cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behaviour of polymer dispersed cholesteric droplets with negative dielectric anisotropy in electric fields

Abstract The behaviour of chiral, polymer dispersed cholesteric liquid crystals with negative dielectric anisotropy in electric fields has been studied for a system with large cholesteric pitch (several μm) using polarizing microscopy. A uniformly oriented region appears in the centre of the droplets for voltages above a threshold voltage. We find that the radius of this region increases exponentially with increasing field strength, while the threshold voltage decreases with increasing drop diameter and with increasing pitch. Investigation of the dynamics reveals a single step mechanism with a time constant of a few seconds when a field is suddenly switched on. The switch-off process is more complex and much slower.
Comparison between 2-(18) F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography for measuring gross tumor volume in cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most refractory feline malignancies. Most patients succumb due to failure in local tumor control. 2-(18) F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography ((18) F-FDG PET) is increasingly being used for veterinary oncology staging as it highlights areas with higher glucose metabolism. The goal of the current prospective study was to compare gross tumor volume measurements using (18) F-FDG PET vs. those using computed tomography (CT) for stereotactic radiation therapy planning in cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Twelve cats with confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma underwent pretreatment (18) F-FDG PET/CT. Gross tumor volumes based on contrast-enhanced CT and (18) F-FDG PET were measured and compared among cats. Mean PET gross tumor volume was significantly smaller than mean CT gross tumor volume in the mandibular/maxillary squamous cell carcinoma group (n = 8, P = 0.002) and for the total number of patients (n = 12, P = 0.006), but not in the lingual/laryngeal group (n = 4, P = 0.57). Mismatch fraction analysis revealed that most of the lingual/laryngeal patients had a large region of high-(18) F-FDG activity outside of the CT gross tumor volume. This mismatch fraction was significantly greater in the lingual/laryngeal group than the mandibular/maxillary group (P = 0.028). The effect of poor spatial resolution of PET imaging was greater when the absolute tumor volume was small. Findings from this study indicated that (18) F-FDG PET warrants further investigation as a supplemental imaging modality in cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma because it detected regions of possible primary tumor that were not detected on CT images.
A yeast model of optineurin proteinopathy reveals a unique aggregation pattern associated with cellular toxicity.

Summary Many neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are linked to the accumulation of specific protein aggregates in affected regions of the nervous system. SOD1, TDP-43, FUS and optineurin (OPTN) proteins were identified to form intraneuronal inclusions in ALS patients. In addition, mutations in OPTN are associated with both ALS and glaucoma. As the pathological role of OPTN in neuronal degeneration remains unresolved, we created a yeast model to study its potential for aggregation and toxicity. We observed that both wild type and disease-associated mutants of OPTN form toxic non-amyloid aggregates in yeast. Similar to reported cell culture and mouse models, the OPTN E50K mutant shows enhanced toxicity in yeast, implying a conserved gain-of-function mechanism. Furthermore, OPTN shows a unique aggregation pattern compared to other disease-related proteins in yeast. OPTN aggregates colocalize only partially with the insoluble protein deposit (IPOD) site markers, but coincide perfectly with the prion seed-reducing protein Btn2 and several other aggregation-prone proteins, suggesting that protein aggregates are not limited to a single IPOD site. Importantly, changes in the Btn2p level modify OPTN toxicity and aggregation. This study generates a mechanistic framework for investigating how OPTN may trigger pathological changes in ALS and other OPTN-linked neurodegenerative disorders.
Sudden Cardiac Death in a Dialysis Patient: Hyperkalemia Reconsidered

Abstract Background To many physicians, hyperkalemia is the first diagnosis ascribed to any patient with end-stage renal disease and abnormal electrocardiographic morphologies or dysrhythmias. Case Report A 52-year-old man with end-stage renal disease presented in cardiac arrest. The patient was initially presumed to have hyperkalemia, based on the appearance of wide QRS complexes on the monitor. The diagnosis of hyperkalemia was incorrect; the patient was severely hypokalemic and suffered recurrent episodes of ventricular fibrillation and torsades de pointes. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This An emergency physician's differential diagnosis of sudden cardiac arrest in the patient with end-stage renal disease should not be limited to hyperkalemia and myocardial infarction. Hypokalemia should also be considered. Hypokalemia may be an under-recognized cause of sudden cardiac death in this patient population.
Massage Therapy Reduces Tension, Anxiety, and Pain in Patients Awaiting Invasive Cardiovascular Procedures

Objectives: (1) To assess the efficacy of a 20 minute massage therapy session on pain, anxiety, and tension in patients before an invasive cardiovascular procedure. (2) To assess overall patient satisfaction with the massage therapy. (3) To evaluate the feasibility of integrating massage therapy into preprocedural practices. Experimental pretest-posttest design using random assignment. Medical cardiology progressive care units at a Midwestern Academic Medical Center. Patients (N=130) undergoing invasive cardiovascular procedures. The intervention group received 20 minutes of hands on massage at least 30 minutes before an invasive cardiovascular procedure. Control group patients received standard preprocedural care. Visual analogue scales were used to collect verbal numeric responses measuring pain, anxiety, and tension pre- and postprocedure. The differences between pre- and postprocedure scores were compared between the massage and standard therapy groups using the Mann–Whitney Wilcoxon's test. Scores for pain, anxiety, and tension scores were identified along with an increase in satisfaction for patients who received a 20-minute massage before procedure compared with those receiving standard care. This pilot study showed that massage can be incorporated into medical cardiovascular units' preprocedural practice and adds validity to prior massage studies.
CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy in children

PURPOSE To describe techniques and evaluate outcomes of computed tomography (CT)–guided percutaneous lung biopsy in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between April 1992 and June 2003, 64 patients (32 male, 32 female) with a mean age of 10.8 years (0.6–20 years) were referred for 75 lung biopsies. Most biopsies were performed for suspected malignancy ( n = 24; 32%) or to distinguish posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder from fungal infection in immunocompromised patients ( n = 17; 23%). All children referred to the pediatric interventionalists in two children's hospitals for CT-guided biopsy of parenchymal or pleural-based lesions in the thorax were studied. Prospectively gathered procedural data were reviewed for medical history and indications for procedure, admission status, type of anesthesia, technical approach (core vs aspiration biopsy), procedural modifications, lesion size, number of passes required, and immediate complications. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for diagnostic outcome, impact on patient management, and delayed complications. RESULTS Procedures were performed under deep sedation whenever possible ( n = 61; 81%) with use of a coaxial core biopsy technique ( n = 56; 75%), a fine needle aspiration biopsy technique ( n = 15; 20%), or both ( n = 4; 5%). Mean lesion diameters were 2.5 cm (range, 1–10 cm) in the core biopsy group and 1.0 cm (range, 0.5–1.7 cm) in the aspiration biopsy group. Sixty-four biopsies (85%) were diagnostic. There was one major complication (1.3%), a tension pneumothorax treated with intraprocedural placement of a chest tube. CONCLUSION Percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy is a safe and accurate diagnostic procedure in children that obviates open surgical biopsy in most patients.
A numerical absorbing boundary condition for finite difference and finite element analysis of open periodic structures

In this paper we present a novel approach to deriving local boundary conditions, that can be employed in conjunction with the Finite Difference/Finite Element Methods (FD/FEM) to solve electromagnetic scattering and radiation problems involving periodic structures. The key step in this approach is to derive linear relationships that link the value of the field at a boundary grid point to those at the neighboring points. These linear relationships are identically satisfied not only by all of the propagating Floquet modes but by a few of the leading evanescent ones as well. They can thus be used in lieu of absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) in place of the usual FD/FEM equations for the boundary points. Guidelines for selecting the orders of the evanescent Floquet modes to be absorbed are given in the paper. The present approach not only provides a simple way to derive an accurate boundary condition for mesh truncation, but also preserves the banded structure of the FD/FEM matrices. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified by using an internal check and by comparing the numerical results with the analytic solution for perfectly conducting strip gratings. >
Kriged and modeled ambient air levels of benzene in an urban environment: an exposure assessment study

There is increasing concern regarding the potential adverse health effects of air pollution, particularly hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). However, quantifying exposure to these pollutants is problematic. Our goal was to explore the utility of kriging, a spatial interpolation method, for exposure assessment in epidemiologic studies of HAPs. We used benzene as an example and compared census tract-level kriged predictions to estimates obtained from the 1999 U.S. EPA National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA), Assessment System for Population Exposure Nationwide (ASPEN) model. Kriged predictions were generated for 649 census tracts in Harris County, Texas using estimates of annual benzene air concentrations from 17 monitoring sites operating in Harris and surrounding counties from 1998 to 2000. Year 1999 ASPEN modeled estimates were also obtained for each census tract. Spearman rank correlation analyses were performed on the modeled and kriged benzene levels. Weighted kappa statistics were computed to assess agreement between discretized kriged and modeled estimates of ambient air levels of benzene. There was modest correlation between the predicted and modeled values across census tracts. Overall, 56.2%, 40.7%, 31.5% and 28.2% of census tracts were classified as having 'low', 'medium-low', 'medium-high' and 'high' ambient air levels of benzene, respectively, comparing predicted and modeled benzene levels. The weighted kappa statistic was 0.26 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.20, 0.31), indicating poor agreement between the two methods. There was a lack of concordance between predicted and modeled ambient air levels of benzene. Applying methods of spatial interpolation for assessing exposure to ambient air pollutants in health effect studies is hindered by the placement and number of existing stationary monitors collecting HAP data. Routine monitoring needs to be expanded if we are to use these data to better assess environmental health risks in the future.
The Reciprocal Relationship Between State Defense Interest and Committee Representation in Congress

Does prior representation of a state on a Congressional defense committee lead to higher levels of per capita defense contracts, or do higher levels of prior per capita contract awards to a state increase its probability of being represented on a defense committee? To solve this puzzle, we estimate a cross-lagged three-equation model on data from all 50 states from 1963 to 1989 using maximum likelihood within LISREL. We find a substantial reciprocal but non-confounding relationship between representation and the allocation of benefits for the House, but not for the Senate. Thus, for the House, this more appropriate model of distributive politics in Congress supports both the committee-induced benefits hypothesis and the recruitment hypothesis. Further, the paper elaborates on how this reciprocal relationship plays out over time.
Weakly imbalanced strong turbulence

The theory of strong MHD turbulence with cross-helicity has been a subject of many recent studies. In this paper we focused our attention on low-imbalance limit and performed high-resolution 3D simulations. The results suggest that in this limit both w + = v + b and w − = v − b are cascaded strongly. The model for imbalance based on so-called “dynamic alignment” strongly contradicts numerical evidence.
Design of a standards-based external rules engine for decision support in a variety of application contexts: report of a feasibility study at Partners HealthCare System.

This project explored functional requirements for an institutionwide method, at Partners HealthCare, for interpreting clinical knowledge for decision support. Such knowledge is currently incorporated in a variety of clinical applications, yet the method of representation and of execution varies and the ability to author/edit the rules by human experts is limited. We expanded on a 2002 “Knowledge Inventory” at Partners to evaluate feasibility of designing a single representation approach entailing: (a) exploration of specific needs of different applications, in terms of kinds of response required (synchronous/asynchronous, time criticality, etc.), context (e.g., implied patient, time frame, or episode) , and kinds of actions to be triggered; (b) kind of representation of knowledge and feasibility of casting knowledge in the form of if…then statements; and (c) data and knowledge resources used (implied data model, and particular knowledge sources and terminology sources). The result of analysis was to design an architecture to accomplish this goal. We also did preliminary analysis of requirements for authoring for such a representation, and for implementation.
Making syngas electrocatalytically using a polypyridyl ruthenium catalyst

Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide and of water/weak acids to hydrogen by a class of polypyridyl ruthenium complexes both occur by well-defined mechanisms involving common intermediates. Based on available mechanistic insight, conditions have been found for competitive electrocatalytic reduction of CO2–H2O–H2PO4− mixtures by a single metal complex catalyst to give syngas products with the H2 : CO ratio controllable by controlling the composition of the solutions.
Temporal Discrimination of Sub- and Suprasecond Time Intervals: A Voxel-Based Lesion Mapping Analysis

We used voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) to determine which brain areas are necessary for discriminating time intervals above and below one second. VLSM compares behavioral scores of patients that have damage to a given voxel to those that do not on a voxel-by-voxel basis to determine which voxels are critical for the given behavior. Forty-seven subjects with unilateral hemispheric lesions performed a temporal discrimination task in which a standard stimulus was compared on each trial to a test stimulus. In different blocks of trials, standard stimuli were either 600 or 2000 msec. Behavioral measures included the point of subjective equality (PSE), a measure of accuracy, and the coefficient of variation (CV), a measure of variability. Lesions of the right middle and inferior frontal gyri were associated with decrements in performance on both durations. In addition, lesions of the left temporal lobe and right precentral gyrus were associated exclusively with impaired performance for sub-second stimuli. In line with results from other studies, these data suggest that different circuits are necessary for timing intervals in these ranges, and that right frontal areas are particularly important to timing.
Constructing ‘Race’ Across the Science-Lay Divide Racial Formation in the Epidemiology and Experience of Cardiovascular Disease

Social disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) have increasingly engaged the concern of the biomedical, epidemiological, and public health communities. In this context, cardiovascular epidemiology has emerged as an essential tool for understanding the determinants, risk factors, and distribution of CVD across populations. Race, ethnicity, culture, and related differences are studied for their effects on cardiovascular risk and are being constructed in heterogeneous ways as scientifically legitimate contributors to CVD risk. This paper presents findings from a qualitative, sociological study that compares epidemiological and lay conceptions of the meanings of ‘race’ and their accounts of the mechanisms through which racial differences in cardiovascular disease are produced. In particular, I analyze current conventions for classifying race in epidemiology, and identify multiple ways in which the lived experiences of race undermine the validity of scientific measurement. I describe a science-lay divide b...
Inverse association between brown adipose tissue activation and white adipose tissue accumulation in successfully treated pediatric malignancy

Background: Although the accumulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) is a risk factor for disease, brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been suggested to have a protective role against obesity. Objective: We studied whether changes in BAT were related to changes in the amounts of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in children treated for malignancy. Design: We examined the effect of BAT activity on weight, SAT, and VAT in 32 pediatric patients with cancer whose positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) scans at diagnosis showed no BATactivity. Changes in weight, SAT, and VAT from diagnosis to remission for children with metabolically active BATat disease-free follow-up (BAT+) were compared with those in children without visualized BAT when free of disease (BAT2). Results: Follow-up PET-CT studies (4.7 6 2.4 mo later) after successful treatment of the cancer showed BAT+ in 19 patients but no active BAT (BAT2) in 13 patients. BAT+ patients, in comparison with BAT2 patients, gained significantly less weight (3.3 6 6.6% compared with 11.0 6 11.6%; P = 0.02) and had significantly less SAT (18.2 6 26.5% compared with 67.4 6 71.7%; P = 0.01) and VAT (22.6 6 33.5% compared with 131.6 6 171.8%; P = 0.01) during treatment. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the inverse relations between BAT activation and measures of weight, SAT, and VAT persisted even after age, glucocorticoid treatment, and the season when the PET-CT scans were obtained were accounted for. Conclusion: The activation of BAT in pediatric patients undergoing treatment of malignancy is associated with significantly less adipose accumulation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01517581. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:1144–9.
Inhibition of mixed‐function oxidase activities in vitro and in vivo: Comparisons between kidney and liver

The concentration-dependent abilities of SKF 525-A, metyrapone (MET), piperonyl butoxide (PB), allyl-isopropylacetamide (AIA) and alpha-naphthoflavone (7,8-benzoflavone; ANF) to inhibit the activities of p-chloro-N-methylaniline-N-demethylase (PCNMA) and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) in vitro were determined in microsomal and postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) fractions of homogenates prepared from kidneys and livers of rats and mice. Renal microsomal AHH was less sensitive to modulation by SKF 525-A, MET and ANF in vitro than was hepatic microsomal AHH, but renal and hepatic microsomal AHH were equisensitive to inhibition by PB. AIA did not inhibit AHH activities in vitro. Renal AHH and PCNMA activities in PMS fractions were less sensitive to inhibition by SKF 525-A, MET and PB than were hepatic AHH and PCNMA activities. The temporal characteristics of enzyme inhibition in vivo were studied in kidneys and livers removed 1, 2, 4 or 12 h after treatment of the animals with 75 mg kg-1 SKF 525-A or 600 mg kg-1 PB. The degree of inhibition of AHH and PCNMA activities produced by i.p. administration of the inhibitors were greater quantitatively in liver PMS than in kidney PMS, and the degree of inhibition of PCNMA activity in both organs was much less than that of AHH activity. The differences in sensitivity of renal and hepatic AHH and PCNMA activities to the inhibitors may have been due to organ-specific differences in the affinities of the inhibitors for interaction with the active site(s) on cytochrome P-450.
Comparative Production of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Transgenic Cotton Expressing Either One or Two Bacillus thuringiensis Proteins with and without Insecticide Oversprays

Transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.), expressing either one or two Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki Berliner (Bt) proteins was compared with the conventional sister line in field experiments with regard to production of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and bolls damaged by bollworm. The relative numbers of bollworms that developed on Bollgard (Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO), Bollgard II (Monsanto Co.), and conventional cotton were estimated under nontreated conditions in 2000 and both insecticide-treated and nontreated conditions in 2001-2002 in North Carolina tests. Averaged across seven field studies under nontreated conditions, Bollgard cotton generated statistically similar numbers of large (L4-L5) bollworm larvae compared with the conventional variety; however, Bollgard cotton produced significantly fewer damaged bolls and bollworm adults than the conventional variety. Production of large larvae, damaged bolls, and adults was decreased dramatically by Bollgard II cotton as compared with Bollgard and conventional varieties. When comparing insecticide-treated and nontreated cotton genotypes, both Bt cotton sustained less boll damage than the conventional variety averaged across insecticide regimes; furthermore, Bollgard II cotton had fewer damaged bolls than the Bollgard variety. When averaged across cotton genotypes, pyrethroid oversprays reduced the numbers of damaged bolls compared with the nontreated cotton. Insecticide-treated Bollgard cotton, along with insecticide-treated and nontreated Bollgard II cotton reduced production of bollworm larvae, pupae, and adults. However, the addition of pyrethroid oversprays to Bollgard II cotton seemed to be the best resistance management strategy available for bollworm because no bollworms were capable of completing development under these conditions.
Improving on-time service delivery: The case of project as product

For many service companies - e.g., construction companies, advertising agencies, market research companies, soft- ware developers, and many others - each product is a complete project contracted with and completed for customers. To be com- petitive, these types of companies must deliver their projects on time and with a high degree of reliability to maintain customer satisfaction. For this reason, the successful managing of projects, including cycle time reduction and the full-scope delivery of the final product, are key competitive advantages and contribute to the notion of logistics service quality. This study contrasts the performance of two differing approaches to managing projects: the traditional Critical Path Method as it has customarily been implemented and the newer Critical Chain Method, including its behavioral components as well as its scheduling differentiators. The findings show that Critical Chain, properly implemented, offers a significant time-saving advantage over the Critical Path Method.
Spondylocostal Dysostosis with Perinatal Death and Meningomyelocele

A preterm black girl was born at 35 weeks of gestation to a healthy nonconsanguineous couple. She had a very short trunk with disproportionately long extremities, mild prognathism, low-set ears, thoracolumbar meningomyelocele, and imperforate anus. She died 45 min after birth. Roentgenograms revealed hemivertebrae, block vertebrae, severe thoracic lordosis, absent sacrum, posterior fusion of some ribs with greater distance among them in the anterior thorax, and relatively long extremities. Internal examination showed an intact meningomyelocele extending from the first thoracic vertebra to the lumbosacral region, containing 150 mL of clear fluid. The lungs were severely hypoplastic. Spondylocostal dysostosis encompasses a spectrum of vertebral abnormalities ranging from spina bifida occulta to large meningomyelocele and from mild to severe thoracic deformities that produce pulmonary hypoplasia and respiratory insufficiency. Our case is one of the most severe ever described.
Radioiodinated AGI-5198 for in vivo imaging of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation in gliomas

1039 Objectives Genes encoding isocitrate dehydrogenases 1 and 2 (IDH1 and IDH2) are frequently mutated in gliomas. Clinically, IDH mutations are associated with good prognosis; however, they promote tumorigenesis by producing the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate. Hence, in vivo imaging of IDH mutation has potential for tumor detection and to predict prognosis. We aimed to develop radiotracers for the most commonly occurring IDH1 mutation, IDH1-R132H. Methods AGI-5198 is a known inhibitor of the IDH1-R132H enzyme. We synthesized iodinated AGI-5198 (SC55) and evaluated its inhibitory activity against mutant IDH1. Radioiodinated AGI-5198 (125I or 131I-labeled) was synthesized from its tri-n-butylstannyl precursor in the presence of H2O2. The radiolabeled, HPLC-purified AGI-5198 was evaluated for uptake in two IDH1-mutant tumor cell lines, anaplastic astrocytoma (IMA) and HCT116R132H/WT, from 0.5 - 2 h post incubation. The biodistribution characteristics and tumor uptake properties were assessed in mice bearing HCT116R132H/WT xenografts by ex vivo gamma counting. Results The inhibitory activity of iodo-AGI-5198 was similar to that of AGI-5198 (IC50 98% purity (n=3). At 2 h post incubation, [125I]AGI-5198 uptake in IDH1-mutant IMA and HCT116 cell lines was 2.1 and 1.5-fold higher than the corresponding wild-type control cells, respectively. Biodistribution studies showed rapid clearance of the radiotracer from the blood pool ( Conclusions Based on its higher uptake in mutant IDH1 tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, radioiodinated AGI-5198 merits further evaluation as a radiotracer for in vivo imaging of the IDH1-R132H mutation in gliomas. Research Support Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation (SBTF), National Cancer Institute.
Wills Above Ground

With the widespread adoption of electronic court filing systems comes the ability to more easily and efficiently peer into the rich data of probate proceedings. Wills on the Ground by Professor David Horton, published in the UCLA Law Review, highlights both the potential and some of the inherent limitations of empirical research in the law of wills. Wills law has been the battleground of formalists and functionalists over the last half century, with both sides bearing the banner of testator intent, but neither backing up their proposals or counterproposals with much hard data about which better achieves their common aim. Professor Horton culls data from probate files to disprove predictions of litigiousness and runaway probate costs that were projected to accompany a departure from strict formalism. At the same time, his study encounters the difficulty of assessing the measure of decedents’ unstated goals. This article outlines will doctrines and past empirical probate studies and probes a future when relaxed formalism will be finely tuned by empirical data to achieve majoritarian testator intent.
Serum β-Trace Protein and β2-Microglobulin as Predictors of ESRD, Mortality, and Cardiovascular Disease in Adults With CKD in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study

Background Serum β-trace protein (BTP) and β 2 -microglobulin (B2M) are independently associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and mortality in the general population and high-risk groups with diabetes or advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Less is known about their associations with outcomes and predictive ability in adults with moderate CKD. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting & Participants 3,613 adults from the CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) Study (45% women; mean age, 57.9 years; 41.0% non-Hispanic black; 51.9% with diabetes). Predictors BTP and B2M levels with a reciprocal transformation to reflect their associations with filtration, creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR cr ), measured GFR, and a 4-marker composite score combining BTP, B2M, creatinine, and cystatin C levels. Predictors were standardized as z scores for comparisons across filtration markers. Outcomes ESRD, all-cause mortality, and new-onset cardiovascular disease. Results During a 6-year median follow-up, 755 (21%) participants developed ESRD, 653 died, and 292 developed new-onset cardiovascular disease. BTP, B2M, and the 4-marker composite score were independent predictors of ESRD and all-cause mortality, and B2M and the 4-marker composite score of cardiovascular events, after multivariable adjustment. These associations were stronger than those observed for eGFR cr ( P vs eGFR cr ≤0.02). The 4-marker composite score led to improvements in C statistic and 2.5-year risk reclassification beyond eGFR cr for all outcomes. Limitations Filtration markers measured at one time point; measured GFR available in subset of cohort. Conclusions BTP and B2M levels may contribute additional risk information beyond eGFR cr , and the use of multiple markers may improve risk prediction beyond this well-established marker of kidney function among persons with moderate CKD.
Gallbladder, Sphincter of Oddi, Cholecystokinin, and Opioid Inter-Relationship

The bile, essential for digestion and absorption of nutrients, is secreted by the liver continuously, stored in the gallbladder during fasting, and discharged into the duodenum intermittently after each meal. The bile salts, which are an important component of bile, promote efficient digestion and absorption of essential nutrients from the intestine. The gallbladder has a unique mechanism to sequester almost all of the bile salts during fasting and release them into the duodenum after the arrival of food. Food stimulates the release of endogenous cholecystokinin into the circulation from the endocrine cells lining the mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, and upper ileum. Cholecystokinin acts on its receptors located in the smooth muscle and initiates the contraction and emptying of concentrated bile from the gallbladder, and simultaneously relaxes the sphincter of Oddi to allow smooth passage of bile into the duodenum. During the evolutionary process it appears as though nature has placed these three organs very close to each other anatomically to obtain the maximum efficiency of the biologic system (Fig. 6.1.1).
SU-F-J-82: A Rapid Direct Method for Inverting Respiratory Deformation Fields

Purpose: To enable efficient and consistent registrationbetween source and target images, related bynonlinear but periodic deformation, with particular focus on 4D CTimages. Methods: We present a non-iterative method for inverting forward (or backward) deformation fields from a sequence of p CT images in arespiratory cycle. By exploiting the cyclic structure, the direct inversion methodeffectively factors the inverse transformation between any two frames inthe respiratory sequence into no more than p forward (or backward) transformations, which are available in the provided forward (or backward) sequence. Results: The direct method, inspired by a fixed-point iteration method, iscompared to the iterative method with an analytical phantom and a XCATlung phantom. With the analytic phantom, the new method renders the reversed deformation field in no more than p steps with satisfactory accuracy (RMSE is below 1E-10, for example), while the iterative method becomes slow, very slow or divergent under various conditions such as large deformation. The direct method is efficient and with the XCAT phantom as well. However, when interpolations are spatial resolution limited and by low-degree interpolant, the direct method suffers from the introduced perturbation due to the lack of self-correction capability. The direct method can be used as aprediction step, making large deformation small and followed bycorrection by an iterative method. Conclusion: A direct method is presented for inverting periodic motion fields with high efficiency. When interpolation is resolution limited, the method can be used in combination with an iterative method, especially, for the case where the deformation is large and the iterative method may not converge. NIH Grant No: R01-184173
Effect of hot-fat trimming on factors associated with the subprimal yield of beef carcasses.

Thirty-two crossbred cattle (steers = 17; heifers = 15) exhibiting an ultrasound fat thickness at the 12 to 13th rib region of at least 10 mm were selected from a slaughter shift at a commercial packing plant. After splitting, alternating sides of each carcass were trimmed of 1) subcutaneous fat in excess of 6.4 mm; 2) all kidney, pelvic, and heart fat; and 3) all cod or udder fat and fat in the flank region. Both sides of each carcass were fabricated into subprimals (final trim level of 6.4 mm) according to normal industry procedures. Effect of hot-fat trimming, yield grade (3, 4, and 5), and gender on hot-fat trim, fabrication fat trim, major subprimal, and total subprimal yield of untrimmed and trimmed carcasses were determined. Higher numerical yield grade (YG) corresponded with higher (P less than .05) percentages of hot-fat trim. Hot-fat trimming increased (P less than .05) the difference in fabrication fat trim between steers and heifers and between YG 3 and YG 5. Steers and heifers differed (P less than .05) in percentage of major subprimals and total subprimals when processed conventionally, whereas hot-fat trimming eliminated this difference (P less than .05). Untrimmed YG 3 carcasses had 3.1 and 5.0% higher major subprimal yield (P less than .05) than untrimmed YG 4 and YG 5 carcasses, respectively, whereas hot-fat trimming reduced this difference to 2.5% for YG 4 and to 3.7% for YG 5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Oral verrucous hyperplasia due to repetitive chewing on lips

No abstract available. (Published: 6 July 2016) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2016, 6 : 31595 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v6.31595
Radio as Medium

As a means of point-to-mass communication or broadcasting radio is the most widely used electronic means of communication on the globe. This article traces the history and political economy of radio and examines how the interaction of technology and culture has shaped not only the form and content of the radio medium but radio's relationship to modernity. This article explores the often contradictory trends in radio broadcasting over the course of the twentieth century, defines the current state of radio in a changing global media environment, and discusses the likely paths of future radio development.
Modeling fluid simulation with dynamic Boltzmann machine

Fluid simulation requires a significant amount of computational resources because of the complexity of solving Navier-Stokes equations. In recent work [Ladický et al., 2015], a machine learning technique has been applied to only approximate, but to also accelerate, this complex and time-consuming computation. However, the prior work has not fully taken into account the fact that fluid dynamics is time-varying and involves dynamic features. In this work, we use a time-series machine learning technique, specifically the dynamic Boltzmann machine (DyBM) [Osogami et al., 2015], to approximate fluid simulations. We also propose a learning algorithm for DyBM to better learn and generate an initial part of the time-series. The experimental results suggest the efficiency and accuracy of our proposed techniques.
Reducing Hypotension and Acute Kidney Injury in the Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty Population: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Abstract Background When critically analyzing our hospital system's rate of hypotension and acute kidney injury (AKI) after total joint arthroplasty, our incidence rates (14.54%, 6.02%) were much higher than our peers (7.17%, 2.03%) and national rates (2.0%, 3.3%). We present a multi-disciplinary management intervention that aimed to decrease overall complication rates. Method A multi-disciplinary team implemented a protocol at our suburban hospital to limit complication rates after joint replacement surgery. Hypotension, AKI, length of stay (LOS), re-admission rates, and mortality rates were compared before the protocol was implemented, after protocol implementation, and after protocol integration into our EMR (electronic medical record). Results In total, 1233 patients over 36 months were followed. Hypotension rates after protocol implementation into EMR (group 3) were significantly lower than rates before the protocol (group 1) (P = .002), with rates after protocol implementation without EMR (group 2) trending toward a significant decrease from group 1 (P = .064). AKI rates in group 3 were significantly lower than group 1 (P = .000) and group 2 (P = .006). No difference was seen in hypotension rates between group 2 and 3 (P = .792) or AKI rates between group 1 and 2 (P = .533). Finally, no significant difference was seen between groups in LOS (P = .560), re-admission rates (P = .378), and mortality rates (all 0.0%). Conclusion By implementing a comprehensive electronic protocol consisting of pre-operative risk stratification, multi-disciplinary medical optimization, and an evolving post-operative management plan, significant decreases in hypotension and AKI can be seen.
The Winding Number and Global Potential Functions

In Theorem 2.7, let γi. be a small circle centered at Pi. Determine the value $$\int_{{\gamma i}} {{{G}_{{Pj}}}} .$$
PIMA-logic: a novel processing-in-memory architecture for highly flexible and energy-efficient logic computation

In this paper, we propose PIMA-Logic, as a novel Processing-in-Memory Architecture for highly flexible and efficient Logic computation. Instead of integrating complex logic units in cost-sensitive memory, PIMA-Logic exploits a hardware-friendly approach to implement Boolean logic functions between operands either located in the same row or the same column within entire memory arrays. Furthermore, it can efficiently process more complex logic functions between multiple operands to further reduce the latency and power-hungry data movement. The proposed architecture is developed based on Spin Orbit Torque Magnetic Random Access Memory (SOT-MRAM) array and it can simultaneously work as a non-volatile memory and a reconfigurable in-memory logic. The device-to-architecture co-simulation results show that PIMA-Logic can achieve up to 56% and 31.6% improvements with respect to overall energy and delay on combinational logic benchmarks compared to recent Pinatubo architecture. We further implement an in-memory data encryption engine based on PIMA-Logic as a case study. With AES application, it shows 77.2% and 21% lower energy consumption compared to CMOS-ASIC and recent RIMPA implementation, respectively.
Bridging Hazards Geography and Political Geography: A Borderland Vulnerability Framework

Historically, political boundaries have been analyzed as static barriers to flows of people, goods, capital, and ideas. However, geographers are now re-examining borders within a new, dynamic context (Bean 2002). In this chapter, we present a conceptual framework in which boundaries are categorized on the basis of symmetry/asymmetry and levels of interaction. We then illustrate the utility of this conceptual framework in understanding the impacts of boundaries on cultures, economies, and environments in border regions.
No Longer in a Dry Spell: The Developing Understanding of How Sex Influences Romantic Relationships:

Sex is a defining feature of romantic relationships, yet only recently has research into the implications of sexual processes for such relationships proliferated. We review this work to illustrate ...
Trends in the Stroke Death Rate Among Mississippi Adults, 2000–2016

Introduction On average, more than 1,700 people in Mississippi die from stroke annually, but data on trends by age, sex, and race in Mississippi are limited. We examined trends in the stroke death rate among adults in Mississippi aged 35 or older by age, sex, and race. Methods We used Mississippi Vital Statistics data to calculate age-specific death rates for stroke among people in Mississippi aged 35 or older from 2000 to 2016. We identified cases according to underlying cause-of-death codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). We used Joinpoint software to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in death rates for stroke by age, sex, and race (non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white). Results Among adults aged 35 or older, the age-adjusted stroke death rate declined 30.7% from 141.3 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 97.9 per 100,000 population in 2016, with an AAPC of -2.4% (95% confidence interval, -3.1% to -1.6%). Stroke death rates declined significantly among both men and women in the first trend segment (2000-2009 for men and 2000-2007 for women) but did not decline in the second trend segment (2009-2016 for men and 2007-2016 for women). Non-Hispanic black men had the smallest decline in stroke death rates during the full study period. Among people aged 55 to 64 and non-Hispanic white men, rates shifted from a significant annual decline during the first segment to a significant annual increase during the second segment. Conclusion Age-adjusted stroke death rates among adults in Mississippi aged 35 or older declined significantly between 2000 and 2016, but trends differed by age, race, and sex. Clinical and community interventions aimed at reducing stroke risk factors, particularly for adults aged 55 to 64, are needed in Mississippi.
Triage to Observation: A Quality Improvement Initiative for Chest Pain Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department.

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a rapid admission protocol for chest pain patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) on ED length-of-stay (LOS). In this study, ED LOS was defined as the time from triage check-in until the time the patient physically leav
Optimizing for Spatial Frequency Coverage vs. Point-Spread Function Sidelobe Level in Active Incoherent Microwave Imaging Arrays

Array optimization to maximize image reconstruction performance is often approached using numerical methods due to the solution space being too large for traditional brute force methods. In this work, a sixteen platform coherent distributed array with a seven element subarray attached to each platform will be optimized in two separate domains, each using a genetic algorithm: one to optimize spatial frequency content and the other to optimize peak to sidelobe level of the point spread function. The dimension of the array solution space is restricted to a planar domain of 50λ × 50λ, and the image reconstruction performance is compared for the outputs of both optimization approaches. It is demonstrated that optimizing the point spread function results in better reconstruction of images containing typical spatial frequency distributions, while optimizing the spatial frequency coverage results in better reconstruction of images containing mostly high-spatial frequency content, such as images consisting mostly of shape outlines.
Structure of HhaI endonuclease with cognate DNA at an atomic resolution of 1.0 Å.

HhaI, a Type II restriction endonuclease, recognizes the symmetric sequence 5'-GCG↓C-3' in duplex DNA and cleaves ('↓') to produce fragments with 2-base, 3'-overhangs. We determined the structure of HhaI in complex with cognate DNA at an ultra-high atomic resolution of 1.0 A. Most restriction enzymes act as dimers with two catalytic sites, and cleave the two strands of duplex DNA simultaneously, in a single binding event. HhaI, in contrast, acts as a monomer with only one catalytic site, and cleaves the DNA strands sequentially, one after the other. HhaI comprises three domains, each consisting of a mixed five-stranded β sheet with a defined function. The first domain contains the catalytic-site; the second contains residues for sequence recognition; and the third contributes to non-specific DNA binding. The active-site belongs to the 'PD-D/EXK' superfamily of nucleases and contains the motif SD-X11-EAK. The first two domains are similar in structure to two other monomeric restriction enzymes, HinP1I (G↓CGC) and MspI (C↓CGG), which produce fragments with 5'-overhangs. The third domain, present only in HhaI, shifts the positions of the recognition residues relative to the catalytic site enabling this enzyme to cleave the recognition sequence at a different position. The structure of M.HhaI, the biological methyltransferase partner of HhaI, was determined earlier. Together, these two structures represent the first natural pair of restriction-modification enzymes to be characterized in atomic detail.
How Effective Public Managers Transform Separation of Powers into “Inseparable Powers” in United States Foster Care Administration Networks

Results from a four state foster care administration field research study in the United States with over 55 key player interviews produced data on what particular networking practices public managers perform that contributes to foster care administration effectiveness. One of these practices was the concept of inseparable powers , whereby the traditional checks and balances roles of the judicial, executive, and legislative branches are slightly altered in eras of state-level foster care administration effectiveness. During a period of inseparable powers , effective public managers work across the state branch boundaries in the United States with partners from other branches to produce better foster care outcomes.
Is Opioid-free Post-Vasectomy Analgesia a Pain? A Single Surgeon Experience.

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the impact of transitioning from opioid to non-opioid analgesia post-vasectomy on unplanned opioid prescriptions and health encounters. Methods A retrospective review for patients who underwent vasectomy from October 2018 through December 2019 was performed. Beginning February 1st, 2019, patients were counseled to take scheduled acetaminophen and ibuprofen in lieu of acetaminophen with codeine, with an opioid prescription only provided upon request. Analysis was performed comparing 200 consecutive patients before and after this transition. Baseline patient characteristics, unplanned postoperative encounters for pain within 30 days of vasectomy, and associated narcotic prescriptions were compared between groups. Results 400 patients were included, consisting of 200 patients pre and 200 patients postintervention. There were no differences in socioeconomic characteristics between groups. No differences between the pre- and postintervention groups were observed in terms of generating telephone calls to clinic (9% vs 11%, P = .5), clinic visits (2.5% vs 2.5%, P = 1), or ED visits (0% vs 1%), P = .5) for the pre and postintervention cohorts, respectively. Conclusions Patients that are not prescribed opioids after vasectomy do not generate additional phone calls, clinic, or ED visits compared to those that were routinely prescribed prior to our institutional change. We have permanently discontinued the routine use of opioids for post-vasectomy analgesia. Other physicians performing vasectomy should consider making this change as well.