engaged, no significant differences were noted in PIP, VTI, or VTE between the circuit types. This reinforces the practice of utilizing the circuit compensation mode and translates to accurate volumes being delivered even with small VT utilized in the pediatric population. Although this in vitro study provides valuable information showing little difference between the circuit types, a thorough clinical evaluation in patients should also be conducted to validate overall performance.
Czy Zagłada jest ich historią, czy naszą? (Plaidoyer w przedmiocie ustanowienia w Polsce miejsca pamięci poświęconego Zagładzie)

When we are talking about Polish history, hardly can be admitted - not breaking the convention of good language use - that we are considering primarily (only?) the fate of Poles. In that sense, Polish history would be simply the narrative about Poles. But we can't by so simple anymore.
Rapid, widespread, and preferential increase of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant in Houston, TX, revealed by 8,857 genome sequences

Genetic variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have become of great interest worldwide because they have the potential to detrimentally alter the course of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and disease in individual patients. We recently sequenced 20,453 SARS- CoV-2 genomes from patients with COVID-19 disease in metropolitan Houston (population 7 million), dating from March 2020 to early February 2021. We discovered that all major variants of concern or interest are circulating in the region. To follow up on this discovery, we analyzed 8,857 genome sequences from patients in eight Houston Methodist hospitals dispersed throughout the metroplex diagnosed from January 1, 2021 to March 7, 2021. This sample represents 94% of Houston Methodist cases and 4.8% of all reported cases in metropolitan Houston during this period. We discovered rapid, widespread, and preferential increase of the SARS-CoV-2 UK B.1.1.7 throughout the region. The estimated case doubling time in the Houston area is 6.9 days. None of the 648 UK B.1.1.7 samples identified had the E484K change in spike protein that can cause decreased recognition by antibodies.
The Role of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy in Women 70 Years of Age and Older With Node-Positive Vulvar Cancer: A NCDB Analysis.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Prior studies have demonstrated a survival benefit with the addition of adjuvant radiation therapy in patients with node-positive vulvar cancer after surgery. We sought to evaluate whether the survival benefit of adjuvant radiation therapy after surgery is maintained in elderly patients, who make up a large subgroup of patients with vulvar cancer. MATERIALS/METHODS The National Cancer Database was queried for patients 70 years of age or older, who were diagnosed with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma from 2004-2017 and underwent surgery with confirmed node-positive disease. Patients with unknown last follow-up date were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed with chi-square test, logistic regression analysis, log-rank test Kaplan-Meier, and multivariable Cox proportional regression modeling. RESULTS A total of 1,992 patients were analyzed, of which 1,216 (61.0%) received adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 73.0 months. Median age at diagnosis was 79 years (range 70-90). Five-year overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 28.0%. Five-year OS was 30.9% in patients who received adjuvant radiation and 23.4% in patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a survival benefit associated with the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy (HR 0.77 [95% CI 0.69-00.86], P < 0.001) and chemotherapy (HR 0.86 [95% CI 0.77-0.96], P = 0.006). Among patients aged 70-84 years (N = 1555), adjuvant radiotherapy remained associated with improved overall survival (5-year OS 33.6% vs. 25.8%, P < 0.0001). However, in patients aged 85 years and older (N = 437), there was no significant difference in overall survival between patients who received adjuvant radiation versus those who did not receive adjuvant therapy (HR 0.91 [95% CI 0.74-1.12], P = 0.37), (5-year OS 16.8% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.36). CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest there is still a survival benefit associated with the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy in older patients with node-positive vulvar cancer treated with surgery. However, this benefit may be limited to patients under 85 years of age, and de-escalating therapy may be appropriate for a subset of elderly patients. AUTHOR DISCLOSURE L. Ni: None. S. Sinha: None. C. Phuong: None. L. Chen: None. I.J. Hsu: None. E.J. Yoshida: None.
Phototrophic CO2 Fixation: Recent Insights into Ancient Metabolisms

The production of all (autotrophy) or a substantial proportion (mixotrophy) of newly synthesized biomass from carbon dioxide is a hallmark of plants and a number of bacteria and archaea. Carbon dioxide fixation enables autotrophs to form the basis of entire ecosystem foodwebs as primary producers and mixotrophs to efficiently utilize simple forms of carbon present in various environments. During fixation, CO2 must ultimately be reduced to the level of formaldehyde for assimilation into biomass and, for this reason, CO2 fixation is also utilized by numerous organisms to dispose of excess reducing power. Currently, six distinct CO2 fixation pathways are recognized amongst autotrophic prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The impact of genomics on our understanding of the distribution, function(s), and regulation of these pathways and their unique enzymes will be described as will two recently discovered pathways, one for autotrophic or mixotrophic CO2 fixation in some photosynthetic bacteria and the other for acetate assimilation by a wide range of bacteria, including phototrophs, that involves a novel carboxylation step.
AAC Considerations for Individuals With Angelman Syndrome

Purpose To provide an overview of communication characteristics exhibited by individuals with Angelman Syndrome (AS) and special considerations associated with the design and implementation of augm...