cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The (Mutual Fund) Imitation Game: On the Performance of 'Smart' Copycat Funds

We introduce a novel methodology to identify copycat behavior in mutual funds. We find that imitation is pervasive in the mutual fund industry. While most copycats underperform, a small number are 'smart imitators'. We find that funds at the high and low ends of the Copycat Score range outperform other funds in the sample by 1.92% and 3.24% per year, respectively. We show that the Copycat Score is persistent in time, related to other measures of skill, and is a good predictor of fund performance. We conclude that smart copycatting is another skill in the toolkit of successful fund managers.
The Mott Transition in Disordered Systems

We review the recent progress in understanding the Mott transition in disordered systems using the mean-field approach to the strong correlation problem. It is based on a new functional integral formulation of the disordered interacting electron problem. The saddle-point solution recovers a mean-field theory of the strong correlation problem, and becomes exact in the limit of large spatial coordination. We compare the results of the mean-field theory with experimental findings and indicate directions for future work.
Closed Distal Dislocation of the Intermediate Cuneiform in a Complex Lisfranc Fracture-Dislocation: A Case Report.

Case A 21-year-old, active duty male sustained an irreducible, complex Lisfranc fracture-dislocation with distal extrusion of his intermediate cuneiform. He was treated in a staged manner with external fixator placement, followed by an extended midfoot fusion with autograft bone. At 19 months, he could perform all activities of daily living independently with minimal pain using an Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis. Conclusions Complex Lisfranc injuries are severe and often result in chronic pain and disability after operative management. To our knowledge, this is the only case report describing a Lisfranc fracture-dislocation with a distally extruded intermediate cuneiform treated with a fusion.
Oncologic Emergencies: Too Much Clotting-Venous Thromboembolism in Malignancy.

Abstract Background Malignancy predisposes patients to higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is the second leading cause of death in patients with cancer. Objective This narrative review evaluates VTE in malignancy and the emergency medicine investigation and management of this patient population. Discussion Patients with malignancy are at higher risk of VTE, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Risk factors include the underlying cancer, other hematologic disorders, cancer therapies, and underlying comorbidities. While patients with malignancy and VTE can present similarly to those without malignancy, incidental VTE is more common in cancer patients. Existing scores such as the Wells and Revised Geneva score can assist in risk stratification in patients with malignancy. A negative D-dimer result in the appropriately risk-stratified patient can be used to exclude VTE, though D-dimer is more commonly elevated at baseline in patients with malignancy. Several scoring systems may be useful to predict recurrent risk of VTE, including the Khorana and Ottawa scores. Treatment includes anticoagulation with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Outpatient therapy may be appropriate in select patients. Conclusions This narrative review provides key updates in the assessment and management of cancer patients with VTE.
“I’d like to order with a server.” an experimental study of restaurant menu performance

The Asia Pacific region has the largest market in the foodservice industry. This study aims to explore the performance of self-service tablets in comparison with traditional paper menus. A field ex...
Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy as a Treatment Option for Adults with Diabetes Mellitus.

Obesity is a major factor in the worldwide rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The obesity “epidemic” will require novel, effective interventions to permit both the prevention and treatment of diabetes caused by obesity. Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a newer bariatric surgical procedure with a lower risk of complications (compared to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery). Based in part on restriction of daily caloric intake, sleeve gastrectomy has a major role in inducing significant weight loss and weight loss is maintained for at least 10 years. Prior studies have supported the utility of the vertical sleeve gastrectomy for the treatment and management of subgroups of individuals with diabetes mellitus. There are reports of 11% to 76.9% of obese individuals discontinuing use of diabetic medications in studies lasting up to 8 years after vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Major ongoing issues include the preoperative determination of the suitability of diabetic patients to undergo this bariatric surgical procedure. Understanding how this surgical procedure is performed and the resulting anatomy is important when vertical sleeve gastrectomy is being considered as a treatment option for diabetes. In the postoperative periods, specific macronutrient goals and micronutrient supplements are important for successful and safer clinical results. An understanding of immediate- and long term- potential complications is important for reducing the potential risks of vertical sleeve gastrectomy. This includes the recognition and treatment of postoperative nutritional deficiencies and disorders. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a component of a long term, organized program directed at treating diabetes related to obesity. This approach may result in improved patient outcomes when vertical sleeve gastrectomy is performed to treat type 2 diabetes in obese individuals.
Evaluating the Power of a DTN Link

A delay-tolerant network (DTN) is characterized by an intermittent topology where nodes and links may be down for long periods of time. This work evaluates whether it is more efficient to stop and resume bundle transmissions on the next contact opportunity after they become interrupted by an ending contact (preemptive model) than dropping the affected bundles (lossy model). Common intuition tells that the former model involves higher response times than the latter, but also fewer losses, so the optimal choice may not be immediately evident. For the analysis, stochastic models that describe the bundle transmission process over a DTN channel that is characterized by recurrent and random contact opportunities are formulated. Simulation results confirm the accuracy of the models. The study reveals the performance trade-offs between the two design choices and indicates that, contrary to expectations, the lossy model makes more efficient use of the channel than with preemption according to Kleinrock's power metric, which integrates throughput, delay, and loss. However, after considering retransmissions, preemption yields slightly higher power than the lossy approach. This work brings new insights into DTN performance and design choices.
Opiates and Antagonists

In no period of recent world history-surely in no period of American history-has drug use been so widespread. Tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine are legally “accepted,” and their use is matched by marijuana (cannabis), barbiturates, “minor tranquillizers,” and the opiates. It is the latter drugs that excite a nationwide anxiety. From a know-nothing view that those who develop drug dependence are morally weak and deserve punishment, the nation has gradually begun to pay lip service to a view of the addicted as medically ill, deserving of treatment. Studies of the opiates, the phenomenoma of cross tolerance, and of narcotic antagonists in the treatment of the addicted are now fashionable.
The Crimes of Marguerite Duras: Literature and the Media in Twentieth-Century France

One of the most celebrated authors of twentieth-century France, Marguerite Duras loved crime. Indeed, criminal faits divers from the newspaper represented a key element in her literary project. Sensational news stories made their way into her novels, plays and screenplays, inspired numerous journalistic pieces and media interventions, and even informed the way that she discussed her life and work in the press. The Crimes of Marguerite Duras offers an innovative framework for analyzing Duras's literary works and journalism as they relate to the mass media and broader cultural debates. Anne Brancky reveals how Duras's predilection for provocatively blurring the line between truth and fiction on various media platforms helped make her a best-selling author and a public intellectual ahead of her time. Exploring the movement between serious literature and public scandal, this readable book affirms literature's abiding role in political debate and the public sphere.
A macroelement stabilization for mixed finite element/finite volume discretizations of multiphase poromechanics

Strong coupling between geomechanical deformation and multiphase fluid flow appears in a variety of geoscience applications. A common discretization strategy for these problems is a continuous Galerkin finite element scheme for the momentum balance equation and a finite volume scheme for the mass balance equations. When applied within a fully implicit solution strategy, however, this discretization is not intrinsically stable. In the limit of small time steps or low permeabilities, spurious oscillations in the piecewise-constant pressure field, i.e., checkerboarding, may be observed. Further, eigenvalues associated with the spurious modes will control the conditioning of the matrices and can dramatically degrade the convergence rate of iterative linear solvers. Here, we propose a stabilization technique in which the mass balance equations are supplemented with stabilizing flux terms on a macroelement basis. The additional stabilization terms are dependent on a stabilization parameter. We identify an optimal value for this parameter using an analysis of the eigenvalue distribution of the macroelement Schur complement matrix. The resulting method is simple to implement and preserves the underlying sparsity pattern of the original discretization. Another appealing feature of the method is that mass is exactly conserved on macroelements, despite the addition of artificial fluxes. The efficacy of the proposed technique is demonstrated with several numerical examples.
Endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis: a review of established techniques

Technologic advancements in the field of therapeutic endoscopy have led to the development of minimally invasive techniques to create GI anastomosis without requiring surgery. Examples of the potential clinical applications include bypassing malignant and benign gastric outlet obstruction, providing access to the pancreatobiliary tree in those who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and relieving pancreatobiliary symptoms in afferent loop syndrome. Endoscopic GI anastomosis is less invasive and less expensive than surgical approaches, result in improved outcomes, and therefore are more appealing to patients and providers. The aim of this review is to present the evolution of luminal endoscopic gastroenteric and enteroenteric anastomosis dating back to the first compression devices and to describe the clinical techniques being used today, such as magnets, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, and EUS-guided techniques. Through continued innovation, endoscopic interventions will rise to the forefront of the therapeutic arsenal available for patients requiring GI anastomosis.
The intrinsically disordered protein SPE-18 promotes localized assembly of the major sperm protein in C. elegans spermatocytes

ABSTRACT Many specialized cells use unconventional strategies of cytoskeletal control. Nematode spermatocytes discard their actin and tubulin following meiosis, and instead employ the regulated assembly/disassembly of the Major Sperm Protein (MSP) to drive sperm motility. However prior to the meiotic divisions, MSP is effectively sequestered as it exclusively assembles into paracrystalline structures called fibrous bodies (FBs). The accessory proteins that direct this sequestration process have remained mysterious. This study reveals SPE-18 as an intrinsically disordered protein that that is essential for MSP assembly within FBs. In spe-18 mutant spermatocytes, MSP remains cytosolic, and the cells arrest in meiosis. In wildtype spermatocytes, SPE-18 localizes to pre-FB complexes and functions with the kinase SPE-6 to recruit MSP. Changing patterns of SPE-18 localization revealed unappreciated complexities in FB maturation. Later, within newly individualized spermatids, SPE −18 is rapidly lost, yet SPE-18 loss alone is insufficient for MSP disassembly. Our findings reveal an alternative strategy for sequestering cytoskeletal elements, not as monomers but in localized, bundled polymers. Additionally, these studies provide an important example of disordered proteins promoting ordered cellular structures. Summary Statement Intrinsically disordered proteins are increasingly recognized as key regulators of localized cytoskeletal assembly. Expanding that paradigm, SPE-18 localizes MSP assembly within C. elegans spermatocytes.
Health sciences librarian competency perceptions: a survey of national community college librarians

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine how community college health sciences librarians perceive their proficiencies in the essential skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for the practice of a health information professional as defined by the Medical Library Association (MLA) Competencies for Lifelong Learning and Professional Success. A secondary objective was to determine their current level of engagement with the professional community and identify barriers to further professional development. Methods: A survey was posted to various email discussion lists, and volunteer follow-up interviews were conducted. Results: The survey was completed by seventy-five community college health sciences librarians, and seven follow-up interviews were performed. Survey results indicated that community college health sciences librarians perceived themselves as having intermediate or advanced intermediate proficiency in the six MLA competencies. Survey and interview results indicated that community college health sciences librarians were engaged with the profession and faced the same barriers to continued professional development and continued education as other academic librarians. Conclusion: The results affirm that community college librarians who are responsible for collections and services in the health sciences meet the MLA competencies, which fills a gap in the literature regarding how these librarians develop professional competencies and are involved in professional associations. The results suggest that community college librarians can improve their skill levels by continuing their education and following trends in the literature.
Hybrid laser platform (HLP) for printing 3D multiscale multi-material hydrogel structures

Contrary to structural and material complexities found in nature, man-made manufacturing technologies and associated materials remain relatively simple. Despite continued technological advances in additive manufacturing, current methods remain limited in their capabilities. We report a new technology coined as Hybrid Laser Printing (HLP) that is capable of shaping hydrogel materials into 3D multiscale, multi-material, and functional constructs. Using several proof-of-concept studies, we present that HLP can print 3D structures that are either (i) technically challenging to print, and/or (ii) extremely time consuming to manufacture, and/or (iii) not possible with current technologies.
Post-partum occurrence of Wunderlich syndrome and microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA): a case report.

This is a case of a 27-year-old primigravida with monochorionic diamniotic twin gestation who was admitted to the hospital for induction of labour. Her postpartum course was complicated by microangiopathic haemolytic anemia (MAHA). The etiology for the MAHA was initially thought to be secondary to pre-eclampsia and vitamin B12/folate deficiency. However, she had persistent anemia and further workup demonstrated that she had a left renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with perinephric haemorrhage consistent with Wunderlich syndrome. This case was intriguing because of its unusual presentation and the several diagnostic and therapeutic challenges along the way. Abbreviations: MAHA: microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia; RCC: renal cell carcinoma; BP: blood pressure; WS: Wunderlich syndrome; CT: computed tomography; LFTs: liver function tests; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; HELLP: haemolysis elevated liver enzymes, low platelets; DIC: disseminated intravascular coagulation; PLASMIC: score for TTP - includes platelet count 2.5%, haptoglobin undetectable, or indirect bilirubin >2mg/dL), active cancer, history of solid organ transplant, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 6; TTP: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; APLA- anti-phophospholipid antibody; BMI: body mass index; TMAs: thrombotic microangiopathies; HUS: haemolytic uremic syndrome; vWF: von Willebrand factor.
Electrocatalysts development for hydrogen oxidation reaction in alkaline media: From mechanism understanding to materials design

Abstract Anion exchange membrane (AEM) fuel cells have gained great attention partially due to the advantage of using non-precious metal as catalysts. However, the reaction kinetics of hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) is two orders of magnitude slower in alkaline systems than in acid. To understand the slower kinetics of HOR in base, two major theories have been proposed, such as (1) pH dependent hydrogen binding energy as a major descriptor for HOR; and (2) bifunctional theory based on the contributions of both hydrogen and hydroxide adsorption for HOR in alkaline electrolyte. Here, we discuss the possible HOR mechanisms in alkaline electrolytes with the corresponding change in their Tafel behavior. Apart from the traditional Tafel-Volmer and Heyrovsky-Volmer HOR mechanisms, the recently proposed hydroxide adsorption step is also discussed to illustrate the difference in HOR mechanisms in acid and base. We further summarize the representative works of alkaline HOR catalyst design (e.g., precious metals, alloy, intermetallic materials, Ni-based alloys, carbides, nitrides, etc.), and briefly describe their fundamental HOR reaction mechanism to emphasize the difference in elementary reaction steps in alkaline medium. The strategy of strengthening local interaction that facilitates both H2 desorption and Hads + OHads recombination is finally proposed for future HOR catalyst design in alkaline environment.
Quality of Neurologic Care in the United States: Initial Report From the Axon Registry.

Objective To provide the initial description of the quality of outpatient US neurologic care as collected and reported in the Axon Registry. Methods We describe characteristics of registry participants and the performance of neurology providers on 20 of the 2019 Axon Registry quality measures. From the distribution of providers9 scores on a quality measure, we calculate the median performance for each quality measure. We test for associations between quality measure performance, provider characteristics, and intrinsic measure parameters. Results There were 948 neurology providers who contributed a total of 6,480 provider-metric observations. Overall, the average quality measure performance score at the provider level was 66 (median 77). At the measure level (n = 20), the average quality measure performance score was 53 (median 55) with a range of 2 to 100 (interquartile range 20–91). Measures with a lower-complexity category (e.g., discrete orders, singular concepts) or developed through the specialty9s qualified clinical data registry pathway had higher performance distributions. There was no difference in performance between Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and non-MIPS providers. There was no association between quality measure performance and practice size, measure clinical topic/neurologic condition, or measure year of entry. Conclusions This cross-sectional assessment of quality measure performance in 2019 Axon Registry data demonstrates modest performance scores and considerable variability across measures and providers. More complex measures were associated with lower performance. These findings serve as a baseline assessment of quality of ambulatory neurologic care in the United States and provide insights into future measure design.
Criticality analysis of packages for radioactive materials

This chapter provides a review of the requirements and methodologies that ensure criticality safety during the transport of radioactive material containing fissile nuclides (i.e. fissile material). Criticality safety is the practice of assuring the prevention of an unanticipated nuclear criticality event in a system. Transport packages designed to contain fissile material must satisfy regulatory requirements that assure package integrity under normal and accident conditions of transport and demonstrate that the potential for nuclear criticality is not possible. The regulatory requirements will be reviewed and the issues and challenges associated with demonstrating assurance of criticality safety will be presented.
Detecting bottleneck in -tier IT applications through analysis

As the complexity of large-scale enterprise applications increases, providing performance verification through staging becomes an important part of reducing business risks associated with violating sophisticated service-level agreement (SLA). Currently, performance verification during the staging process is accomplished through either an expensive, cumbersome manual approach or ad hoc automation. This paper describes an automation approach as part of the Elba project supporting monitoring and performance analysis of distributed multi-tiered applications that helps in bottleneck detection. We use machinelearning to determine service-level objectives (SLOs) satisfaction and locate bottlenecks in candidate deployment scenarios. We evaluate our tools with TPC-W, an on-line bookstore, and RUBiS, an on-line auction site.
The Tractatus Theory of Descriptions

In this article I construe Russell's definite description notation as a fragment of an "ideal language" - a language in which, as Russell puts it in the "Logical Atomism" lectures, "the words in a proposition correspond one by one with the components of the corresponding fact." Russell's notation - containing as it does variables, quantifiers and the identity sign - commits him to an ontology that is lavish indeed. It thus conflicts with the spirit of the theory of descriptions, which is developed in the service of ontological frugality (the elimination of denoting concepts, senses and non-existent objects). I make use of arguments derived from the Tractatus to show that an ideal language need not contain logical signs. I thus defend the spirit of the theory of descriptions while departing from its letter.
α-Adrenoceptor assays

α-Adrenoceptors mediate responses to activation of both peripheral sympathetic nerves and central noradrenergic neurons. They also serve as autoreceptors that modulate the release of norepinephrine (NE) and other neurotransmitters. There are two major classes of α-adrenoceptors, the α(1)- and α(2). Each class is subdivided into three subtypes: α(1A), α(1B), α(1D), and α(2A), α(2B), α(2C). Described in this unit are in vitro isolated tissue methods used to study α-adrenoceptor functions and to identify novel ligands for these receptors. Detailed protocols describing use of isolated tissues to study the various α(1)- and α(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes are provided.
Hemopexin, the heme-binding serum β-glycoprotein

Hemopexin, a heme-binding serum protein, was first described by Neale et al in 1958.1 The high carbohydrate content and immunoelectrophoretic identity of this macromolecule led to its designation by Schultze et al. 2 as β1B-glycoprotein. The name “hemopexin”, given by Grabar et al.,3 reflects the ability of the protein to bind heme† in an equimolar ratio.4,5 The other serum protein which binds metalloporphyrins, although with lower affinity,6 is albumin. In several of the following sections, the two proteins will be compared.
Fixed-Smoothing Asymptotics in a Two-Step Generalized Method of Moments Framework: Fixed-Smoothing Asymptotics

This paper develops the fixed-smoothing asymptotics in a two-step generalized method of moments (GMM) framework. Under this type of asymptotics, the weighting matrix in the second-step GMM criterion function converges weakly to a random matrix and the two-step GMM estimator is asymptotically mixed normal. Nevertheless, the Wald statistic, the GMM criterion function statistic, and the Lagrange multiplier statistic remain asymptotically pivotal. It is shown that critical values from the fixed-smoothing asymptotic distribution are high order correct under the conventional increasing-smoothing asymptotics. When an orthonormal series covariance estimator is used, the critical values can be approximated very well by the quantiles of a noncentral F distribution. A simulation study shows that statistical tests based on the new fixed-smoothing approximation are much more accurate in size than existing tests.
Bcr-Abl regulates c-Myc expression in chronic myelogenous leukemia through a Bcr-Abl/Jak2 network of proteins involving Gab2, PI-3 kinase, NF-κB and GSK3β

4116 The Bcr-Abl oncoprotein, a constitutively active tyrosine kinase, is derived from the BCR/ABL gene fusion produced by Philadelphia chromosome, which is found in most chronic myelogenous leukemia patients (CML). Imatinib mesylate, an inhibitor of Bcr-Abl kinase, is a very effective drug for CML. However in some of CML patients, drug resistance develops and the patients relapse. Thus, a better understanding of Bcr-Abl signaling pathways is needed, and alternative therapeutic targets need to be identified. We have shown that Bcr-Abl activates its downstream target Jak2 leading to the enhancement of c-Myc expression. How c-Myc is regulated by Jak2 activation in CML is not understood. In the current study we have shown that Bcr-Abl is associated with a cluster of signaling proteins including Jak2, Gab2, Akt and GSK3β. Treatment of CML cell lines and mouse BCR-ABL+ 32D cells (myeloid lineage) with the either Jak2 siRNA or the Jak2 kinase inhibitor AG490 caused inhibition of pTyr Gab2 formation, pSer Akt formation and the activation of NF-κB. Importantly, blocking Jak2 kinase activated the kinase activity of GSK3β leading to the reduction of c-Myc expression, and inhibited NF-κB activation causing the reduction of c-MYC transcripts. Similar results were obtained with the Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor, imatinib mesylate. We conclude that Bcr-Abl enhances c-Myc expression through a Bcr-Abl/Jak2/Gab2/ Akt/GSK3β network of proteins by inducing activation of NF-κB and by inhibition of the GSK3β kinase activity. Importantly, mouse BaF3 hematopoietic cells expressing the T315I and E255K imatinib-resistant mutants of BCR-ABL underwent apoptosis upon exposure to the Jak2 inhibitor AG490 yet were resistant to imatinib. However, both imatinib and AG490 treatments induced wild-type BCR-ABL+ BaF3 cells to under apoptosis. These results identify Jak2 as a potentially important therapeutic target for CML drug design.
A genetically selective inhibitor demonstrates a function for the kinase Zap70 in regulatory T cells independent of its catalytic activity

To investigate the role of the kinase Zap70 in T cells, we generated mice expressing a Zap70 mutant whose catalytic activity can be selectively blocked by a small-molecule inhibitor. We found that conventional naive, effector and memory T cells were dependent on the kinase activity of Zap70 for their activation, which demonstrated a nonredundant role for Zap70 in signals induced by the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). In contrast, the catalytic activity of Zap70 was not required for activation of the GTPase Rap1 and inside-out signals that promote integrin adhesion. This Zap70 kinase-independent pathway was sufficient for the suppressive activity of regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells), which was unperturbed by inhibition of the catalytic activity of Zap70. Our results indicate Zap70 is a likely therapeutic target.
Regional Pericarditis or an Alternate Diagnosis

We read the paper by Alhammouri and Omar published in a recent issue of the Case Reports in Medicine [1]. The authors have described a case of what appeared to be a case of localized pericarditis; however, we wonder if alternate diagnosis was considered in the differential diagnosis. The initial ECG illustration shows ST-elevation localized to the inferior leads with reciprocal ST-depressions in V1–V3 which is usually quite unusual for acute pericarditis [2]. Spodick's sign has traditionally been defined in prior investigations by the senior author as an electrocardiographic clue to help differentiating between acute pericarditis and acute myocardial infarction; however, to best of our knowledge, this is usually valid in absence of reciprocal ST-depressions [2–6]. The pathophysiogenesis of the Spodick's sign is likely related to the diastolic injury current. During diastole, the injured subepicardial zone remains partly polarized (probably due to reduced resting transmembrane potential), as in systole. Thus, there is a potential difference between it and the completely polarized remaining myocardial mass, producing a diastolic injury current oppositely oriented to the systolic injury current that shifts electrical diastole, the TQ interval. This interval corresponds to the ECG baseline (TP) and cannot be detected by the clinical ECG so that it appears as a J (ST) shift in the opposite direction [2]. Similarly, authors have used the term “reverse Spodick's sign” which merely simulates reciprocal ST-depressions; however, in our opinion, it needs a validation in large controlled investigations if indeed it is associated with acute localized pericarditis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging would have been helpful in this case for diagnostic confirmation [7]. Also, the authors have mentioned normal right coronary and left anterior descending arteries. What about left circumflex artery: was that also normal? Notably, the second ECG obtained after a few hours shows complete normalization of prior ST-T changes without any use of anti-inflammatory therapies (NSAID's or Colchicine) and, in fact, did not demonstrate dynamic ECG changes of four-stage pericarditis [2, 3, 7]. This makes us wonder if other potential explanation such as transient coronary vasospasm may serve as an explanation for the noted clinical and ECG changes on the initial presentation.
Viewing Pictures of a Romantic Partner Reduces Experimental Pain: Involvement of Neural Reward Systems

The early stages of a new romantic relationship are characterized by intense feelings of euphoria, well-being, and preoccupation with the romantic partner. Neuroimaging research has linked those feelings to activation of reward systems in the human brain. The results of those studies may be relevant to pain management in humans, as basic animal research has shown that pharmacologic activation of reward systems can substantially reduce pain. Indeed, viewing pictures of a romantic partner was recently demonstrated to reduce experimental thermal pain. We hypothesized that pain relief evoked by viewing pictures of a romantic partner would be associated with neural activations in reward-processing centers. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we examined fifteen individuals in the first nine months of a new, romantic relationship. Participants completed three tasks under periods of moderate and high thermal pain: 1) viewing pictures of their romantic partner, 2) viewing pictures of an equally attractive and familiar acquaintance, and 3) a word-association distraction task previously demonstrated to reduce pain. The partner and distraction tasks both significantly reduced self-reported pain, although only the partner task was associated with activation of reward systems. Greater analgesia while viewing pictures of a romantic partner was associated with increased activity in several reward-processing regions, including the caudate head, nucleus accumbens, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex – regions not associated with distraction-induced analgesia. The results suggest that the activation of neural reward systems via non-pharmacologic means can reduce the experience of pain.
Medications in pregnancy and lactation

Lack of information and misinformation often lead to physicians advising mothers to discontinue breastfeeding because of medication use. Also, many mothers do not adhere to their prescriptions or quit breastfeeding because of medication use. Although in both cases this cessation of breastfeeding is probably based on concern for the infant's safety, the physician may also be influenced by expediency and fear of litigation. The safest course for physicians who are treating nursing mothers is to consult reliable sources before advising discontinuation of breastfeeding. Overwhelming evidence has shown that breastfeeding is the most healthful form of nutrition for babies and should therefore be encouraged by physicians. Physicians should take the following approach to maximize safe maternal medication use for both the mother and the breastfed infant: 1. Determine if medication is necessary. 2. Choose the safest drug available, that is, one that; is safe when administered directly to infants, has a low milk:plasma ratio, has a short half-life, has a high molecular weight, has high protein binding in maternal serum, is ionized in maternal plasma, is less lipophilic. 3. Consultation with the infant's pediatrician is encouraged. 4. Advise the mother to take the medication just after she has breastfed the infant or just before the infant's longest sleep period. 5. If there is a possibility that a drug may risk the health of the infant, arrange for the monitoring of serum drug levels in the infant. Emergency physicians are often faced with the daunting task of treating a large variety of high-acuity patients, including patients who happen to be pregnant or nursing mothers. Priority, of course, needs to be given to life-saving treatment. When physicians are treating pregnant or breastfeeding patients, they need to use reliable resources to evaluate the risks and benefits of the medication for the mother and the infant. Most medications should have no effect on milk supply or on infant well-being. In most cases, treatment plans for patients should include encouragement from the emergency physician that he or she has researched the chosen medicine and that breastfeeding may safely continue.
Effect of chlorpromazine on Salmonella enteritidis infection in mice.

Chlorpromazine increases the susceptibility of mice to infection with Salmonella enteritidis.
Interaction of progestins with Sertoli cell androgen receptors.

Abstract In an attempt to distinguish between possible androgen- and progestin-mediated mechanisms in the Sertoli cell, two steroids previously shown to have high affinity for both progesterone and androgen receptors (U13851, 17α-ethynyl-17-hydroxy-7α-methylestr-4-en-3-one and U6817, 17-hydroxy-19-nor-17α-pregn-4-en-3-one) have been compared with respect to a number of parameters with two steroids having high affinity only for progesterone receptors (U49836, 17β-methoxyestr-4-en-3-one and U56902, 17-methoxy-17α-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one). U13851 and U6817 were the most potent competitors for cytosol [ 3 H]-R1881 (17-β-hydroxy-17-methylestra-4,9,11-triene-3-one) binding sites and nuclear accumulation of label. While U49836 and U56902 were considerably less effective as competitors against [ 3 H]-R1881, they were more effective than U13851 and U6817 as competitors against [ 3 H]-progesterone. Only U13851 and R1881 increased Sertoli cell nuclear RNA polymerase II activity. These data substantiate previous suggestions that progestin binding proteins distinct from androgen receptors may exist in Sertoli cells. Moreover, the data also suggest that progestins which stimulate RNA polymerase II activity do so via androgenic mechanisms.
Machinability of Compacted Graphite Iron in Honing

Compacted graphite iron (CGI) has been viewed as the next generation casting material for diesel engines to further the automotive energy efficiency because of its better mechanical strength for lighter engine designs as compared to gray cast iron. The machinability of CGI is analyzed and tested in honing, a standard engine manufacturing process for cylinder bores. Its comparable stock removal rate and tool life to cast iron honing lessen the concern of the machinability problems normally seen in other machining operations on CGI parts.Copyright © 2008 by General Motors Corporation
Jesus in the Gutter: Comics and Graphic Novels Reimagining the Gospels

Graphic novels and comics have long provided a venue for visually portraying biblical narratives. While some provide a clever hook for devotees to capture the imagination in order to safely entertain the existing flock or to entice would-be converts into the fold, others are not concerned primarily with any “faithful” visual rendering of biblical narrative. These productions interrogate and/or appropriate biblical narrative in a variety of ways while maintaining a high degree of fidelity to the requirements of the art form and to the expectations of its readers. This article investigates two works focused on the figure of Jesus, both of which share and exploit the iconoclastic nature and marginal status of the genre, and find in the figure of Jesus a narrative and character uniquely befitting of the form. While neither aims to render Jesus directly, each manages to capture something of both the discursive aspects of the gospel literature, and perhaps something of whatever counter-cultural message and disposition the historical Jesus may have had. Moreover, each manipulates the closure that readers provide through recourse to the familiar biblical text. I contend that these productions faithfully, if ironically, refract the subversive potential of both the biblical narrative and the figure of Jesus precisely by their infidelity to what might be loosely described as a more orthodox Christ.
Storage stability of lipids in a dry salmonid diet

Abstract Dry salmonid diets were formulated to contain various combinations of salmon oil, linseed oil, and beef tallow. After pelleting, samples of each diet were stored at room temperature (18–22° C) or at refrigerated temperature (3–5° C) for 4 months. At the start and at monthly intervals, samples of each diet were examined for signs of lipolysis and lipid oxidation by determining free fatty acid content, thiobaribituric acid molar values, peroxide values, and changes in total polyunsaturated fatty acids. The free fatty acid levels of the diets increased slightly between the initial and final sampling, and the increases were higher in samples stored at room temperature. Thiobarbituric acid molar values and peroxide values of the lipids extracted from the diets remained low throughout the 4-month storage period. The fatty acid composition of the diets did not change appreciably between initial measurement and 4 months of storage at either storage temperature. Mixing saturated fats and highly unsaturated fats together in pelleted dry diets did not affect any of the indices used to measure lipid oxidation.
Multi-physics analysis of high-power ICs using non-conformal domain decomposition method

One of the major difficulties in analyzing real-life engineering systems is the interaction amongst many different physical phenomena and their closely interconnected couplings. The purpose of this work is to develop a coanalyses methodology to address both electromagnetic (EM) and thermal effects for modeling high power integrated circuit (ICs), package and printed circuit boards (PCB). We use non-conformal domain decomposition method (DDM) for both electric and thermal analysis of high-power ICs. Non-conformal DDM decomposes the original problem domain into several non-overlapping sub-domains and thus can be effective for solving multiscale engineering problems. Furthermore, in the current approach, the thermal cooling is performed through heat sinks with both natural convection and air forced convection cooling.
Leading, following and sexism in social dance: change of meaning as contained secondary adjustments

By assigning men the role of ‘lead’ and women the role of ‘follow’, social dance can be viewed as a form of serious leisure that appears to perpetuate a system that positions women as subordinate to men. Interviews with 29 women and 10 men who self-identified as social dancers revealed that women used several strategies to create meanings for following that allowed them to achieve parity with men while operating in an explicitly sexist idioculture. Women’s interpretation of following and the relationship between leading and following was as learning a complex set of skills and abilities that allowed them to make an important contribution to the dance. The meanings women applied to following can be understood as contained secondary adjustments. By viewing following as a performance that requires considerable skill, women can expose the idea that the role of follow is subordinate to the lead as a social construction, and, in the process, use being a follow to subvert the expected social organisation.
Endovascular repair of radiation-induced bilateral common carotid artery stenosis and pseudoaneurysms: a case report.

BACKGROUND Radiation-induced damage to small and medium-sized vessels has been observed in both animals and humans. Changes may appear in the immediate postradiation period or many years later. In this case, we report an unusual presentation of bilateral radiation-induced carotid artery stenoses associated with pseudoaneurysms, and a previously unreported application of a recently established treatment. CASE DESCRIPTION A 72-year-old African-American male presented with recurrent right hemispheric transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and neck pain. Thirteen years previously, the patient had received radiation therapy for laryngeal carcinoma. Diagnostic carotid angiography demonstrated moderate radiation-induced bilateral carotid artery stenosis and associated common carotid pseudoaneurysms. The patient was treated with bilateral endovascular stents and electrolytically detachable coils in staged procedures. At his most recent follow-up, there is no evidence of re-stenosis and the patient remains asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS This case illustrates a novel and successful treatment for the endovascular repair of post-radiation bilateral carotid artery stenosis and pseudoaneurysms. In our practice, we have seen three such cases of radiation-induced vasculopathy. Therefore, patients with a previous history of radiation therapy for head and neck neoplasms merit cautious monitoring and judicious use of stents and secondary coils, when necessary.
Advancing the Drug Discovery and Development Process

The current state of affairs in the drug discovery and development process is briefly summarized and then ways to take advantage of the ever-increasing fundamental knowledge and technical knowhow in chemistry and biology and related disciplines are discussed. The primary motivation of this Essay is to celebrate the great achievements of chemistry, biology, and medicine and to inform and inspire students and academics to enter the field of drug discovery and development while, at the same time, continue to advance the fundamentals of their disciplines. It is also meant to encourage and catalyze multidisciplinary partnerships between academia and industry as scientists attempt to merge their often complementary interests and expertise to achieve new improvements and breakthroughs in their respective fields, and the common goal of applying them to the discovery and invention of new and better medicines, especially in areas of unmet needs.
Complex Neonatal Single Ventricle Palliation Using Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion

Background The efficacy of antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) during complex neonatal single ventricle palliation requiring arch reconstruction is uncertain. We adapted the use of ACP in early 2001 in a programmatic effort to minimize the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Methods We retrospectively analyzed data of 126 consecutive patients operated on between 1995 and 2004, including stage-one palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, stage-one palliation for nonhypoplastic left heart syndrome, and Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedures. Patients were divided into two groups: those repaired with prolonged DHCA only (n = 67) and those with ACP (n = 59) and usually a shorter period of DHCA. Risk was further stratified into high risk (weight ≤ 2.5 kg or other cardiac lesion) and usual risk for each group. Results Survival at 30 days in the usual-risk groups was 72.0% DHCA and 93.2% ACP ( p ≤ 0.025), and in the high-risk groups it was 61.5% DHCA and 80% ACP (not significant). One-year survival in the usual-risk groups was 57.4% DHCA and 84.1% ACP ( p ≤ 0.01), and in the high-risk groups it was 38.5% DHCA and 46.7% ACP (not significant). Overall survival to date is 52.2% DHCA and 71.2% ACP ( p ≤ 0.5). Conclusions There is a statistically significant survival advantage for usual-risk patients with the use of ACP. Although there is a trend to improved survival in the high-risk groups, it does not reach statistical significance and long-term outcomes in these patients remains disappointing. We continue to use ACP and believe it contributes to an overall survival advantage in our institution.
NT-21PRELIMINARY CLINICAL OUTCOMES FOLLOWING RAPID DELIVERY RADIOSURGERY FOR MULTIPLE BRAIN METASTASES.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is increasingly used in the management of patients with brain metastases. High rates of local control and low neurocognitive risk have made SRS an appealing alternative to whole brain radiotherapy, even in patients with numerous metastases. Since traditional SRS techniques may be extended several hours in the setting of numerous targets, in an immobilized position, this may discourage patients and clinicians from utilizing SRS. The current retrospective study measures clinical outcomes in patients treated using existing technology for a rapid treatment delivery technique. METHODS: All patients were managed in a multidisciplinary approach with neurosurgery and radiation oncology participation. Targeting was carried out with a 3T MRI using 1 mm axial slices. SRS was delivered using a unique linac-based platform capable of delivering volumetric arc therapy to multiple simultaneous targets without a flattening filter and a relocatable mask between 1/2012-4/2013. Eleven patients were treated with a median of 6 brain metastases (range 4-12) for a total of 74 targets. RESULTS: All treatments were delivered in less than 30 minutes. SRS was well-tolerated with no acute > grade 2 acute complications. Median overall survival was 27 weeks. CONCLUSION: Rapid SRS delivery using volumetric arc therapy with a flattening filter free beam appears to be feasible and well-tolerated treatment with acceptable toxicity and survival. This technique carries the potential to offer patients a more comfortable treatment in an abbreviated procedure time. These encouraging preliminary outcomes warrant further study.