cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medical Complications and Outcomes After Hip Fracture Repair

Background Most evidence guiding perioperative medical risk management of patients undergoing hip fracture repair focuses on cardiac and thromboembolic risk. Little is known of the relative clinical importance of other complications. Objective To systematically map incidence and outcomes of a broad spectrum of medical complications after hip fracture repair. Methods Retrospective cohort study of patients 60 years or older in 20 academic, community, and Veterans Affairs hospitals. Data on complications and mortality were abstracted from medical records by trained abstractors using standardized, pretested forms or the National Death Index. Results Of 8930 patients, 1737 (19%) had postoperative medical complications. Cardiac and pulmonary complications were most frequent (8% and 4% of patients, respectively). Similar numbers of patients had serious cardiac or pulmonary complications (2% and 3%, respectively). Other complications were gastrointestinal tract bleeding (2%), combined cardiopulmonary complications (1%), venous thromboembolism (1%), and transient ischemic attack or stroke (1%). Renal failure and septic shock were rare. After the index complication, 416 patients had 587 additional complications. Mortality was similar for serious cardiac or pulmonary complications (30 day: 22% and 17%, respectively; 1 year: 36% and 44%, respectively) and highest for patients with multiple complications (30 day: 29%-38%; 1 year: 43%-62%). Complications and death occurred significantly earlier for serious cardiac than for serious pulmonary complications (1 vs 4 days, 2 vs 8 days, P Conclusions Most patients had no medical complications after hip fracture repair. Serious cardiac and pulmonary complications were equally important in frequency, mortality, and survivors' length of stay. Patients with multiple complications had especially poor prognosis.
Issues in cyclosporine drug substitution: implications for patient management.

Substantial improvements in short-term and long-term outcomes for kidney transplant recipients have resulted from better use of existing immunosuppressive agents and newer treatment options. Calcineurin inhibitors (eg, cyclosporine and tacrolimus) remain the foundation of immunosuppressive therapy. These agents are considered critical-dose drugs because of their narrow therapeutic range, variable pharmacokinetics, formulation-dependent bioavailability, and negative clinical consequences of underdosing or overdosing. With the recent introduction of a new cyclosporine formulation, concern exists that current bioequivalence guidelines for generic approval may not provide adequate assessment of the safety and efficacy of critical-dose drugs. Transplant experts at 2 recent conferences recommended more rigorous criteria for bioequivalence testing of critical-dose drugs and adoption of consistent drug substitution practices. Additional recommendations included specifying the intended formulation and instituting ...
Synthesis and Pharmacological Characterization of a Novel Sigma Receptor Ligand with Improved Metabolic Stability and Antagonistic Effects Against Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine interacts with sigma receptors at physiologically relevant concentrations suggesting a potential site for pharmacologic intervention. In the present study, a previous sigma receptor ligand, CM156, was optimized for metabolic stability, and the lead analog was evaluated against the behavioral effects of methamphetamine. Radioligand binding studies demonstrated that the lead analog, AZ66, displayed high nanomolar affinity for both sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors (2.4 ± 0.63 and 0.51 ± 0.15, respectively). In addition, AZ66 had preferential affinity for sigma receptors compared to seven other sites and a significantly longer half-life than its predecessor, CM156, in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment of male, Swiss Webster mice with intraperitoneal (10–20 mg/kg) or oral (20–30 mg/kg) dosing of AZ66 significantly attenuated the acute locomotor stimulatory effects of methamphetamine. Additionally, AZ66 (10–20 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the expression and development of behavioral sensitization induced by repeated methamphetamine administration. Taken together, these data indicate that sigma receptors can be targeted to mitigate the acute and subchronic behavioral effects of methamphetamine and AZ66 represents a viable lead compound in the development of novel therapeutics against methamphetamine-induced behaviors.
Two-Phase Interleaved Critical Mode PFC Boost Converter With Closed Loop Interleaving Strategy

This paper presents a two-phase interleaved critical mode (CRM) power factor correction (PFC) boost converter with a novel closed loop interleaving technique. This new interleaving technique makes each phase work at ideally CRM. Natural current sharing and precise 180° phase shift are achieved. The scheme can be easily integrated into a PFC control chip. Full-order averaged model of CRM boost is derived to analyze the stability of the converter. The loop response and stability of the closed-phase regulation loop have been analyzed. A 400 W two-phase interleaved CRM PFC boost converter prototype is built. This proposed scheme is verified by simulation and experimental results.
Rapid PCR confirmation of E. coli O157:H7 after evanescent wave fiber optic biosensor detection

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an enteric pathogen of public health importance, which is monitored by several government agencies. Many rapid detection tests have been developed to identify foodstuff and water supplies contaminated by E. coli O157:H7. However, these methods can be time consuming (24-48 h) due to the need to culture the bacteria to confirm detection results. Fiber optic biosensors can rapidly detect pathogens from complex matrices, yet confirmation tests can take up to 10h to complete. In addition, fiber optic biosensors can also be used to reduce the impact of PCR inhibitors present in complex matrices such as food and water. This paper presents methodologies to reduce the time necessary for confirmation from 10 to about 2 h, by direct PCR of bacteria from the fiber optic waveguides without the need for culture or enrichment steps.
Safety and Clinical Outcomes when Utilizing High-Dose (≥8 mg/kg) Daptomycin Therapy

Background:Daptomycin is approved for the treatment of skin and skin-structure infections (4 mg/kg) and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, including right-sided endocarditis (β mg/kg). In vitro and animal studies have reported increased activity with increased daptomycin doses. There are limited clinical data on use of daptomycin at doses greater than 6 mg/kg.Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of higher doses (≥8 mg/kg) of daptomycin when administered for a variety of gram-positive infections.Methods:Data were collected retrospectively as part of an ongoing registry (the Cubicin Outcomes Registry and Experience database) for the 2005–2007 program years. For the purpose of this study, the safety and efficacy of daptomycin were evaluated in patients who received doses of 8 m/kg or higher.Results:Ninety-four (2.6%) of 3617 patients received daptomycin doses of 6 mg/kg or higher; 18 (19%) of those patients received doses of 10 mg/kg or higher. The most common infections were bacteremia (30/94), skin...
Telomeric circles are abundant in the stn1-M1 mutant that maintains its telomeres through recombination

Some human cancers maintain their telomeres using the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism; a process thought to involve recombination. Different types of recombinational telomere elongation pathways have been identified in yeasts. In senescing yeast telomerase deletion (ter1-Delta) mutants with very short telomeres, it has been hypothesized that copying a tiny telomeric circle (t-circle) by a rolling circle mechanism is the key event in telomere elongation. In other cases more closely resembling ALT cells, such as the stn1-M1 mutant of Kluyveromyces lactis, the telomeres appear to be continuously unstable and routinely reach very large sizes. By employing two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy, we show that stn1-M1 cells contain abundant double stranded t-circles ranging from approximately 100 to 30,000 bp in size. We also observed small single-stranded t-circles, specifically composed of the G-rich telomeric strand and tailed circles resembling rolling circle replication intermediates. The t-circles most likely arose from recombination events that also resulted in telomere truncations. The findings strengthen the possibility that t-circles contribute to telomere maintenance in stn1-M1 and ALT cells.
Theory for Nursing Practice

This article chronicles the development of nursing theory and research over the past 30 years as it parallels the author's own development as a theorist-researcher. Dorothy Johnson and Martha Rogers are considered the contemporary forerunners of a shift from an emphasis on medical knowledge to an emphasis on distinctly nursing knowledge. The paradigm shift Rogers called for was largely misunderstood at the time of its inception, resulting in attempts to force holistic thinking into reductionistic methods of research. The epistemology of nursing research lagged behind the ontology of the discipline. Moreover, the absence of an agreed-upon focus of the discipline created a void in the development of theory specific to nursing practice. The author asserts that the focus and paradigm of the discipline of nursing are now clear. The core, purpose, and societal commitment of nursing as a practice discipline are captured in the phrase, caring in the human health experience. Research methods that reflect a unitary, transformative paradigm make it possible to develop theory that structures practice.
Two Theories of Origin of the Land-Plant Sporophyte: Which Is Left Standing?

Questions concerning the two competing theories of the development of alternating generations in land plants, the homologous theory and the antithetic theory, have never been fully resolved. In the majority of recent accounts there appears to have been increasing de facto support (if one considers the ontogenetic processes and phylogenetic consequences discussed) for the antithetic theory. However, this preference is usually not plainly stated (as such) in these discussions, and some support has also continued for the homologous theory. The crux of both theories (homologous and antithetic) centers upon how the sporophyte may have originated in the life cycle. One problem with the homologous theory is that it is not made explicit how the development of a dependent sporophyte could have occurred in the life cycle (when the precedent organisms are considered to have had free-living, putatively similar, gametophytes and sporophytes). The antithetic theory, by contrast, offers a definite ontogenetic mechanism or process (retention of the zygote on the gametophyte, delay of zygotic meiosis, with zygotic mitoses occurring first) by which a dependent sporophyte might have originated and persisted, in the context of a life cycle formerly lacking a sporophyte generation. Also, a review of a variety of evidence (morphological, cytological, biochemical, etc.) would appear to lend more support to the antithetic theory than to the homologous theory. In discussing types of algae now known to be most clearly related to land plants (i.e., charophytes, particularly advanced forms), the type of life cycle exhibited by these particular algae (haplontic, with zygotic meiosis; no sporophyte present) suggests that only an antithetic origin of the sporophyte in land plants is actually feasible.
Orthopedics Disorders and Sport Injuries

This chapter gives brief description of the most common pediatric musculoskeletal disorders. Clinical pictures and radiographs are provided to help explaining the pathology of these conditions.
Prospective evaluation of ultrasound-guided short catheter placement in internal jugular veins of difficult venous access patients

Abstract Rationale Difficult vascular access (DVA) is a common problem. Placement of ultrasound-guided standard length catheters (ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous [USPIV]) in the internal jugular (IJ) vein is a potential solution. Objectives The objective of the study is to evaluate the immediate and short-term incidence of complications after USPIV placement in IJ of DVA patients. Methods We conducted a prospective convenience study of USPIV into IJ of emergency department patients with DVA. All USPIV placements were performed with standard aseptic techniques with either an 18-gauge 6.35-cm single-lumen catheter or 20-gauge 5.7-cm catheter. Immediate complications were evaluated. Clinical follow-up consisted of review of the electronic medical record for physician and nursing documentation, laboratory data, and imaging studies in a multiple hospital network. Outcome measures 1 and 6 weeks included local site abnormalities, bleeding, local or systemic infection, pneumothorax, or thrombosis at time of placement, and death. Results We enrolled 33 patients (58% female; mean age, 56.4 years; and median body mass index of 24.7). Eleven physicians performed USPIV placement. Median access time was 4.0 (interquartile range, 5.5) minutes and 1 attempt for placements. There were no immediate complications. Follow-up was successful in 5 of 7 discharged patients and 26 of 27 admitted patients. Three deaths within 6 weeks were unrelated to USPIV. Three patients lost to follow-up were not discovered on electronic medical record or death registries. No patient had catheter-related complications. Conclusions There were no immediate or short-term complications associated with aseptic USPIV placement into IJ. Ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous IJ placement was a rapid and safe approach in DVA patients.
SQLVM: Performance Isolation in Multi-Tenant Relational Database-as-a-Service.

A relational Database-as-a-Service provider, such as Microsoft SQL Azure, can share resources of a single database server among multiple tenants. This multi-tenancy enables cost reduction for the cloud service provider which it can pass on as savings to the tenants. However, resource sharing can adversely affect a tenant’s performance due to resource demands of other tenants’ workloads. Service providers today do not provide any assurances to a tenant in terms of isolating its performance from other co-located tenants. We present SQLVM, an abstraction for performance isolation which is built on a promise of reservation of key database server resources, such as CPU, I/O and memory, for each tenant. The key challenge is in supporting this abstraction within a DBMS without statically allocating resources to tenants, while ensuring low overheads and scaling to large numbers of tenants. Our contributions are in (1) formalizing the above abstraction of SQLVM; (2) designing mechanisms to support the promised resources; and (3) proposing low-overhead techniques to objectively meter resource allocation to establish accountability. We implemented a prototype of SQLVM in Microsoft SQL Azure and our experiments demonstrate that SQLVM results in significantly improved performance isolation from other tenants when compared to the state-of-the-art.
The Role of the Mongols in Sino-Russian Relations

Between Russia and China lay the Mongolian tribes; thus the Mongols inevitably played a role as go-between in the establishment of Sino-Russian relations at the beginning of the seventeenth century. When Russia crossed the Urals and expanded into Siberia, she met little resistance until she reached the upper Ob, Irtish and Yenisei Rivers, where contact was established with the Kalmuks, Kirgiz and Buriats. These peoples, governed by a powerful aristocracy, and possessed of an effective military and social organization, were capable of forming effective alliances and organized resistance. At first the Russians were rebuffed by the Kalmuks. The Kalmuks or Eleuths comprised four main divisions: the Khoshotes, the Sungars, the Durbets, and the Torguts. At the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Sungars, who were about to achieve hegemony over the other Kalmuk tribes, extended their dominions from the Ili to the Irtish, thus becoming a dangerous and highly unwelcome neighbor to both China and Russia. In 1606, Baatur Khungdaidgi (chief) of the Sungars and father of the Galdan who was to be so famous, entered the Irtish country in 1606. He claimed suzerainty over the tribes in the neighborhood of the Tara, and the Russians from Tobolosk and other surrounding cities marched against him. Hostilities took place but Russia failed to drive them away.1
Surgical Approaches and Outcomes

Weight-loss surgery is the only effective treatment for severe, medically complicated, and refractory obesity. It reverses, eliminates, or significantly ameliorates numerous life-threatening medical comorbidities that occur as part of the pathophysiology of obesity. Rapid changes in surgical technology and in demand for weight-loss surgery have made the field one of medicine’s most dynamic. This chapter reviews available surgical procedures, their possible mechanisms of action through the enterohypothalamic endocrine axis, and their risks and outcomes.
Towards a method of estimating one-way delays under delay asymmetry and unknown relative clock offset

This paper reports the basic analysis for constructing a method of estimating the one-way delays under delay asymmetry and unknown relative clock offset. This estimation method requires to perform a handshake by transmitting one packet along each of the two uni-directional paths. The sending and receiving times of a packet are measured at the sender and the receiver, respectively, according to the local clocks. It is a hard problem to calculate the one-way delays from the local time measurements under non-zero clock offset and asymmetric one-way delays. Our work establishes the basic structure for constructing a method for estimating the one-way delays under delay asymmetry and non-zero relative clock offset.
Models: Useful but Not True

Our theories are, to some extent, models of reality. Like all models, a theory or hypothesis will tell us a truth about an aspect of reality, but it will not be the whole truth. All models are approximations of reality. Understand the limitations and assumptions of any theoretical model that you are using.
An Econometric Simulation Model: The Case of FUGI/MS

FUGI/MS is a collection of computer software to support the building of the FUGI Global Model and its use for simulation. FUGI/MS is under prototype development towards an expert system. The key point of software design is to represent and interpret the model-builder’s requirements correctly and consistently. The requirements as knowledges representation are classified into two categories: model specifications and constraints. The model specifications are formal descriptions of a target model. The constraints are the knowledge on model-building procedures which make the model workable and justify its functioning. The information technologies of visualization, micro-mainframe link, and global computer networks will help promote the research tasks.
Publish Unexpected Results That Conflict with Assumptions

Some widely held scientific assumptions have been discredited, whereas others are just inappropriate for many applications. Sometimes, a widely held analysis procedure takes on a life of its own, forgetting the original purpose of the study. The peer-reviewed system makes it difficult to get a paper published that questions established assumptions or shows data contrary to established ideas. Refusing to publish these studies is hampering the advancement of science. Novel observations should be published so that other scientists can pursue new theory. S. Logsdon, USDA-ARS, National Lab. for Agricultural and the Environment, 2110 University Blvd., Ames, IA 50011. Core Ideas • Publish results that conflict with current assumptions. • Look beyond current fads. • Break with discredited, but popular, assumptions. Published February 9, 2016
Quantum ellipsometry

Summary form only given. We show that, by employing entangled-photon pairs that are generated by type II spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in a non-collinear configuration, one can obtain absolute ellipsometric data from a reflective sample. The underlying physics that permits such ellipsometric measurements resides in the fact that fourth-order (coincidence) quantum interference of the photon pairs, in conjunction with polarization entanglement, emulates an idealized classical ellipsometric setup that utilizes a source and a detector that are both calibrated absolutely.
The Structure and Properties of Grain Boundaries in Ni3Al

The mechanical behavior of polycrystalline intermetallic compounds are often strongly influenced by the properties of the interfaces present. A classic example of this is the intergranular fracture exhibited by polycrystalline Ni3Al, and the dramatic increase in ductility upon the addition of small amounts of boron. It has been proposed that boron may promote the transmission of slip across grain boundaries by inducing the formation of a local region of compositional disorder. The results of experimental efforts to characterize the effect of boron on the structure and chemistry of these grain boundaries are summarized. Recent high resolution transmission electron microscopy studies using oriented bicrystals are described which indicate that there is no apparent change in the compositional ordering to within 0.5 nm from the boundary. These experimental results are compared with the results of atomistic calculations which have been used to examine the effect of stoichiometry and boron content on the energy and degree of ordering of these boundaries. The proposed mechanisms of intergranular fracture in Ni3Al are discussed based on this experimental and theoretical work.
Columns: General Topics: Safety Glass

Safety glass is defined as “glass” that diminishes the threat of injuries and robberies as a result of impacts, distortion, or fire. In 1905 British inventor John C. Wood was working with cellulose...
Treatment of chronic lead toxicity with succimer: a case series of 2 adults with retained lead shotgun fragments.

UNLABELLED Few recommendations exist for management of chronic lead toxicity in instances when the source of lead exposure cannot be removed. CASES We describe 2 patients who had shotgun wounds resulting in multiple retained lead pellets. They developed elevated blood lead levels and were treated with 2 weeks of high-dose oral succimer before being placed on maintenance oral succimer therapy with the goal of sustaining suppressed lead levels. DISCUSSION Retained lead pellets have been associated with increasing blood lead levels over time. Chronic lead toxicity can cause significant morbidity. Few treatments for lead toxicity are available, and there is scarce data on maintenance therapy for patients who have large numbers of retained shotgun pellets. CONCLUSIONS This case series documents 2 patients who continue on maintenance oral chelation therapy with succimer in an effort to prevent the sequelae of chronic lead toxicity by maintaining blood lead levels less than 20 μg/dL.
Analyses of clinical features and misdiagnoses for 28 cases of pediatric narcolepsy

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and EEC features of narcolepsy.Methods The clinical data of 28 narcoleptic children were analyzed.Video-EEG monitoring and multiple sleep latency test were performed in all patients.Results All the patients manifested with excessive daytime sleepiness,with disrupted nocturnal sleep.Cataplexy appeared in 19 cases,and hypnagogic hallucination in 2,hypnopompic hallucination in 1,and sleep paralysis in 1,respectively.EEG and VEEG of all patients were normal. The multiple sleep latency test demonstrated a short sleep latency(5 minutes)and two or more sleep onset REM periods(SOREMPs)in all patients.Four patients were misdiagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Six children were misdiagnosed with epilepsy. One patient was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. Fourteen mild patients were followed up at the neurological out-patient department. One case of sleepiness,cataplexy and sleep hallucination was given just behavior guidance because the parents refused to receive drug treatment.Thirteen children with severe sleepiness was treated with methylphenidate along with behavior guidance.Conclusion Narcolepsy in children is not rare in clinics. For some young children,it is likely to be misdiagnosed because of its mild symptoms at onset and atypical clinical manifestations. The patients should be closely followed up for the changes of clinical symptoms. Misdiagnosis can be reduced by means of VEEG and MSLT.
Synthesis and spectral characterized of the photosensitizer 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone(TNF)

In the paper, the photosensitizer 2,4,7- trinitro - 9 - fluorenone (TNF) was synthesized by using the 9 - fluorenone,sulfuric acid and fuming nitric acid as raw material. The product is a kind of photosensitizer, and it has photoconductivity functions. The best technology was determined as follows: action time:1.5h, temperature: 20 ~21℃, the ratio between 9 -fluorenone and nitric acid - 1: 3. 45. The constructs of raw material and product were characterized by IR. So, the optimum synthesis process conditions were obtained.
Study on Compound Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Jew's-ear's Polysaccharides

[Objective] To optimize compound enzymatic hydrolysis of Jew's-ear's polysaccharides. [Method]With polysaccharides yield as indicator,effects of enzymatic temperature,solution p H,solid-liquid ratio,enzymatic time on yield of Jew's-ear's polysaccharides were investigated. TLC method was used to analyzed the compounds of Jew's-ear's polysaccharides. [Result] The experiments determine the optimum conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of Jew's-ear's polysaccharides: leaching agent multiples is 1 to 40,p H is 7. 0,temperature is 40 ℃,time is 3. 0 h. Under this condition,Jew's-ear's polysaccharides extraction rate is 4. 353%. The monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides is D-glucose. [Conclusion] The study can provide reference basis for extraction of Jew's-ear's polysaccharides.
Investigation of risk factors for hypertension among population in Anhui province in 2010

Objective To identify the risk factors for hypertension among population in Anhui province.Methods We conducted questionnaire investigation and physical examinations at six chronic disease monitoring sites in the counties of Anhui province.4-stage,stratified and random cluster sampling were used.Results Hypertension was found at higher rate among population with the following characteristics: male,old age.Multi-factor unconditional logistic regression analysis revealed that family history of hypertension,BMI≥24(OR:2.504),drinking history(OR:1.719),and increased serum total cholesterol(OR:1.775)were the main risk factors for hypertension among males aged 30 to 49.Conclusions Strengthening health education,advocating balanced diet and weight control were important ways to prevent and control hypertension.
The Effects of Religion on Enduring Marriages

This article adds to recent literature in the study of religion and marriage by examining older couples’ use of religion as a cultural repertoire in enduring marriages. The study includes qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with 43 married, Christian couples. Couples reported four predominant social contexts that gave sacred meanings to their marriage: prayer, worship services and sermons, first-rite rituals and communion. These social contexts magnify sacred meanings within religious cultural repertoires by enhancing older couples’ perceptions of their marriages as sacred through formal and public recognition of their marriage longevity, lauding their marriage longevity as a blessing from God to be emulated, promoting religious meanings of familism and giving positive marriage outcomes sacred meanings. Negative effects of religion on marriage outcomes occurred among older couples when lived experiences of religion conflicted with their cultural expectations for enduring marriages.
Mechanism of plasma catecholamine increases during coronary artery bypass and valve procedures.

Nineteen patients undergoing coronary revascularization (14 patients) or valve replacement (five patients) were studied to monitor the catecholamine levels following operation and for each of three consecutive postoperative days. A significant (p
Applications in Ecology

This chapter presents projects that exemplify the applications of calculus in studies in the field of ecology. The sustained harvest of Sei Whales project uses a discrete dynamical model proposed by J.R. Beddington in the Report of the International Whaling Commission (1978) to model the species of Sei Whales and is concerned with whaling quotas. The project concerning the journey of an imagined professor to the Sogapalag Islands is a twofold project. The first part (or first project) examines the predator–prey interactions on the islands with the ulterior aim being a complete physiological and anatomical characterization of the species on Sogapalag. The second project of the professor on the islands relates to the competition and cooperation between species. A mathematical model for competition between species will be formulated as differential equations.
Optic nerve astrocyte reactivity protects function in experimental glaucoma and other nerve injuries

Reactive remodeling of optic nerve head astrocytes is consistently observed in glaucoma and other optic nerve injuries. However, it is unknown whether this reactivity is beneficial or harmful for visual function. In this study, we used the Cre recombinase (Cre)-loxP system under regulation of the mouse glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter to knock out the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) from astrocytes and test the effect this has on reactive remodeling, ganglion cell survival, and visual function after experimental glaucoma and nerve crush. After injury, STAT3 knockout mice displayed attenuated astrocyte hypertrophy and reactive remodeling; astrocytes largely maintained their honeycomb organization and glial tubes. These changes were associated with increased loss of ganglion cells and visual function over a 30-day period. Thus, reactive astrocytes play a protective role, preserving visual function. STAT3 signaling is an important mediator of various aspects of the reactive phenotype within optic nerve astrocytes.
Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator-Assisted Pancreatic Resection in Hyperinsulinism.

Introduction Diffuse congenital hyperinsulinemia continues to be poorly responsive to medical management. Surgical resection for this entity can be variable in extent and efficacy. Materials and Methods This report describes a unique method of pancreatic resection for diffuse familial congenital hyperinsulinemia. The procedure maximizes pancreatic parenchymal removal while preserving blood supply to the vital structures adjacent to the head of the pancreas. Two cases of familial congenital hyperinsulinism are presented as well as a review of the current surgical literature. Results The Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator has been used successfully to assist in maximum resection of pancreatic tissue while preserving blood supply to the duodenum and common bile duct. Conclusion This report describes a useful technique of maximizing pancreatic resection for patients with diffuse congenital hyperinsulinemia which preserves adjacent vital structures.
Allogeneic Reduced-Intensity Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Chronic Granulomatous Disease: a Single-Center Prospective Trial.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate engraftment and adverse events with a conditioning and prophylactic regimen intended to achieve high rates of engraftment with minimal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic transplantation for chronic granulomatous disease in a single center. Forty patients, 37 male, with chronic granulomatous disease were transplanted. Transplant products were matched sibling peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in four and matched unrelated donor (MUD) bone marrow in three, and one patient received mismatched unrelated PBSCs. Thirty-two patients received MUD PBSCs. All patients received a conditioning regimen of busulfan/alemtuzumab (with low-dose total body irradiation for MUD recipients) with sirolimus graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. Engraftment occured in 38/40 recipients (95%). Acute or chronic GVHD occurred in 18 (45%) and 5 (12.5%), respectively, with 6 episodes of grades III–IV and/or steroid refractory GVHD. Overall survival was 33/40 (82.5%) and event-free survival was 30/40 (80%). Successful engraftment was associated with myeloid and NK cell, but not CD3+ chimerism. Myeloid engraftment was greater than 70% in 30/32 recipients at mean follow-up of 3.4 years. Evidence of persistent immunodeficiency was not seen in successful transplants. Attempts to rescue failed or poorly functioning grafts were associated with unacceptable morbidity and mortality. A reduced-intensity allogeneic transplant protocol based on alemtuzumab and busulfan with sirolimus GVHD prophylaxis produced high rates of successful engraftment and minimal regimen-related toxicity. Prolonged clinical follow-up has confirmed its efficacy in ameliorating CGD-related disease. Outcomes were not acceptable with donor cell infusion rescue of cause with poor graft function.
Upper Trunk–Pelvis Coordination During Running Using the Continuous Relative Fourier Phase Method

The upper trunk–pelvic coordination patterns used in running are not well understood. The purposes of this study are to (1) test the running speed effect on the upper trunk–pelvis axial rotation coordination and (2) present a step-by-step guide of the relative Fourier phase algorithm, as well as some further issues to consider. A total of 20 healthy young adults were tested under 3 treadmill running speeds using a 3-dimensional motion capture system. The upper trunk and pelvic segmental angles in axial rotation were calculated, and the coordination was quantified using the relative Fourier phase method. Results of multilevel modeling indicated that running speed did not significantly contribute to the changes in coordination in a linear pattern. A qualitative template analysis suggested that participants displayed different change patterns of coordination as running speed increased. Participants did not significantly change the upper trunk and pelvis coordination mode in a linear pattern at higher running...
Lentiviral co-packaging mitigates the effects of intermolecular recombination and multiple integrations in pooled genetic screens

Lentiviral vectors are widely used for functional genomic screens, enabling efficient and stable transduction of target cells with libraries of genetic elements. Unfortunately, designs that rely on integrating multiple variable sequences, such as combinatorial perturbations or perturbations linked to barcodes, may be compromised by unintended consequences of lentiviral packaging. Intermolecular recombination between library elements and integration of multiple perturbations (even at limiting virus dilution) can negatively impact the sensitivity of pooled screens. Here, we describe a simple approach to prevent recombination between lentiviral vectors containing multiple linked variable elements, such as the recently reported CRISP-seq, Perturb-seq, and Mosaic-seq designs. We show that modifying the packaging protocol to dilute the perturbation library with a carrier plasmid increases the fraction of correct, single integrations from 90%, at the cost of reducing titer by 100-fold.
A Linguistic History of Iraqi Arabic (Mesopotamian Arabic)

The objective of this work is to investigate the linguistic structure of Iraqi Arabic or what is known as Mesopotamian Arabic. The paper presents an overview of some of the fundamental analyses of Iraqi Arabic - Mesopotamian Arabic. This article is concentrated on the most important parts of the language which are the phonological, morphological, and syntactical features. The paper not only examines the linguistic feature of Iraqi Arabic but it also, discusses how Iraqi Arabic dialect is different from Modern Standard Arabic with data that are not considered before and with certain new theoretical proposals. The researcher analysis the three dialects, which are Baghdadi, Southern, and Maslawi dialect and provides an important data for each dialect. Unlike Modern Standard Arabic, Iraqi Arabic went through many changes. Phonologically, Iraqi Arabic has more consonants than Modern Standard Arabic, and a few additional long vowels. Many sounds have been replaced with different sounds. In addition, the words in Iraqi Arabic does not end with vowels. Therefore, words end with consonants rather than vowels in Iraqi Arabic. Morphologically, Iraqi Arabic is different from Modern Standard Arabic in the present progressive tense. In Iraqi Arabic, the tenses are formed by adding a prefix to the conjugated stem of the verb, which cannot be found in Modern Standard Arabic. Syntactically, Iraqi Arabic differs from Modern Standard Arabic in two ways: first, there is no case marking; Iraqi Arabic does not show overt cases as it is found in Modern Standard Arabic. Second, Iraqi Arabic lacks agreement. Iraqi Arabic does not always follow the structure of verb-subject order as found in Modern Standard Arabic. The verb usually has full agreement with the subject in both orders, subject-verb, and verb-subject. Finally, Iraqi Arabic has an interesting feature which is head movement that cannot be found in Modern Standard Arabic as Soltan argues. This is can be shown in the following example: [The student seems that ____ he read the book.] Among the other issues that the author discusses in this study is the history of Iraqi Arabic. In addition to the features of Iraqi Arabic and the effects of other languages, such as Turkish and Semitic languages on Iraqi dialects.
Rapid Activation of Protein C by Factor Xa and Thrombin in the Presence of Polyanionic Compounds

A recent study indicated that negatively charged substances such as heparin and dextran sulfate accelerate thrombin activation of coagulation factor XI by a template mechanism. Because the serine proteinase of the natural anticoagulant pathway, activated protein C, can bind heparin, it was reasonable to think that these compounds may also bind protein C (PC) and accelerate its activation by thrombin or other heparin binding plasma serine proteinases by a similar mechanism. To test this, PC activation by thrombin and factor Xa (fXa) was studied in the presence of these polysaccharides. With thrombin in the absence of thrombomodulin (TM), these polysaccharides markedly reduced the Km for PC and Gla-domainless PC (GDPC) activation in the presence of Ca2+. With TM containing chondroitin sulfate, heparin did not influence PC activation by thrombin, but with TM lacking chondroitin sulfate, the characteristic high-affinity PC interaction at low Ca2+ (∼50 to 100 μmol/L) was largely eliminated by heparin. In EDTA, heparin enhanced thrombin activation of GDPC by reducing the Km, but it inhibited PC activation by increasing the Km. PC activation in EDTA was insensitive to the presence of heparin if the exosite 2 mutant, R93,97,101A thrombin, was used for activation. These results suggest that, when the Gla-domain of PC is not fully stabilized by Ca2+, it interacts with the anion binding exosite 2 of thrombin and that heparin binding to this site prevents this interaction. Additional studies indicated that, in the presence of phospholipid vesicles, heparin and dextran sulfate dramatically accelerate PC activation by fXa by also reducing the Km. Interestingly, on phospholipids containing 40% phosphatidylethanolamine, the activation rate of near physiological PC concentrations (∼80 nmol/L) by fXa in the presence of dextran sulfate was nearly comparable to that observed by the thrombin-TM complex. The biochemical and potential therapeutical ramifications of these findings are discussed.
Methods and results of noninvasive detection of ventricular late potentials

In 1973, Boineau and Cox [1] showed that electrograms from ischemic regions of the canine heart were delayed and fractionated. Waldo and Kaiser [2] described bridging of the diastolic interval with low level electrical activity. Then Scherlag et al. [3], Hope et al. [4], Williams et al. [5] and El-Sherif et al. [6, 7], all working in the same laboratory, evolved an animal model for monitoring and relating this delayed or continuous electrical activity to the generation of ventricular arrhythmias. A wide variety of observations verified the relationship between late potentials and ventricular arrhythmias. These included patterns such as 2:1 block in the ischemic/infarct zone as well as progressive beat-by-beat prolongation of late potentials evolving to continuous electrical activity anteceding ectopic ventricular discharges and ventricular tachycardia. Other studies [8–10] also described prolongation and conduction block of late potentials as a function of heart rate and drugs. Multi-electrode epicardial mapping by El-Sherif et al. [11] and Wit et al. [12] has further verified these late activated areas as the substrate of reentry. An editorial comment by Josephson and Wit [13] clearly emphasizes the role of continuous electrical activity in defining reentry as a mechanism of ventricular tachycardia. Initial studies in man on late potentials were reported by Josephson et al. [14] and Fontaine et al. [15] which were recorded from the endocardial and epicardial surface, respectively, of patients with ventricular tachycardia.
Semantic modeling for deductive question-answering

A description of techniques used for semantic modeling in a deductive question-answering system is given. The system maintains a dialog and is able to understand situations which can be expressed as a series of sequential time-frames. Specific relevant questions are asked by the system when it is unable to succeed in a given task. It can also provide reasons for its previous actions.
Jamesian Finite Theism and the Problems of Suffering

William James advocated a form of finite theism, motivated by epistemological and moral concerns with scholastic theism and pantheism. In this article, I elaborate James’s case for finite theism and his strategy for dealing with these concerns, which I dub the problems of suffering. I contend that James is at the very least implicitly aware that the problem of suffering is not so much one generic problem but a family of related problems. I argue that one of James’s great contributions to philosophical theism is his advocacy for the view that adequate theistic philosophizing is not so much about cracking this family of problems, but finding a version of the problem to embrace.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and the "Five Stages" Model in a Sampling of Recent Textbooks Published in 10 Countries Outside the United States.

A previous article in this journal examined some aspects of the enduring influence of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s “five stages” model through a sampling of recent American textbooks in selected academi...
Dynamical phase behavior of the single- and multi-lane asymmetric simple exclusion process via matrix product states.

The open asymmetric simple exclusion process (ASEP) has emerged as a paradigmatic model of nonequilibrium behavior, in part due to its complex dynamical behavior and wide physical applicability as a model of driven diffusion. We compare the dynamical phase behavior of the one-dimensional (1D) ASEP and the multi-lane ASEP, a previously unstudied extension of the 1D model that may be thought of as a finite-width strip of the fully two-dimensional (2D) system. Our characterization employs large deviation theory (LDT), matrix product states (MPS), and the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm, to compute the current cumulant generating function and its derivatives, which serve as dynamical order parameters. We use this measure to show that when particles cannot exit or enter the lattice vertically, the phase behavior of the multi-lane ASEP mimics that of its 1D counterpart, exhibiting the macroscopic and microscopic signatures of the maximal current, shock, and high-density--low-density coexistence phases. Conversely, when particles are allowed to freely enter and exit the lattice, no such transition is observed. This contrast emphasizes the complex interplay between latitudinal and longitudinal hopping rates and the effect of current biasing. Our results support the potential of tensor networks as a framework to understand classical nonequilibrium statistical mechanics.
Abstract 036: Genetics and Epigenetics on Circadian Blood Pressure and Variability in Rats Compared With Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variability in Human

Hypertension is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Blood pressure (BP) levels vary widely due to predictable biological rhythms and unpredictable environmental factors. Daily (circadian)...
Mechanical, rheological and anaerobic biodegradation behavior of a Poly(lactic acid) blend containing a Poly(lactic acid)-co-poly(glycolic acid) copolymer

Abstract The goal of this work is to examine the thermal, rheological, mechanical and thermophilic anaerobic biodegradation performance of PLA blends containing a highly degradable polymer. Here random copolymers consisting of Poly( l -lactic acid) (PLLA) and Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) structural units (75:25 M ratio) were synthesized at three different molecular weights (Mw = 16, 58 and 113 kg mol−1) and melt blended with a high molecular weight PLA homopolymer. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was lower than that of PLA and increased with copolymer molecular weight. A single Tg intermediate to that of the two blend constituents was observed suggesting miscibility. Polymer blends showed enhanced methane production at early stages of anaerobic degradation with the rate increasing with increasing PLGA content and decreasing PLGA molecular weight. Blends exhibited a decrease in modulus and tensile strength as compared to pure PLA. Likewise, a decrease in ductility for all but the lowest molecular weight copolymer containing blend was observed. The zero-shear viscosity of polymer blends scaled predictably with PLGA content and exhibited reduced sensitivity to shear-rate. It is envisioned that this strategy could be applied for those applications where recycling is prohibitive such as at universities, hospitals and stadiums where mixed waste streams containing plastics and other waste types, such as food and paper, can be anaerobically co-digested and the resulting biogas used as fuel.