cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of excimer laser-assisted pacing and ICD lead extraction in children and young adults.

Background: High capture thresholds, decreased electrical sensing, and lead fractures continue to be a problem in children undergoing transvenous pacing. The clinician must therefore decide at the time of pacing system revision to either abandon chronically implanted transvenous pacing leads or extract them. Methods: We report our experience using an excimer laser-assisted (LA) strategy for removing chronically implanted pacing (36) and implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) (7) leads in children and young adults. The study population consisted of 25 patients, in whom 29 procedures were performed. The patients ranged in age from 8.4 to 39.9 years, median age was 13.9 years, at the time of the extraction procedure. In all procedures, a Spectranectics™ locking stylet and excimer laser sheath were used to assist in lead extraction. Results: Lead removal was complete for 39 (91%) leads, and partial for four leads. In two patients, the pacing lead tip was retained and in two, the ring electrode from a bipolar pacing lead was left in situ. All ICD leads were removed completely. Two major complications occurred—cardiac perforation and tamponade (1), and thrombosis of the left subclavian/innominate vein (1). LA extraction facilitated the implantation of new pacing or ICD leads in three patients with obstructed venous access. Conclusions: Removal of pacing and ICD leads using an excimer LA technique was highly successful. Lead removal was complete in 91%. The most common indication for lead removal in our study was lead fracture. Complications were few, but may be significant.
Disinhibition of the Conditioned Galvanic Skin Response

Resume On a etabli chez dix sujets une reponse galvanique conditionnelle de la peau a un stimulus visuel auparavant neutre (lumiere faible). Le stimulus non conditionnel a ete un choc faradique au doigt. La reponse conditionnelle a ete experimentalement eteinte “au-dessous de zero” et dis-inhibee par un stimulus auditif (sonnette electrique rauque). La dis-inhibition a reveille la reponse eteinte aux deux tiers de sa premiere force. La nature temporaire de la dis-inhibition a ete montree par le retablissement de la premiere inhibition apres un retard de 198 secondes. Un retablissement spontane s'est montre apres des intervalles de 3,5 heures a 16 jours avec nul renforcement intermediaire. Les Groupes de Controle A et B (dix et cinq sujets respectivement) ont subi des chocs, non accompagnes de lumiere, egaux en ordre temporel et en nombre moyen aux stimulations de lumiere et de choc en paires subies par le groupe experimental. Trois sujets dans le groupe de controle A ont montre assez d'effets d'irradiatio...
Patterns of food use and nutrient intake of obese and non-obese Hualapai Indian women of Arizona

To document patterns of food use and nutrient intake associated with obesity in Native American women, a sample of 14 obese and 14 non-obese free-living Hualapai Indian women living in northwest Arizona was studied. Patterns of food use were determined through long-term observation, dietary histories, and 24-hour dietary recalls. Dietary intake was determined through 24-hour dietary recalls over 7 consecutive days. Patterns of food acquisition, selection, and preparation were similar for obese and non-obese Hualapai women. The diets of both groups were dominated by nonalcoholic beverages, potatoes, beans, white wheat flour, and canned goods. Wild and locally cultivated foods were not eaten on a regular basis. The diets of both the obese and non-obese women were high in energy (pooled mean ± standard deviation [SD] = 2,602 ± 766 kcal/day) and carbohydrates (pooled mean ±SD = 333.4±95.6 gm/day), moderate in protein (pooled mean ± SD = 77.8 ± 20.9 gm/day) and fat (pooled mean ±SD = 101.1 ±25.4 gm/day), and low in crude fiber (pooled mean ±SD = 4.7±2.0 gm/day). The study indicates that significantly (p
Myeloperoxidase-Mediated Dysfunctional High-Density Lipoprotein

The oxidation of lipoproteins plays an important role in atherogenesis. Most studies have focused on the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, occurring to a significant extent in the arterial intima leading to the formation of the characteristic foam cell of the atherosclerotic plaque.1 However, the oxidation of the proteins of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is thought to substantially attenuate the atheroprotective effects of this lipoprotein. Among the agents that potentially play an important role in oxidizing HDL is myeloperoxidase, an enzyme found in neutrophils, monocytes, and subsets of macrophages. Myeloperoxidase levels in the blood and blood leukocytes have been reported to be elevated in patients with coronary artery disease.2 Its level may be a valuable risk factor able to predict a major cardiac event in patients with chest pain.3 See accompanying article on page 779 Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-1) is thought to have several atheroprotective influences.4 In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Hewing et al …
The interdiurnal variability of temperature on Mount Washington

In two recent papers I dealt with the aperiodic changes of temperature on Mount Washington [see 1 of “References” at end of paper]. The present investigation is a continuation of the former attempts.
Adaptation of cancellous bone to aging and immobilization in the rat: A single photon absorptiometry and histomorphometry study

Nine-month-old female rats were double-labeled with bone markers and subjected to right hindlimb immobilization or served as control for 0, 2, 10, 18, or 26 weeks. The right limb was immobilized against the abdomen, thus unloading it, while the left limb was overloaded during ambulation. Single photon absorptiometry and cancellous bone histomorphometry were performed on dissected intact femur and 20-microns-thick undecalcified specimens of the proximal tibial metaphysis. In the unloaded limb, immobilization-induced muscle and cancellous bone loss occurred rapidly before 10 weeks and stabilized at 50% less bone mass after 18 weeks. Unloading caused a negative bone balance from a combination of elevated bone resorption and depressed bone formation. At 2, 10, and 18 weeks of immobilization, the ratios of bone resorption to bone formation surfaces were 1.6, 1.5, and 1.3, respectively; at 26 weeks, the ratio was 1. The bone loss was accompanied by poorer trabecular architecture (trabecular number decreased and trabecular separation increased), reaching the maximum at 18 weeks and stabilizing thereafter. These observations are in general agreement with Frost's postulate for mechanical effects on lamellar bone remodeling, and the findings on disuse osteoporosis in man. Therefore, the one-legged immobilization model can be useful in studies of the mechanisms of structural adaptation to mechanical usage.
Millimeter-wave dual polarized L-shaped horn antenna array

A new broadband dual polarized L-shaped horn antenna and associated waveguide feed structure is presented. The horn antenna and waveguide feeds are filled with dielectric material, where a small aperture area of 0.5/spl lambda/ square is achieved. Using stereolithography, the miniature antennas and waveguides were fabricated as sets of cavity filled blocks. Broadband attributes are demonstrated with a measured return loss of better than -10 dB from 34 to 40 GHz. The measured gain is 5.3 dB at 35 GHz, with 19 dB cross-polarization discrimination.
Tropical Intercontinental Optical Measurement Network Of Aerosol, Precipitable Water And Total Column Ozone

A new generation of automatic sunphotometers is used to systematically monitor clear sky total column aerosol concentration and optical properties, precipitable water and total column ozone diurnally and annually in West Africa and South America. The instruments are designed to measure direct beam sun, solar aureole and sky radiances in nine narrow spectral bands from the UV to the near infrared on an hourly basis. The instrumentation and the algorithms required to reduce the data for subsequent analysis are described.
A Comparison of two Cohorts of College Students in Responses to the Male-Female Relations Questionnaire:

Two cohorts of male and female introductory psychology students from the same university, tested in 1978 and 1992, were given the male or the female form of the Male-Female Relations Questionnaire (MFRQ; Spence, Helmreich, & Sawin, 1980), which assesses respondents' personal gender-role preferences and behaviors in interpersonal situations. In both genders, the means of the majority of MFRQ items decreased significantly from 1978 to 1992, but item means were still fairly close to the midpoint of the response scale. Women tended to be less willing than men to assign leadership roles to men but in social interactions with the other gender, they admitted to deliberately acting “feminine” as much or more than men admitted to acting “masculine.” Correlations between the MFRQ and the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS; Spence & Helmreich, 1978) were also determined and found to be substantial. Psychometric differences between the instruments suggested, however, that the MFRQ provides unique information and may o...
Colonel Bruton's Kinase Defined the Molecular Basis of X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia, the First Primary Immunodeficiency

The importance of pathogen-specific humoral immunity was recognized from the early days of immunology. However, that integrity of humoral immunity is essential to protect against life-threatening infections was established with the discovery of the first primary immunodeficiency disease (PID). In
An Almost Global Tracking Control Scheme for Maneuverable Autonomous Vehicles and its Discretization

This technical note treats the challenging control problem of tracking a desired continuous trajectory for a maneuverable autonomous vehicle in the presence of gravity, buoyancy and fluid dynamic forces and moments. A realistic dynamics model that applies to maneuverable vehicles moving in 3-D Euclidean space is used for obtaining this control scheme. While applications of this control scheme include autonomous aerial and underwater vehicles, we focus on an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) application because of its richer, more nonlinearly coupled, dynamics. The desired trajectory and trajectory tracking errors are globally characterized in the nonlinear state space. Almost global asymptotic stability to the desired trajectory in the nonlinear state space is demonstrated both analytically and through numerical simulations.
Floral longevity in Campanula americana (Campanulaceae): a comparison of morphological and functional gender phases

Plastic responses to pollination and/or pollen removal may shift a flower's realized longevity closer to an optimal longevity that maximizes reproductive output per unit resource input. In particular, conditional responses to pollen removal and pollen deposition are expected in flowers of protandrous species in which the lengths of the male and female phases may be adjusted independently. We investigated plasticity in floral longevity in Campanula americana, a protandrous, insect-pollinated herb. In greenhouse studies, we found that the longevity of the morphological male phase was shortened by pollen removal and that the longevity of the morphological female phase was shortened by pollen deposition. In a natural population, male and female sexual functions saturated within a few hours of morphological gender phase onset. In contrast to theory, morphological gender phases did not terminate immediately upon saturation of sexual function. These findings are discussed in the context of current floral longevity theory.
Estimation of the derivatives of generation system reliability indices in Monte Carlo simulation

Planning and scheduling of power system operation for future loads involves extensive studies of reliability analysis and production costing to ensure secure and economical supply of electric energy. Sensitivity analysis plays an important role in fine tuning the operating plans in the presence of various uncertainties. In this paper, the application of a technique known as perturbation analysis (PA) to the generation system reliability analysis using Monte Carlo simulation is presented. Specifically, the PA is used to find the derivatives of some of the reliability indices. Starting with a general introduction of the Monte Carlo simulation, the power system model for the application of PA is described. This is followed by a thorough discussion of the generation and propagation of perturbations to estimate the derivatives during the chronological simulation. A numerical example is presented in which the PA derivative estimates of a 6 unit thermal system are compared to the estimates obtained from analytical methods. >
Advanced neural-network training algorithm with reduced complexity based on Jacobian deficiency

We introduce an advanced supervised training method for neural networks. It is based on Jacobian rank deficiency and it is formulated, in some sense, in the spirit of the Gauss-Newton algorithm. The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, as a modified Gauss-Newton, has been used successfully in solving nonlinear least squares problems including neural-network training. It outperforms the basic backpropagation and its variations with variable learning rate significantly, but with higher computation and memory complexities within each iteration. The mew method developed in this paper is aiming at improving convergence properties, while reducing the memory and computation complexities in supervised training of neural networks. Extensive simulation results are provided to demonstrate the superior performance of the new algorithm over the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm.
AN APPRAISAL OF TWO METHODS OF ANALYZING INSECT LIFE TABLES

Two methods of analyses, Morris’ key-factor analysis and Varley and Gradwell’s method of analysis, purport to detect density-dependent and density-independent mortality. To test their claims, both methods were used to analyze a life table constructed from a model in which the mode of action of each mortality factor is known. The results show that Morris’ method can detect variation in mortality between generations but it cannot distinguish the density relationships of that mortality. On the other hand, Varley and Gradwell’s method of analysis was found to detect the density relationships of the mortality as it was modeled, when their modified method, the ’proof of density dependence test,’ is used in conjunction with the linear regression of k-value against the density on which it acts.
Antimicrobial resistance in respiratory tract pathogens

Antimicrobial resistance has been a problem ever since the introduction of antimicrobial agents 60 years ago. Today, this problem is increasing so rapidly that the end of the antimicrobial era is being predicted. The increasing problems caused by antimicrobial resistance can be illustrated by those seen in bacterial pathogens that cause community acquired respiratory tract infections, which are among the most common and important infections seen by clinicians. Bacterial pathogens causing community acquired respiratory tract infections have a number of resistance mechanisms such as β-lactamases. Recognition of these resistance mechanisms allows them to be targeted, such as with β-lactamase inhibitors. Newly recognized resistance mechanisms such as efflux may also be targeted in the future.
The missing observations theorem and a new proof of Levinson's recursion

A principle of linear mean-square estimation which we call the "missing observations theorem" is presented here and used to provide a simple alternative derivation of Levinson's recursion. The derivation leads directly to the lattice form of the prediction error filter and avoids cumbersome matrix partitioning methods typically used in the derivation of the Levinson algorithm.
Intelligent Systems for Power Management and Distribution

The motivation behind an advanced technology program to develop intelligent power management and distribution (PMAD) systems is described. The program concentrates on developing digital control and distributed processing algorithms for PMAD components and systems to improve their size, weight, efficiency, and reliability. Specific areas of research in developing intelligent DC-DC converters and distributed switchgear are described. Results from recent development efforts are presented along with expected future benefits to the overall PMAD system performance.
Studies of Jet Thermal Stability in a Flowing System

A flowing, single-pass heat exchanger test rig, with a fuel capacity of 189 litres, has been developed to evaluate jet fuel thermal stability. This so called, “Phoenix Rig” is capable of supplying jet fuel to a 2.15 mm I.D. tube at a pressure up to 3.45 MPa, fuel temperature up to 900K, and a fuel-tube Reynolds number in the range 300–11,000. Using this test rig, fuel thermal stability (carbon deposition rate), dissolved oxygen consumption, and methane production were measured for three baseline jet fuels and three fuels blended with additives. Such measurement were performed under oxygen-saturation or oxygen-starved conditions.Tests with all of the blended fuel samples showed a noticeable improvement in fuel thermal stability. Both block temperature and test duration increased the total carbon deposits in a nonlinear fashion. Interestingly, those fuels that need a higher threshold temperature to force the consumption of oxygen exhibited greater carbon deposits than those that consume oxygen at a lower temperature. These observations suggested a complicated relationship between the formation of carbon deposits and the temperature-driven consumption of oxygen. A simple analysis, based on a bi-molecular reaction rate, correctly accounted for the shape of the oxygen consumption curve for various fuels. This analysis yielded estimates of global bulk parameters of oxygen consumption. The test rig yielded quantitative results which will be very useful in evaluating fuel additives, understanding the chemistry of deposit formation, and eventually developing a global chemistry model.Copyright © 1992 by ASME
Amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels in pelvic uroepithelium involved in renal sensory receptor activation.

Stretching the renal pelvic wall increases ipsilateral afferent renal nerve activity (ARNA). This response is enhanced by inhibiting Na+-K+-ATPase with ouabain, suggesting a modulatory role for int...
Response of ytterbium disilicate-silicon environmental barrier coatings to thermal cycling in water vapor

Abstract A preliminary study of a promising bi-layer environmental barrier coating (EBC) designed to reduce the susceptibility of SiC composites to hot water vapor erosion is reported. The EBC system consisted of a silicon bond coat and a pore-free ytterbium disilicate (YbDS; Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 ) topcoat. Both layers were deposited on α-SiC substrates using a recently optimized air plasma spray method. The two layers of the coating system had coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) that were well matched to that of the substrate, while the YbDS has been reported to have a moderate resistance to silicon hydroxide vapor forming reactions in water vapor rich environments. Thermal cycling experiments were conducted between 110 °C and 1316 °C in a flowing 90% H 2 O/10% O 2 atmospheric pressure environment, and resulted in the formation of a thermally grown (silica) oxide (TGO) at the silicon-ytterbium disilicate interface. The TGO layer exhibited linear oxidation kinetics consistent with oxidizer diffusion through the ytterbium silicate layer controlling its thickening rate. The effective diffusion coefficient of the oxidizing species in the YbDS layer was estimated to be 2 × 10 −12 m 2 s −1 at 1316 °C. Slow steam volatilization of the YbDS topcoat resulted in the formation of a thin, partially protective, high CTE ytterbium monosilicate layer on the outside of the YbDS coating. Progressive edge delamination of the coating system was observed with steam exposure time, consistent with water vapor volatilization of the TGO edges that were directly exposed to the environment. This was aided by outward bending of the delaminated region to relax TGO and YbMS surface layer stresses developed during the cooling phase of each thermal cycle.
TSV Market Drivers, Demand & Product Readiness

The market has narrowed its approach and solidified its direction for the majority of 2.5 and 3D TSV product technologies. Forecasts have now become real for these technologies and the end game realized as evidenced by production launch of the Xilinx Virtex-7. This talk will discuss market trends, anticipated product launch dates as well as general capacity needs as the market begins to rollout these new products.
The Effects of Economic-Related Candidate Traits on Evaluations

Scholars have shown that individuals use candidate traits in different ways when evaluating those running for office. Much of this research deals with how sophistication conditions the use of traits, but less is known about how real world situations shape when an individual's use of certain traits in formulating opinions is activated. This paper inquires into how perceptions of real world conditions affect the desirability of certain traits (and as such, certain candidates) in a campaign setting. More specifically, the paper assesses (through an original survey experiment presenting subjects with differing political biographies) how individuals' sociotropic and pocketbook assessments of the economy drive their reactions to candidates with varying levels of experience in the fields of economics and business. The paper argues and tests the idea that individuals who perceive problems with their own economic situations and the national economy will evaluate candidates with economic-oriented educational backgrounds and experience running businesses more highly than candidates lacking these traits.
Janus particles as artificial antigen-presenting cells for T cell activation.

Here we show that the multifunctionality of Janus particles can be exploited for in vitro T cell activation. We engineer bifunctional Janus particles on which the spatial distribution of two ligands, anti-CD3 and fibronectin, mimics the “bull’s eye” protein pattern formed in the membrane junction between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell. Different levels of T cell activation can be achieved by simply switching the spatial distribution of the two ligands on the surfaces of the “bull’s eye” particles. We find that the ligand pattern also affects clustering of intracellular proteins. This study demonstrates that anisotropic particles, such as Janus particles, can be developed as artificial antigen-presenting cells for modulating T cell activation.
Alteration of hSNF5/INI1/BAF47 detected in rhabdoid cell lines and primary rhabdomyosarcomas but not Wilms' tumors

The organization of genomic DNA into chromatin aids in the regulation of gene expression by limiting the access of transcriptional binding domains. The SWI/SNF family of chromatin-remodeling complexes, which are conserved from yeast to humans, open the chromatin to facilitate the transcriptional machinery to access their targets. The gene encoding the BAF47/hSNF5 subunit of the complex has been found mutated in both rhabdoid cell lines and in primary rhabdoid tumors. Since the pediatric tumors rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and Wilms' tumor (WT) share a similar genetic link with rhabdoid tumors, it was hypothesized that they may also show alterations of the BAF47 gene. Using primary tumors, the BAF47 protein was detected in all WT but less than 75% of the RMS tested. In cell lines, the BAF47 protein was missing in all rhabdoid cell lines and one RMS cell line. Analysis of sample DNA displayed either a mutation or deletion of the BAF47 gene in all samples negative for the protein. Several other subunits of the human SWI/SNF complex, including BRG1 which is the subunit directly interacting with the Rb tumor suppressor gene, were detected in all tumor samples. Alteration of BAF47 may be a genetic marker associated with the poor prognosis seen in all rhabdoid tumors but only some RMS.
Using Thick Substrates and Capacitive Probe Compensation to Enhance the Bandwidth of Traditional CP Patch Antennas

The simplicity and intuitive design of traditional circularly polarized (CP) patch antennas, such as the truncated corner patch antenna, has led to their widespread popularity. However, they are limited to a narrowband performance on the order of 0.1%-2% for simultaneously good S11 and axial ratio (AR). We will prove theoretically that this is a direct result of the probe reactance hindering the use of thicker substrates to increase the bandwidth. Furthermore, we propose a novel compensation technique to enhance the bandwidth capabilities of these CP patch antennas. Our method inserts a capacitive element, such as an annular gap or parallel plate, in series with the probe inductance to remove its effect. We demonstrate this technique with simulations and measurements to obtain AR- S11 bandwidth capabilities as high as 12.6%. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first time that capacitive compensation and thick substrates have been jointly employed to enable broadband CP patch antennas.
A computational study of the mechanism of the selective crystallization of α- and β-glycine from water and methanol-water mixture

Understanding the control of polymorphism in organic crystals is of paramount importance to the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries. In this work, we investigated two mechanisms described in the literature about the selective crystallization of α- and β-glycine from water and from mixtures of water and methanol using molecular simulations. The link hypothesis (J. Phys. Chem. B 2008, 112, 7794; Cryst. Growth Des. 2006, 6, 1788; J. Inclusion Phenom. Mol. Recognit. Chem. 1990, 8, 395; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1986, 108, 5871.), which tries to relate the structure of the polymorph obtained from crystallization to the structure of the prenucleation aggregates in the solutions, says the abundance of glycine cyclic dimers in aqueous solutions leads to the crystallization of α-glycine, the polymorph using cyclic dimers as the packing units. This hypothesis was studied first. We revisited the self-assembly of glycine molecules in solution using molecular dynamics to address the debate (Phys. Rev. Lett. 2007, 99, 115702; J. Phys. Chem. B 2008, 112, 7280; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 13973.) about which is the dominating species in the glycine aqueous solutions and whether there is a link between the solution chemistry and the polymorphic outcome of crystallization. The structures of the glycine clusters were characterized using a structural parameter called cyclic dimer fraction. The glycine clusters in methanol-water mixtures have higher cyclic dimer compositions than those in the pure aqueous solutions. Moreover, the glycine open-chain dimer is more stable than the cyclic dimer regardless of the presence of methanol. All these suggest that the link hypothesis does not work for the polymorphic system of glycine, and the selective crystallization of α- and β-glycine from water and methanol-water mixture, respectively, is not due to the abundance of glycine aggregates in the solution phase with a similar structure to the crystallizing solid form. The hypothesis of the methanol inhibition on the growth of α-glycine {010} and {010} faces, proposed by Weissbuch (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 3226.), was also studied. The interfaces between the {010} and {010} faces of both crystal forms (α and β) and both solvents (water and methanol-water 3:7 mixture) were studied using molecular simulation. No strong binding of methanol onto the {010} and {010} faces of both crystal forms was observed, and the addition of methanol dilutes the crystal-solvent interactions on all faces. Therefore, the selective crystallization of β and α-glycine with and without methanol does not follow either of the two mechanisms in the literature.
Inventory survey of the ICU Acinetobacter baumannii contamination in Yangpu district

Objective Investigated the condition of this microorganism contamination in ICU in Yangpu district,to explore the effective method of controlling acinetobacter baumannii contamination. Methods According to the demand of Hospital disinfection technical specifications,to conduct environmental hygiene monitoring sampling for the hands of medical staffs and the surfaces of objects in ICU. To conduct acinetobacter baumannii monitoring analysis for collected 597 samples,to understand its distribution in ICU. Results Acinetobacter baumannii were detected in 79 samples,the positive rate was 13. 23%. This microorganism was found in most samples collected except those from nurses' hands. The positive rates in Grade A comprehensive hospitals were obviously higher than those in Grade A specialized hospitals or Grade B comprehensive hospitals. Conclusions For reducing the contamination of acinetobacter baumannii in ICU,should strengthening the training for medical staffs,enhancing the conscious of nosocomial infection prevention,mastering the correct method of hand hygiene and putting it into effect,doing well on patients' isolation,reinforcing ward health management and environmental disinfection measures,therefore to reduce the occurrence of hospital infection.
Basic Biophysical Principles of Resurfacing of Human Skin by Means of the Carbon Dioxide Laser

ABSTRACT This discussion analyzes the biophysical effects of superpulsed, ultrapulsed, and swept-beam carbon dioxide lasers in the removal of the outer layers of skin for the purpose of facial resu...
Long-term recall of speech sounds as a function of pronounceability.

It is generally agreed that long term memory is primarily a semantically based system. If this is correct the pronounceability of phonetic units should not affect recall over long intervals of time. In Experiment I children recalled non-pronounceable and pronounceable units equally well. In Experiment II non-pronounceable units appeared in the same list. The lists were designed so that children's overt pronunciations of non-pronounceable units would be the same as a corresponding pronounceable unit. No differences were found between mixed and non-mixed lists.
Coccidioidomycosis-Associated Deaths in California, 2000–2013:

The number of cases of coccidioidomycosis and associated hospitalizations increased in California during 2000-2013. During that period, a total of 1,098 death records listed coccidioidomycosis as a cause, averaging 78 deaths annually (range: 43-108). The death rate peaked in 2006 and was significantly higher among males than among females, among African American patients than among white patients, and among residents of the coccidioidomycosis-endemic region of California than among residents of the less endemic regions (p<0.001). A higher death rate was associated with increasing age and was highest (8.8 per 1 million population) among adults aged ≥75 years. Of coccidioidomycosis-associated deaths, 31.9% had a contributing cause of death of severe/disseminated disease, 31.8% of unspecified -coccidioidomycosis, and 28.3% of pulmonary unspecified coccidioidomycosis, per International Classification of Diseases codes. Diabetes was a contributing cause in 19.3% of deaths, and other immunocompromising conditions were a contributing cause in 15.9% of deaths. Populations at higher risk for coccidioidomycosis--associated deaths are similar to those at higher risk for coccidioidomycosis-associated hospitalizations and infection. Awareness for coccidioidomycosis among these groups and their providers is important for proper diagnosis and care.
Chapter 28 – Neuropathology of AIDS

This chapter reviews the range of neuropathologic abnormalities found in adults and children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The spectrum of neurologic disorders includes HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD) and related cognitive and motor disorders, vacuolar myelopathy, and peripheral neuromuscular disorders. The etiologic basis of these clinical syndromes is principally attributable to the direct and indirect effects of HIV-1 on the nervous system, to opportunistic infections, or neoplasms. It is well known that multiple etiologic agents may cause neurologic disease in any affected individual. The incidence of these disorders has declined remarkably since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, neurologic disability continues to be an important complication of AIDS, as most current antiretroviral drugs have relatively poor central nervous system (CNS) penetration and the CNS is a reservoir for long-term viral persistence. In response to this challenge, through intensive research over the past decade, the mechanisms of injury of the nervous system are slowly beginning to be understood.
Predictive Beyond-Mean-Field Rate Equations for Multisite Lattice–Gas Models of Catalytic Surface Reactions: CO Oxidation on Pd(100)

Tailored multisite lattice-gas (msLG) models are developed for CO-oxidation on Pd(100) at low-pressures. These models include multiple adsorption site types and superlattice adlayer ordering due to short-range exclusion for highly mobile reactant adspecies. However, they are simplified to neglect longer-range weaker adspecies interactions, so that the key energetic parameters are the CO desorption barrier and the reaction barrier. We discuss existing Density Functional Theory results for these energies, and present additional analysis for CO adsorption. After also including an appropriate non-trivial specification of the dynamics of adsorption onto mixed reactant adlayers, rate equations are developed for the reaction kinetics. Our formulation goes beyond traditional mean-field (MF) Langmuirian treatments by accounting for multiple adsorption sites and for the strong spatial correlations associated with superlattice ordering. Specifically, we utilize factorization approximations based on appropriate site ...
Radiographic Parameters of Adult Lumbar Scoliosis

Radiographic evaluation has been a key component of the scoliosis workup since the advent of the x-ray. The development of Cobb angles and other coronal deformity measurements have proven invaluable in the management of juvenile deformity. In adults, however, sagittal alignment has been shown to be better predictive of outcomes than coronal scoliosis. The natural curvature of the spine and its variability from patient to patient cloud the evaluation and treatment of sagittal deformity. The intertwined relationship between the spine and the pelvis further complicates the management of this disease. The pelvis and the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine, together with the lower limbs and head, form a “chain of interdependence” that must be considered for each patient. As a result, radiographic parameters have been established and evaluated through the prism of patient-reported outcomes to help guide surgeons in managing this complex, full body pathology.
Stressing Escherichia coli to educate students about research: A CURE to investigate multiple levels of gene regulation.

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been shown to increase student retention and learning in the biological sciences. Most CURES cover only one aspect of gene regulation, such as transcriptional control. Here we present a new inquiry-based lab that engages understanding of gene expression from multiple perspectives. Students carry out a forward genetic screen to identify regulators of the stationary phase master regulator RpoS in the model organism Escherichia coli and then use a series of reporter fusions to determine if the regulation is at the level of transcription or the post-transcription level. This easy-to-implement course has been run both as a 9-week long project and a condensed 5-6 week version in three different schools and types of courses. A majority of the genes found in the screen are novel, thus giving students the opportunity to contribute to original findings to the field. Assessments of this CURE show student gains in learning in many knowledge areas. In addition, attitudinal surveys suggest the students are enthusiastic about the screen and their learning about gene regulation. In summary, this lab would be an appropriate addition to an intermediate or advanced level Molecular Biology, Genetics, or Microbiology curriculum. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(5):449-458, 2017.
Realism’s new horizons: Roger Leenhardt’s theoretical shift after Trois portraits d’un oiseau qui n’existe pas/Three Portraits of a Bird that Doesn’t Exist (Robert Lapoujade, 1963)

Late in his career, filmmaker and theorist Roger Leenhardt (1903–1985) published two enigmatic statements that suggest that he was increasingly sceptical of the idea, which he himself had defended ...
Cardioprotection by Metformin: Beneficial Effects Beyond Glucose Reduction

Metformin is a biguanide that is widely used as an insulin-sparing agent to treat diabetes. When compared with the general population, diabetics are twice as likely to die from fatal myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure (CHF). There has been a significant concern regarding the use of metformin in patients with CHF because of their higher tendency to develop lactic acidosis. However, large epidemiological trials have reported better cardiovascular prognosis with metformin compared to other glucose-lowering agents among diabetics. Additionally, metformin has reduced the risk of reinfarction and all-cause mortality in patients with coronary artery disease and CHF, respectively. The protection against cardiovascular diseases appears to be independent of the anti-hyperglycemic effects of metformin. These effects are mediated through an increase in 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and by increased phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in cardiomyocytes with an increased production of nitric oxide (NO). Metformin preconditions the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury and may improve myocardial remodeling after an ischemic insult. The preponderance of evidence currently suggests that metformin is safe in patients with CHF, prompting the Food and Drug Administration to remove CHF as a contraindication from the package insert of all generic metformin preparations. In this narrative, along with a limited meta-analysis of available studies, we have reviewed the pleiotropic (non-glucose-lowering) effects of metformin that potentially contribute to its cardioprotective properties. Additionally, we have reviewed issues surrounding the safety of metformin in patients with cardiac diseases.
The Support Group in Psychiatric Residency: How Can We Best Help Our Residents?

A support group for psychiatric residents is described and contrasted with another group described. Issues that need to be addressed in the planning of such groups are whom to include and at what stage of residency, the structure and setting of the group, the choice of moderator, and the role of faculty. Specific suggestions addressing these issues are made using the experiences of the two groups and other reports in the literature.
Biogeochemical Provinces: Towards a JGOFS Synthesis

Most people are intuitively familiar with the existenceof recognizable, bounded units of landscape with characteristic climatic regimes, land cover and animal populations — the basis of the ecosystem concept in ecology. Theophrastus (ca. 320 b.c.) documented this recognition in his ‘Inquiry into Plants’ and it is implicit much later in the writings of Thoreau, G. P. Marsh and others who by the mid-19th century already lamented the loss of the North American primeval forests (Cronon 1983). Thus we recognize particular terrestrial ecosystems: grasslands, savannas, deserts, temperate and tropical forests, polar tundra and so on. What about the ocean? To the uneducated eye of the non-sailor, the surface of nearly three quarters of the planet is largely homogeneous, with minor differences in surface roughness and color. The featureless nature of the ocean’s upper surface is especially conspicuous offshore, away from the gradients in color resulting from terrestrial sources of organic matter and resuspended sediments found in shallow waters. Do distinct marine provinces or ecosystems analogous to the familiar terrestrial biomes exist? Many (but not all) oceanographers agree that they do, and there have been many schemes to distinguish and classify them, but there is little agreement on how many should be identified and their spatial scale. Yet most of us would agree that there are distinctive, large scale ocean regimes which also support characteristic flora and fauna, and exist in the familiar climatic regions of the planet.
A Chromium Based Viewer for CUMULVS.

As cluster computing becomes increasingly more accessible the need for tools to simplify the development and use of parallel simulations grows proportionally. One class of tools, steering and visualization middle-ware, promises to assist in code development as well as increase the value of the final simulation produced. We are interested in employing a steering and visualization middle-ware package known as CUMULVS. By creating a distributed visualization client, or viewer, we have been able to produce images of the running application at a much higher data rate than a similarly configured single processor viewer. In this paper, we describe the design of such a viewer and present preliminary performance data.
COMPETING RISKS ANALYSIS OF DROPOUT AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

We employ individual-level panel data on students with disabilities in Florida to determine the relationship between high school teacher quality and the likelihood a student drops out as well as the type of diploma they receive if they do finish high school. Our data include five cohorts of 9 th graders from 1998/99-2002/03 and link students to individual teachers for each class the students are enrolled in at every grade level. We use both a competing risks proportional hazard Cox model and a propensity score matching method to estimate the effect of teachers. We find some evidence of significant negative correlations between teacher experience and the likelihood of dropping out of high school and between drop out probabilities and teachers with advanced degrees. The competing risks analysis shows that special education certification for teachers of special education courses leads to both a higher hazard of obtaining a special education diploma and a lower hazard of obtaining a standard high school diploma. The estimated average treatment effect on the treated indicates that exposure to a high quality teacher during high school leads to a lower likelihood of dropout and a higher probability of graduating with a diploma.
Commemorating the past in the urban present: Living heritage on Constitution Hill/Johannesburg

Located in the centre of Johannesburg, Constitution Hill represents a distinctive memorial site that commemorates the experiences of male and female prisoners with the state-sponsored violence of a...
Mild chronic perturbation of inhibition severely alters hippocampal function

Pentameric GABAA receptors mediate a large share of CNS inhibition. The γ2 subunit is a typical constituent. At least 11 mutations in the γ2 subunit cause human epilepsies, making the role of γ2-containing receptors in brain function of keen basic and translational interest. How small changes to inhibition may cause brain abnormalities, including seizure disorders, is unclear. In mice, we perturbed fast inhibition with a point mutation T272Y (T6′Y in the second membrane-spanning domain) to the γ2 subunit. The mutation imparts resistance to the GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxin, allowing verification of mutant subunit incorporation. We confirmed picrotoxin resistance and biophysical properties in recombinant receptors. T6′Y γ2-containing receptors also exhibited faster deactivation but unaltered steady-state properties. Adult T6′Y knockin mice exhibited myoclonic seizures and abnormal cortical EEG, including abnormal hippocampal-associated theta oscillations. In hippocampal slices, picrotoxin-insensitive inhibitory synaptic currents exhibited fast decay. Excitatory/inhibitory balance was elevated by an amount expected from the IPSC alteration. Partial pharmacological correction of γ2-mediated IPSCs with diazepam restored total EEG power toward baseline, but had little effect on the abnormal low-frequency peak in the EEG. The results suggest that at least part of the abnormality in brain function arises from the acute effects of truncated inhibition.
Comparative analysis of ventilation efficiency on ultrafine particle removal in university MakerSpaces.

Abstract The proliferation of 3D printing MakerSpaces in university settings has led to an increased risk of student and technician exposure to ultrafine particles. New MakerSpaces do not have standardized specifications to aid in the design of the space; therefore, a need exists to characterize the impacts of different engineering controls on MakerSpace air quality. This study compares three university MakerSpaces: a library MakerSpace operating ≤4 devices under typical office space ventilation with no engineering controls, a laboratory MakerSpace operating 29 printers inside grated cabinets, with laboratory-grade ventilation, and a center MakerSpace operating ≤4 devices with neither engineering controls nor internal ventilation. All MakerSpaces were studied under both controlled (using a standard print design) and uncontrolled (real-time user operation) conditions measuring emitted particle concentrations in the near-field. Additionally, volatile organic emissions and the difference between near-field and far-field particle concentrations were investigated in multiple MakerSpaces. The center MakerSpace had the greatest net increase in mean particle number concentration (+1378.9% relative to background during a print campaign using polylactic acid (PLA) filament in a MakerBot (MakerBot-PLA)). The number-weighted mean diameter had the greatest change relative to background during the library campaign, +37.1% for the Lulzbot-PLA and −56.1% for the Ultimaker-PLA studies. For the standard NIST design with MakerBot-PLA, the laboratory's particle removal ratio was 30 times greater than in the library with open cabinets and 54 times greater when the cabinet doors were closed. The average particle removal rate from the center MakerSpace was up to 2.5 times less efficient than that of the library for the same MakerBot-PLA combination. These results suggest ventilation as a key priority in the design of a new university MakerSpace.