cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximizing the impact of power ICs via a time-to-market CAD driven power ASIC strategy

Great strides have been made in developing silicon processes that provide the benefits of high-level integration to power circuits. A recent example of such work at Harris Semiconductor has been the development of a power application-specific integrated circuit (PASIC) technology that allows integration on a single chip of a complete 1 MHz DC-DC converter. Despite such technological achievements, the marketplace further demands quick/low-risk design cycle times to capture opportunities before market windows close. It is also imperative to provide easy access to the technology for system-level designers, as opposed to traditional circuit designers, since they ultimately are knowledgeable and responsible for defining the function to be produced. The authors describe Harris's PASIC technology and demonstrate how computer-aided design (CAD) tools and concurrent engineering methods have been applied to achieve the above objective. >
Internalizing Antecedents and Consequences of Binge-Eating Behaviors in a Community-Based, Urban Sample of African American Females

The etiology of problem-eating behaviors is often overlooked in research as it typically shares many symptoms with other more common psychiatric illnesses. Binge-eating problems are at the forefront of the popular media because of the connection to obesity; therefore, increased knowledge of binge eating problems, particularly the internalizing antecedents and consequences will have implications in a multitude of domains, including prevention programs aimed at physical and mental health. The current study examines the antecedents of binge-eating behaviors by exploring how the growth of internalizing symptoms influences the proximal outcome of a binge-eating inventory in a longitudinal sample of African American girls. Additional consequences of binge-eating problems are also explored. This study focuses on binge-eating problems in order to present valuable information for prevention scientists who wish to develop target individuals at high risk for internalizing problems such as suicide.
Long-term results with the above-knee popliteal expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft.

Abstract Since approximately 30% to 40% of autogenous vein bypass grafts to the femoropopliteal level may occlude within 5 years of implantation, additional vein will be required for subsequent revisions. We undertook a study to determine whether the preferential use of an above-knee expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bypass graft to save vein is an appropriate option. We reviewed our experience with 114 above-knee expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bypass reconstructions. Life-table analysis of primary and secondary graft patency was carried out by the method of Peto and statistically analyzed for the influence of clinical indication, runoff as determined by both preoperative and intraoperative completion arteriography, smoking, and diabetes. The 5-year primary patency rate of 57% for patients with claudication was comparable to contemporary randomized or retrospective series with below-knee autogenous vein for that indication, and it was superior to the patency rate for limb salvage. The status of the runoff vessels was an important determinant of outcome. The 59 limbs with good arteriographic runoff (2 to 3 vessels) had a markedly higher 5-year patency rate (70%) than the poor arteriographic runoff (0 to 1 vessels) group (30%). Continued cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus also appeared to affect adversely primary graft patency in our hands. Our data support the use of preferential above-knee expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts in patients with good angiographic runoff. This approach does not appear to prejudice the limb against secondary revisionary procedures or the use of a new autogenous graft, if required. (J VASC SURG 1990;11:517-24.)
The Star Formation History and Mass Function of the Double Cluster h and χ Persei

The h and χ Per "double cluster" is examined using wide-field (0°.98 × 0°.98) CCD UBV imaging supplemented by optical spectra of several hundred of the brightest stars. Restricting our analysis to near the cluster nuclei, we find identical reddenings [E(B-V) = 0.56 ± 0.01], distance moduli (11.85 ± 0.05), and ages (12.8 ± 1.0 Myr) for the two clusters. In addition, we find an initial mass function slope for each of the cluster nuclei that is quite normal for high-mass stars, Γ = -1.3 ± 0.2, indistinguishable from a Salpeter value. We derive masses of 3700 M_☉ (h) and 2800 M_☉ (χ) integrating the present-day mass function from 1 to 120 M_☉. There is evidence of mild mass segregation within the cluster cores. Our data are consistent with the stars having formed at a single epoch; claims to the contrary are very likely due to the inclusion of the substantial population of early-type stars located at similar distances in the Perseus spiral arm, in addition to contamination by G and K giants at various distances. We discuss the uniqueness of the double cluster, citing other examples of such structures in the literature but concluding that the nearly identical nature of the two cluster cores is unusual. We fail to settle the long-standing controversy regarding whether or not the double cluster is the core of the Per OB1 association and argue that this may be unanswerable with current techniques. We also emphasize the need for further work on the pre-main-sequence population of this nearby and highly interesting region.
Mindset and standardized testing over time

Abstract A longitudinal study was conducted over three semesters within 28 classrooms, in seven schools, with a total of 419 participants to examine the relationship between students' mindset and their standardized test performance. Students in grades 3–6 completed questionnaires in the fall and spring semester across two school years. In addition, students completed standardized testing in math and reading. Multi-level models allowed for a 2-level model suggesting a link between time and academic achievement. Academic achievement and mindset related across the time points. Results suggest that initial mindset has an impact on students' academic achievement, with students who initially reported a more growth oriented mindset having a slower decline on test scores than students with a more fixed mindset.
Metube: Politicians, Youtube, and Election Campaigns in Longstanding Democracies

This paper seeks to understand the contextual forces that drive political campaigns to publish attack videos on YouTube, and also explores how YouTube election campaigning differs from traditional television advertising. Using a sample of over 3,000 YouTube videos from 72 parties running in 13 national-level elections, I find evidence that proportional election systems lead to more positive election campaigns, whereas weak parties tend to produce more negative videos. I also find that YouTube campaigns tend to be more positive than television campaigns, but that small parties and large parties deploy their messages across these mediums in very different ways.
Bilirubin prevents acute DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting leukocyte infiltration and suppressing upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Bilirubin is thought to exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)-dependent leukocyte migration and by suppressing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). As VCAM-1 and iNOS are important mediators of tissue injury in the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) murine model of inflammatory colitis, we examined whether bilirubin prevents colonic injury in DSS-treated mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered 2.5% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days, while simultaneously receiving intraperitoneal injections of bilirubin (30 mg/kg) or potassium phosphate vehicle. Disease activity was monitored, peripheral blood counts and serum nitrate levels were determined, and intestinal specimens were analyzed for histological injury, leukocyte infiltration, and iNOS expression. The effect of bilirubin on IL-5 production by HSB-2 cells and on Jurkat cell transendothelial migration also was determined. DSS-treated mice that simultaneously received bilirubin lost less body weight, had lower serum nitrate levels, and exhibited reduced disease severity than vehicle-treated animals. Concordantly, histopathological analyses revealed that bilirubin-treated mice manifested significantly less colonic injury, including reduced infiltration of eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, and diminished iNOS expression. Bilirubin administration also was associated with decreased eosinophil and monocyte infiltration into the small intestine, with a corresponding increase in peripheral blood eosinophilia. Bilirubin prevented Jurkat migration but did not alter IL-5 production. In conclusion, bilirubin prevents DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting the migration of leukocytes across the vascular endothelium and by suppressing iNOS expression.
ON THE EXPRESSION OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE BY HUMAN MACROPHAGES. WHY NO NO

The production of nitric oxide (NO) and its role in the anti-tumor and anti-microbial effects of rodent macrophages appears well established. In contrast, the circumstances required for its release from human monocytes/macrophages and its potential role in human pathology remain controversial. Evidence to be discussed suggests that NO is a redundant, autotoxic, immunosuppressive, and inefficient mediator of macrophage function. For these reasons, the expression of nitric oxide synthase as a rapid-response, high-output effector pathway may have been evolved out of the human monocyte/macrophage response repertoire or severely restricted in its expression. Hypothetical roles for a modest and circumscribed production of NO by human macrophages are proposed.
Abstract 483: The Signaling Pathways of Nicotine-induced ERK1/2 Phosphorylation in Rat Mesangial Cells

Tobacco smoking is associated with accelerated progression of chronic kidney disease of different etiologies including diabetes and hypertension. However, the mechanisms involved are not well understood. We have previously reported that nicotine, a biologically active compound present in high concentrations in tobacco, induces cell proliferation and fibronectin production in mesangial cells which are prevented by ERK1/2 inhibition (AJP’05). In these studies we determined whether rat mesangial cells (MC) express nicotine receptors and characterized the signaling pathways that lead to ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to nicotine. MC were grown in DMEM with 15% FBS in the presence of 0.4 mg/ml G418 and starved for 24 hours in DMEM without FBS before treatment. We first demonstrated that MC are endowed with several nicotinic Ach receptor (nAChR) subunits including α2-7 and β1-4 as assessed by western blot. Treatment of rat MC with nicotine at 10 -7 M caused a time-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation which peaked after 10 min of stimulation( N=3). Several protein kinase inhibitors were then used to identify the upstream kinases that mediate nicotine-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor KN93 (10 -7 M) decreased the ERK1/2 phosphorylation level by ∼57% (0.41 of 0.95) as compared to nicotine. The PKC inhibitor Go6983 at 10 -9 M, the PKA inhibitor H89 (10 -8 M) and the EGFR inhibitor AG 1478 (10 -7 M) also inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation by 60% (0.38 of 0.95), 48% (0.63 of 1.20) and 68% (0.40 of 1.23) respectively as compared to nicotine. Given the role of the nicotine receptors as agonist-regulated Ca 2+ channels, we determined the effects of Ca 2+ channel blockade on nicotine induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Treatment of MC with the calcium channel Verapamil (10 -9 M) resulted in 33% (0.49 of 0.73) inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation as compared to nicotine. In summary, we have determined in these studies that rat MC are endowed with several nAChR subunits and that ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to nicotine requires CaMK II, PKA, PKC and EGFR. In addition, we have demonstrated that these effects require Ca 2+ consistent with the role of the nAChR as agonist-regulated Ca 2+ channels in MC.
The movement-activated recording monitor: A third-generation motor-activity monitoring system

The movement-activated recording monitor (MARM) is a small noninvasive device that continuously detects, accumulates, and stores the amount of motor activity produced during sequential time intervals of designed duration. If motor activity totals are recorded every 15 min, the MARM is capable of calculating and storing 96 data points/day for 5.33 days. The MARM employs large-scale-integrated complementary-metal-oxide integrated circuits. To date, application has been primarily limited to psychiatric investigations, but the MARM is readily applicable for other time-motion studies of human or animal subjects.
Freeform Fabrication of High Performance Titanium Components via SLS/HIP

This paper presents the development of Selective Laser Sintering/Hot Isostatic Pressing (SLS/HIP) technology for production of functional high performance components in the titanium alloy Ti-6AI-4V. SLS/HIP is a net shape manufacturing technique that combines and exploits the freeform shaping capability of selective laser sintering and the full densification capability of hot isostatic pressing. The advantages of SLS combined with in situ HIP encapsulation include single step net shape canning, full densification by containerless HIP, no container-powder adverse interactions, reduced pre-processing time, and minimal post-process machining compared to conventional HIP of canned powders. Microstructure and mechanical properties of SLS processed and HIP post-processed Ti-6A1-4V are consistent with conventionally processed material. The potential of SLS/HIP technology was demonstrated by net shape fabricating a component to specification, namely the titanium guidance section housing base for the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile.
Role of Chief Executive Officers in Takeover Resistance: Effects of CEO Incentives and Individual Characteristics

This study examined the influence of chief executive officers' (CEO) incentives and individual characteristics on the likelihood that target firms will resist takeover attempts. Results showed that...
Heterogeneous solution deposition of high-performance adhesive hybrid films.

Interfaces between organic and inorganic materials are of critical importance to the lifetime of devices found in microelectronic chips, organic electronics, photovoltaics, and high-performance laminates. Hybrid organic/inorganic materials synthesized through sol–gel processing are best suited to address these challenges because of the intimate mixing of both components. We demonstrate that deposition from heterogeneous sol–gel solutions leads to the unique nanolength-scale control of the through-thickness film composition and therefore the independent optimization of both the bulk and interfacial film properties. Consequently, an outstanding 3-fold improvement in the adhesive/cohesive properties of these hybrid films can be obtained from otherwise identical precursors.
EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENTAL THERMAL REGIMES ON TWO MAYFLY SPECIES AND THEIR TAXONOMIC INTERPRETATION

Hexagenia limbata and Stenacron interpunctatum were studied to determine the source and significance of intraspecific variabiltity. Life cycles at two study sites in Indiana were complex, with at least two cohorts each. Maturation times determined in the laboratory for test groups of single populations decreased with warmer experimental temperature gradients (escalating developmental thermal regimes of 6 to 26°C, 12 to 26°C, 18 to 26°C, and 24 to 26°C, respectively). Degree-day accumulation was important for H. limbata emergence at the two colder regimes, whereas a minimum water temperature of 18°C was necessary for S. interpunctatum emergence. Reared adults varied in those phenotypic characters previously thought to have delimited multiple species or subspecies. Variability was either significantly correlated with developmental thermal regime or temperature independent and apparently individual. Size, intensity of color, and maculation were temperature dependent and increased as maturation time increased. Museum specimens from throughout the species ranges reflect the relationship between color types and thermal regimes. We conclude that subspecific classifications of both species are not tenable, and variants, for the most part, represent ecophenotypes.
Glass-Vial Bioassay To Estimate Insecticide Resistance in Adult Tarnished Plant Bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae)

A glass-vial bioassay was developed for use in estimating resistance to insecticides in adult tarnished plant bugs, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois). When laboratory reared insects of known age are used, the bioassay procedure requires that adults are not older than 10 d. Testing each sex separately was not required, and each glass-vial (treated on its inside with an insecticide) received a piece of green bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., as food for the adults tested. Two or 3 adults were placed in each vial; mortality was determined after 24 h of exposure in the vial. The bioassay was used to determine insecticide resistance in 3 groups of tarnished plant bugs to 10 different insecticides. Significant differences in resistance among adults were found from the 3 groups with most of the insecticides. Data obtained with this glass-vial bioassay can be compared with data obtained from bioassays that use plant bugs collected from cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., fields in which control with insecticides has been inadequate.
Site-Specific Mapping of Sialic Acid Linkage Isomers by Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Detailed structural elucidation of protein glycosylation is a tedious process often involving several techniques. Glycomics and glycoproteomics approaches with mass spectrometry offer a rapid platform for glycan profiling but are limited by the inability to resolve isobaric species such as linkage and positional isomers. Recently, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has been shown to effectively resolve isobaric oligosaccharides, but the utility of IMS to obtain glycan structural information on a site-specific level with proteomic analyses has yet to be investigated. Here, we report that the addition of IMS to conventional glycoproteomics platforms adds additional information regarding glycan structure and is particularly useful for differentiation of sialic acid linkage isomers on both N- and O-linked glycopeptides. With further development IMS may hold the potential for rapid and complete structural elucidation of glycan chains at a site-specific level.
Traffic Modeling for Deep Space Network in the Human Mars Exploration Era

In this article we describe the analysis and simulation effort of the end-to-end traffic flow for the Deep Space Network (DSN) in the Human Exploration Era, when DSN will provide communication and navigation services for human missions to distant celestial objects like the Moon, asteroids, and Mars. Using the network traffic derived for the 30-day period within July/August 2039 from the Space Communications Mission Model (SCMM), we simulate the bandwidths of the ground links and the buffer profiles of the network nodes. We also use a 2-state Markov scheme that models the store-and-forward mechanism that regulates the ground network traffic. The network traffic modeling and simulation generates ground bandwidth and buffer statistics, which in turn are used to formulate the future DSN ground network bandwidth and storage requirements.
The Prevalence of Bipolar Disorders and Association With Quality of Life in a Cohort of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Clinical observations of mood instability in multiple sclerosis (MS) have led to the hypothesis that bipolar disorder (BD) may be more prevalent in persons with MS than in the general population. This cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence of BD among patients with MS using standardized psychiatric diagnostic interviews and evaluates quality of life. This study demonstrates a higher prevalence of BD in patients with MS compared with the general population. It also reveals the negative impact of BD on quality of life, raises the concern that BD can occur before the onset of neurological symptoms in MS, and suggests that, in some cases, BD may delay diagnosis of MS.
Changes in practice patterns in male infertility cases in the United States: the trend toward subspecialization.

Objective To assess changes in the practice patterns of urologists performing male infertility procedures (vasal reconstruction, sperm retrieval, varicocelectomy) from 2004 to 2015 in the United States. Design Examination of self-reported procedural volumes from urologists undergoing certification and recertification using case log data provided by the American Board of Urology. The study period was stratified into early (2004–2007) and recent (2012–2015) time periods. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) None. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcomes Measure(s) Temporal variations in male infertility practice patterns among different urologic subspecialties between the early and recent time periods. Result(s) The overall proportion of total male infertility procedures performed by andrologists significantly increased between the early and recent groups (23% to 26%). This growth was driven by a significant increase in the proportion of varicocele repairs being performed by andrologists between the early and recent periods (19% to 25%). Most notably, an assessment of total number of male infertility procedures performed by newly certifying urologists showed that there was a significant increase in the overall proportion of all male infertility procedures being performed by recently trained andrologists (24% to 35%). This significant increase was seen individually among all three types of male infertility procedures. Conclusion(s) With the increased trend in urologists obtaining fellowship training, male infertility surgical volume is beginning to shift from general urologists to subspecialized andrologists.
Antibiotic-Induced Rash in Patients With Infectious Mononucleosis.

Objective: To provide an extensive review of case reports, epidemiological data, and the underlying mechanism of antibiotic-induced skin rash in patients with concurrent infectious mononucleosis (IM). Data Sources: A MEDLINE literature search inclusive of the dates 1946 to June 2016 was performed using the search terms anti-bacterial agents and infectious mononucleosis. EMBASE (1980 to June 2016) was searched using the terms mononucleosis and antibiotic agent and drug eruption. References of all relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations and information. Study Selection and Data Extraction: We selected English-language, primary literature, review articles, and mechanistic articles that addressed antibiotic-induced skin rash in patients with concurrent IM. We assessed all case reports available for causality utilizing a modified Naranjo nomogram specifically designed for this subject. We assembled the available epidemiological data into tables to identify trends in incidence rates over the ye...
Optimization of an endovascular magnetic filter for maximized capture of magnetic nanoparticles

To computationally optimize the design of an endovascular magnetic filtration device that binds iron oxide nanoparticles and to validate simulations with experimental results of prototype devices in physiologic flow testing. Three-dimensional computational models of different endovascular magnetic filter devices assessed magnetic particle capture. We simulated a series of cylindrical neodymium N52 magnets and capture of 1500 iron oxide nanoparticles infused in a simulated 14 mm-diameter vessel. Device parameters varied included: magnetization orientation (across the diameter, "D", along the length, "L", of the filter), magnet outer diameter (3, 4, 5 mm), magnet length (5, 10 mm), and spacing between magnets (1, 3 mm). Top designs were tested in vitro using 89Zr-radiolabeled iron oxide nanoparticles and gamma counting both in continuous and multiple pass flow model. Computationally, "D" magnetized devices had greater capture than "L" magnetized devices. Increasing outer diameter of magnets increased particle capture as follows: "D" designs, 3 mm: 12.8-13.6 %, 4 mm: 16.6-17.6 %, 5 mm: 21.8-24.6 %; "L" designs, 3 mm: 5.6-10 %, 4 mm: 9.4-15.8 %, 5 mm: 14.8-21.2 %. In vitro, while there was significant capture by all device designs, with most capturing 87-93 % within the first two minutes, compared to control non-magnetic devices, there was no significant difference in particle capture with the parameters varied. The computational study predicts that endovascular magnetic filters demonstrate maximum particle capture with "D" magnetization. In vitro flow testing demonstrated no difference in capture with varied parameters. Clinically, "D" magnetized devices would be most practical, sized as large as possible without causing intravascular flow obstruction.
Heterogeneous Activity Causes a Nonlinear Increase in the Group Energy Use of Ant Workers Isolated from Queen and Brood

Increasing evidence has shown that the energy use of ant colonies increases sublinearly with colony size so that large colonies consume less per capita energy than small colonies. It has been postulated that social environment (e.g., in the presence of queen and brood) is critical for the sublinear group energetics, and a few studies of ant workers isolated from queens and brood observed linear relationships between group energetics and size. In this paper, we hypothesize that the sublinear energetics arise from the heterogeneity of activity in ant groups, that is, large groups have relatively more inactive members than small groups. We further hypothesize that the energy use of ant worker groups that are allowed to move freely increases more slowly than the group size even if they are isolated from queen and brood. Previous studies only provided indirect evidence for these hypotheses due to technical difficulties. In this study, we applied the automated behavioral monitoring and respirometry simultaneously on isolated worker groups for long time periods, and analyzed the image with the state-of-the-art algorithms. Our results show that when activity was not confined, large groups had lower per capita energy use, a lower percentage of active members, and lower average walking speed than small groups; while locomotion was confined, however, the per capita energy use was a constant regardless of the group size. The quantitative analysis shows a direct link between variation in group energy use and the activity level of ant workers when isolated from queen and brood.
Amino acid supplementation of low-protein sorghum-soybean meal diets for 5- to 20-kilogram swine

Four growth experiments were conducted to determine the value of added threonine (Thr), methionine (Met), tryptophan (Trp), and isoleucine (Ile) in low-protein, lysine (Lys)-fortified, sorghum-soybean meal diets for starting pigs weaned at 28 d. Trials lasted 28 d and average initial weight was approximately 6.5 kg. A 21% CP (1.15% total and .95% digestible Lys) diet was included in all trials. Basal 15, 17, and 19% CP diets were formulated to contain .95% digestible Lys by adding .38, .26, and .13% Lys, respectively. In Exp. 1, the additions of either Thr (.27%) or Met (.08%) to the 15% CP diet improved (P < .05) ADG and gain/feed (G/F); Trp (.04%) and Ile (.05%) additions had no effect. None of the 15% CP diets resulted in performance comparable to that obtained on the 21% CP diet. In Exp. 2, 19 and 17% CP diets fortified with Thr, Met, and Trp to obtain the digestible contents of the 21% CP diet produced performance equal to performance on the 21% CP diet. Results of Exp. 3 indicate that Thr (.11%) and Met (.08%) supplementation of the 17% CP diet were needed to maximize performance; Trp and Ile additions were not beneficial. Results of the final experiment suggested that Thr and Met additions to the 17% CP diet could be reduced to .05 and .04%, respectively, without lowering performance. These data indicate that a 17% CP, sorghum-soybean meal diet fortified with Lys, Met, and Thr can produce performance equal to that obtained by pigs fed a 21% CP diet.
More is better: Lymph node harvesting in colorectal cancer.

Abstract Introduction We sought to determine if lymph node harvesting and survival for CRC were comparable between laparoscopic and open resections in a community hospital setting. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients at two community hospitals who underwent open or laparoscopic resection for CRC between January 2008 and September 2013 was performed. Results Three hundred seventy-one patients had open and 110 had laparoscopic resections. There was no difference between open (17.85) and laparoscopic (18.91) approaches (p = 0.171) in the number of lymph nodes harvested. Patients who had more nodes removed tended toward improved survival, independent of stage (p = 0.052), an effect that was more pronounced in the open resection group (p = 0.031). There was no difference in survival between the open and laparoscopic groups overall (HR 1.52, p = 0.208). Discussion No survival advantage was found between the open and laparoscopic resection groups, affirming that the choice of operative approach for CRC does not affect the quality of the oncologic procedure in a community hospital setting. Patients who had more lymph nodes removed tended toward improved survival. The explanation for this effect remains unclear.
Aortic valve replacement for active infectious endocarditis in 108 patients. A comparison of freehand allograft valves with mechanical prostheses and bioprostheses.

A total of 108 patients hospitalized with active (acute) endocarditis on either a native aortic valve (n = 66) or a previously inserted replacement device (n = 42) underwent aortic valve replacement because they were too ill for hospital discharge. A nonstented aortic allograft valve was used in 78 patients and prosthetic (mechanical or bioprosthetic) valves in 30 patients. The survival rate was 82 % at 1 month, 73% at 1 year, 64% at 5 years, and 36% at 15 years. It was better in patients with native valve endocarditis than prosthetic valve endocarditis. The incremental risk factors for death in the early phase postoperatively were older age at operation, higher New York Heart Association functional class, and a larger number of previous aortic valve procedures. There were 13 episodes of recurrent endocarditis, giving an actuarial freedom of 80% at 10 years. The hazard function for recurrent endocarditis had only a low constant phase when allograft valves were used, which contrasted with the existence of a high peaking early phase (in addition to the constant phase) when prosthetic devices were used. No risk factors for recurrent endocarditis were found in patients receiving a prosthesis, and “localized” versus “extensive” endocarditis was the only risk factor when an allograft was used. Reoperation was performed in 24 patients for a variety of reasons, and freedom from reoperation was 61% at 10 years. It is concluded that the allograft valve is the valve of choice when aortic valve replacement is required for active endocarditis. (J T horac C ardiovasc S urg 1992;103:130—9)
Association Between Teaching Status and Mortality in US Hospitals

Importance Few studies have analyzed contemporary data on outcomes at US teaching hospitals vs nonteaching hospitals. Objective To examine risk-adjusted outcomes for patients admitted to teaching vs nonteaching hospitals across a broad range of medical and surgical conditions. Design, Setting, and Participants Use of national Medicare data to compare mortality rates in US teaching and nonteaching hospitals for all hospitalizations and for common medical and surgical conditions among Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older. Exposures Hospital teaching status: major teaching hospitals (members of the Council of Teaching Hospitals), minor teaching hospitals (other hospitals with medical school affiliation), and nonteaching hospitals (remaining hospitals). Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome was 30-day mortality rate for all hospitalizations and for 15 common medical and 6 surgical conditions. Secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality stratified by hospital size and 7-day mortality and 90-day mortality for all hospitalizations as well as for individual medical and surgical conditions. Results The sample consisted of 21 451 824 total hospitalizations at 4483 hospitals, of which 250 (5.6%) were major teaching, 894 (19.9%) were minor teaching, and 3339 (74.3%) were nonteaching hospitals. Unadjusted 30-day mortality was 8.1% at major teaching hospitals, 9.2% at minor teaching hospitals, and 9.6% at nonteaching hospitals, with a 1.5% (95% CI, 1.3%-1.7%; P . After adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics, the same pattern persisted (8.3% mortality at major teaching vs 9.2% at minor teaching and 9.5% at nonteaching), but the difference in mortality between major and nonteaching hospitals was smaller (1.2% [95% CI, 1.0%-1.4%]; P P P = .003). Among small (≤99 beds) hospitals, 187 minor teaching hospitals had lower overall 30-day mortality relative to 2056 nonteaching hospitals (9.5% vs 9.9%; 0.4% difference [95% CI, 0.1%-0.7%]; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance Among hospitalizations for US Medicare beneficiaries, major teaching hospital status was associated with lower mortality rates for common conditions compared with nonteaching hospitals. Further study is needed to understand the reasons for these differences.
Ein juristisches Expertensystem auf der Grundlage von Linguistik und Logik

Auf der GLDV-Tagung 1984 wurde zum ersten Mal uber das Projekt „Juristisches Expertensystem auf der Grundlage von Linguistik und Logik (LEX)“ berichtet, das Gegenstand dieses Aufsatzes ist (Guenthner / Lehmann, 1985). Hier wird ein Uberblick gegeben uber den gegenwartigen Stand des gemeinsamen Projekts zwischen dem Wissenschaftlichen Zentrum der IBM in Heidelberg und der Universitat Tubingen, das zum Ziel hat, ein juristisches Expertensystem im Bereich des Strasenverkehrsstrafrechts zu erstellen. In diesem System soll es moglich sein, den Dialog mit dem Benutzer in naturlicher Sprache zu fuhren. Der Benutzer soll Falle in Form eines fortlaufenden Textes beschreiben konnen. Die dazu erforderliche linguistische Analyse beruht auf dem User Specialty Languages (USL) System (Lehmann (1978), Ott / Zoeppritz (1980), Zoeppritz (1984)), dessen syntaktische Fahigkeiten so erweitert werden, das die meisten in Texten vorkommenden Konstruktionen behandelt werden konnen. Auserdem soll die Analyse durch ein groses Lexi on gestutzt werden, das wir in Form einer relationalen Datenbank aufbauen. Im Gegensatz zu fruher wird nicht mehr SQL als semantische Reprasentationssprache verwendet, sondern es werden stattdessen Diskursreprasentationsstrukturen (DRSen) erzeugt. Dementsprechend wird an einer deduktiven Komponente gearbeitet, die auf der Diskursreprasentationstheorie basiert.
High School Students' Recommendations to Improve School Food Environments: Insights From a Critical Stakeholder Group.

BACKGROUND The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) directed the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revise school meal standards. Students are most affected by efforts to improve the school food environment; yet, few studies directly include students. This study examined high school students' experiences of school meal reform to gain insight into implementation recommendations. METHODS We conducted 5 focus groups with high school students (N = 15) from high schools across 9 states. We also conducted follow-up interviews to further explore personal experiences. Focus groups and interview transcripts were coded and organized in Atlas.ti v7 by analysts, following principles of constant comparative analysis. RESULTS Students reported overall positive perceptions of the revised school meal standards and supported continued efforts to improve the food environment. Recommendations to improve the food environment included engaging students, focusing on the quality and palatability of meal items, moving toward scratch-cooking, and addressing cafeteria infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS Students' recommendations point to opportunities where school districts, as well as local, state, and federal organizations can work to improve the school food environment. Their insights are directly relevant to USDA's recently released Local School Wellness Policy final rule, of which school meal standards are one provision.
Terrorism as Civil Society

This conceptual manuscript explores terrorism as a civil society phenomenon to provide a new conceptual approach for terrorist organization research. Research explores terrorism from social movement, network and multiple organizational perspectives, but viewing terrorism as civil society provides a richer theoretical framework by integrating all three perspectives. Lessons learned from successful and failed attempts to build civil society might inform efforts to reduce terrorist activity. A conceptual model bridging the two areas of study will help codify 1) the role civil society and failures therein has in fostering terrorism, 2) ways to better observe each, as both lie in the formal and informal spaces between sectors and 3) the impact terrorism and counter terrorism have on civil society development.
Intraspecific and interspecific variation in thermotolerance and photoacclimation in Symbiodinium dinoflagellates.

Light and temperature are major drivers in the ecology and biogeography of symbiotic dinoflagellates living in corals and other cnidarians. We examined variations in physiology among 11 strains comprising five species of clade A Symbiodinium . We grew cultures at 26°C (control) and 32°C (high temperature) over a duration of 18 days while measuring growth and photochemical efficiency ( F v / F m ). Responses to thermal stress ranged from susceptible to tolerant across species and strains. Most strains exhibited a decrease in cell densities and F v / F m when grown at 32°C. Tolerance to high temperature ( T 32 ) was calculated for all strains, ranging from 0 (unable to survive at high temperature) to 1 (able survive at high temperature). There was substantial variation in thermotolerance across species and among strains. One strain had a T 32 close to 1, indicating that growth was not reduced at 32°C for only this one strain. To evaluate the combined effect of temperature and light on physiological stress, we selected three strains with different levels of thermotolerance (tolerant, intermediate and susceptible) and grew them under five different light intensities (65, 80, 100, 240 and 443 µmol quanta m −2 s −1 ) at 26 and 32°C. High irradiance exacerbated the effect of high temperature, particularly in strains from thermally sensitive species. This work further supports the recognition that broad physiological differences exist not only among species within Symbiodinium clades, but also among strains within species demonstrating that thermotolerance varies widely between species and among strains within species.
The recent adoption of the voluntary tax in the volunteer state

The purpose of this research is to explain the adoption of lottery policies among counties in Tennessee. Various socio-demographic variables were measured through the use of logistic regression analysis for determining lottery adoption among all the counties in Tennessee. The results of the logistic regression model suggest that the most significant variables contributing to the adoption of the state lottery in Tennessee are party affiliation of voters and the region of the state in which voters reside. Since the findings of this manuscript are concerned with only the state of Tennessee, one should proceed with caution when trying to generalize these results to other states that have recently adopted a state lottery. The contributions of this research suggest that political and regional indicators are the best predictors in understanding lottery adoption among counties in Tennessee. These findings are consistent with results that have attempted to explain lottery and casino adoption across the American states. In addition, this study contributes to the current literature by suggesting that intercultural political differences may have contributed significantly to the adoption of a state lottery in Tennessee.
Race and Alopecia Areata amongst US Women

Few studies have examined the clinical epidemiology of alopecia areata (AA) in regard to patient race, and therefore, any disparities in incidence or prevalence of disease are largely unexplored. We sought to investigate potential racial disparities amongst two large cohorts of women. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII), wherein participants self-reported a diagnosis of AA. We determined odds ratios for AA by race in a multivariate analysis. Among 63,960 women from NHS and 88,368 women from NHSII with information on race and diagnosis of AA, we identified 418 and 738 cases of AA, respectively. In NHS, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio for AA was 2.72 (95% confidence interval 1.61-4.61) amongst black women as compared with white women. In NHSII, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio was 5.48 (95% confidence interval 4.10-7.32) amongst black as compared with white women. In a secondary analysis designating participants by Hispanic ethnicity, in NHSII the multivariate odds ratio was 1.94 (95% CI 1.24-3.02) in Hispanic compared with non-Hispanic white women. In this study, we found increased odds of AA based on self-reported race in black and Hispanic women as compared with white women. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanism of this racial disparity related to AA.
Inverse uncertainty quantification using the modular Bayesian approach based on Gaussian process, Part 1: Theory

Abstract In nuclear reactor system design and safety analysis, the Best Estimate plus Uncertainty (BEPU) methodology requires that computer model output uncertainties must be quantified in order to prove that the investigated design stays within acceptance criteria. “Expert opinion” and “user self-evaluation” have been widely used to specify computer model input uncertainties in previous uncertainty, sensitivity and validation studies. Inverse Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) is the process to inversely quantify input uncertainties based on experimental data in order to more precisely quantify such ad-hoc specifications of the input uncertainty information. In this paper, we used Bayesian analysis to establish the inverse UQ formulation, with systematic and rigorously derived metamodels constructed by Gaussian Process (GP). Due to incomplete or inaccurate underlying physics, as well as numerical approximation errors, computer models always have discrepancy/bias in representing the realities, which can cause over-fitting if neglected in the inverse UQ process. The model discrepancy term is accounted for in our formulation through the “model updating equation”. We provided a detailed introduction and comparison of the full and modular Bayesian approaches for inverse UQ, as well as pointed out their limitations when extrapolated to the validation/prediction domain. Finally, we proposed an improved modular Bayesian approach that can avoid extrapolating the model discrepancy that is learnt from the inverse UQ domain to the validation/prediction domain.
Policy initiatives to enhance smoking cessation and harm reduction

The overall goal of the conference reported in this supplement is to consider new strategies and interventions expected to lower the harm to society that result from tobacco smoking. In general, there are two ways to achieve a harm reduction goal. The first is to reduce the prevalence of smoking by using interventions that reduce smoking initiation, promote attempts to stop smoking, and increase the success of these attempts once initiated. A second approach to harm reduction is to limit exposure to the most harmful substances or behaviours related to an addiction, while conceding that the addiction itself will continue in some form. Harm reduction has received serious consideration and discussion as a strategy for dealing with hard drug abuse, where limiting the risk of exposure to HIV infection is an important concern. The concept of harm reduction has had a more limited application to tobacco dependence; thus its consideration represents a novel contribution of the present meeting. Harm reduction to continuing smokers might be accomplished by changing the nature of the cigarettes so that fewer harmful products or smaller quantities of these products are derived from each cigarette, or by lowering the number of cigarettes smoked per day, or both. There are various specific policy initiatives and strategies that could effectively promote these harm reduction goals. The purpose of this session is to describe some of the most promising strategies and policy initiatives that have been suggested to date, outline what these are likely to accomplish, and discuss the political realities surrounding implementation of these proposals. In this first paper of the session, I shall give an overview summary of the initiatives to provide a framework for the material and a basis for subsequent discussion by panel members and our invited speaker. I have organised the policy initiatives into …
A Review on Graphene-Based Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications and Risks in Environment and Health

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) have attracted increasing interests of the scientific community due to their unique physicochemical properties and their applications in biotechnology, biomedicine, bioengineering, disease diagnosis and therapy. Although a large amount of researches have been conducted on these novel nanomaterials, limited comprehensive reviews are published on their biomedical applications and potential environmental and human health effects. The present research aimed at addressing this knowledge gap by examining and discussing: (1) the history, synthesis, structural properties and recent developments of GBNs for biomedical applications; (2) GBNs uses as therapeutics, drug/gene delivery and antibacterial materials; (3) GBNs applications in tissue engineering and in research as biosensors and bioimaging materials; and (4) GBNs potential environmental effects and human health risks. It also discussed the perspectives and challenges associated with the biomedical applications of GBNs.
Blocking Definitions of Materialism

It is often thought that materialism about themind can be clarified using the concept of supervenience. But there is a difficulty. Amaterialist should admit the possibility ofghosts and thus should allow that a world mightduplicate the physical character of our worldand enjoy, in addition, immaterial beings withmental properties. So materialists can't claimthat every world that is physicallyindistinguishable from our world is alsomentally indistinguishable; and this is wellknown. What is less understood are thedifferent ways that immaterial add-ons can maketrouble for supervenience-theoreticformulations of materialism. In this paper, Ishall present a problematic kind of add-on thathas been ignored and look at threesupervenience-theoretic attempts to formulatematerialism in that light.
Citation-based Document Similarity

This chapter describes related work on citation-based similarity measures and relevant terminology. While Citation-based Plagiarism Detection (CbPD) makes use of citations for similarity computation, the related work section is relatively short for the following reasons: To date, citation analysis has been used mainly to identify semantically related documents and not for plagiarism detection purposes. Therefore, no directly related prior work is available.
On the vulnerability of ecosystems disturbed by man

The Liapunov stability theory is applied to models of energy and nutrient flow in ecosystems. The domain of stability under non-infinitesimal perturbations is discussed and significant differences are pointed out between models with and without detritus-decomposer feedback loops. Possible practical implications are suggested. Speculations concerning the role of fluctuations in ecosystems and the possibility of determining successional trends from an optimization procedure are also discussed.