cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonbiased Molecular Screening Identifies Novel Molecular Regulators of Fibrogenic and Proliferative Signaling in Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease.

Background— Pathological processes underlying myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) remain poorly understood. We sought to identify novel mechanisms contributing to the development of this condition. Methods and Results— Microarrays were used to measure gene expression in 11 myxomatous and 11 nonmyxomatous human mitral valves. Differential gene expression (thresholds P 1.5) and pathway activation (Ingenuity) were confirmed using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Contributions of bone morphogenetic protein 4 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2 to differential gene expression were evaluated in vitro. Contributions of angiotensin II to differential pathway activation were examined in mice in vivo. A total of 2602 genes were differentially expressed between myxomatous and nonmyxomatous valves. Canonical TGF-β signaling was increased in MMVD because of increased ligand expression and derepression of SMA mothers against decapentaplegic 2/3 signaling and was confirmed with quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Myxomatous valves demonstrated activation of canonical bone morphogenetic protein and Wnt/β-catenin signaling and upregulation of their common target runt-related transcription factor 2. Our data set provided transcriptional and immunohistochemical evidence for activated immune cell infiltration. In vitro treatment of mitral valve interstitial cells with TGF-β2 increased β-catenin signaling at mRNA and protein levels, suggesting interactions between TGF-β2 and Wnt signaling. In vivo infusion of mice with angiotensin II recaptured several changes in signaling pathways characteristic of human MMVD. Conclusions— These data support a new disease framework whereby activation of TGF-β2, bone morphogenetic protein 4, Wnt/β-catenin, or immune signaling plays major roles in the pathogenesis of MMVD. We propose these pathways act in a context-dependent manner to drive phenotypic changes that fundamentally differ from those observed in aortic valve disease and open novel avenues guiding future research into the pathogenesis of MMVD.
An Ecological Approach To Health Risk: A Case Study of Urban Elderly Homeless People

The purposes of this paper are: to describe an ecological approach to assessing health risk, and to apply the approach to a sample of elderly homeless within the context of a single day in a single urban setting. In the approach described, a method of progressive contextualization was used by adding different hazards to the risk profile in a single geographic area. The various hazards were applied to the same time and space frame, that of a 24-hour period and in the urban space used by elderly homeless people. Incorporated into the approach are the concepts of high-risk areas and space-time geography, and the theory of disease ecology. The spatial-temporal distribution of resources, factors in the natural environment (patterns of daylight and dark and ambient temperature) and factors in the human-created environment (traffic and crime patterns) were identified as important hazards within the urban environment. Homelessness itself, the effects of aging, the social milieu, and behavior patterns commonly seen in homeless people--particularly, alcohol abuse--were identified as important hazards for elderly homeless people. Each hazard's spatial-temporal pattern within the 24-hour period is discussed. Then the convergence of hazards forming an interactive effect is discussed. Finally, approaches to nursing interventions aimed at reducing risk are presented. Language: en
Fatal fulminant necrotizing pneumonia: a case report

Introduction Here we present the case of a patient with fatal pulmonary histoplasmosis who presented with extensive necrotizing and cavitating pneumonia. To the best of our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe this presentation in a patient with no known immunosuppression.
The Computation of Stereo Disparity for Transparent and for Opaque Surfaces

The classical computational model for stereo vision incorporates a uniqueness inhibition constraint to enforce a one-to-one feature match, thereby sacrificing the ability to handle transparency. Critics of the model disregard the uniqueness constraint and argue that the smoothness constraint can provide the excitation support required for transparency computation. However, this modification fails in neighborhoods with sparse features. We propose a Bayesian approach to stereo vision with priors favoring cohesive over transparent surfaces. The disparity and its segmentation into a multi-layer "depth planes" representation are simultaneously computed. The smoothness constraint propagates support within each layer, providing mutual excitation for non-neighboring transparent or partially occluded regions. Test results for various random-dot and other stereograms are presented.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Older Adults

This chapter will focus on the highly prevalent condition of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). POP is a leading cause of morbidity in aging female adults and has a variety of clinical presentations. Unfortunately, there is a lack of uniformity in the approaches to POP and there is much misinformation among patients and in the lay media. Recent concerns about some of the surgical treatments of POP with synthetic mesh have heightened awareness and drawn attention to this condition. This chapter will look at the epidemiology of POP and associated risk factors. The etiology of these conditions and diagnostic criteria will also be explored. Finally, the clinical evaluation will be outlined followed by a thorough analysis of both conservative therapies and surgical options in older women.
Summary of Workshop on “Lymphokines Activating Cells for Killer Functions”

A variety of lymphokines have been demonstrated to stimulate the production of. or to augment the activity of. natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and other effector cells. The greatest emphasis in this workshop was related to the effects of IL-2 on effector cell functions. J.R. Ortaldo (abstract #1704) presented data indicating that human LAK cells generated by culture of lymphocytes in the presence of IL-2, although mainly derived from NK cells. had the ability to recognize an additional target cell structure. However, in discussion, it was pointed out that the distinctions between NK sensitive and NK resistant targets are not absolute and it may not be necessary for LAK cells to generate a new cell surface recognition structure in order to develop cytotoxic reactivity against a broader panel of targets. J.Y. Djeu (#1705) reported that human LAK cells have the ability to significantly kill autologous monocytes, particularly after the targets have been cultured for two days prior to assay. These data indicate that LAK cells can have potentially important autoreactivity as well as antitumor reactivity.
Mechanism Design with Public Goods: Committee Karate,Cooperative Games, and the Control of Social Decisions through Subcommittees

Axioms from social choice theory and the core of cooperative games in effectiveness form are used to design an organization that influences a voting group to choose the alternative preferred by a designer. The designer has information about individual preferences and can dictate organization but cannot dictate choice. The designer’s influence works through decision centers (subcommittees). Subcommittee memberships, subcommittee separation, the alternatives available to the subcommittees, the chairpersons and voting rules can be used to create games with appropriate configurations of cores that result in group decisions according to the designer's wishes. The institutions leave considerable flexibility to subcommittee decisions and appear to be fair. Manipulation is not detected. Core alternatives emerge as the group choice. Conflicting individual preferences enable organizational structures such that a wide range of alternative can be made the solution. Experiments demonstrate that the resulting model is a very accurate predictor of the group choice.
Treatment of superficial carcinoma of the bladder.

The assessment and optimum management for carcinoma of the bladder which fails to invade the muscle is in dispute. Multiple previous investigators have pooled the results of stage 0 and stage A disease within the same stratification. Recent review of the results would indicate that stage 0 malignancy, those which have not penetrated the lamina propria, have a prognosis considerably different from malignancy which does penetrate the lamina propria. Multiple treatment modalities ranging from open cystotomy and electroresection through external beam radiation, intravesical chemotherapy, mucosal stripping, local heat or pressure, and immunotherapy have been utilized in the management of this disease process. This manuscript reviews the current status of these treatments in the management of noninvasive carcinoma of the bladder.
In situ real time observation of chemical vapor deposition using an environmental transmission electron microscope

Material synthesis by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in a number of material systems has been investigated in real time using an environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM) with 3.8 A resolution. Here, we will focus on two metal / insulator systems. Al CVD onto SiO 2 from trimethyl amine alane and Au CVD from ethyl (trimethylphosphine) gold (I), also onto SiO 2 . For Al deposition, dendritic growth was observed for all pressure / substrate temperature combinations investigated for growth on untreated SiO 2 . Subsequent to reaction of the substrate surface with TiC1 4 , almost immediate continuous Al film growth was observed. Growth rates for the Al film could be measured in situ by monitoring the evolution of the growth front at the Al/vacuum interface. In this system, very little enhancement in the metal film growth rate was observed as a consequence of electron beam irradiation for continuous films grown after TiCl 4 pretreatment.. This dramatically contrasts with the case of Au CVD investigated. In this instance, growth rate enhancements of up to 150 times were observed during electron beam irradiation as compared to purely pyrolytic decomposition of the precursor on the insulator surface. This growth rate enhancement decreased monotonically with substrate temperature. We surmise that this effect is related to the ratio of precursor surface residence time prior to ecomposition to the probability of collision from the impinging electron beam.
Surveillance on abnormal reaction following immunization in Nanning(2008-2011)

Objective To analyze the features of adverse effects following immunization in Nanning from 2008 to 2011.To evaluate the implementation of AEFl surveillance system and the safety of vaccines.Methods The AEFI data of Nanning during the period of 2008-2011 were collected through the National AEFI Information System.Descriptive methodology was used in this study.Results A total of 578 AEFI cases were reported during the period of 2008-2011.Among them,252 cases with general reaction,accounted for 43.60%,280 cases with vaccine paradoxical reaction,accounted for 48.44%,31 cases with coincidental illness,accounted for 5.36%,6 cases with operational error,accounted for 1.04%.336 cases were under 1 year old,accounted for 58.13%.456 cases occurred with aggregation tendency during the period between March and October,accounted for 78.90%.25 kinds of vaccines were involved in AEFI cases,26.99% of AEFI cases were induced by BCG vaccine,20.24% of AEFI cases were induced by DTwP vaccine,15.40% of AEFI cases were induced by MV vaccine;382 cases appeared after the 1st dose,accounted for 66.09%;The reported incidence of AEFI were estimated as 0.28-101.63 per one hundred thousand doses.Conclusions According to the data of surveillance,the AEFI surveillance system of Nanning was operating normally,safety of vaccines and quality of immunization service were fine.AEFI cases were mainly distributed in the low-age children,NIP vaccines,first-dose and in the early period of vaccination.Considering the above factors: surveillance on the privately purchased vaccination should be strengthened;personnel training should be promoted;,regular AEFI supervision should be carried out so as to ensure the quality of AFEI surveillance.
Epidermal growth factor activation of NF-κb is mediated through IκBα degradation and intracellular free calcium

The transcription factor NF-kappa-B is normally sequestered in the cytoplasm by its inhibitory subunit IkappaB. Most extracellular signals activate NF-kappa-B through a mechanism involving the phosphorylation and proteasome-dependent degradation of IkappaB. EGF activates NF-kappaB in A-431 carcinoma cells, which overexpress EGF receptors and in mouse embryo fibroblasts, which have a normal complement of receptors. Supershift experiments indicate that the NF-kappa-B complexes induced by EGF are composed of p50/p50 homodimers and p65/p50 heterodimers, but not c-rel. EGF stimulation enhances the degradation of IkappaBalpha, but not IkappaBbeta nor an N-terminal deletion mutant of IkappaBalpha. Treatment of cells with a proteasome inhibitor, such as ALLN or MG132, blocks EGF-mediated NF-kappaB activation, indicating that EGF-induced NF-kappa-B activation requires proteasome-dependent IkappaB degradation. Also, Bapta A/M (a cell-permeable chelator of intracellular calcium) blocks EGF-induced NF-kappa-B activation and IkappaBalpha degradation, suggesting a requirement of intracellular free Ca2+ for this growth factor response. Protein kinase C inhibition, in contrast, did not influence EGF activation of NF-kappaB.
Towards a new infrastructure: aesthetic thinking, synthetic sensibilities

AbstractWhat is the relevance of aesthetics and sensibility for infrastructure? Drawing on the ideas of Jacques Ranciere, Susan Sontag, and Gregory Bateson, the historical example of Frederick Law Olmsted, and a number of contemporary case studies, this essay argues that the value of aesthetics and sensibility lies in their ability to conceive of and produce infrastructural projects that are an integrated, multifunctional part of the landscape, rather than something isolated from it.It is argued that such an understanding of infrastructure is increasingly important, as the interdependent social, environmental, economic, and political problems it is asked to tackle–for example, the issues associated with rising sea levels–cannot be solved using its traditional techniques of isolation and optimization. Rather, they demand the synthetic techniques and products produced by aesthetic practices such as landscape, architectural, and urban design.
Silent α2C-adrenergic receptors enable cold-induced vasoconstriction in cutaneous arteries

Cold constricts cutaneous blood vessels by increasing the reactivity of smooth muscle α2-adrenergic receptors (α2-ARs). Experiments were performed to determine the role of α2-AR subtypes (α2A-, α2B...
Metadata view graphs: a framework for query optimization and metadata management

Query optimization is the process of mapping a logical query expression to a physical query execution plan. Several approaches to query optimization have proven to be successful independently, but no one has considered integrating these approaches within a single optimizer. The Metadata View Graph (MVG) Framework uses the semantics of the database to support the integration of various types of query optimization. Specifically, semantic query optimization is used to reformulate a query to satisfy the conditions required by the other types of query optimization. This allows the optimizer to use approaches that do not apply to the original query. The transformation rules used by semantic query optimization have traditionally been derived from schema-based constraints. Recently, however, researchers have begun to explore methods for discovering dynamic rules which represent the current contents of the database. Although dynamic rules generally contain more information than schema-based constraints, they are only valid for certain instances of the database. Consequently, dynamic rules must be maintained when the content of the database changes. Therefore, when the database state evolves (i.e., data is inserted, deleted, or modified), the rules that are affected by the changes must be invalidated or rewritten. Although several researchers have acknowledged the need to maintain dynamic rules, no one has formally addressed the problem. The Metadata View Graph is a metadatabase that maintains semantic, statistical, and structural metadata for views of a database. This research has produced a set of strategies, methods, and algorithms for efficiently maintaining dynamic rules in the Metadata View Graph. Although these maintenance algorithms are essential to the MVG Framework, they are an important contribution to query optimization in general.
Epilogue: Emergent Principles of Democratic Schooling

The book ends with a set of principles that emphasize the generic traits of existence, systems theory, complexity, diversity, unique potential, inquiry, and democracy. Together these principles offer a compelling vision of schools as communities contributing to democracy and human flourishing.
Outpatient Alveolar Bone Grafting.

PURPOSE Alveolar bone graft (ABG) has traditionally been performed with a postoperative inpatient stay secondary to donor site pain. Upon transitioning from an open iliac bone harvesting technique to an Acumed trephine, the authors observed that donor site pain was reduced eliminating an inpatient stay. This study examines the cost savings associated with outpatient ABG surgery. METHODS A retrospective single-institution review was conducted on all patients who had an ABG performed from 2012 to 2015. Patients were categorized based upon hospital stay: inpatient, observation (23-hour), or outpatient. Cost data reported included: total direct cost, total variable direct cost, fixed direct cost, and the sum of total direct costs for both medical/surgical supplies and operating room costs. T tests were used to determine differences in various cost categories between groups of patients. RESULTS Sixty-two procedures were performed: 7 procedures were inpatient, 16 observation, and 39 outpatient. The total direct costs averaged $4536 for inpatients, $3222 for the observation group, and $3340 for the outpatient group. Inpatient and outpatient costs were significantly different (P <0.01). Total variable direct costs (P <0.05) and fixed direct costs (P <0.01) were significantly lower in the outpatient/observation group. All costs for the observation group were significantly lower than inpatient costs, but were not significantly different than outpatient costs. There were no readmissions reported. CONCLUSIONS Cost of an inpatient stay is significantly higher than outpatient or 23-hour observation for ABG procedures. The Acumed trephine technique allows for same-day discharge. In the face of declining reimbursement, safe and cost-efficient treatments are an appealing option.
A flexible job-shop scheduling for small batch customizing

Small batch customization becomes an important typical manufacturing model nowadays. Considering the limited machine and technic resource in small scale factory, it's crucial for them to schedule mutable producing task. By analyzing flexible job shop scheduling problem, setting up mathematical models and objective functions, the flexible job shop dynamic scheduling problems can be solved, under the conditions of provided constraint conditions. Based on the existed experience, the standard genetic algorithm was improved by designing a genetic operator that based on dynamic procedure encoding, reserving the optimal individual and meeting requirements of flexible job shop task scheduling. A simulation calculation was carried out by using the proposed algorithm, the results shows fast convergence and strong optimization ability.
SNAP Participation and Diet-Sensitive Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adolescents.

Introduction Previous research suggests participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is associated with poorer adult cardiometabolic health; the extent to which these associations extend to adolescents is unknown. Differences in diet quality, obesity, and cardiometabolic risk factors were examined among SNAP participants, income-eligible nonparticipants, and higher-income adolescents. Methods The study population comprised 4,450 adolescents ≤300% federal poverty level from the 2003–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Generalized linear models were used to examine associations between SNAP participation and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index–2010. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between SNAP participation, obesity, and risk factors comprising the metabolic syndrome. Data were analyzed in 2015. Results All surveyed adolescents consumed inadequate amounts of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and long-chain fatty acids, while exceeding limits for sugary beverages, processed meats, and sodium. Although there were few dietary differences, SNAP participants had 5% lower Alternate Healthy Eating Index–2010 scores versus income-eligible nonparticipants (95% CI=−9%, −1%). SNAP participants also had higher BMI-for-age Z scores (β=0.21, 95% CI=0.01, 0.41), waist circumference Z scores (β=0.21, 95% CI=0.03, 0.39), and waist-to-height ratios (β=0.02, 95% CI=0.00, 0.03) than higher-income nonparticipants. SNAP participation was not associated with most cardiometabolic risk factors; however, SNAP participants did have higher overall cardiometabolic risk Z scores than higher-income nonparticipants (β=0.75, 95% CI=0.02, 1.49) and income-eligible nonparticipants (β=0.55, 95% CI=0.03, 1.08). Conclusions Adolescent SNAP participants have higher levels of obesity, and some poorer markers of cardiometabolic health compared with their low-income and higher-income counterparts.
Techno-economic analysis for the biochemical conversion of Miscanthus x giganteus into bioethanol

Abstract This study assessed the economic viability of using Miscanthus x giganteus as a feedstock for the production of bioethanol based on plant designs and models by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In 2007 dollars, the total cost of installed equipment for a plant with an annual feedstock requirement of 701 million kg/year was $281 million, with the single largest component, cost of feedstock, contributing approximately 40% to the total. The total capital investment needed for the plant was $464 million, or $2.01 per annual liters of ethanol. The variable operating cost of the plant varied between $79 and $93 million per year, depending on the cost of feedstock. The minimum ethanol-selling price (MESP) was calculated from discount cash flow rate analysis. Changing the feedstock cost from $0.08/kg to $0.10/kg increased the MESP from $0.65/L to $0.71/L. The analysis estimated the sensitivity of the MESP to variations in the percentage of equity financing (from 0 to 100%), internal rate of return (from 10% to 20%) and federal corporate taxes (from 30% to 60%). The results of the study allow a direct comparison of the MESP for Miscanthus as opposed to corn-stover, grass straw and hybrid poplar, and provide a benchmark for future studies of economic feasibility of alternative lignocellulosic feedstocks against each other as well as against conventional gasoline and diesel fuels.
Channel geomorphic evolution after dam removal: is scale important?

Post–dam removal geomorphologic adjustment of a stream channel has been documented in the scientific literature at watershed, hillslope, and laboratory scales. Hillslope-scale studies in channel cross sections are most common and add significant value in the dam-removal literature. This study examines geomorphic stream channel adjustment following dam removal at the hillslope scale under natural climatic conditions. A sediment-filled silt fence dam (1 m tall, 12.65 m wide) was removed in three stages, and the width and depth of the upstream developing channel was monitored at six transects for 15 months. Headcut retreat and changes in channel sinuosity were also recorded. After the silt fence dam was removed, channel development was initiated by headcut formation, which migrated upstream at a rate of 4 cm/d for about 10 months and then gradually reached attenuation. The channel progressed through four distinct stages: Stage 1 (Initial conditions); Stage 2 (Downcutting)—wide, shallow, meandering channel incised to a maximum depth of 0.52 m, and sinuosity decreased; Stage 3 (Floodplain development)—upon reaching base level, surface runoff began to meander within the channel, widening it through bank slumps and erosion; and Stage 4 (Quasi-equilibrium)—channel development reached dynamic (quasi-) equilibrium with only minor widening at downstream transects (maximum width of the incised channel reached 0.46 m), accompanied by sediment aggradation. The stages of upstream channel development and headcut retreat pattern in this study are consistent with the findings of other studies at the laboratory and watershed scales, indicating that channel development after dam removal is scale independent.
The Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney Procedure Fails as a Test of Medians

To illustrate and document the tenuous connection between the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney (WMW) procedure and medians, its relationship to mean ranks is first contrasted with the relationship of a t-test...
Sample size bias in retrospective estimates of average duration

People often estimate the average duration of several events (e.g., on average, how long does it take to drive from one's home to his or her office). While there is a great deal of research investigating estimates of duration for a single event, few studies have examined estimates when people must average across numerous stimuli or events. The current studies were designed to fill this gap by examining how people's estimates of average duration were influenced by the number of stimuli being averaged (i.e., the sample size). Based on research investigating the sample size bias, we predicted that participants' judgments of average duration would increase as the sample size increased. Across four studies, we demonstrated a sample size bias for estimates of average duration with different judgment types (numeric estimates and comparisons), study designs (between and within-subjects), and paradigms (observing images and performing tasks). The results are consistent with the more general notion that psychological representations of magnitudes in one dimension (e.g., quantity) can influence representations of magnitudes in another dimension (e.g., duration).
Dispersion Interactions in Water Clusters.

The importance of dispersion forces in water clusters is examined using the effective fragment potential (EFP) method. Since the original EFP1 water potential does not include dispersion, a dispersion correction to the EFP1 potential (EFP1-D) was derived and implemented. The addition of dispersion to the EFP1 potential yields improved geometries for water clusters that contain 2–6 molecules. The importance of the odd E7 contribution to the dispersion energy is investigated. The E7 dispersion term is repulsive for all of the water clusters studied here and can have a magnitude that is as large as half of the E6 value. The E7 term therefore contributes to larger intermolecular distances for the optimized geometries. Inclusion of many-body effects and/or higher order terms may be necessary to further improve dispersion energies and optimized geometries.
Integrative Governance of Environmental Water in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin: Evolving Challenges and Emerging Pathways

Integration, a widely promoted response to the multi-scale complexities of social-environmental sustainability, is diversely and sometimes poorly conceptualized. In this paper we explore integrative governance, which we define as an iterative and contextual process for negotiating and advancing the common interest. We ground this definition in a discussion of institutional factors conditioning integrative governance of environmental water in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin. The Murray–Darling Basin is an iconic system of social-ecological complexity, evocative of large-scale conservation challenges in other developed arid river basins. Our critical assessment of integrative governance practices in that context emerges through analysis of interviews with policy participants and documents pertaining to environmental water management in the tri-state area of southwestern New South Wales, northwestern Victoria, and the South Australian Riverland. We identify four linked challenges: (i) decision support for developing socially robust environmental water management goals, (ii) resource constraints on adaptive practice, (iii) inter-state differences in participatory decision-making and devolution of authority, and (iv) representative inclusion in decision-making. Our appraisal demonstrates these as pivotal challenges for integrative governance in the common interest. We conclude by offering a perspective on the potential for supporting integrative governance through the bridging capacity of Australia’s Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
Heart failure in primary care: measuring the quality of care.

BACKGROUND Concerns exist about the quality of care provided to heart failure patients by primary care physicians. Using an evidence-based clinical guideline, we evaluated the care given to patients with systolic heart failure. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 420 patients from 25 primary care practices in upstate New York who had received a diagnosis of heart failure. Chart documentation confirmed the diagnosis (n = 395). We excluded patients with noncardiogenic volume overload or correctable valvular disease (n = 338). Performance profiles measured use of diagnostic tests, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurement, patient education, and prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. For treatment recommendations, patients were classified according to LVEF status. RESULTS Only 82% of the patients studied had an LVEF test result documented in their charts. Of these, 49% had an LVEF < or = 40%. ACE inhibitor use was greater among patients with low LVEF (91%) than among those with a normal LVEF (62%). Among patients with systolic heart failure taking ACE inhibitors, 87% were at target doses. Adherence measures were low for laboratory evaluation and patient-education criteria. CONCLUSIONS Heart failure with normal LVEF was as prevalent as systolic heart failure in these primary care practices. Performance profiles for the physicians' prescriptions of ACE inhibitors exceeded those published in the literature. Patients who did not have a documented measure of LVEF, however, received lower quality of care as measured by this disease-specific guideline. This underscores the importance of measuring LVEF.
Incidence and outcomes of spinal cord injury clinical syndromes.

Background/Objective: To examine and compare demographics and functional outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) clinical syndromes, including central cord (CCS), Brown-Sequard (BSS)...
Andrés Bello: Sus Silvas y el proceso de formación del Estado

RESUMEN La independencia de los dominios espanoles en America no fue el resultado de una revolucion social que hiciera tambalear las bases economicas y sociales del orden colonial. Al contrario, el movimiento independentista fue principalmente de caracter politico y estuvo dirigido por sectores sociales fortalecidos durante el siglo XVIII gracias a las politicas economicas introducidas por los Borbones, que constituyeron lo que Pierre Vilar llama "la reconstruccion del pacto colonial" (75). Es notorio, sin embargo, que dichos sectores sociales no mantuvieron con el estado borbonico una relacion sencilla. Todo lo contrario, pese a ser favorecidos por su politica economica, se vieron negativamente afectados por la estrategia politica borbonica que exigia un mayor control desde el centro sobre toda la administracion colonial que, por lo tanto, entraba a depender de mandatarios de absoluta confianza de la corona, cerrando las puertas del poder politico a los naturales, y favoreciendo a funcionarios peninsulares, a quienes se les impuso innumerables limitaciones en sus posibilidades de actuacion, tanto politica como personal, a fin de evitar cualquier vinculo estable con la sociedad local. En breve, esta estrategia politica convertia a los sectores dirigentes criollos en ciudadanos de segunda clase. Es esta contradictoria relacion con la Espana Imperial la que va a marcar el desarrollo ideologico de los sectores dirigentes americanos a lo largo -pero especialmente en la segunda mitad- del siglo XVIII, hasta culminar en la formulacion de la via independentista como unica posibilidad de desarrollo de sus propios intereses, tanto economicos como politicos.
Phosphorylation Sites Within α4 Subunits of α4β2 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors: A Comparison of Substrate Specificities for cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase (PKA) and Protein Kinase C (PKC)

The present study determined whether putative phosphorylation sites within the M3/M4 cytoplasmic domain of the human α4 subunit of α4β2 neuronal nicotinic receptors are substrates for cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC). Five peptides corresponding to predicted phosphorylation sequences were synthesized, and phosphorylation was compared with standard peptide substrates for each kinase, that is, Kemptide for PKA and glycogen synthase (GS) 1-8 for PKC. VRCRSRSI had the highest affinity for PKA, with a Km of 44.5 μM; Kemptide had a Km of 7.7 μM. LMKRPSVVK and KARSLSVQH were also phosphorylated by PKA, but had lower affinities of 593 μM and 2896 μM, respectively. LMKRPSVVK had the highest affinity for PKC with a Km of 182 μM; GS 1–8 had a Km of 2.1 μM. VRCRSRSI had a comparative affinity for PKC with a Km of 327 μM. PCKCTCKK was not phosphorylated by PKA, but was a substrate for PKC with a Km of 1392 μM, whereas PGPSCKSP was not phosphorylated by either kinase. Based on these findings, results suggest that Ser-362 and Ser-486 on the human α4 subunit may be phosphorylated by either PKA or PKC, Ser-467 is a putative PKA site, and Thr-532 represents a likely PKC substrate; Ser-421 does not appear to be phosphorylated by either kinase.
Arterial Occlusive Disease: Carotid, Mesenteric, and Renal

Atherosclerosis continues to be the main cause of death and disability in most developed countries. In addition to select surgical and endovascular therapy, all patients with carotid, renal, and mesenteric atherosclerotic disease should receive best medical therapy, i.e., risk factor modification, antiplatelet therapy, and lifestyle modification.
The Johns Hopkins University multimodal dataset for human action recognition

The Johns Hopkins University MultiModal Action (JHUMMA) dataset contains a set of twenty-one actions recorded with four sensor systems in three different modalities. The data was collected with a data acquisition system that includes three independent active sonar devices at three different frequencies and a Microsoft Kinect sensor that provides both RGB and Depth data. We have developed algorithms for human action recognition from active acoustics and provide benchmark baseline recognition performance results.
Here is a strange and bitter crop: Emmett Till and the rhetorical complications of treescape memory

On November 17, 2014, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder presided over a tree planting ceremony at Capitol Building Park in Emmett Till’s name. Holder announced that the “tree would become a living ...
Cognitive Biases and Pitfalls

Finding needles in a haystack is challenging because the haystack provides no clue at all about the needles. The Chinese culture describes such daunting situations with a similar metaphor but on a larger scale: finding a needle in an ocean!
Hematologic malignancies of the larynx: A single institution review.

Abstract Background Primary hematologic malignancies of the larynx are rare diagnoses, accounting for less than 1% of all laryngeal tumors. They most commonly present as submucosal masses of the supraglottis, with symptoms including hoarseness, dysphagia, dyspnea and rarely cervical lymphadenopathy. Purpose 1. To present a case series of primary hematologic malignancies of the larynx in patients treated in a tertiary care laryngology practice. 2. To review the literature on primary hematologic malignancy of the larynx. Methods Retrospective case series of patients in a tertiary academic laryngeal practice with hematologic malignancy of the larynx presenting over a 10 year period; charts were reviewed for diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes. Results 12 patients were found to have primary presentation of a hematologic malignancy within the larynx between 2009 and 2019. A submucosal mass was the most common finding, and hoarseness was the most common symptom. Local control of disease was high. Airway obstruction was managed with tracheostomy. Several patients required tube feeding prior to disease control. Most patients underwent radiation therapy and chemotherapy, although surgery alone was effective in patients with isolated disease. Conclusions Hematologic malignancies of the larynx are rare but treatable. Biopsy is the mainstay of diagnosis, and imaging may be helpful to exclude diseases with a similar physical presentation (i.e., laryngocele). Prognosis depends on diagnosis but is generally favorable.
DAIRY EDUCATION | Dairy Production

Dairy education in dairy production has greatly changed during the past 50 years. This article highlights the trends and progress in dairy education. The student population has changed, with more female students, decreased number of students from farms, less emphasis on dairy within the changes in universities, and a large increase in the use of technology. Changes in the dairy industry during the last 25 years have greatly impacted dairy education. The current education curricula and programs continue to emphasize science, but recent education programs emphasize more experiential learning to supplement classroom learning. The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) program focuses on all facets of a dairy farm business. This program has had a significant impact on teaching and education in many universities in the United States and better meets the industry and student needs. Since 2002, about 2216 college students have enhanced their education by participating in the NAIDC program discussed in this article. The partnering of universities and industry is an important factor in the success of NAIDC. This program and its impact on dairy production education are discussed in this article.
Tridentate Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine Iron Catalyst for Electrocatalytic Proton Reduction

Abstract For widespread applicability, successful complexes for catalytic hydrogen generation should be inexpensive and easy to synthesize. To this end, a series of tetradentate Fe(III) polypyridyl monophenolate complexes was recently reported that are stable and active electrocatalysts for reducing protons into hydrogen gas. While these complexes were active for hydrogen generation, the ligands were synthesized in moderate to good yield after multiple synthetic steps. Herein we report a tridentate iron dipyridyl amine analogue for hydrogen generation that is synthesized in a single synthetic step from commercially available materials. The resulting complex is an active electrocatalyst operating at -0.95 V vs SHE (-1.57 V vs Fc+/Fc) with a TOF = 16 s-1. The complex is also a precatalyst for photocatalystic hydrogen evolution when paired with fluorescein (chromophore) and triethylamine (sacrificial electron source) in a 1:1 ethanol:water mixture.
New algorithms for reconfiguring VLSI/WSI arrays

In this paper we present new algorithms for reconfiguring arrays of identical Processing Elements (PEs) in the presence of faults. In particular, we consider a well-studied reconfiguration model which consists of a rectangular array of PEs with spare columns of PEs on one side. In the presence of faulty PEs, reconfiguration is achieved by constructing alogical array using only the healthy non-spare and spare PEs. Note that one can always successfully reconfigure the array as long as the number of faulty PEs is no more than the number of spare PEs. The general objective, however, is to derive a logical array such that the geometric distances betweenlogical neighbors (i.e., PEs that are connected in the reconfigured array) are kept small. This criterion is motivated by the fact that shorter interconnects reduce the communication delays among the PEs, and also lead to less routing hardware. The problem of determining a reconfiguration that minimizes the length of the longest interconnect ishard and several researchers have presented sub-optimal algorithms that seem to have satisfactory performance. In this paper we develop anew efficient algorithm that can reconfigure any array with arbitrary patterns of faulty PEs. Furthermore we show that our algorithm performs better than most of the other algorithms developed for similar models.
Microscopic Communities: Interdisciplinary Exploration of Microbes in the Classroom†

Children are aware of microbes from a young age and are rightly encouraged to wash their hands to prevent illness. However, myriad microbes live in, on, and around us, most of which are benign or beneficial. Our goal was to teach elementary students about microbiota by leveraging familiar literacy practices, social studies themes, and the arts to advance students' knowledge and reasoning skills in science. With this perspective in mind, we developed and implemented an interdisciplinary unit targeted at second grade, in which students learned about microbes and microbial communities. Our goal was to further students' conceptual knowledge of the microbes that surround them by purposefully integrating microbial communities within the second grade curriculum. Throughout the unit, students engaged in hands-on, inquiry-based science experiences and used multimodal communication (through a combination of linguistic, visual, audio, gestural, and spatial modes): they sampled microbes from their own bodies and/or environments and applied their knowledge and imagination to create their own microbes through art and story-telling, generating a class microbial community-both literal and artistic. At the end of the unit, students demonstrated knowledge of microbes and of the diversity and ubiquity of microbial communities and habitats.
Laïcité, émancipation et travail social: edited by Guylain Chevrier, Paris, L’Harmattan, 2017, 270 pp., pb., ISBN 978-2-343-12358-5

This remarkable and rather comprehensive collection or collective work – the French title translates into ‘Secularism, Emancipation and Social Work’ – introduces the different components of civic a...
Imaging of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection and Counseling Patients of Reproductive Age

This review highlights issues relevant to women of reproductive age with a history of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). Current topics regarding the care of SCAD patients include multimodality imaging, pregnancy, lactation, SCAD recurrence, reproductive counseling, migraines, cardiac rehabilitation, and mental health. While no single disease-causing gene for SCAD has been discovered, recent genome-wide association studies show promise for future understanding of underlying mechanisms and risk for SCAD. Patients with history of SCAD require dedicated, multidisciplinary care, and women of reproductive age necessitate specific discussion regarding pregnancy, contraception, and menses. Imaging to detect fibromuscular dysplasia and other arteriopathies is recommended in all patients. Pregnancy after SCAD is discouraged, although counseling must be tailored. Systemic exogenous hormones have not been shown to definitively increase the risk of SCAD, but nonhormonal treatment approaches are preferred. Triptan therapy should be discouraged in SCAD patients with migraines, and more research is needed to understand the safety of newer agents. Cardiac rehabilitation after SCAD is safe and encouraged. All SCAD survivors should be screened for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety regardless of time from initial event.
Inverse-designed Optical Vortex Beam Emitters

We experimentally demonstrate a suite of integrated inverse-designed optical vortex beam emitters. As these emitters are extremely compact, 3 × 3 µm, they are capable of operating over a 60 nm uninterrupted band.
Invited Commentary: Drug Checking for Novel Insights Into the Unregulated Drug Supply

Tobias et al. (Am J Epidemiol. XXXX;XXX(XX):XXXX-XXXX) present a novel analysis of time trends in fentanyl concentrations in the unregulated drug supply in British Columbia, Canada. The pre-existing knowledge about unregulated drugs had previously come from law enforcement seizures and post-mortem toxicology. As both of these data sources are subject to selection bias, large scale drug checking programs are poised to be a crucial component of the public health response to the unrelenting increase in overdose in North America. As programs expand, we offer two guiding principles. First, the primary purpose of these programs is to deliver timely results to people who use drugs to mitigate health risks. Second, innovation is needed to go beyond criminal justice paradigms in laboratory analysis for a more nuanced understanding of health concerns. We provide examples of the role adulterants play in our understanding of drug harms. We also describe the applications and limitations of common laboratory assays, with implications for epidemiologic surveillance. While the research and direct service teams in British Columbia have taken groundbreaking steps, there is still a need to establish best practices for communicating results to sample donors in an approachable yet non-alarmist tone.
Differential effectiveness of the Minnesota Safe Patient Handling Act by health care setting: An exploratory study.

Background The Minnesota Safe Patient Handling (MN SPH) Act requires health care facilities to implement comprehensive programs to protect their workers from musculoskeletal injuries caused by lifting and transferring patients. Nursing homes, hospitals, and outpatient facilities each face unique challenges implementing and maintaining SPH programs. The objective of the study was to compare patient handling injuries in these three health care settings and determine whether change in injury rate over time differed by setting following enactment of the law. Methods Workers' compensation data from a Minnesota-based insurer were used to describe worker and claim characteristics in nursing homes, hospitals, and outpatient facilities. Negative binomial models were used to compare claims and estimate mean annual patient handling claim rates by health care setting and time period following enactment of the law. Results Consistent with national data, the patient handling claim rate was highest in Minnesota nursing homes (168 claims/$100 million payroll [95% confidence interval: 163-174]) followed by hospitals (35/$100 million payroll [34-37]) and outpatient facilities (2/$100 million payroll [1.8-2.2]). Patient handling claims declined by 38% over 10 years following enactment of the law (vs. 27% for all other claims). The change in claims over time did not differ by health care setting. Conclusions In this single-insurer sample, declines in workers' compensation claims for patient handling injuries were consistent across health care settings following enactment of a state SPH law. Though nursing homes experienced elevated claim rates overall, results suggest they are not lagging hospitals and outpatient facilities in reducing patient handling injuries.