cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
His bundle pacing: conduction system capture and clinical impact.

Purpose of reviewIt has been nearly 2 decades since His bundle pacing (HBP) was described and with very first randomized pilot study published, reviewing its impact on clinical practice is inevitable.Recent findingsInclusion of HBP in the guidelines, along with long-term outcomes, outcomes comparing
A Novel Application of Digital Microscope for Microsurgery Training

Background Time spent under the microscope is often a limiting factor as plastic surgery residents work toward proficiency in microsurgery. This study describes and assesses a novel application of a digital microscope compatible with smart devices which can consistently and reliably magnify microsurgical fields. Methods A digital microscope was used to display an “operating” field on a tablet device. Two junior plastic surgery residents participated in multiple training sessions. During each session, residents completed two sessions of a knot-tying task and a chicken vessel anastomosis task. The sessions were recorded on the tablet, photographed, and graded by an experienced microsurgeon utilizing three standardized microsurgery training scales (OWOMSA, OSATS, and Global scale) for evaluation. Between sessions, the residents received feedback from the experienced microsurgeon. Results Statistically significant improvements (p Conclusion Traditional operating microscopes present considerable barriers for effective microsurgical training. The digital microscope analyzed in the present study provides solutions to several of these barriers: it is economical, lightweight, portable, and can be set up by the trainee on any flat surface; photographing and recording capabilities via the connected tablet device make the digital microscope setup optimized for education. Our study demonstrates measurable improvements in trainee's skills with use of—as well as favorable trainee attitudes toward—the digital microscope, which could present a valuable addition to plastic surgery education.
Detecting Malware Code as Video With Compressed, Time-Distributed Neural Networks

Malware is an ever-present problem in the modern era and while detecting malware with AI has grown as a new field of exploration, current methods are not yet mature enough for widespread adoption in terms of speed and performance. Current methods largely focus on viewing malicious assembly as an image for detection, requiring a large amount of preprocessing and making network architectures inflexible. Preprocessing malware images to one size introduces additional time to predict and makes the task of prediction more difficult. We explore a novel method for transforming executable bytecode into a video rather than an image for classification with deep, time-distributed neural networks, achieving up to 98.74% testing accuracy on 9 classes of malware, and up to 99.36% testing accuracy on a balanced set of malicious vs. benign files. The network could also classify all malware in our dataset for a false positive rate of 13%, and was also found successful in classifying only parts of an input, as well as initial success in a 0-day scenario. The network only uses the executable code and no additional information to make predictions. We then explore methods for pruning and quantizing the network so that it may be more feasible for widespread implementation, including a novel pruning method we call Node-Distance pruning. Our model is found to be competitive to current works while remaining fast, lean and flexible.
Optimal sampling plan for an unreliable multistage production system subject to competing and propagating random shifts

Sampling plans play an important role in monitoring production systems and reducing quality- and maintenance-related costs. Existing sampling plans usually focus on one assignable cause. However, m...
Forever young: Linking regeneration and genome size in salamanders

BACKGROUND Salamanders stand out among vertebrate animals in two key characteristics: their ability to regenerate body parts, and their large and variable genome sizes. RESULTS Here we show how to unite seemingly disparate facets of salamander biology, regeneration ability, and genome size variation, into one synthetic view. Large and variable genome sizes may be the key to understanding the prodigious ability of most salamanders to regenerate damaged or lost body parts. We report a correlate of genome size variation that has been previously neglected: the impacts of genome size on the structure and function of the genes themselves. Salamanders are, in essence, paradoxically much younger, especially at the cellular level than their chronological age would suggest. CONCLUSIONS Because of the large size and range of variation in genome size in salamanders, we hypothesize that this relationship uncouples a dynamic interaction between growth and differentiation in processes of morphogenesis, pattern formation, and regeneration in ways that are unique among vertebrates.
What is African-centered youth development? A content analysis of Bantu perspectives

African-centered approaches play a significant role in many Black communities’ efforts to improve outcomes for their youth. For youth developmental researchers in social work, questions regarding h...
Star Turnover and the Value of Human Capital: Evidence from Broadway Show

Much work in finance strategy and economics has tried to assess the value of key personnel to an organization or an enterprise. Much of the testing has been done in the context of movies and most of that work failed to find a correlation between the ex-ante inclusion of a star and the financial success of a film project. Work in other areas finds mixed results.The theater provides a quasi-natural experiment setting for testing the direct impact of key personnel changes. Shows routinely turn-over actors in lead roles for a variety of reasons. All elements of the show remain in place, including the director, the script, other actors and the physical theater environment and only an actor is switched.Our analysis focuses on transitions between top featured cast members. We consider various measures of success just before and just after the change in cast. We also characterize the performers in various ways, and control for the attributes of the show, as well as for team characteristics.We find that only the most talented theater stars affect the financial success of theater shows, supporting the MacDonald (1988) version of the superstar hypothesis. A transition from a “non-star” to a “star” results in higher ticket prices and higher revenues. However, celebrities and well known stars from other fields of the performing arts do not seem to have a significant effect on prices or revenues. Teams are important, and a departure of a team or someone who had worked with the current cast before is detrimental to the performance of the show. Seasonal effects are important as well.
How I Treat Patients With Barrett Esophagus When Endoscopic Ablation Fails.

If initial ablation fails, it is usually beneficial to switch to a different mode of therapy. The Table shows the relative advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives to thermal ablation. Usually, thermal therapy with radiofrequency ablation is the first treatment modality. If the treatment fails to show demonstrable results after 3 applications in terms of decreasing both the Barrett mucosa and the degree of dysplasia, my preference is to use cryotherapy if there is persisting intestinal metaplasia. If there is persisting high-grade dysplasia or cancer or if nodules have arisen, then endoscopic resection is ideal, with endoscopic submucosal dissection being my first choice for complete removal. With recurrent disease, focal thermal therapy seems most cost-effective for small amounts of nondysplastic or low-grade dysplasia, whereas high-grade dysplasia or cancer usually is resected to ensure histologic confirmation of the adequacy of treatment. Submucosal recurrences and those of larger size generally require endoscopic submucosal dissection. All of these treatments should only be considered when the patient is expected to have sufficient longevity and health to be able to benefit. Otherwise, a strategy of surveillance or watchful waiting can be considered in patients with extensive serious comorbidities. Table. Comparison of Alternative Therapies
Perceptual learning of phonetic convergence

Abstract Phonetic convergence involves a talker subtly sharing their speaking style with another talker. It is known that speaking style is something perceivers can learn in order to better recognize a talker and a talker's speech. The question arises, can perceivers also learn to better recognize when a talker's speaking style is being shared with another speaker during convegence? To test this question, two convergence experiments were conducted to determine if perceivers (raters) could improve their ability to recognize when talkers were shadowing a specific model. The results showed that perceivers could improve this ability and this improvement generalized to new words and new shadowers of the same model. However, a follow-up experiment showed that this improvement did not generalize to new models and shadowers. This final result suggests that improvement is dependent on learning the shared speaking style of a specific model.
Identical β Cell-Specific CD8+ T Cell Clonotypes Typically Reside in Both Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte and Pancreatic Islets

A major issue regarding T cell responses in autoimmunity is how the repertoire compares between the periphery and target organ. In type 1 diabetes, the status of at-risk or diabetic individuals can be monitored by measuring beta cell-specific T cells isolated from PBL, but whether these T cells accurately reflect the repertoire residing in the pancreatic islets is unclear. The TCR repertoire of disease-relevant, tetramer-sorted CD8(+) T cells was examined at the single-cell level in PBL, pancreatic lymph nodes (PLN), and the islets of individual NOD mice. CDR3alpha and CDR3beta sequences demonstrated that the same repertoire of T cells in PBL was detected in the islets and PLN, although the frequency of specific clonotypes varied. Albeit infrequent, clonotypes that were prevalent in the islets but not found in PBL were also detected. beta cell Ag immunization expanded immunodominant PBL clonotypes present in the islets and PLN. These results show that insight into repertoire profiles of islet-infiltrating T cells can be obtained from PBL.
An acceptable yearly screening device for endometrial carcinoma

Abstract A simple cytologic method utilizing endometrial aspiration is presented. In a composite evaluation the authors find it superior to other currently available screening devices and methods as it relates to patient and physician acceptability. cost, and accuracy in yearly screening for detection of endometrial carcinoma. The results of endometrial aspiration in 983 outpatients and 500 patients hospitalized for diagnostic curettage or hysterectomy are included.
Abstract 17940: PDEV Inhibition + BNP Administration Enhanced the Cardiac but not the Renal Response to Acute Volume Overload in Human Preclinical Diastolic Dysfunction as Compared to PDEV Inhibition Alone

Background: Preclinical diastolic dysfunction (PDD) is defined as subjects with normal systolic function, moderate or severe diastolic dysfunction determined by Doppler criteria but with no symptoms of heart failure (HF). We have previously demonstrated that an impaired cardiorenal endocrine response to stress by acute volume loading (AVL) exists in PDD and that is corrected by acute administration of sq B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Type V phosphodiesterase (PDEV) metabolizes cGMP, second messenger of BNP. The objective of the current study is to determine if the combination of PDEV inhibitor (PDEVI) and BNP will result in a greater enhancement of the cardiorenal response to AVL as compared to PDEVI alone in PDD. Methods: Randomized double-blind single placebo-controlled cross-over study in 20 PSD subjects. We determined cardiorenal effects of PDEVI with Tadalafil (T) 5 mg alone and in combination with acute sq BNP (Nesiritide 10 μg/Kg), in response to AVL (normal saline 0.25 ml/kg/min for 1 hour). E...
Lifting and Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithms

The difficulty of the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem (ECDLP) underlies the attractiveness of elliptic curves for use in cryptography. The index calculus is a lifting algorithm that solves the classical finite field discrete logarithm problem in subexponential time, but no such algorithm is known in general for elliptic curves. It turns out that there are four distinct lifting scenarios that one can use in attempting to solve the ECDLP; the lifting field may be a local field or a global field, and the lifted points may be torsion points or nontorsion points. These choices lead to four quite different ways to try to solve the ECDLP via lifting. None of these approaches has led to a solution to the ECDLP, but each method has its own reasons for failing to work. In this article I survey the four ways of lifting the ECDLP, explain their similarities and their differences, and describe the distinct roadblocks that arise in each case.
Multidisciplinary design optimization of advanced aircraft configurations

Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) has received considerable attention in the aircraft industry, Ref. 1, as manufacturers employ concurrent engineering design practices in an effort to reduce the time-to-market of new products. While there are several computer programs which perform conceptual-level aircraft MDO, e.g., Ref. 2, aircraft system MDO at the more advanced preliminary and detailed level of design remains computationaUy intractable. There has been considerable progress in single discipline design methods at the detailed level, e.g., Rcfs. 3-6 for acrodyrmmic design involving Euler/Navier-Stokcs solutions and there is heightened interest in the two discipline MDO problem coupling concurrent aerodynamic and structural evaluations via Euler/Navicr-Stokes and finite clement analyses, e.g., Ref. 7.
The correlation of sperm chromatin decondensation following in vitro exposure to heparin and sperm penetration rates.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation of low-dose heparin-induced decondensation of sperm chromatin with sperm concentration, motility, morphology, membrane hypoosmotic response, ejaculate volume, and the ability of sperm to penetrate zona-free hamster oocytes.
A three-dimensional representation for program execution

Modern graphical workstations make possible interactive real-time manipulation of 3-D objects. Although 3-D graphics is usually used to model real-world objects, an abstract three-dimensional pictorial representation of computer programs is explored. Since programs are descriptions of dynamic processes, the focus is on the dynamic behavior of the graphical representation, resulting in an animation of the program's execution. The goal is to aid the debugging process by helping the programmer visualize the dynamic aspects of a program's behavior. 3-D representations help make use of the enormous innate power of the human visual system. >
Customized Price Responses to Bid Opportunities in Competitive Markets

Traditional price optimization involves the use of historical price/demand data to measure the percentage change in demand for a given percentage change in the product's price. This science is not useful in analyzing many business-to-business transactions, however, because, instead of receiving some portion of the total demand for a given price, suppliers are often faced with a winner-take-all opportunity bidding opportunity. In such cases, the historical price/demand data consists of the set of bidding opportunities, some possible attributes of the customer requesting for the bid, the price submitted by the supplier, and whether the bid opportunity was won or lost. In this article, we describe how price optimization techniques can be applied to this setting. Keywords: bid response models; price optimization; customized pricing; win/loss data
A simple tool for the design and analysis of multiple-reflector antennas in a multi-disciplinary environment

The process of designing and analyzing a multiple-reflector system has traditionally been time-intensive, requiring large amounts of both computational and human time. At many frequencies, a discrete approximation of the radiation integral may be used to model the system. The code which implements this physical optics (PO) algorithm was developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This paper presents a methodology and examples of use of an automated tool that performs the analysis of a complete multiple-reflector system in an integrated multi-disciplinary environment (including CAD modeling, and structural and thermal analysis) at the click of a button. This tool, named MOD Tool (Millimeter-wave Optics Design Tool), has been designed and implemented as a distributed tool with a client that runs almost identically on Unix, Mac, and Windows platforms, and a server that runs primarily on a Unix workstation and can interact with parallel supercomputers with simple instruction from the user interacting with the client.
Compactness factors for rolled, stacked-screen regenerative heat exchangers

Abstract The objective for the current research was to determine how the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics changed in a stacked, wire-screen regenerative heat exchanger (regenerator), if the screens which were used to construct the matrix were rolled to decrease their thickness. More of the rolled screens would fit into a regenerator with a reduction in gas volume in the regenerator. During the course of the research, an improved method for determining the heat transfer characteristics of a porous medium regenerator was developed. The results show that the compactness factor (jH/f) was adversely affected by rolling. Flattening the screens by 15%, 30%, or 50%, did not improve the heat transfer rate to the matrix, but it did increase the total pressure drop. Rolling the screens caused a decrease in both wetted surface area and pore size. The heat transfer which is proportioned to the wetted surface area was reduced. The pressure drop, which is strongly dependent on pore size, increased. Rolling the screens also reduced the effectiveness of the regenerator.
Synthesis and reactivity of metal complexes supported by the tetradentate monoanionic ligand bis(2-picolyl)(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)amide (BPPA).

Metal-halide complexes of Ti, V, Y, Zr, Al, Ga, and U supported by the tetradentate monoanionic (TDMA) ligand bis(2-picolyl)(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)amine, H(BPPA), were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. In addition, the complexes (BPPA)TiCl2, (BPPA)VBr2, [(BPPA)YCl2]2, (BPPA)AlCl2, (BPPA)GaCl2, and (BPPA)UI3 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In all cases the ligand is bound κ4 to the metal center. All structurally characterized compounds are monomeric in the solid-state with the exception of [(BPPA)YCl2]2, which exists as a dimer in the solid-state. The metal−alkyl complexes (BPPA)AlMe2 and (BPPA)Zr(CH2Ph)3 were also synthesized and characterized, and an X-ray structure of (BPPA)Zr(CH2Ph)3 was obtained. The transformation of BPPA from a monoanionic to a dianionic ligand via proton abstraction was observed and monitored by NMR spectroscopy.
Synergistic cytolysis mediated by hydrogen peroxide combined with peptide defensins

Abstract Possible cytolytic interactions between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and neutrophil granule proteins were studied. Preliminary experiments demonstrated synergistic cytolysis when erythroleukemia targets were exposed to H2O2 combined with a low molecular weight (~3900) granule extract that was predominantly composed of peptide defensins. The synergistic interaction was confirmed when sublytic concentrations of H2O2 were combined with defensin preparations that had been purified to homogeneity. Synergy was concentration dependent in regard to both molecules and could not be explained by trace contamination of defensin preparations with myeloperoxidase. Sequential addition experiments suggested that synergistic lysis required a simultaneous exposure to both cytotoxins. In the presence of sublytic concentrations of H2O2, the binding of iodinated defensin to targets was significantly increased, providing a possible explanation for the observed synergy. Since both molecules are concurrently secreted by activated neutrophils, this interaction may be important during leukocyte-mediated anti-tumor effects or inflammatory tissue injury.
The Search is On: Engendering Faculty Diversity Through More Effective Search and Recruitment

It is no longer the case (if, in fact, it ever was the case) that a department can simply write an ad, place it in its professional publication, and wait for the hundreds of qualified candidates to...
Polarimetric imaging of amyloid

New developments in optical microscopy are discussed with relevance to the imaging of amyloid plaques that are pathognomonic of a variety of degenerative disorders. We present the results of linear birefringence, linear dichroism, and circular dichroism imaging of Congo red stained plaques ex vivo and in vitro. A new technique for measuring rapid changes in linear anisotropies is introduced. The application of polarimetric imaging as demonstrated here can be extended to broader pathological practice since polarimetric measurements are sensitive to transformations in tissues that are specific disease signatures.
Integrating Educational, Environmental, and Behavioral Economic Strategies May Improve the Effectiveness of Obesity Interventions

Interventions that change the food environment, provide nutrition education, and employ behavioral economics strategies can potentially contribute to healthier diets and reduce the risk of chronic disease, but no attempt has been made to integrate these into the same conceptual framework. We present case studies of three multilevel, integrated interventions implemented by Johns Hopkins University between 2004–2011. We develop a conceptual model based on these case studies. Interventions and policies should effectively maximize opportunities to nudge healthier behaviors. We believe that the integration of educational, environmental, and behavioral economic strategies will balance the strengths and limitations of each approach.
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL FATIGUE INVENTORY (MFI-20) AND THE RHOTEN FATIGUE SCALE AMONG RURAL CANCER OUTPATIENTS

Cancer patients typically experience fatigue while undergoing treatment for their disease. This study was an effort to identify a reliable and economical measure of fatigue. In particular, scores on the five subscales of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory(MFI-20) were analyzed for internal consi
A reflective conversation with Steven Pfeiffer Serving the gifted

The gifted remain an often misunderstood and underserved population. In this interview, Dr. Pfeiffer discusses these concerns and provides practitioners with timely information on who exactly the gifted are and the various ways in which they are unique. In this reflective conversation, Dr. Pfeiffer, a noted authority on gifted and talented students, explores practical, evidence-based techniques and guidelines for working with the gifted, their teachers, and their families. He responds to questions about how best to assist the gifted population in various realms, including home, school, and interpersonal relationships.
The Exploration of Neutral Azoligand-Based Grubbs Type Palladium(II) Complex as Potential Catalyst for the Copolymerization of Ethylene with Acrylonitrile: A Theoretical Study Based on Density Functional Theory

A combined quantum-mechanical (QM) and molecular-mechanical (MM) method has been used to explore the potential of neutral azoligand-based Grubbs type Pd(II) complexes as catalysts for ethylene−acrylonitrile copolymerization. The first part of the investigation includes complexation of the monomers to the catalyst, the first insertion step, and isomerization of the first insertion product 1. The results show that the π-complexation energies of acrylonitrile and ethylene are comparable, but the acrylonitrile insertion has a lower barrier over ethylene insertion by ca. 5 kcal/mol in the first step. The leading product 1 might conduct a series of isomerizations with a lower barrier to form different chelate structures. However, the most stable isomers have the CN group in the α-position. The second part explores the further role of the kinetic insertion product 1. It is shown that 1 readily can complex another ethylene or acrylonitrile monomer. Unfortunately, it is even more favorable for 1 to coordinate its ...
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme and Myofibroblasts during Tissue Repair in the Rat Heart

Following left coronary artery ligation in the rat, markedly increased angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) binding appears at the site of myocardial infarction (MI). This is also the case in fibrosed visceral pericardium that follows pericardiotomy alone (without MI). Immunohistochemical ACE labeling, using a monoclonal antibody, indicates fibroblast-like calls express ACE at each of these sites of tissue repair. It is unknown, however, whether these cells are phenotypically transformed fibroblasts containing alpha-smooth muscle actin (i.e. myofibroblasts). This study was therefore undertaken to determine whether myofibroblasts appear at the site of MI and pericardial fibrosis and their relationship to ACE expression. MI was created by left coronary artery ligation. Fibrosis of the visceral pericardium was induced by pericardiotomy alone. Hearts were studied on postoperative day 3, week 1, 2, 4 and 8. In serial sections of the same heart: immunohistochemistry (anti alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody and monoclonal ACE antibody, 9B9) was used to detect myofibroblasts and cells expressing ACE, respectively. We found that at sites of MI and pericardial fibrosis, myofibroblasts began to appear on day 3 and became abundant at week 1, 2, 4 and remained in these repairing sites for at least 8 weeks. Myofibroblasts at sites of MI and pericardial fibrosis are positively labeled by ACE antibody. Thus in these models of tissue repair involving either MI or pericardial fibrosis, myofibroblasts are associated with ACE expression. These findings suggest that myofibroblast ACE may play a role in the fibrogenic response of tissue repair in the rat myocardium by regulating local concentrations of substances involved in healing and matrix remodeling.
Fusion of spectral and time domain features for crowd noise classification system

In this paper, we explore features related to spectral and time domain for classification of crowd noise. Spectral information is represented by mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) and spectral flatness measure (SFM), whereas time domain information is represented by short-time energy (STE) and zero-cross rate (ZCR). For carrying out these studies, crowd noise data collected from railway stations and book fairs have been used. In this study, two categories of crowd noise, namely, no crowd and crowd, are used. Support Vector Machines (SVM) are used to capture the discriminative information between the above mentioned noise categories, from the spectral and time domain features. The SVM models are developed separately using spectral and time domain features. The classification performance of the developed SVM models using spectral and time domain features is observed to be 91.35% and 84.65%, respectively. In this work, we have also examined the performance of the crowd noise classification system by combining the spectral and time domain information at feature and score levels. The classification performance using feature and score level fusion is observed to be 93.10% and 96.25% respectively.
Percutaneous valve procedures--a surgeon's viewpoint.

‘Just as stents have broadened the spectrum of care for coronary disease, so will percutaneous approaches to treat valve disease.’ The next great challenge in interventional cardiac care is the development of transvascular approaches to treat valvular pathology. In 1960, the first successful intracardiac valve replacements were performed by Harkin (aortic) [1], Braunwald (mitral) [2] and Starr (mitral) [3]. This was made possible by the invention of cardiopulmonary bypass, enabling cardiac isolation and safe entry into the cardiac chambers. Prior to the era of cardiopulmonary bypass, other approaches to treat valvular heart disease were explored, including the placement of a prosthesis in the descending aorta to treat aortic insufficiency and manual mitral commissurotomy on the beating heart. Given markedly better outcomes, most of these techniques were supplanted by the intracardiac approach with the advent of cardiopulmonary bypass.
A Novel, Simple Method for Achieving Hemostasis of Fingertip Dermal Avulsion Injuries

Abstract Background Distal fingertip pad dermal avulsion injuries can be challenging for emergency physicians. A common occurrence with these injuries is difficult-to-control bleeding. The nature of these wounds is such that conventional primary closure to achieve hemostasis is not feasible. Often, direct pressure, even for prolonged periods, will not adequately control the bleeding. Currently recommended techniques are inadequate to control bleeding, and commercially available hemostatic products may be more costly and not widely available. Objective To present a simple method to achieve permanent hemostasis of these injuries using a tourniquet and tissue adhesive glue. Procedure A tourniquet is placed around the proximal digit, and the digit is exsanguinated and elevated to achieve short-term hemostasis. Several layers of commercially available tissue adhesive glue are applied sequentially over the avulsed region of the digit and allowed to dry. The tourniquet is then removed. A clean, bloodless dressing is created over the avulsed fingertip. Conclusion This technique provides a rapid, simple, and likely safe means to control bleeding from a fingertip dermal avulsion injury.
The distribution of peroxidases in the sciatic nerves of normal and hexachlorophene intoxicated developing rats.

Horseradish peroxidase (mol. wt. 40 000) or microperoxidase (mol. wt. 1900) were injected over the sciatic nerve of normal or hexachlorophene (HCP) intoxicated developing rats (3,7,14 and 21 days). Light and electron microscopic studies of nerves after histochemical staining for peroxidase revealed: a) the perineurial barrier to the two peroxidases was established in 21 day normal and HCP intoxicated rats; b) in animals 3–14 days, the perineurial barrier to both peroxidases was not formed and peroxidase staining was observed in the periaxonal space and in the space between paranodal loops of myelin; c) intramyelinic vacuoles, induced by HCP in animals 7–14 days did not show peroxidase staining. HCP-induced intramyelinic vacuolation is due to the separation of the myelin lamellae at the intraperiod line; although these vacuoles are potential extensions of the extracellular space, they are not stained with the extracellular markers horseradish or microperoxidase.
‘Doing’ Transnationalism: The Integrative Impact of Salvadoran Cross-Border Activism

This paper enters the discussion on immigrant transnationalism by exploring the integrative effects of ‘doing’ public and political transnational activity. Early on, immigrant transnationalism was posed as an alternative or opposed force to more traditionally conceptualised processes like assimilation and integration. Later renderings of the phenomenon conceded that, indeed, processes of transnationalism and assimilation might even be interdependent, with integration as the facilitator of action that can occur either beyond or between nation-states. Here, I draw on life-history interviews and multiple years of ethnographic observation with US-based Salvadoran activists to reveal the opposite side of the transnationalism–integration coin. With the intent and in the process of trying to carry out transnational activity, Salvadoran activists become embedded into the host-state civic and political landscape.
Strategies for the Gas Phase Modification of Cationized Arginine via Ion/ion Reactions

The gas phase acetylation of cationized arginine residues is demonstrated here using ion/ion reactions with sulfosuccinimidyl acetate (sulfo-NHS acetate) anions. Previous reports have demonstrated the gas phase modification of uncharged primary amine (the N-terminus and e-amino side chain of lysine) and uncharged guanidine (the arginine side chain) functionalities via sulfo-NHS ester chemistry. Herein, charge-saturated arginine-containing peptides that contain sodium ions as the charge carriers, such as [ac-ARAAARA+2Na]2+, are shown to exhibit strong reactivity towards sulfo-NHS acetate whereas the protonated peptide analogues exhibit no such reactivity. This difference in reactivity is attributed to the lower sodium ion (as compared to proton) affinity of the arginine, which results in increased nucleophilicity of the cationized arginine guanidinium functionality. This increased nucleophilicity improves the arginine residue's reactivity towards sulfo-NHS esters and enhances the gas phase covalent modification pathway. No such dramatic increase in reactivity towards sulfo-NHS acetate has been observed upon sodium cationization of lysine amino acid residues, indicating that this behavior appears to be unique to arginine. The sodium cationization process is demonstrated in the condensed phase by simply spiking sodium chloride into the peptide sample solution and in the gas phase by a peptide-sodium cation exchange process with a sulfo-NHS acetate sodium-bound dimer cluster reagent. This methodology demonstrates several ways by which arginine can be covalently modified in the gas phase even when it is charged. Collisional activation of an acetylated arginine product can result in deguanidination of the residue, generating an ornithine. This gas phase ornithination exhibits similar site-specific fragmentation behavior to that observed with peptides ornithinated in solution and may represent a useful approach for inducing selective peptide cleavages.
Bezold-Jarisch reflex in postoperative pediatric cardiac surgical patients.

The Bezold-Jarisch reflex is an inhibitory reflex that originates from the heart, is mediated by the vagus nerve, and is manifested by hypotension and bradycardia. We present 4 pediatric cardiac surgical patients, aged 1 day to 9 months, who exhibited cardiovascular collapse in their early postoperative course. In each patient, cardiovascular deterioration was marked by an insidious decrease in arterial blood pressure without an associated change in heart rate, central venous pressure, or airway pressure. Bradycardia followed the decrease in blood pressure. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex was suspected and atropine was administered, first as a bolus injection at 0.01 mg/kg, and later, as a continuous infusion at 0.01 mg.kg-1.h-1. Atropine prevented recurrent episodes of hypotension and bradycardia. We believe the Bezold-Jarisch reflex is more prevalent than previously suspected in postoperative pediatric cardiac surgical patients.
Global directional controllability

This paper derives sufficient conditions for the image of a function $\varphi _1 :Q \to \mathbb{R}'''$ to cover an open segment originating at $\varphi _1 (\bar q)$ and with direction w (or even a neighborhood of such an interval) subject to restrictions of the form $\varphi _2 (q) \in C$ or $\varphi _2 (q) + G \subset C$. Here $\varphi _2 :Q \to \mathcal{Z}$, Q is an arbitrary set, C a convex subset of the topological vector space $\mathcal{Z}$, and G a neighborhood of 0 in $\mathcal{Z}$. Also derived are similar directional controllability conditions subject to the additional restriction $q \in \mathcal{U} \subset Q$ for an “abundant” subset $\mathcal{U}$ of Q. These conditions are applicable to unilateral problems of control theory and of (infinite-dimensional) mathematical programming. These results are global and apply to problems defined by functions whose restrictions to certain finite-dimensional sets are differentiable (but not necessarily $C^1 $) or are locally uniform limits of ifferentiable fu...
Kinetic Equations and Density Expansions: Exactly Solvable One-Dimensional System

We have made a detailed study of the time evolution of the distribution function $f(q,v,t)$ of a labeled (test) particle in a one-dimensional system of hard rods of diameter $a$. The system has a density $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and is in equilibrium at $t=0$. (Some properties of this system were studied earlier by Jepsen.) When the distribution function $f$ at $t=0$ corresponds to a delta function in position and velocity, then $f(q,v,t)$ is essentially the time-displaced self-distribution function ${f}_{s}$. This function ${f}_{s}$ (which can be found in an explicit closed form) and all of the system properties which can be derived from it depend on $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and $a$ only through the combination $n=\frac{\ensuremath{\rho}}{(1\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\rho}a)}$. In particular, the diffusion constant $D$ is given by ${D}^{\ensuremath{-}1}={\mathrm{lim}}_{s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0}{[\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\psi}}(s)]}^{\ensuremath{-}1}={(2\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\beta}m)}^{\frac{1}{2}}n$, where $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\psi}}(s)$ is the Laplace transform of the velocity autocorrelation function $\ensuremath{\psi}(t)=〈v(t)v〉$. An expansion of ${[\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\psi}}(s)]}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ in powers of $n$, on the other hand, has the form $\ensuremath{\Sigma}\frac{{B}_{l}{n}^{l}}{{s}^{l\ensuremath{-}1}}$, leading to divergence of the density coefficients for $l\ensuremath{\ge}2$ when $s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. This is similar to the divergences found in higher dimensional systems. Similar results are found as well in the expansion of the collision operator describing the time evolution of $f(q,v,t)$. The lowest-order term in the expansion is the ordinary (linear) Boltzmann equation, while higher terms are $O({\ensuremath{\rho}}^{l}{t}^{l\ensuremath{-}1})$. Thus any attempt to write a Bogoliubov, Choh-Uhlenbeck-type Markoffian kinetic equation as a power series in the density leads to divergence in the terms beyond the Boltzmann equation. A Markoffian collision operator can, however, be constructed, without using a density expansion, which, e.g., describes the stationary distribution of a charged test particle in the system in the presence of a constant electric field. The distribution of the test particle in the presence of an oscillating external field is also found. Finally, the short- and long-time behavior of the self-distribution is examined.
The Robustness of Indigenous Common-property Systems to Frontier Expansion: Institutional Interplay in the Mosquitia Forest Corridor

This article compares how indigenous residents in the Mosquitia Forest Corridor of Honduras and Nica­ragua have responded to agricultural expansion in two distinct institutional environments: a reserve under public management and a reserve where the indigenous residents hold territorial rights. The article com­bines institutional analysis with ethnographically-based fieldwork to (1) identify whether the indigenous common-property systems in the Mosquitia remain robust when residents are confronted with private­property institutions and land markets introduced by colonists; and (2) examine the links between main­tenance of the common-property systems and the broader institutional environment. The analysis pays particular attention to how the protected area policies in each reserve impact the transaction costs in­curred in local rule-making and individual land use strategies in response to migrant farmers and ranchers. The findings suggest that the broader institutional environment, specifically the protected area policies and processes, significantly influence the transaction costs and risks involved in collective rule-making, and thereby impact the capacity of the indigenous residents to sustain their common-property systems.
History repeats itself: sensible and NonsenSQL aspects of the NoSQL hoopla

In this paper, I describe some of the recent developments in the database management area, in particular the NoSQL phenomenon and the hoopla associated with it. The goal of the paper is not to do an exhaustive survey of NoSQL systems. The aim is to do a broad brush analysis of what these developments mean - the good and the bad aspects! Based on my more than three decades of database systems work in the research and product arenas, I will outline what are many of the pitfalls to avoid since there is currently a mad rush to develop and adopt a plethora of NoSQL systems in a segment of the IT population, including the research community. In rushing to develop these systems to overcome some of the shortcomings of the relational systems, many good principles of the latter, which go beyond the relational model and the SQL language, have been left by the wayside. Now many of the features that were initially discarded as unnecessary in the NoSQL systems are being brought in, but unfortunately in ad hoc ways. Hopefully, the lessons learnt over three decades with relational and other systems would not go to waste and we wouldn't let history repeat itself with respect to simple minded approaches leading to enormous pain later on for developers as well as users of the NoSQL systems!Caveat: What I express in this paper are my personal opinions and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer.
Urinary markers in the detection of bladder cancer: what's new?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Bladder cancer is one of the most common genitourinary malignancies and is a potentially life-threatening diagnosis. For many patients, however, the diagnosis of bladder cancer entails a lifetime of vigilant, costly, and invasive surveillance for recurrent and/or progressive disease. In the context of relative limitations of the current standard of cystoscopy and cytology, there has been burgeoning activity in the development of novel molecular urine-based markers for bladder cancer detection. RECENT FINDINGS A large number of candidate bladder cancer biomarkers have emerged as our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease has evolved. Many of these are in the relatively earlier phases of development but several have received the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration for clinical use and are already being applied to patients in clinical practice. SUMMARY Urine-based markers for bladder cancer detection represent an area of substantial innovation and discovery with potentially profound scientific, clinical, and economic implications. As more of these tests become standardized and undergo evaluation in large multicenter trials, it is conceivable that a novel marker or panel of markers will emerge as a major enhancement to the current standard of care.
Gödel's arithmetization procedure as the basis for a pattern recognition system: a nascent theory mapping pattern into number and number into phenomenal experience.

Prime numbers are used to code various dimensions of an input matrix (receptor surface), i.e., prime numbers code the position of each cell in the matrix, the position of each column and row constituted by the cells of the matrix, and the orientation of each such column or row. The coding permits any pattern or stimulus configuration to be changed into a single, unique number, viz., the serial product of the prime numbers which code the relevant dimensions of the pattern. Storage of a pattern is effected by storage of the serial product. By factoring the serial product, the pattern or stimulus configuration is analyzed into the dimensions (features) specified by the code. The factorization is also utilized in abstracting a schema, in approximating a feature count model, and in presenting a strategy for holistic vs sequential pattern processing. Finally, the relationship between the serial product representing a pattern and the phenomenal experience of a pattern is explored.
SU-C-BRD-01: A Statistical Modeling Method for Quality Control of Intensity- Modulated Radiation Therapy Planning

Purpose: To apply a statistical modeling approach, threshold modeling (TM), for quality control of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment plans. Methods: A quantitative measure, which was the weighted sum of violations of dose/dose-volume constraints, was first developed to represent the quality of each IMRT plan. Threshold modeling approach, which is is an extension of extreme value theory in statistics and is an effect way to model extreme values, was then applied to analyze the quality of the plans summarized by our quantitative measures. Our approach modeled the plans generated by planners as a series of independent and identically distributed random variables and described the behaviors of them if the plan quality was controlled below certain threshold. We tested our approach with five locally advanced head and neck cancer patients retrospectively. Two statistics were incorporated for numerical analysis: probability of quality improvement (PQI) of the plans and expected amount of improvement on the quantitative measure (EQI). Results: After clinical planners generated 15 plans for each patient, we applied our approach to obtain the PQI and EQI as if planners would generate additional 15 plans. For two of the patients, the PQI was significantly higher than the other three (0.17 and 0.18 comparing to 0.08, 0.01 and 0.01). The actual percentage of the additional 15 plans that outperformed the best of initial 15 plans was 20% and 27% comparing to 11%, 0% and 0%. EQI for the two potential patients were 34.5 and 32.9 and the rest of three patients were 9.9, 1.4 and 6.6. The actual improvements obtained were 28.3 and 20.5 comparing to 6.2, 0 and 0. Conclusion: TM is capable of reliably identifying the potential quality improvement of IMRT plans. It provides clinicians an effective tool to assess the trade-off between extra planning effort and achievable plan quality. This work was supported in part by NIH/NCI grant CA130814.
Field transformation — An alternative paradigm for designing a class of low-profile antennas

In this paper we introduce an alternative paradigm for the design of a class of antennas, e.g., lenses and low-profile radiators that deviates in principle as well as in practice from the Transformation Optics (TO) approach to designing these antennas.
The Fundamental Concept of Unified Generalized Model and Data Representation for New Applications in the Future Grid

The concept of interoperability of data and model as presented in this paper is viewed as being very useful for implementing variety of future applications related to power system monitoring, protection, control and operation. To illustrate the proposed concept, two applications are used: state estimation and fault location. Generalized State Estimators (GSEs) consider both measurements and switching device statuses as variables to be estimated. We propose a unified generalized state estimator that uses only one class of network objects (node-breaker), which would avoid model conversions, enables unified topology processing, and supports flexible forms of generalized estimation. The proposed Fault Location (FL) application uses different types of measured data which utilizes power system static data modeled using bus-branch. Significant number of mappings is required to correlate the measured data and model. It is shown that both applications will be simplified if unified generalized representation of data and model as suggested in this paper is utilized.