cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Renal vascular disease and renovascular hypertension in children.

SUMMARY Pediatric renal artery occlusive disease with secondary hypertension is an unusual but serious illness. Currently, operative treatment for pediatric renovascular hypertension is preferred over medical management. Long-term use of adrenergic blockers, various nonspecific vasodilators, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and diuretics to control hypertension in young patients is seemingly unacceptable. Although some have advocated temporizing with drug therapy until the size of the patient is such that successful reconstruction would be more likely, this approach is controversial.14 Clearly, severe hypertension in the very young infant is usually unamenable to such conservative therapy.5, 21 Surprisingly, deterioration in renal function has been uncommon among pediatric patients with nonmalignant renovascular hypertension. 14, 36 This seems to be true despite the fact that severe renal vascular occlusive disease in this patient population is often associated with marked cortical atrophy. Continued improvement in macrovascular and microvascular surgical techniques has lessened the incidence of primary nephrectomy and increased the likelihood of successful renovascular reconstructive surgery. 1, 7, 10, 14, 19, 24–26, 34–37 clearly, the excellent results of contemporary operative therapy justify intensive diagnostic efforts in searching for a renovascular cause in hypertensive children.
Is workmen's compensation a barrier to cardiac employment?

A questionnaire and interview survey of 73 Wisconsin industrial firms representing 137,438 employees investigated policies and practices in employment of the cardiac worker. Results suggest that while 48% of the firms list workmen’s compensation cardiac claims as a barrier to cardiac employment, these claims are less important than generally realized. Our interpretation of the survey findings suggests that the barrier presented by workmen’s compensation lies not in the act itself, but in inadequate medicolegal administration and digression from the original intent of the law which allows compensation for nonoccupational degenerative coronary disease cases. This overly liberal interpretation of the act makes the possibility of increased liability a threat to employers, and results in unfair employment practices. Corrective medical and legal action within existing workmen’s compensation law can at present best overcome these deterrents to cardiac employment.
Ontogenetic responses of four plant species to additive and interactive effects of land‐use history, canopy structure and herbivory

Summary The strength of interactions among species is often highly variable in space and time, and a major challenge in understanding context-dependent effects of herbivores lies in disentangling habitat-mediated from herbivore-mediated effects on plant performance. We conducted a landscape-scale experiment that manipulated light availability in woodlands with either a history of agricultural use or no history of agricultural use and coupled this with performance measurements of three life stages on four perennial herbaceous species exposed to varying levels of herbivory. We found that the context-dependent effects of herbivory on plant performance changed as plants grew: juvenile plant survival was reduced by herbivores in low-light habitats whereas biomass of adult plants was reduced by a more diverse insect fauna in high-light environments. A history of agricultural land use also had negative effects on seedling establishment and adult performance, independent of herbivory. Synthesis. This work experimentally separates the habitat-mediated effects on plant performance from the herbivore-mediated effects on plant performance and highlights how context-dependent interactions depend on plant ontogenetic stages.
Sleep Breathing Patterns and Muscular Dystrophy

The breathing patterns and HbSaO2 changes during nocturnal sleep were monitored in 11 chair-bound Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients at the Institutes of Neurology and Respiratory Diseases, University of Pavia, Italy.
Atopic and Allergic Features of Adults with Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Allergen exposure has been well documented to have a role in the ­pathogenesis of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). A 1995 case series of pediatric patients demonstrated a dramatic clinical response to an elemental diet and subsequent clinical relapse upon reintroduction of foods. In the adult population, it has been hypothesized that allergen exposure plays a role in the pathophysiology of adult EoE, supported by high rates of personal and family history of atopy. Although published reports of successful resolution of clinical symptoms or eosinophilic infiltrates on biopsy as the result of food or aeroallergens identified through any of the above measures discussed are limited in adults, there is increasing evidence for a role for food and aeroallergens in the pathophysiology of adult EoE and a potential for future diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
An ultra-low-power 400 MHz VCO for MICS band application

This work presents the design and simulation of an ultra-low-power voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for MICS (Medical Implant Communication Service) band applications. The VCO is based on a single ended CMOS inverter ring oscillator. For the voltage control, current starving has been employed. Current for the oscillator is provided by a beta multiplier reference (BMR) which is highly insensitive to supply noise. A digital current control is also implemented in this BMR to make the oscillator tunable over a wide range of 400 MHz to 935 MHz. Besides these, the oscillator circuit has an additional control for binary frequency shift keying. The oscillator along with the reference circuit consumes only about 2 µW with 1 V supply at 400 MHz frequency which is very suitable for low-power biomedical applications.
Tales of topological landscapes

Knot theory is a branch of mathematics that offers the same seduction as number theory. Several of the most fundamental and current problems in this field can be presented in terms of simple notions, so that they can be appreciated (and sometimes solved) by non-experts.
Participatory action inquiry using baccalaureate nursing students: The inclusion of integrative health care modalities in nursing core curriculum

Nurses, nursing educators and students support the inclusion of integrative health care (IHC) into nursing core curriculum as a way to create nurses who deliver nursing care to the full extent of their scope of practice and advance evidenced based IHC. Because of the holistic nature of IHC modalities, research to investigate appropriate teaching strategies and potential efficacy of learning IHC in the baccalaureate core curriculum requires a holistic approach. Therefore a phenomenological exploration using participatory action inquiry was conducted at a large Midwestern university. Eighteen first year nursing students were selected as co-researchers. Their experiences in learning and delivering three 15 min IHC interventions (foot reflexology, lavender aromatherapy and mindful breathing) in an acute care setting were captured using reflexive journaling and participation in structured and organic communicative spaces. Of the patients approached, 67% accepted to receive one or more IHC modalities (147/219). Using van Manen's model for holistic data reduction three themes emerged: The experience of presence, competency and unexpected results. Learning IHC modalities is best supported by a self-reflective process that is constructed and modeled by a nurse faculty member with experience in delivering IHC modalities.
Predicting feeder performance based on material flow properties

Abstract Purpose Accurate and consistent delivery of materials by well-designed feeders ensures overall process stability. Importantly, feeding performance is strongly dependent on material flow properties. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology that identifies predictive correlation between material flow properties and feeder performance. Method The proposed methodology includes techniques to characterize material flow properties, methods to quantify feeding performance of a loss-in-weight feeder, and predictive multivariate analysis. Two approaches to correlate feeding performance and material flow properties were examined in the study: principal component analysis, followed by similarity scoring (PCA-SS), and partial least squares regression (PLSR). Results Experimental results showed that selection of the optimal feeder screw to achieve optimum feeding performance is heavily dependent on material flow properties. Both approaches to predict feeding performance based on material properties were validated. In addition, a strong correlation between the initial feed factor of each material and its flow properties were observed. Conclusion The work presented here has demonstrated an efficient approach to correlate material properties with gravimetric feeder performance. This approach is especially powerful in the early phase of process and product development, when the amount of a material is limited.
Effect of Sample Preservation Method on Gene Expression and RNA Integrity in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

Cryopreservation of patient bone marrow specimens allows for future purification of tumor cells for research or diagnostic purposes. It has not been determined whether this practice causes significant changes in gene expression. In order to evaluate this, we performed microarray analysis (Affymetrix U133A and U133A 2.0 gene chips) on mononuclear cells from 5 acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patient samples (>70% blast count) that had been either a) cryopreserved, b) snap frozen, or c) resuspended in TRIzol and stored at −80°C. Samples remained frozen for a period of 1–4 weeks. While gene expression changes between groups were minor, there were some differences. Thirteen probe sets between TRIzol and cryopreserved samples, and 60 probe sets between TRIzol and snap frozen samples, varied significantly (>2-fold difference and p t -test). While both non-TRIzol samples lost transcripts associated with mature, contaminating granulocytes, the snap frozen samples also lost transcripts associated with cell growth and metabolism. To determine whether the observed changes were enough to cause a misclassification of AML subtypes, we performed an unsupervised cluster analysis on the 15 original samples plus 15 new AML samples (13 unique cases), all of varying subtypes. RNA from all of these samples was undegraded. All samples passed strict quality control parameters, not limited to but including tumor content, % rRNA, cDNA and cRNA synthesis product size, and GAPDH 3′-5′ ratios. Differentially preserved samples originating from the same patient segregated together during the clustering process regardless of preservation method. Three main clusters emerged; cluster #1 (FAB-M0 and -M1, n=3), cluster #2 (FAB-M3, n=5), and cluster #3 (FAB-M2, -M4 and -M5b, n=22). In cluster #3, there were three sub-groupings. One group contained only M4 and M5b subtypes, another contained only the M2 subtype, and the third contained both M2 and M4 subtypes. RNA isolated from snap frozen samples was sometimes moderately to severely degraded. When we examined three snap frozen samples, not part of the above data set, exhibiting moderate RNA degradation, they all clustered incorrectly according to the above established groups. Given these results, we conclude that cryopreservation is an acceptable method of cell preservation for gene expression analysis, but snap frozen samples should be closely evaluated for RNA degradation before using in microarray analyses.
Examining associations among achievement motivation, locus of control, academic stress, and life satisfaction: A comparison of U.S. and international undergraduate students

Abstract This study compared measures of achievement motivation, life satisfaction, academic stress, and locus of control across 307 U.S. and international undergraduate students. Descriptive statistics and MANOVA were used to analyze the variables. A hierarchical multiple regression was employed to determine the extent to which locus of control, academic stress, and life satisfaction predicted achievement motivation. The results indicated a statistically significant difference between U.S. and international students as related to achievement motivation. Further analysis revealed significant relationships among predictor and criterion variables. Locus of control, academic stress, and life satisfaction significantly explained 18% of the variance in achievement motivation. However, a comparison of model fit between U.S. and international students revealed no statistically significant differences.
Issues in the Educational Programming for Learning Disabled Children

During the past thirty years there has been a sizeable increase in the number and type of services for exceptional children in the United States, particularly for those with learning disabilities. While there were programs for the deaf, the blind, mentally retarded, physically handicapped and speech impaired during the 1950s, only minimal attention was given to children with specific learning deficits. Furthermore, most services were provided either in special schools or in self-contained classes. Fortunately, there were a few pioneers who recognized the needs of certain children who did not fit with the traditional categories of exceptionality. For example, Strauss and his colleagues (Strauss & Lehtinen, 1947; Strauss & Kephart, 1955) were concerned with a population of “brain injured” children who had various perceptual, behavior, and learning problems. Orton (1937) and his colleagues were particularly concerned with dyslexia and related language disorders. At the same time, Myklebust (1954), McGinnis (1963), Eisenson (1960), Benton (1959) and others worked with children who were classified as aphasic.
Abstract PR10: Enhancing the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapies using miR-155 engineered tumor-specific CD8+ T cells

Lymphodepleting regimens are employed prior to adoptive immunotherapy to augment the antitumor efficacy of transferred T cells by removing endogenous homeostatic cytokine sinks. These conditioning modalities, however, are often associated with severe toxicities. We found that miR-155 enabled B16 melanoma-specific CD8+ T cells to mediate profound antitumor responses in lymphoreplete hosts that were not potentiated by immune-ablation. miR-155 enhanced T cell responsiveness to limited amounts of homeostatic γc cytokines by restraining the expression of the Akt inhibitor Ship1 and multiple negative regulators of Stat5, such as Socs1 and Ptpn2, resulting in delayed cellular contraction and sustained cytokine production. To translate these findings into new clinical trials, we tested whether the overexpression of miR-155 in human T cells would enhance the antitumor efficacy of CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CD19-CAR) cells against systemic acute lymphoblastic leukemia xenografts. As a safety measure, the suicide gene, inducible caspase 9, was included in the miR-155 construct. We found that miR-155 also augmented the antitumor efficacy of T cells in this xenograft tumor model. Recapitulating our findings in mouse cells, human T lymphocytes overexpressing miR-155 showed increased Stat5 signaling and enhanced survival. Our results indicate that overexpression of miR-155 in tumor-specific T cells can be employed to increase the effectiveness of adoptive immunotherapies in a cell intrinsic manner without the need of life-threatening, lymphodepleting maneuvers. This abstract is also being presented as Poster A82. Citation Format: Yun Ji, James Hocker, Jinhui Hu, Sanjivan Gautam, Neal Lacey, Luca Gattinoni. Enhancing the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapies using miR-155 engineered tumor-specific CD8+ T cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2016 Oct 20-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2017;5(3 Suppl):Abstract nr PR10.
Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Population Dynamics in Louisiana

The rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, has long been an important pest of rice in the U.S. and has recently emerged as a pest of rice in Asia. A systematic study of the life history and population dynamics of this insect was conducted during the 2002 growing season at the Louisiana State University Rice Research Station, Crowley, Acadia Parish, LA, an area where it is a particularly severe pest. By monitoring weevil populations using collections from overwintering sites, from plots of rice planted throughout the growing season, and from light traps, and by dissecting collected weevils to assess the conditions of their fat bodies, flight muscles and ovaries, we concluded that a portion of the weevil population in Louisiana is univoltine, another portion is bivoltine, and another portion may pass through multiple generations if young rice is continually available. However, only one generation of weevils developed in a single rice field. Adult weevils invaded rice fields in apparently larg...
The Presuppositions of Ancient and Modern Conceptions of Nature

In this Chapter draws upon Michael B. Foster’s analysis of the theological and metaphysical presuppositions of natural science to examine the fundamental connections between ancient theology and science of nature and between modern theology and modern science. In drawing these contrasts, the discussion sheds light on the fundamental approaches to conceiving natur.
John Dewey: A Pragmatist’s Search for Peace in the Aftermath of Total War

Disillusioned and dismayed at the failure of Wilsonian progressive ideals supporting World War I, John Dewey converted his energies toward achieving a peaceful democratic world order. He became actively involved in the 1920s Outlawry of War crusade, which sought to outlaw war as an instrument of national policy. Although the crusade culminated with the signing of the 1928 Pact of Paris, Dewey was dismayed that it did not fulfill his own progressive hopes for full citizen participation as part of a global democratic mandate. Still, Dewey continued to press for public engagement on behalf of world peace as the 1930s witnessed the rise of military dictatorships in Europe and the Far East. Dewey, in terms of foreign policy issues, tied his pragmatic philosophy to progressive ideals on behalf of internationalism and world peace between the world wars.
Community Stakeholder Responses to Countering Violent Extremism Locally

In the United States, despite federal efforts to empower communities to form local governance networks to develop and implement collaborative countering violent extremism (CVE) programs, local CVE ...
The MIT Leaders for Global Operations Program

In 2014, the MIT Leaders for Global Operations Program LGO was awarded the third annual UPS George D. Smith Prize for effective and innovative preparation of students to be good practitioners of operations research. In this paper, we describe the innovative, interdisciplinary education of the two-year dual-degree LGO program, which trains students for careers in operations and manufacturing through a three-way partnership between the MIT School of Engineering, the MIT School of Management, and industry. The first-of-its-kind program includes a six-month research internship that results in a master's thesis. This paper will discuss the LGO approach to preparing students for practicing operations research and the impact that the program has made on operations in manufacturing and services companies.
General and Specific Effects on Cattell-Horn-Carroll Broad Ability Composites: Analysis of the Woodcock-Johnson III Normative Update Cattell-Horn-Carroll Factor Clusters across Development.

Many school psychologists focus their interpretation on composite scores from intelligence test batteries designed to measure the broad abilities from the Cattell–Horn–Carroll theory. The purpose o...
Physics Capabilities of an Ignition and Moderate-Burn Experiment Based on ITER Physics Guidelines

The physics capabilities of an ignition-and-moderate-burn tokamak to explore the physics of burning plasmas and burn control on ash accumulation time scales are described. The machine provides physics capabilities comparable to those of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) for pulse lengths up to 120 s, but lacks the nuclear component testing, superconducting magnet technology, and long-pulse aspects of ITER`s mission. Strong plasma shaping is adopted to reduce the cost relative of ITER. Using ITER guidelines to evaluate the physics performance, this machine has the same ignition margin as ITER`s, and operates within the limits on beta, density (i.e., the Greenwald density limit), and safety-factor specified in the ITER physics guidelines. Acceptable peak heat fluxes to divertor target surfaces are maintained with an attached, high-recycling divertor operating scenario typical of present-day machines. A range of ignited and driven operating modes is available, including advanced modes prototypical of steady-state tokamak operation. 10 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.
Ontogeny of Spontaneous Alternation Behavior

Spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) changes dramatically with postnatal development. It is impossible to discuss this relationship without paying tribute to the work of Robert J. Douglas, who has not only contributed some of the most significant studies of this relationship, but also published, almost 15 years ago, an excellent review and analysis of it in relation to the development of the hippocampus (Douglas, 1975). One feature of Douglas’s review was consideration of several experiments that assessed age-related differences in SAB among human children. It is useful at this point to emphasize two lessons these studies provide us; the first of these requires substantial elaboration, but the second lesson need be described only briefly.
AFM at the Macroscale: Methods to Fabricate and Calibrate Probes for Millinewton Force Measurements

The difficulty in detecting and controlling forces in the gap between the nanoscale and macroscale tribometry regimes has so far limited the application of fundamental atomic-scale insights to practical friction and wear control. This paper describes methods to achieve and quantify millinewton forces measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) using existing experimental tools. We mounted colloidal microspheres at different points along the span of commercial AFM cantilevers to reduce their effective flexural length from 125 µm to between 21 and 107 µm. The resulting spring constants, based on direct calibration, varied from 100 to 10,000 N/m. Within a commercial AFM (Dimension 3100), these cantilevers produced normal force calibration constants between 0.006 and 0.430 mN/V; i.e., increasing the spring constant by 100 × caused a corresponding increase in the calibration constant but only a negligible increase in V/m sensitivity. We demonstrate these new capabilities by measuring friction between the colloids and single-crystal MoS2 at applied normal forces up to 3.4 mN, which is in the range of existing tribometers and well above the forces typically used in AFM-based measurements. These methods, which make use of well-established procedures and only require a modified AFM cantilever, are intended for use by other researchers as a platform for bridging the gap between nanoscale and macroscale tribometry.
Moving Beyond Mismatch.

Trans adolescents who are denied puberty-blocking treatment (PBT) by unsupportive parents can—and often do—suffer devastating psychological and physical harms. In their insightful article, Maura Pr...
Consumers Who Collaborate with the Firm, but Against Each Other: An Abstract

Some companies may forgo market segmentation strategies as new products and services are developed. Instead, they may consider using consumer collaboration or crowdsourcing. In fact, crowdsourced ideas are closely linked to a variety of marketing innovations. Consider Google’s recent update in India, which allows TV shows and movie reviews from web users right within Google search results (Perez 2017). However, consumers may have contradictory goals between each other.
Advanced Transport Phenomena: Analysis, Modeling, and Computations

An integrated, modern approach to transport phenomena for graduate students, featuring traditional and contemporary examples to demonstrate the diverse practical applications of the theory. Written in an easy to follow style, the basic principles of transport phenomena, and model building are recapped in Chapters 1 and 2 before progressing logically through more advanced topics including physicochemical principles behind transport models. Treatments of numerical, analytical, and computational solutions are presented side by side, often with sample code in MATLAB, to aid students' understanding and develop their confidence in using computational skills to solve real-world problems. Learning objectives and mathematical prerequisites at the beginning of chapters orient students to what is required in the chapter, and summaries and over 400 end-of-chapter problems help them retain the key points and check their understanding. Online supplementary material including solutions to problems for instructors, supplementary reading material, sample computer codes, and case studies complete the package.
POOL-BOILING HELIUM HEAT TRANSFER FROM SMALL MONOLITHIC COPPER STABILIZERS WITH HIGH PACKING FACTORS

Measurement of steady-state and transient boiling heat transfer from small copper conductors submerged in atmospheric liquid He-I is reported. Steady-state “heat flux versus temperature” curves illustrate the effects of conductor orientation, insulation material, conductor location in the pack, and background heating. An effort is made to find the cause of high steady-state heat transfer performance in unusually small helium passages revealed by the present test. Transient boiling heat fluxes are presented for various heater pulse powers and durations.
Rectal prognostic index (RPI) to predict outcome of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with preoperative chemo-radiation (preop-CRT)

e15139 Background: Preop-CRT followed by surgical resection is the standard for LARC. LARC patients (pts) treated with preop-CRT have 60–70% 5-year survival. Several pathologic features including T...
Biometric Systems with Multiuser Access Structures

We propose a model for biometric systems with a multiuser access structure, where after enrollment only predefined authorized sets of participants are allowed to access the system upon presenting their biometrics. Two types of system design are considered for the enrollment. In the first one, the participants must simultaneously present their biometrics to enroll in the system. In the second one, each participant can individually enroll in the system, which is more convenient for systems with a large number of participants. For these two types of enrollment and the presence of a multiuser access structure, the fundamental trade-off between security and privacy leakage is studied.
Boosting Qs of AlN Resonators by Redefining Acoustic Boundaries

This paper reports on a quality factor ( $Q$ )-boosting technique for aluminum nitride (AlN) Lamb wave resonators by lithographically defining their acoustic boundaries. The technique has been demonstrated to enhance resonator $Q$ from 980 to 3000 without compromising the electromechanical coupling $({k_{\mathrm{t}}}^{2}=1.75\%)$ , consequently resulting in a high figure of merit of 52.25 ( $\text{FoM}={k_{\mathrm{t}}}^{2}\cdot Q$ ). Our approach derives from our quantitative analysis of the reflection coefficient at the acoustic boundaries of a conventional Lamb wave AlN resonator, which suggests inadequate energy confinement from a reflection coefficient of only 0.47. A two-prong approach, which involves first defining the release regions lithographically and then adding a Pt layer regionally over the anchors, is adopted to create a more significant impedance mismatch at the acoustic boundaries and reduce energy leakage to the surrounding.
Multiparametric MRI of Prostate: Analysis and Recommendations of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) Version 2.1

Multiparametric MRI, comprising of anatomic T1 weighted and T2 weighted imaging combined with functional imaging techniques, (presently diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI), is the standard of care for evaluation of prostate cancer. Efforts have been taken to standardize prostate MRI reporting and interpretation by the international community comprising of both radiologists and urologists. These efforts have led to consensus guidelines in the shape of PI-RADS recommendations, the second version of which was released in 2015. PI-RADS v2 recommendations and subsequent PI-RADS v2.1 updates are geared towards detection of clinically significant cancer. Clinically significant cancer is defined as cancer with Gleason score ≥ 3 + 4 = 7, tumor volume >0.5 ml, and/or extraprostatic extension.
A systematic review on internal jugular vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Abstract Objective Whereas the internal jugular vein is the most common site of thrombosis in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity, the association between internal jugular vein thrombus and pulmonary embolism (PE) has not been clearly characterized. The objective of this paper was to determine the risk of embolization of an isolated internal jugular vein thrombus causing a clinically overt PE, with the secondary objective of assessing the value of therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with isolated internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) in improving clinical outcomes. Methods The National Center for Biotechnology Information, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for articles. The relevant articles included were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were included if they specifically examined incidence of IJVT and incidence of PE and were excluded if they did not report on these rates specifically or failed to specify the exact site of upper extremity DVT. Results Of the 274 articles screened, 25 were selected for full review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses inclusion criteria. Seven of those provided adequate data and were included in the review. There were only two studies demonstrating IJVT before PE that could probably establish causality, but this might be confounded by the presence of concomitant upper extremity DVT in one of the cases and radiologic findings compatible with resolving PE in another that might have preceded the presence of internal jugular vein thrombus. In the patients who were found to have PE in the setting of IJVT, the overall observed mortality attributed to PE was low. In specific studies, the use of anticoagulation did not reduce the mortality in those with isolated IJVT or affect the rate of thrombus resolution while carrying the risk of bleeding complications in these patients, who often have severe comorbidities. Conclusions Despite the proximity of the jugular vein to the right side of the heart and the pulmonary vasculature, there is little proof of propagation of the thrombus to cause a clinically overt PE. Whereas current practice is to treat the patients with IJVT in the same way as patients with lower extremity DVTs are treated, the lack of any survival benefit in those with isolated IJVT and the risk of bleeding complications warrant further studies to characterize the need of medical management in this population of patients.
Althusser, The Infinite Farewell: by Emilio de Ípola, trans. Gavin Arnall, Durham, NC, Duke University Press, 2018, 154 pp., $24.95 (softcover), ISBN 978-0-822370246

I began reading Louis Althusser as a graduate student in the mid-2000s. I found in his work an exciting, complex and nuanced re-reading of Marxism, a breath of fresh air during an intellectual mome...
Mitraclip insertion to hasten recovery from severe COVID-19 disease

â¢Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 has affected 188 countries worldwide with a global death toll of over half a millionâ¢Patients with valvular heart disease are also at an increased risk of adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease-2019â¢Prognosis of patients with the combination of COVID 19 and severe valvular heart disease is poorâ¢This is the first reported case of MitraClip insertion in a patient with severe COVID 19 infection. This procedure assisted in the patient's recovery relieving his cardiac burden and pulmonary edema enabling him to undergo colorectal surgery.
Report of the 2020 Special Committee on Substance Use and Pharmacy Education.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 2020 Special Committee on Substance Use and Pharmacy Education was charged to update the work of the 2010 Special Committee on Substance Abuse and Pharmacy Education Report (SAPER) specifically with recommendations on core curricular content and delivery processes on substance misuse and substance use disorder (SUD). This report provides information on the committee’s process to address the charges, background information and resources pertaining to the charges, and rationale for SUD being a critical topic for curriculum at colleges and schools of pharmacy. This committee offers several recommendations to the Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) pertaining to the committee charges.
The impact of psychopathology, social adversity and stress-relevant DNA methylation on prospective risk for post-traumatic stress: A machine learning approach.

Abstract Background A range of factors have been identified that contribute to greater incidence, severity, and prolonged course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including: comorbid and/or prior psychopathology; social adversity such as low socioeconomic position, perceived discrimination, and isolation; and biological factors such as genomic variation at glucocorticoid receptor regulatory network (GRRN) genes. This complex etiology and clinical course make identification of people at higher risk of PTSD challenging. Here we leverage machine learning (ML) approaches to identify a core set of factors that may together predispose persons to PTSD. Methods We used multiple ML approaches to assess the relationship among DNA methylation (DNAm) at GRRN genes, prior psychopathology, social adversity, and prospective risk for PTS severity (PTSS). Results ML models predicted prospective risk of PTSS with high accuracy. The Gradient Boost approach was the top-performing model with mean absolute error of 0.135, mean square error of 0.047, root mean square error of 0.217, and R2 of 95.29%. Prior PTSS ranked highest in predicting the prospective risk of PTSS, accounting for >88% of the prediction. The top ranked GRRN CpG site was cg05616442, in AKT1, and the top ranked social adversity feature was loneliness. Conclusion Multiple factors including prior PTSS, social adversity, and DNAm play a role in predicting prospective risk of PTSS. ML models identified factors accounting for increased PTSS risk with high accuracy, which may help to target risk factors that reduce the likelihood or course of PTSD, potentially pointing to approaches that can lead to early intervention. Limitation One of the limitations of this study is small sample size.
An interview with Robert J. Beck, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

In January of 2014, Robert (Bob) J. Beck assumed his current role as University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Founded in 1956, the Universi...
The relationship between human rights and refugee protection: an empirical analysis

What is the relationship between a government's respect for the rights of its own citizens and that government's regard for refugee rights? On one hand, we may expect that a country with high human...
Novel findings of respiratory rate increases using the multisensor HeartLogic heart failure monitoring algorithm in COVID-19-positive patients: a case series

Background With the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, remote monitoring of patients with implanted cardiac devices has become more important than ever, as physical distancing measures have placed limits on in-clinic device monitoring. Remote monitoring alerts, particularly those associated with heart failure trends, have proved useful in guiding care in regard to monitoring fluid status and adjusting heart failure medications. Case summary This report describes use of Boston Scientific's HeartLogic algorithm, which is a multisensor device algorithm in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator devices that is proven to be an early predictor of heart failure decompensation by measuring several variables, including respiratory rate, nighttime heart rate, and heart sounds. We present three cases of patients who were actively surveilled by the various HeartLogic device algorithm sensors and were identified to have increasing respiratory rates high enough to trigger a HeartLogic alert prior to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Discussion We propose that the HeartLogic algorithm and its accompanying individual physiologic sensors demonstrate potential for use in identifying non-heart failure-related decompensation, such as COVID-19-positive diagnoses.
Portfolio Allocations Using Fundamental Ratios: Are Profitability Measures More Effective in Selecting Firms and Sectors?

Our study assesses the performance of portfolios formed using out-of-sample sector forecasts and past firm fundamental ratios. Portfolio allocations based on profitability measures—gross profit, operating profit, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA)—generate substantially better performance than the benchmark. Long/short portfolio allocations using these fundamentals possess alphas over 14% and increase Sharpe ratios by over 60%. A composite variable provides the highest payoff for firm allocations, whereas EBITDA produces the most profitable out-of-sample sector allocations. Profitability metrics are superior indicators of sustainable economic performance because these ratios are more strongly linked to future returns and cash flows than net income.
Recipient Vessels for Vascularized Lymph Node Transplant

Vascularized lymph node transplant (VLNT) can be performed at the proximal and/or distal level of the affected extremity. VLNT in the axilla or groin helps to release the scars secondary to lymphadenectomy, bridges the lymphatic defect, and provides better cosmesis. It is hypothesized that the lymph node flap works by absorbing and shunting the excess lymph fluid. Placing lymphoid tissue at a distal level (e.g., wrist, ankle) may facilitate absorptive action by increasing the pressure gradient. Good results have been achieved with both distal and proximal transplantation. There is no study until to date which shows the superiority of one approach to another. In this chapter, we explain the anatomy and dissection of all commonly used recipient vessels for vascularized lymph node transplantation.
Quark Dynamics in the Slac Bag Model

As has been evident in most of the discussions of this workshop, there is some advantage to the phenomenological description of hadronic structure and interactions in terms of quark constituents. However, we have yet to produce a simple fundamental theory of quark interactions from which this phenomenology arises. Perhaps the aspect of quark dynamics that most challenges our imagination (and our mathematical capacities) is the apparent absence of free quark states.
Evaluation of Language Function

Language function must be assessed in the evaluation of any child with suspected developmental delay. Language probably is the single most important cognitive achievement before 5 years of age, and it provides the foundation for later accomplishments. Language delays are often the first indication or marker of underlying cognitive impairment; assessment techniques useful to the primary-care physician are listed in Table 3.1. The majority of these assessment instruments can be administered in the physician’s office. It should be emphasized that many of the developmental assessment techniques cited in Chapter 2 also include language components.
Parenting and Peer Relationships: Reinvigorating Research on Family–Peer Linkages in Adolescence

Drawing energy from a debate about the efficacy of parental monitoring, research over the first decade of the 21st century has traced numerous ways in which parenting practices and parent–child relationship features affect adolescents' peer interactions, and how these 2 factors interact to affect adolescent adjustment. In reviewing this research, this paper extols methodological advances and growing diversity of samples while critiquing conceptual underpinnings of many investigations. Suggestions are offered to guide research toward a more contextually sensitive, integrative understanding of dynamic, reciprocal processes between general and peer-focused parenting processes and adolescent peer relations.
Bilateral hypoplasia of the minor tubercle of the humerus with medial luxation of the biceps tendon in two Quarter Horses

Summary Two Quarter Horses were examined at the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with forelimb lameness. Case 1 was a 4-year-old female with a 4 month history of intermittent forelimb lameness that had partially responded to oral anti-inflammatories. The horse was in full training and actively competing in cutting. Case 2 was a one-year-old filly bred for cutting that presented with a right forelimb lameness of 3 weeks’ duration, which was not responsive to oral anti-inflammatories. The horse was not in training. On lameness examination, Case 1 was grade 1/5 (American Association of Equine Practitioners scale) lame in the left forelimb in a straight line on a hard surface, extension and flexion of the shoulder was resented and exacerbated the lameness. Case 2 was grade 3/5 lame in the right forelimb in a straight line on a hard surface, flexion and extension of the shoulder was resented and exacerbated the lameness. Both horses had a characteristic dished appearance to the dorsal aspect of the shoulder, with prominence of the proximal aspect of the humerus. Ultrasound and proximodistal oblique (skyline) radiographic views of the scapulohumeral joints demonstrated bilateral hypoplasia of the minor tubercle of the humerus with bilateral medial luxation of the proximal biceps tendon in both cases. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of 2 cases of bilaterally affected horses, as well as the first report of the condition in the Quarter Horse breed.
Ultrasound Guided Transrectal Core Biopsies of the Palpably Abnormal Prostate

AbstractUltrasound imaging and ultrasound guided transrectal core biopsies were performed in 251 consecutive men with abnormal prostates on digital rectal examination. A hypoechoic defect on ultrasound was identified in 227 of 251 patients (90 per cent) corresponding to the area of palpable nodularity or abnormal firmness. A mean of 6.25 biopsies were obtained per patient using a commercially available spring-loaded gun. Biopsies were positive for cancer in 165 of the 251 prostates (66 per cent). Palpable nodules more often were hypoechoic and more often contained cancer than less distinct areas of abnormal firmness on digital examination. Among the clinical stages Bl, B2 and B3 nodules 70, 76 and 88 per cent, respectively, were positive for cancer, as were 100 per cent of the clinical stage C prostates. Of 77 abnormally firm, nonnodular prostates 36 per cent were positive for cancer. Random biopsy of the contralateral normal lobe in 56 men with clinical stage Bl or B2 nodules showed cancer present contra...
The Jahn-Teller Effect

1. Introduction 2. Vibronic interactions 3. Formulation of Jahn-Teller problems. Adiabatic potentials 4. Pseudo Jahn-Teller, Product Jahn-Teller, and Renner-Teller effects 5. Solutions of vibronic equations. Energy spectra and Jahn-Teller dynamics 6. The Jahn-Teller Effect in spectroscopy: general theory 7. Geometry, spectra, and reactivity of molecular systems 8. Solid-state problems: local properties and cooperative phenomena Appendices Subject index Formula index.
Harvesting sunlight safely.

The Sun's energy is used by plants for photosynthesis, but excess energy is dangerous. So, plants contain protective mechanisms to dissipate excess energy during bright sunlight, transferring the unwanted energy to light-absorbing pigments. This process is now being dissected at the molecular level, and one group has identified a particular component in the light-harvesting apparatus that has a unique, energy-dissipating function.
The Design of Autonomous DNA Nanomechanical Devices: Walking and Rolling DNA

We provide designs for the first autonomous DNA nanome-chanical devices that execute cycles of motion without external environmental changes. These DNA devices translate across a circular strand of ssDNA and rotate simultaneously. The designs use various energy sources to fuel the movements, include (i) ATP consumption by DNA ligase in conjunction with restriction enzyme operations, (ii) DNA hybridization energy in trapped states, and (iii) kinetic (heat) energy. We show that each of these energy sources can be used to fuel random bidirectional movements that acquire after n steps an expected translational deviation of O(?n). For the devices using the first two fuel sources, the rate of stepping is accelerated over the rate of random drift due to kinetic (heat) energy. Our first DNA device, which we call walking DNA, achieves random bidirectional motion around a circular ssDNA strand by use of DNA ligase and two restriction enzymes. Our other DNA device, which we call rolling DNA, achieves random bidirectional motion without use of DNA ligase or any restriction enzyme, and instead using either hybridization energy (also possibly just using kinetic (heat) energy at a unfeasible low rate of resulting movement).
Cost analysis of a patient navigation system to increase screening colonoscopy adherence among urban minorities

BACKGROUND: Patient navigation (PN) is being used increasingly to help patients complete screening colonoscopy (SC) to prevent colorectal cancer. At their large, urban academic medical center with an open-access endoscopy system, the authors previously demonstrated that PN programs produced a colonoscopy completion rate of 78.5% in a cohort of 503 patients (predominantly African Americans and Latinos with public health insurance). Very little is known about the direct costs of implementing PN programs. The objective of the current study was to perform a detailed cost analysis of PN programs at the authors' institution from an institutional perspective. METHODS: In 2 randomized controlled trials, average-risk patients who were referred for SC by primary care providers were recruited for PN between May 2008 and May 2010. Patients were randomized to 1 of 4 PN groups. The cost of PN and net income to the institution were determined in a cost analysis. RESULTS: Among 395 patients who completed colonoscopy, 53.4% underwent SC alone, 30.1% underwent colonoscopy with biopsy, and 16.5% underwent snare polypectomy. Accounting for the average contribution margins of each procedure type, the total revenue was $95,266.00. The total cost of PN was $14,027.30. Net income was $81,238.70. In a model sample of 1000 patients, net incomes for the institutional completion rate (approximately 80%), the historic PN program (approximately 65%), and the national average (approximately 50%) were compared. The current PN program generated additional net incomes of $35,035.50 and $44,956.00, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PN among minority patients with mostly public health insurance generated additional income to the institution, mainly because of increased colonoscopy completion rates. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.