cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Trade-off" between medical cost controls and quality of care? Maybe, maybe not! Part II.

In Part I of this article, published in the last issue of the JQA (February/March 1990, Vol. 12, No. 1), Majors Varney and Schroeder reviewed the issues surrounding the impact of the Medicare prospective pricing system (PPS). After defining "quality health care" and discussing indicators of quality, the authors presented several arguments by anti-cost containment advocates. In Part II, research is presented on the effects of cost containment on access to health care, substance abuse programs, improved care, severity indexing, alternative care, and utilization review programs.
NIST physical standards for DNA-based medical testing.

As DNA and RNA become major targets for clinical laboratory analysis, benchmark reagents will play an increasingly important role in standardization. Reliable national and international nucleic acid standards promote automation and third-party reimbursement for clinical testing. Furthermore, nucleic acid standards provide materials for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and proficiency testing. Standard methods and training initially evolved from consensus guidelines endorsed by professional societies and governmental agencies. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a nonregulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, develops and certifies physical and chemical standards in support of national commerce, manufacturing, and science. In its role supporting U.S. science and industry, the NIST responds to specific standards needs, most recently for medically and biologically important analytes. Broad-based consensus developed through interdisciplinary NIST workshops initiated development of NIST-certified DNA standards. Such materials serve the diagnostic community and help manufacturers benchmark a variety of DNA diagnostic testing platforms. Here we summarize the NIST experience and programs for development of national standards for DNA-based medical diagnostic testing.
Advancing the Science of Perceptual Accuracy in Pediatric Asthma and Diabetes

OBJECTIVES To review research on perceptual accuracy in pediatric asthma and diabetes and to provide recommendations for future research efforts and clinical applications of the construct in these populations. METHODS A literature search was conducted using Medline and PsychInfo databases as well as the bibliographies of relevant articles. RESULTS Children and adolescents with asthma or diabetes evidence considerable variability in perceptual accuracy and frequently make clinically relevant errors that have the potential to affect self-management behavior. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations for future research include studying distinct types of perceptual errors, empirically supporting the relationship between perceptual accuracy and relevant outcomes, identifying factors related to perceptual inaccuracy, and conducting longitudinal research and intervention studies. Recommendations for applying the construct in clinical practice include adopting an individualized approach to symptoms to guide patient education and management, identifying patients prone to making clinically relevant errors, and developing and implementing interventions to improve accuracy.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Crib Death) and Possible Relation to Long-Term Mattress Compression

Evidence is presented to show that standard mattresses compress infants enough to increase the work required to maintain normal levels of ventilation and cellular respiration. The possible relation of long-term standard mattress compression to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is proposed. Evidence is presented to show that waterbeds do not compress infants significantly. The suggestion is made that, if long-term standard mattress compression is related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, then the use of waterbeds designed for babies may help reduce crib deaths.
Thermal Dependence of Isometric Contractile Properties of Lizard Muscle

1. The thermal dependence of the isometric contractile properties of the iliofibularis and gastrocnemius muscles were studied at 5°C intervals from 10–50°C in lizards with different preferred body temperatures (PBT):Dipsosaurus dorsalis (PBT: 40–42°C);Cnemidophorus murinus (40°C);Sceloporus occidentalis (35°C); andGerrhonotus multicarinatus (25–30°C). 2. Isometric twitch and tetanic tensions were constant over a broad temperature range (as much as 25°C) in all species. Tetanic tension declined by 50% at 45–47.5°C inDipsosaurus, 42.5°C inCnemidophorus, and 40°C inSceloporus andGerrhonotus. 3. Twitch contraction time (CT-the time to the peak twitch tension) increased with decreasing temperature from 10 ms to 300 ms. At any given temperature, the muscles ofSceloporus andGerrhonotus had faster CTs than those of the other species. The CTs were minimal at the maximal test temperature. 4. The maximal rate of tension development with tetanic stimulation (dPo/dt) was strongly temperature dependent and was maximal at 40–45°C inDipsosaurus, 40–42.5°C inCnemidophorus, and 35°C inSceloporus andGerrhonotus. 5. The time properties of these muscles are highly temperature dependent and contractile tensions are broadly temperature independent. Except inGerrhonotus muscles, the combination of twitch speed and tension generating capability is maximal at PBT, although neither parameter alone is maximized at PBT.
Segregation analyses of tooth size in a Melanesian population.

SummaryDental casts and genealogical records collected among several linguistic groups of the Solomon Islands of Bougainville and Malaita form the data-base for the present series of analyses of the human dentition at the population level. Pedigree analysis and complex segregation analysis of nuclear families produce mutually consistent results which are interpreted as the absence of any significant major-gene effect on tooth size.
Responsiveness in American Local Governments

Does the disposition of public opinion affect the progressivism of public policy? While scholars devote a significant amount of attention to opinion–policy linkages at the national, state, and even county levels in such a manner, a similarly defined relationship in local domains remains untested. In this research note, the author offers an alternative for understanding local representation through an investigation of the relationship between the public’s ideology and government spending patterns in twenty-six urban areas across multiple policy areas. The results indicate that the ideological preferences of citizens are reflected in the spending decisions of governments.
How to get your paper published

Getting published depends heavily on starting with a well-designed, well-executed research question that is accurately described, and submitting it to a journal with an appropriate audience.
Biogeographical analysis of Cameroonian puddle frogs and description of a new species of Phrynobatrachus (Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) endemic to Mount Oku, Cameroon

Patterns of species divergence amongst 13 species of Phrynobatrachus from Cameroon were analysed using phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 12S rRNA, valine-tRNA, and 16S rRNA. A clade endemic to the mountains of western Cameroon and eastern Nigeria, part of the geologic rift zone termed the Cameroon Volcanic Line, supports the view that montane regions have acted as centres of speciation. Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea), located 32 km off the coast of Cameroon, is populated by three different lowland Phrynobatrachus species from the mainland. Two of these species, Phrynobatrachus auritus and Phrynobatrachus cornutus reach submontane elevations on Bioko Island (up to 1200–1300 m) but are present only at lowland elevations on mainland Cameroon. A new miniature species of puddle frog of the genus Phrynobatrachus restricted to Mt Oku in the Republic of Cameroon is diagnosed on the basis of morphological characters and molecular data. Unlike all other miniature Phrynobatrachus (snout–vent length < 20 mm), males of this species have unique ventral coloration characterized by a black throat, dark brown to black pectoral and abdominal regions, and a light or white area on the proximal hind limbs. Minute spines cover the venter in males, often appearing as white asperities. The description of this new species supports the significance of this montane ecoregion as a biodiversity hotspot for anurans.
Isotropic Spatial Filters for Suppression of Spurious Noise Waves in Sub-Gridded FDTD Simulation

A class of isotropic spatial filters is proposed to suppress spurious noise waves due to sub-gridding in finite difference time domain simulations. The proposed filters are suitable for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications. A simple procedure is introduced for the a-priori determination of the required filter order and the frequency with which the filter is applied based on the maximum temporal frequency bandwidth of the electromagnetic source. The proposed filters are easy to implement in the context of the standard Yee algorithm and are applicable for computational domains that involve quite arbitrary material and structural inhomogeneities.
Real-time lock-based concurrency control in distributed database systems

In a real-time database system, it is difficult to meet all timing constraints due to the consistency requirements of the underlying database. Real-time database transaction scheduling requires the development of efficient concurrency control protocols that try to maximize the number of transactions satisfying their real-time constraints. Several distributed, lock-based, real-time, concurrency control protocols are described. The relative performance of the protocols in a nonreplicated database environment is reported. The protocols take the real-time requirements of the transactions into account in ordering data accesses, while maintaining data consistency by enforcing serializability. >
Minnesota Preschool Affect Rating Scales: Development, Reliability, and Validity

Assessing the impact of disease and treatment of the emotional state and temperament of preschool children has been limited by the lack of sensitive and objective measurement techniques. To construct such a measure for longitudinal use, a sample of 179 children with febrile seizures and 85 normal children were used to develop the Minnesota Preschool Affect Rating Scales (MN-PARS). Video-taped play sessions were a source of behaviorally anchored ratings on 12 scales. Factor analysis yielded three factors of Negative Affect, Positive Affect, and Self-regulation with additional individual scales of Dependency and Activity Level. These scales and factors yield reliable ratings, as measured by interrater agreement and split-half techniques, as well as initial evidence of concurrent validity. Although they were developed for measuring the behavioral effects of phenobarbital on children with febrile seizures, these scales provide an objective means of measuring emotional expression and self-regulation useful for other studies.
Ultraslow dynamics in asymmetric block copolymers with nanospherical domains

Low shear rate and low frequency measurements focused on the extremely slow dynamics of a three-dimensional body-centered cubic (BCC) structure of an asymmetric block copolymer under nanophase-separated conditions. The material studied was poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) swollen in a hydrocarbon oil selective for the midblock. Transient viscosities during start-up of shear flow at extremely low shear rates are governed by very long relaxation times and by a modulus that is nearly the same as the plateau modulus obtained from oscillatory shear experiments. Only at extremely low shear rates a zero shear viscosity could be attained. Its very high value is close to the viscosity calculated from stress relaxation experiments. The steady shear viscosity decreases by several orders of magnitude when increasing the shear rate. SAXS experiments on samples sheared even at very low rates indicated loss of the BCC order that was present in the annealed samples before shearing. The SAXS profile recorded on such a sample showed a first-order maximum followed by a broad shoulder indicating a liquid-like short-range order of PS nanospheres in the swollen EB matrix.
Utilization of EMDR in the Treatment of Sexual Addiction: A Case Study

Sexual addiction is strongly anchored in shame and trauma. Research conducted over the last fifteen years has consistently shown the prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in this population. The resultant trauma can present as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has become a leading method of intervention with trauma and PTSD with effective results in an extremely short time. This paper will examine the issues of trauma in the etiology and treatment of sexual addiction. The use of EMDR as a specific intervention will be highlighted through the use of a clinical case study.
The comet assay: genotoxic damage or nuclear fragmentation?

The single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) or comet assay is based on the assumption that comet images result from genotoxic damage that ultimately generate DNA single- or double-strand breaks. A criticism of the assay is that some or all of the comet images may be the result of apoptosis-mediated nuclear fragmentation. The objective of this study was to determine if mutagen-induced DNA damage leading to strand breakage observed in the SCGE assay was repairable or was due to nonrepairable nuclear fragmentation. Chinese hamster ovary cells were treated with ethylmethanesulfonate, 2-acetoxyacetylaminofluorene, or H(2)O(2). These mutagens induce genetic damage by different molecular mechanisms. One group of SCGE slides was prepared immediately after treatment, while parallel treated cultures were repeatedly washed and allowed to undergo liquid holding recovery for DNA repair. It was hypothesized that cells with genotoxic damage can repair their genomic DNA, while apoptotic cells cannot reverse nuclear fragmentation. We found a significant decrease in the tail moments of nuclei from mutagen-treated cells after 4 hr of liquid holding. However, this measurement may represent only those cells capable of repair. Apoptotic cells may continue DNA fragmentation during the recovery time and this DNA may become so diffuse that the nuclei disappear after electrophoresis. To overcome this possible artifact, images of nuclei were captured before and after alkaline electrophoresis. Constellations of nuclei were located on SCGE slides by their coordinates on the microscope stage. We found that no nuclei were lost due to apoptotic nuclear fragmentation and DNA migration. Even the so-called "hedgehog" comet images with extreme DNA damage were not lost during liquid holding. These data support the conclusion that mutagen-induced DNA damage is the principal cause of the damage measured in the comet assay.
On the thermodynamic entropy of fatigue fracture

Entropy production during the fatigue process can serve as a measure of degradation. We postulate that the thermodynamic entropy of metals undergoing repeated cyclic load reaching the point of fracture is a constant, independent of geometry, load and frequency. That is, the necessary and sufficient condition for the final fracture of a metal undergoing fatigue load corresponds to a constant irreversible entropy gain. To examine validity, we present the results of an extensive set of both experimental tests and analytical predictions that involve bending, torsion and tension-compression of aluminium 6061-T6 and stainless steel 304 specimens. The concept of tallying up the entropy generation has application in determining the fatigue life of components undergoing cyclic bending, torsion and tension-compression.
A long-term vegetation history of the Mojave–Colorado desert ecotone at Joshua Tree National Park†

Thirty-eight dated packrat middens were collected from upper desert (930-1357m) elevations within Joshua Tree National Park near the ecotone between the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert, providing a 30ka record of vegetation change with remarkably even coverage for the last 15ka. This record indicates that vegetation was relatively stable, which may reflect the lack of invasion by extralocal species during the late glacial and the early establishment and persistence of many desert scrub elements. Many of the species found in the modern vegetation assemblages were present by the early Holocene, as indicated by increasing Sorenson's Similarity Index values. C4 grasses and summer-flowering annuals arrived later at Joshua Tree National Park in the early Holocene, suggesting a delayed onset of warm-season monsoonal precipitation compared to other Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert localities to the east, where summer rains and C4 grasses persisted through the last glacial-interglacial cycle. This would suggest that contemporary flow of monsoonal moisture into eastern California is secondary to the core processes of the North American Monsoon, which remained intact throughout the late Quaternary. In the Holocene, northward displacement of the jet stream, in both summer and winter, allowed migration of the subtropical ridge as far north as southern Idaho and the advection of monsoonal moisture both westward into eastern California and northward into the southern Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. Copyright # 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Supporting information may be found in the online version of this article.
Recognizing situations that demand trust

This article presents an investigation into the theoretical and computational aspects of trust as applied to robots. It begins with an in-depth review of the trust literature in search of a definition for trust suitable for implementation on a robot. Next we apply the definition to our interdependence framework for social action selection and develop an algorithm for determining if an interaction demands trust on the part of the robot. Finally, we apply our algorithm to several canonical social situations and review the resulting indications of whether or not the situation demands trust.
Genetics, Clinical Phenotype, and Molecular Cell Biology of Autosomal Recessive Hypercholesterolemia

The recent characterization of a rare genetic defect causing autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH) has provided new insights into the underlying mechanism of clathrin-mediated internalization of the LDL receptor. Mutations in ARH on chromosome 1p35-36.1 prevent normal internalization of the LDL receptor by cultured lymphocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages but not by skin fibroblasts. In affected cells, LDL receptor protein accumulates at the cell surface; this also occurs in the livers of recombinant mice lacking ARH, thereby providing an explanation for the failure of clearance of LDL from the plasma in subjects lacking ARH. The approximately 50 known affected individuals are mostly of Sardinian or Middle Eastern origin. The clinical phenotype of ARH is similar to that of classic homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia caused by defects in the LDL receptor gene, but it is more variable, generally less severe, and more responsive to lipid-lowering therapy. Structural features of the ARH protein and its capacity to interact simultaneously with the internalization sequence of the LDL receptor, plasma membrane phospholipids, and the clathrin endocytic machinery suggest how ARH can play a pivotal role in gathering the LDL receptor into forming endocytic carrier vesicles.
Self-Actualization and Personal Autonomy:

Self-actualizing individuals, according to Maslow (1954), are hypothesized to operate autonomously of external expectations due to their undistorted perceptions of their own realistic abilities. Sc...
Reproductive endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Potomac River basin: spatial and temporal comparisons of biological effects

A high prevalence of intersex or testicular oocytes (TO) in male smallmouth bass within the Potomac River drainage has raised concerns as to the health of the river. Studies were conducted to document biomarker responses both temporally and spatially to better understand the influence of normal physiological cycles, as well as water quality and land-use influences. Smallmouth bass were collected over a 2-year period from three tributaries of the Potomac River: the Shenandoah River, the South Branch Potomac and Conococheague Creek, and an out-of-basin reference site on the Gauley River. The prevalence of TO varied seasonally with the lowest prevalence observed in July, post-spawn. Reproductive maturity and/or lack of spawning the previous spring, as well as land-use practices such as application of manure and pesticides, may influence the seasonal observations. Annual, seasonal, and site differences were also observed in the percentage of males with measurable concentrations of plasma vitellogenin, mean concentration of plasma vitellogenin in females, and plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in both sexes. Bass collected in the South Branch Potomac (moderate to high prevalence of TO) had less sperm per testes mass with a lower percentage of those sperm being motile when compared to those from the Gauley River (low prevalence of TO). An inverse relationship was noted between TO severity and sperm motility. An association between TO severity and wastewater treatment plant flow, percent of agriculture, total number of animal feeding operations, the number of poultry houses, and animal density within the catchment was observed.
Digital Soil Mapping: Interactions with and Applications for Hydropedology

Spatial information on soils, particularly hydrologic and hydromorphic soil properties, is used to understand and assess soil water retention, flooding potential, erosion hazard, and depth to seasonal high water table. These properties influence soil use and management interpretations for construction, waste disposal, plant production, and water management. Observed soil characteristics (soil horizons and soil properties) serve as both evidence of past processes and an indicator of present processes. As such, hydrologic and hydropedologic factors are useful for understanding and predicting soil variability. Conversely, spatial information on soils can be a critical input to hydrologic and hydropedologic models. Digital soil mapping (DSM) has evolved from traditional soil survey to take advantage of advances in computing and geographic data handling, as well as increased availability of environmental covariate data from digital elevation models and remotely sensed imagery. Digital elevation models can be used to enhance the input to hydrologic and hydropedologic models and extrapolate outputs from these models.
Utility of the Six-Spot Step Test as a Measure of Walking Performance in Ambulatory Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Objective To examine the concurrent validity of the Six-Spot Step Test (SSST) with clinical measures of walking and spatiotemporal measures of gait in multiple sclerosis (MS), and to understand the utility of the SSST in individuals with both low and high levels of disability. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Laboratory. Participants Individuals with relapsing-remitting MS (N=29). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures In a single visit, demographic information (age, sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS], symptom duration) and functional measures (SSST, timed Up and Go [TUG] test, timed 25-foot walk [T25FW] test, spatiotemporal measures of walking) were collected. Results The SSST demonstrates concurrent validity with the TUG test, T25FW test, and 2-minute walk test (2MWT) ( P ≤.0002). Both spatial and temporal measures of gait are significantly related to SSST performance ( P Conclusions The SSST is an alternative test for lower-extremity function in the clinical setting that may useful in both higher and lower EDSS groups. The SSST requires minimal training to administer and may be a time-efficient measure of real-life functional performance that would be useful in large clinical trials.
Relationship of Moist Convection to Boundary-Layer Properties: Application to a Semiarid Region

Abstract A simple analytical expression is developed to relate the energy required to initiate moist convection to boundary-layer properties. This expression and exploratory regression are applied to data from the National Hail Research Experiment to discriminate between environments leading to cumulus congestus and well-developed hail-producing thunderstorms in northeast Colorado. In this semiarid region, the parcel stability below the lifted condensation level is greater in environments leading to hail-producing thunderstorms compared to environments producing only cumulus congestus, as has been found in previous studies. As a result, boundary-layer properties have a multiplicity of contrasting influences on the severity of moist convection. For example, convection severity in this region generally increases with increasing low-level moisture. However, for a fixed mixed-layer depth and temperature, convection severity increases with decreasing low-level moisture because such a decrease increases the par...
The identification of epitopic sites in human α1-proteinase inhibitor

Human alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) yielded nine fragments on cleavage with CNBr. The amino acid sequences of these fragments were determined. Three of these CNBr-cleavage fragments, namely fragment I (residues 64-220), fragment II (residues 243-351) and fragment III (residues 1-63), were found to bind rabbit polyclonal antibodies against chemically oxidized alpha 1-PI and mouse polyclonal antibodies against native alpha 1-PI by the Bio-Dot method (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on nitrocellulose). These fragments, I, II and III, inhibited by 60%, 25% and 5% respectively the binding between alpha 1-PI and the rabbit antibodies. Fragments I, II and III were subjected to proteolytic digestion, and 15, ten and five peptides were obtained from these fragments respectively. Only four of these peptides showed binding to the mouse antibodies against native alpha 1-PI. These were residues 40-63, 79-86, 176-206 and 299-323. A panel of monoclonal antibodies was prepared by conventional hybridoma technology, with chemically oxidized alpha 1-PI as the antigen. The ability of the monoclonal antibodies to bind native alpha 1-PI and CNBr-cleavage fragments I-III was determined. The monoclonal antibodies fell into three categories. Most (over 90%) belonged to group I, which was capable of binding alpha 1-PI and only fragment I. Antibodies in groups II and III bound alpha 1-PI and either fragment II or fragment III respectively. The ability of the peptides derived from proteolytic digestion of fragments I, II and III to bind three monoclonal antibodies representing each of the three groups was determined. Among all the peptides tested, only one (residues 176-206) derived from fragment I showed binding to the antibodies from group I, one (residues 299-323) derived from fragment II showed binding to the antibodies from group II, and one (residues 40-63) from fragment III showed binding to the antibodies from group III. Each of these three peptides also inhibited the binding between alpha 1-PI and the corresponding monoclonal antibodies. From these data we concluded that at least four epitopic regions (residues 40-63, 79-86, 176-206 and 299-323) were present in alpha 1-PI. Specific monoclonal antibodies to three of these sites were obtained.
Grain Formation and Intergrain Stresses in a Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Ball

The thermo-mechanical behavior of near eutectic lead-free SnAgCu (SAC) solder joints under Deep Thermal Cycling (DTC) and in-situ thermal loading was examined. Crossed polarizer, optical microscopy revealed that in ball grid array (BGA) solder joints, these Sn rich, Pb-free solders exhibit large grained Sn structures. After imaging, these SnAgCu solder joints were subjected to repeated thermal stresses under an inert atmosphere. Subsequent to this thermal loading, the samples were again examined with optical microscopy. Using both data sets, the intergrain strains and deformations were quantified by Digital image correlation, a full field optical measurement technique. The relations between the positions of grains as well as intermetallics compounds, their boundaries and Sn deformation fields were examined.© 2005 ASME
A study of the vaporization enthalpies of some 1-substituted imidazoles and pyrazoles by correlation-gas chromatography.

The vaporization enthalpies of 1-methyl-, 1-ethyl-, 1-phenyl-, and 1-benzylimidazole, 1-methyl- and 1-phenylpyrazole, and trans-azobenzene are evaluated by correlation-gas chromatography (C-GC) using a variety of azines and diazines as standards. The vaporization enthalpies obtained by C-GC when compared to literature values are approximately 14 kJ·mol−1 smaller for the imidazoles and 6 kJ·mol−1 smaller for the pyrazoles. The literature vaporization enthalpies of 1-methylpyrrole and 1-methylindole, two closely related compounds with one less nitrogen, are reproduced by C-GC. These results suggest that the magnitude of the intermolecular interactions present in 1-substituted imidazoles and pyrazoles are significantly larger than the those present in the reference compounds and greater than or equal in magnitude to the enhanced intermolecular interactions observed previously in aromatic 1,2-diazines. The vaporization enthalpy and vapor pressure of a trans-1,2-diazine, trans-azobenzene, measured by C-GC usin...
Predictors of response to ziprasidone: Results from a 6-week randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for acute depressive mixed state

INTRODUCTION The present study is aimed at investigating possible predictors of response to ziprasidone in a sample of patients with mixed depressive state. METHODS 72 patients were randomized to either ziprasidone or placebo and treated prospectively for 6 weeks. The clinical response and remission were defined with various clinical variables including Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Further outcome measures included predictors of remission and other clinical variables over time. RESULTS None of the variables under investigation were significantly associated with response or remission at 6 weeks (all p-values>0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Further investigations are warranted due to clear limitations, mostly small sample size and use of concomitant medications.
Comparison of late (62 to 140 months) degenerative changes in simultaneously implanted and explanted mitral valve positions in six patients

A Hancock porcine bioprosthesis (PB) was simultaneously implanted in each of 6 patients aged 30 to 64 years (mean 45) in the tricuspid and mitral valve positions and both PBs were explanted 62 to 140 months (mean 102) later. Cuspal degenerative changes occurred in all 12 PBs. In 5 patients, the changes were more extensive on the PBs in the mitral position than in those in the tricuspid position. Cuspal calcific deposits, as determined by radiographs of the explanted bioprostheses, occurred in 5 PBs in the mitral position and in 3 in the tricuspid position: 1 patient with calcific deposits in the PB in the mitral position had no calcific deposits in the corresponding PB in the tricuspid position; 1 patient had heavy calcific deposits in the PB in the mitral position and only mild deposits in the PB in the tricuspid position; and 3 patients had similar but mild calcific deposits in both PBs. Cuspal tears occurred in 5 of the 6 PBs in the mitral position and in no PB in the tricuspid position. Thrombus was observed on the ventricular aspects of the bioprosthetic cusps in 1 PB in the mitral position and in 4 PBs in the tricuspid position. Thus, in our 6 patients, the degenerative changes were more extensive in the PBs in the mitral position than in those in the tricuspid position. These observations indicate that wear characteristics of simultaneously implanted PBs vary according to the site of implantation.
How I treat bullous dermatoses.

Bullous dermatoses are characterized by the sudden appearance of large, fluid-filled blisters. Treatment is directed first toward determining the cause. The more common types of bullous dermatoses, such as erythema multiforme, usually respond well to treatment with baths or wet dressings and shake lotions, along with appropriate systemic antibiotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive agents.
Technical Adequacy of the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener in an Elementary Sample:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric defensibility of the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS): a quick and easy universal screener for behavioral a...
Effects of cis-fatty acid on protein kinase C activation and protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus.

ABSTRACT: Parenteral or dietary lipids have been shown to alter the acyl composition of tissue lipids effectively. It has been suggested that the changes in the acyl composition would modulate physiological responses by altering the kinetic properties and/or activity of the cellular enzymes. One such enzyme is protein kinase C whose activity is regulated by receptor-mediated phospholipid hydrolysis. In this study, we have examined the effect of cis-unsaturated fatty acid on the activity of protein kinase C and protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that cis-fatty acid indeed modulates protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus and the cis-fatty acid-induced protein phosphorylation can be attributed to the activation of protein kinase C.
Reading microexpressions can benefit technical communicators

The aim of this brief paper is to further demonstrate the need to consider listening approaches as necessary skills for technical communicators, to define microexpressions as a legitimate science of perception, establish the appropriate psychological history of microexpressions to position, relate, and create a technical communication niche for reading microexpressions, and argue the benefits of teaching and learning these soft skills. Further research needs to be done to better understand the connection between these soft skills and the technical communications professional. The purpose of this paper is to convince technical communicators to recognize that learning to read facial expressions and microexpressions can save time and add a valuable skill to the professional lives of technical communicators.
Viscosity and self-diffusivity of ionic liquids with compressed hydrofluorocarbons: 1-Hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane

Abstract The viscosity and self-diffusivity of mixtures of the ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([HMIm][Tf2N]), and the compressed gas, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), were measured at three different temperatures (298.15 K, 323.15 K, 343.15 K) and pressures to 21 bar. The high-pressure vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) of the ionic liquids with R-134a was measured to calculate the composition of the liquid phase at the various pressures encountered in the viscosity and diffusivity measurements. The viscosity of the ionic liquid decreases significantly with increased composition of R-134a at VLE. The “excess” viscosity demonstrates positive values that are believed to represent relatively strong intermolecular forces of the polar R-134a and [HMIm][Tf2N]. The self-diffusivity of mixtures of [HMIm][Tf2N] and liquefied R-134a (298.15 K and 6.7 bar) was measured and increases significantly with increases in the composition of R-134a. The self-diffusivity of [HMIm][Tf2N] in vapor-liquid equilibrium with compressed R-134a gas was measured and indicates similar increases in diffusivity with composition of R-134a. The diffusivity demonstrates close Stokes-Einstein behavior using the measured mixture viscosity data and ambient pressure self-diffusivity.
PREPARATION AND UTILIZATION OF FROZEN BLOCKS OF MINCED BLACK ROCKFISH MUSCLE

Black rockfish, which deteriorates in quality rapidly during frozen storage and thus is not fully utilized, was selected to study the concept of using the minced muscle obtained from the meat-bone separator machine to prepare modified fish blocks. The minced muscle was blended with several ingredients, which were added to protect the fish blocks against rancidity and to improve texture and flavor. These blocks had a storage life of 9 to 12 months at 0 F. Raw breaded fish sticks prepared from various lots of modified blocks that were held in frozen storage at 0 F for 6 to 12 months had an additional storage life of almost 6 months at 0 F.
Using Stories to Teach Human Values to Artificial Agents

Value alignment is a property of an intelligent agent indicating that it can only pursue goals that are beneficial to humans. Successful value alignment should ensure that an artificial general intelligence cannot intentionally or unintentionally perform behaviors that adversely affect humans. This is problematic in practice since it is difficult to exhaustively enumerated by human programmers. In order for successful value alignment, we argue that values should be learned. In this paper, we hypothesize that an artificial intelligence that can read and understand stories can learn the values tacitly held by the culture from which the stories originate.We describe preliminary work on using stories to generate a value-aligned reward signal for reinforcement learning agents that prevents psychotic-appearing behavior.
Are Active Mid-Plate Fault Zones of the Central United States Interconnected?

It is generally assumed that faults in mid-plate regions, such as central and eastern United States (CEUS), unless historically active, are inactive and/or lack a potential for large earthquakes. The Meers fault in Oklahoma, located in an historically aseismic area, is a spectacular exception to this rule. Paleoseismic studies of this fault show that the most recent large event occurred about 1200 years ago, had a magnitude of more that M S = 7 or 7.5, a surface rupture of 40 km length, and several meters of net displacement on a major left-lateral fault (Ramelli and Slemmons, in press). At least four fault zones in other parts of CEUS indicate that the Meers faulting event is not unique, including: (1) New Madrid epicentral region with three events of about M S = 8 in 1811 and 1812 with surface faulting and deformation (Russ, 1982), (2) Washita Valley fault (Cox and VanArsdale, 1986), (3) Kentucky River fault (VanArsdale, 1986), and possibly (4) faulting near Pierre, South Dakota (Nichols and Collins, 1987). Moreover, such midplate active faults are not unique, for there are at last four similar examples of historical seismogenic faulting (McCue and others, 1987) with earthquakes of up to 6.9 magnitude. Most active fault zones can be dearly demonstrated to be parts of branching or interconnected tectonic systems, implying transfer of stress and strain along zones of deformation. We speculate that tectonically active mid-plate fault zones may also be parts of much longer, interconnected active systems, rather than isolated “hot spots” of activity resulting solely from the response of local crustal flaws to a regional stress field.
Islamic and American Constitutional Law: Borrowing Possibilities or a History of Borrowing?

Islam is commonly viewed in the West as being incompatible with democracy. It is also viewed as an "Oriental" religion that has spawned violence and encouraged human rights violations. Because of the historical interaction between the West and Islam, the United States has recently been supporting efforts to export its democratic principles and human rights values to Muslim countries. In this context, the question of constitutional borrowing gains special significance. To assess the possibilities of constitutional borrowing between Islamic countries and the United States, it is important to first discuss the historical relation between the two, as well as between Islamic concepts and early American thought on democracy. For this reason, some basic features of Islamic constitutionalism will be introduced and analyzed. Islamic concepts are rooted in the Qur'an, the most fundamental source of guidance for all Muslims, and related secondary sources. Examination of these sources reveals that most Orientalist writing on the nature of Islam during the eighteenth century was either distorted or false. Most importantly, for our purposes in this article, this examination will also provide the reader with a more adequate basis for comparing Islamic constitutionalism with American constitutionalism. The resulting data will establish a solid basis for an answer to the question: "Can American democracy be exported to Muslim countries today?" This article answers this question by concluding that (i) democracy is critically needed in many Muslim countries, but that (ii)
The Current Status of the Interventional Radiology Fellowship Match: Results of a Resident Survey

Abstract Purpose To survey residents who participated in the 2015 interventional radiology fellowship match regarding the overall process, including the number of interviews received, programs ranked, money spent, and perceived effect on board preparation. Methods An IRB-approved, anonymous web-based survey was distributed via email link to 151 individuals in 41 states who had interview at 1 of 2 IR fellowship programs in the United States. Most of the survey's 12 questions were based on a five-point Likert scale, while others were free-text response. Results Seventy-five out of 151 residents completed the survey (response rate 49.7%). When asked if the current timing of the core board examination worked well with the IR interview schedule, 62 (96.6%) either strong disagreed or disagreed. Sixty respondents (87%) reported that preparing for and traveling to IR interviews had a very negative or somewhat negative effect on boards preparation. When asked what change they would make to the timing of IR interviews or the core examination, 55 (79.7%) thought that IR fellowship interviews should occur earlier in the year. The median number of IR programs applied to, interviews offered, interviews completed, and programs ranked were 28, 13, 10, and 10, respectively. When asked how much money was spent on the application and interview process, 39% spent between $5000 and $9999, and 17% spent more than $10000. Conclusions A substantial percentage of radiology residents who participated in the 2015 IR fellowship match have concerns about the proximity of board preparation to the match process. Consideration for restructuring the timing of this process is recommended.
The information of story: the genre and information activities of ultrarunning race reports

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the “race report” as a document genre in the serious-leisure pursuit of ultrarunning. Despite the sport’s largely non-documental nature, race reports stand as an anomaly in their importance. This exploration serves as a springboard to investigate the informativeness of story in human life generally. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative survey of the information behavior of ultrarunners was conducted. The 46 participants were runners in a 100-mile footrace in 2016. Responses were first analyzed through phenomenological theme analysis and then were subjected to a deductive audit using a framework of information activities validated for use in serious-leisure pursuits. Findings Race reports are bound up in information activities across the information-communication chain. Race reports help athletes choose races, prepare for races, pre-experience races, communicate their race experiences, gather new ideas, extend their training and, finally, find entertainment. Research limitations/implications This discussion of genre is synchronic, largely limited to one moment in time, and its findings were limited in depth by the survey method. Further research should investigate race reports historically (diachronically) and infrastructurally. Originality/value This work points to symbiosis between genre theory and information behavior theory. It also legitimizes narrative reasoning as a way of knowing, which has been largely unrecognized in information behavior. Some implications of this for information science and technology are discussed.
Mammography to tomosynthesis: examining the differences between two-dimensional and segmented-three-dimensional visual search

Radiological techniques for breast cancer detection are undergoing a massive technological shift—moving from mammography, a process that takes a two-dimensional (2D) image of breast tissue, to tomosynthesis, a technique that creates a segmented-three-dimensional (3D) image. There are distinct benefits of tomosynthesis over mammography with radiologists having fewer false positives and more accurate detections; yet there is a significant and meaningful disadvantage with tomosynthesis in that it takes longer to evaluate each patient. This added time can dramatically impact workflow and have negative attentional and cognitive impacts on interpretation of medical images. To better understand the nature of segmented-3D visual search and the implications for radiology, the current study looked to establish a new testing platform that could reliably examine differences between 2D and segmented-3D search. In Experiment 1, both professionals (radiology residents and certified radiologists) and non-professionals (undergraduate students) were found to have fewer false positives and were more accurate in segmented-3D displays, but at the cost of taking significantly longer in search. Experiment 2 tested a second group of non-professional participants, using a background that more closely resembled a mammogram, and replicated the results of Experiment 1—search was more accurate and there were fewer false alarms in segmented 3D displays but took more time. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 matched the performance patterns found in previous radiology studies and in the clinic, suggesting this novel experimental paradigm potentially provides a flexible and cost-effective tool that can be utilized with non-professional populations to inform relevant visual search performance. From an academic perspective, this paradigm holds promise for examining the nature of segmented-3D visual search.
Regulation of Neutrophil Proteinases

Proteinases play a central role in the degradation of proteins by hydrolyzing peptide bonds. Originally thought to fulfill primarily digestive functions, it now is believed that these enzymes are the principal regulators of a multitude of crucial and diverse physiologic processes and have a central role in pathologic tissue destruction of many organs. Their role in tissue destruction has been investigated in the greatest detail in the lungs, especially in relationship to the pathogenesis of emphysema. Recent investigations suggest prominent roles for proteinases in growth and development and in intracellular signaling.
The europium-lead system

Abstract The europium-lead phase diagram was established by differential thermal, metallographic and X-ray parametric methods. The terminal solid-solubilities in the system are less than 0.3 at.%. Europium additions raise the 327°C melting point of lead to 328°C by a peritectic reaction. Three intermetallic compounds Eu2Pb, EuPb and EuPb3 melt congruently at 1250°, 1080° and 788°C, respectively. At 1145°C Eu5Pb5 forms by a peritectic reaction. Eu2Pb crystallizes in the PbCl2(C23) type structure with orthorhombic lattice constants of a = 7.87, b = 5.40 and c = 10.03 A . EuPb3 crystallizes in the cubic AuCu3 (LI2) type structure with a 0 = 4.915 ± 0.001 A . EuPb is dimorphic with the structure change occurring at 857°C upon heating for the Eu-rich side of the compound and 870°C upon heating for the Pb-rich side of the compound. The crystal structures of these two forms and that of Eu5Pb3 were not established. Eutectic reactions occur at 5.5 at.% Pb and 770°C, 44.5 at.% Pb and 1031°C and 63.5 at.% Pb and 717°C.