cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Work-life balance: The female cardiothoracic surgeon's perspective.

The American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) certified its first women as diplomats in 1961, with the number climbing to 10 by the year 1980. However, during the ensuing 35 years, the presence of women in the field of cardiothoracic surgery has grown dramatically. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Women in Thoracic Surgery, our cohort of double-X chromosomes has climbed the ranks, made waves, and achieved positions of prominence in cardiothoracic surgery. 1 However, despite these strides, as of 2015, women account for only approximately 3% of the total number of ABTS diplomats ever certified and comprise a small minority of practicing cardiothoracic surgeons. 2 This issue carries global significance, as female representation among thoracic surgeons in Canada and Europe is similar to the gender distribution in the United States. 3 Through professional networking, mutual support, and committed advocacy from male sponsors and major thoracic professional organizations, women in thoracic surgery have seized numerous opportunities to achieve professional advancement. Although the prospects for women in this field have exploded in recent years, ongoing challenges and tribulations have not vanished. Certainly, it is true that we all have chosen a unique field, full of stressors and uphill battles, regardless of one’s gender. In traversing a long and arduous career path, individuals may face a variety of adversities, related to financial stressors, social support, racial and religious inequities, and barriers related to sexual preferences. Even without any specific barriers, we recognize that all of our colleagues in this specialty have faced formidable challenges and demonstrated feats of endurance, courage, and compassion to join this very special field. However, we contend that there are some particular aspects of identifying oneself as both ‘‘woman’’ and ‘‘cardiothoracic surgeon’’ that bring forth a set of experiences that may be unique; we also would argue that carrying these two, previously considered oxymoronic identifiers, brings the bearer access to a world of personal and professional joy, pride, and satisfaction.
Chapter 54 Analyzing Choice with Revealed Preference: Is Altruism Rational?

Publisher Summary The work illustrates that not all “non-economic” behavior is beyond economic analysis. The maintained assumption as economists is that individual behavior is consistent with self-interest. At its weakest, self-interest only means that choices conform to some underlying preference ordering that is complete, reﬂexive and transitive, and, hence, some utility function can be used to describe behavior. However, the assumption of self-interest does not tell us what variables are in that utility function. This chapter shows that unselfish behavior in experiments can indeed be captured by a model of self-interested agents, but that self-interested agents are not always money-maximizing. When they define the choice set appropriately, unselfish acts can be described and predicted with the standard neoclassical model of choice.
Predictors and statistical models in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Despite advances in intensive care, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) maintains a risk of death >35%. Mortality predictors have been claimed, using logistic regression. When the outcome of interest is rare (i.e. or = 90 mmHg as protective factors. Using logistic regression, liver herniation and birth weight did not maintain the significance. The exposition risks for pnx, female gender and gestational age were overestimated. The odds ratio measured by logistic regression overestimated the exposition risks. Since the mortality rate is confirmed to be >20% and the exposition risks, measured by logistic regression, are misleading, the log-binomial model should be consider in CDH binary outcome studies. According to the mortality predictors identified, making every effort to plan delivery at term and lowering the risk of pnx could improve the outcome.
Mode locking in quantum optics

Mode locking phenomena in acoustics and in laser physics are discussed and are shown to share a feature of the forced oscillator: Oscillation takes place at the forcing frequency (or frequencies). The phenomena differ from simple forced oscillations in that they involve sustained oscillators (e.g., clocks, lasers) whose sustaining sources compete against the forcing signals in the choice of oscillation frequency. The locking phenomena are compared to second-order phase transitions in ferromagnetism and superconductivity where corresponding competition occurs between disordering thermal fluctuations and ordering correlations which reduce system energy.
A method for size estimation for small objects and its application in brachytherapy seed identification

This study compared the performance of four different object size estimation methods using numerically created experimental images with features relevant to the practice of prostate brachytherapy. The four methods are: 1) pixel count of objects in the segmented binary mask; 2) half peak thresholding based on the previously created binary mask from method 1 and the original image; 3) gray scale averaging of pixels in the binary mask and the surrounding area; and 4) a point spread function corrected version of method 3. The first method demonstrated a 16% error in object size estimation while the other three methods exhibited average errors near 4%. Methods 3 and 4 gave a more consistent estimation of the size for different image contrasts. The first three methods were also applied on three fluoroscopic images of a prostate phantom with 64 implanted seeds. In combination with a classification algorithm, the seed image number and location were determined. Again, method 3 showed superior performance, because it correctly identified 64 seeds in 2 of 3 fluoroscopic images, while 4 false positives appeared in one of the three. This study confirms that effects of partial volume on the size estimation can be compensated by using a gray scale averaging technique. When applied to the seed image identification process, it will improve the accuracy of seed image detection.
Early History of Renal Rickets

The first reports of renal osteodystrophy came from Europe in the late 19th century. A case report by Davies Colley in 1883 probably represented the first ever description of renal rickets. Although these reports were mostly descriptive with little or no discussion of the pathophysiological relationship, some of the recommendations for treatment were amazingly insightful and would still be valid by today’s standards. The significance of dietary protein/phosphate restriction with vitamin D supplementation was already emphasized in these early days. Studies into the pathophysiology of renal rickets started in the early 20th century. A summary of the literature in the understanding of renal rickets is provided up to the 1940s.
NASA's Anderson Loop

The Anderson loop is a simply implemented measurement circuit topology that uses active subtraction instead of the passive subtraction accomplished by the classic Wheatstone bridge. Larger, inherently linear signals from sensing-element impedance change are available with less excitation power and without the use of transmitters to achieve immunity to wire-resistance variations. Transducers can be designed with any convenient quantity of sensor elements. Transducer intelligence can be implemented within the signal conditioner. The change in a single sensing element can be used in several simultaneous measurements. Sensor elements can appear to have any desired impedance level and influence on any of several outputs.
Pointwise inequalities for ergodic averages and reversed martingales

Abstract It is known that the ergodic averages A n ϕ in the context of the shift action on Z satisfy pointwise inequalities of the form A n ϕ⩽C E(ϕ|F n )+E(ϕ|G n ) , where { F n } n ⩾1 and { G n } n ⩾1 are decreasing sequences of σ -algebras on Z . In this paper we extend this by examining situations when the ergodic averages can be pointwise dominated by one reversed martingale, and situations when a reversed martingale can be pointwise dominated by ergodic averages.
Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in California women's serum and residential dust.

Background Humans are exposed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through various routes, including consumption of contaminated food and accidental ingestion of settled dust.
The Internet in the Workplace: How New Technology Is Transforming Work

The article reviews the book “The Internet in the Workplace: How New Technology is Transforming Work,” by Patricia Wallace.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PRECIPITATION EVENT TYPES AND TOPOGRAPHY IN THE SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN USA

Most studies of orographic precipitation have focused on the identification of statistical relationships between several topographic attributes (e.g. elevation, slope, and exposure) and spatial variations in annual precipitation totals. In this study, statistical relationships are developed between topographic attributes exhibiting varying directional components and frequencies of several types of precipitation events. A precipitation-events climatology is developed first for 44 stations located in a variety of topographic situations in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Frequencies of light, moderate, and heavy precipitation events are compiled from the set of stations and related statistically to a large set of topographic and geographic parameters. To account for seasonal variations, relationships are calculated separately for the cool and warm seasons. In order to find the strongest relationships, topographic parameters that exhibit directional variations (e.g. slope and exposure) are computed with respect to eight different vector directions. Numerous relationships are identified between the precipitation-event frequencies and the topographic parameters. Most notably, elevation is strongly associated with light event frequencies. The topographic parameters of a south exposure and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico are related to heavy event frequencies, especially during the cool season.
Solid‐state 13C NMR characterization of annealed poly (p‐phenylene vinylene) PPV Films

Solid-state 13C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra have been obtained for annealed films of poly (p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV), prepared through the precursor route and for a deuterated PPV-d4, poly (p-2,3,5,6 tetradeuterophenylene vinylene). 13C CPMAS spectra of PPV are of high resolution, typically characteristic of a nearly fully crystalline structure. All four phenylene and vinylene resonances have been assigned, and for stretched films the 13C CPMAS linewidth and the quality of crystallinity are independent of the draw ratio. 13C CPMAS resolution and crystallite size (as determined by transmission electron microscopy, TEM) depend upon final annealing temperature. The greatest NMR resolution and largest crystallite size are obtained for films annealed at 300°C. The 13C CPMAS NMR spectra show the presence of phenylene ring 180° rotational jumps, and 13C CPMAS resolution is affected by rotational disorder about phenylene-vinylene bonds. NMR data show that PPV films possess molecular motion at elevated temperatures. Enhancement of this motion during annealing may provide a means for improving the quality of PPV crystallinity.
Surface and subsurface oxygen vacancies in anatase TiO 2 and differences with rutile

First-principles density-functional theory calculations in the generalized gradient approximation are carried out to study the relative stabilities of oxygen vacancies at surface and subsurface sites of anatase ${\text{TiO}}_{2}(101)$ and ${\text{TiO}}_{2}(001)$, and, for comparison, of the prototypical rutile ${\text{TiO}}_{2}(110)$ surface. Our results indicate that these defects are significantly more stable at subsurface than at surface sites in the case of anatase surfaces, whereas bridging oxygen sites are favored for O vacancies at rutile ${\text{TiO}}_{2}(110)$. Also, calculations of O-vacancy diffusion pathways at anatase ${\text{TiO}}_{2}(101)$ show that the energy barrier to diffuse from surface-to-subsurface sites is sufficiently low to ensure a rapid equilibration of the vacancy distribution at typical surface annealing temperatures. These results could explain why, experimentally, anatase surfaces are found to have a significantly lower defect concentration and/or to be more difficult to reduce than those of rutile.
Tetrameric arrays of the [Re6(μ3-Se)8]2+ clusters supported by a porphyrin core: synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical studies

Abstract A tetracluster array {[Re 6 ( μ 3 -Se) 8 (PEt 3 ) 5 ] 4 [5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21 H ,23 H -porphine]}(SbF 6 ) 8 ( R 4 ) featuring a central porphyrin core and four circumjacent [Re 6 ( μ 3 -Se) 8 ] 2+ units was synthesized by reacting the previously reported cluster solvate [Re 6 ( μ 3 -Se) 8 (PEt 3 ) 5 (MeCN)](SbF 6 ) 2 ( R ) with 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine. Metallation of R 4 with metal (Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ ) salts afforded the corresponding cluster-studded metalloporphyrins ( R 4 – Co , R 4 – Ni , R 4 – Cu , and R 4 – Zn ). All compounds were characterized by 1 H and 31 P NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis (CHN). Electrochemical studies revealed one chemically reversible oxidation event attributable to the simultaneous removal of four electrons, one from each of the four cluster units. The uncoupled redox event suggests minimal electrical communication between the cluster sites. The cluster arrays were also studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. The electronic spectra of R 4 – Co , R 4 – Ni , and R 4 – Cu each showed the absorptions of the metalloporphyrins and the cluster complex. For R 4 – Zn , solvatochromism was observed. Its electronic absorptions in a variety of solvents of different dielectric constants were studied. To cite this article: B.K. Roland et al., C. R. Chimie 8 (2005) .
Properties of particleboard bond with rice bran and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate adhesives

Rice straw can be used as a fiber source for the manufacture of particleboards. Polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI) is widely used as an adhesive for manufacturing such products. PMDI has the ability to bind rice straw despite the wax present on the surface of the straw. Its relatively high cost, petroleum origin, and toxicity in its uncured state are concerns to the rice particleboard industry. A less expensive and environmentally friendly rice bran adhesive may be used to replace a portion of PMDI and still give quality products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of particleboard bond with rice bran based adhesive. In this experiment, rice bran adhesive (RBA) was used to replace 10, 20, and 30% of PMDI adhesive. The properties of the resulting mixed adhesive products were then evaluated and compared with particleboard bond with only PMDI. Up to 30% of the PMDI could be replaced with RBA to yield products with properties similar to those of PMDI bond particleboard.
The American reading script and its nineteenth-century origins

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, reading textbooks were composed of short selections, drawn from a variety of subject areas, but intended for reading aloud. These texts were almost always compiled by a single person, often a schoolmaster or minister, but occasionally a printer, and they contained few directions for the teacher. In contrast, the basal readers used in most schools today are developed by publishers with teams of designers, writers, and authors. Selections are predominantly narrative fiction selected from among the world’s “best” literature for silent reading. Accompanying teacher guides usually outweight the readers themselves and are usually fully scripted; that is, they give step-by-step directions for all instruction, often with the actual words that teachers are to utter. The progression of changes that transformed the early nineteenth-century reader into its luxurious present-day version is traced through the contributions of three nineteenth-century compilers: Samuel Wood, William Holmes McGuffey, and Lewis Baxter Monroe.
Spatially explicit decision support for selecting translocation areas for Mojave desert tortoises

Spatially explicit decision support systems are assuming an increasing role in natural resource and conservation management. In order for these systems to be successful, however, they must address real-world management problems with input from both the scientific and management communities. The National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, has expanded its training area, encroaching U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service critical habitat set aside for the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), a federally threatened species. Of all the mitigation measures proposed to offset expansion, the most challenging to implement was the selection of areas most feasible for tortoise translocation. We developed an objective, open, scientifically defensible spatially explicit decision support system to evaluate translocation potential within the Western Mojave Recovery Unit for tortoise populations under imminent threat from military expansion. Using up to a total of 10 biological, anthropogenic, and/or logistical criteria, seven alternative translocation scenarios were developed. The final translocation model was a consensus model between the seven scenarios. Within the final model, six potential translocation areas were identified.
Acquisition of Relative Performance Information The Roles of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Comparison

This study investigated the joint impact of intrapersonal and interpersonal performance information on comparison bahavior. Subjects (elementary-school children) worked on a perceptual task and had the opportunity to look at their own and others' performance after each trial A 2 X 2 design was used in which (1) subjects' performance increased or decreased over trials, and (2) others' performance changed in the same direction but at a faster or slower rate. It was predicted and found that subjects whose performance increased looked equally often at superior and inferior others, whereas subjects whose performance decreased looked more often at inferior others. Also as expected, when subjects' performance decreased, their preference for inferior others was affected by the absolute difference between their own and others' scores. Implications of these findings for a related-attributes analysis of social comparison were discussed.
Effects of Thyrocalcitonin on Calcium Transport in Kidney Cells

The effects of thyrocalcitonin (TCT) on calcium influx, cellular calcium concentration and calcium efflux were measured in kidney cells. Thyrocalcitonin increased the calcium concentration in the cell but decreased the calcium turnover as measured by the per cent calcium exchanged. Furthermore, TCT significantly depressed calcium efflux within 10 min and a maximum 40% inhibition was obtained at 30 min. These results suggest that TCT inhibits the extrusion of calcium, thereby increasing its cellular concentration. (Endocrinology 85: 194, 1969)
Innovation, R&D productivity, and global market share in the pharmaceutical industry

In this paper, we estimate two empirical models using a pooled, cross-section sample of international pharmaceutical firms for the period 1987 to 1989. The first model tests the relationship between R&D productivity and a vector of firm-specific characteristics. The second model tests the determinants of global market share. The empirical analysis reveals three findings. First, we find evidence that there are diminishing returns in the pharmaceutical R&D process. Second, we find that firm size has a positive effect on average R&D productivity and a positive impact on the marginal R&D productivity for plausible R&D staff sizes. And third, we find evidence that R&D productivity and the number of sales employees have a positive effect on the firm's global market share.
Quantification of dextromethorphan and metabolites: a dual phenotypic marker for cytochrome P450 3A4/5 and 2D6 activity

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic procedure using fluorimetric detection was developed to quantify dextromethorphan (DTM), 3-methoxymorphinan (3MM), dextrorphan (DT), 3-hydroxymorphinan (3OH) and two internal standards, codeine (COD) and ethylmorphine (ETM), in urine. Precision and accuracy of the assay were determined over a concentration range of 5–3200 ng/ml urine for DTM, 5–400 ng/ml urine for 3MM, 400–40 000 ng/ml urine for DT and 200–16 000 ng/ml urine for 3OH, by assaying freshly prepared calibration standards and replicates of six quality control (QC) samples on separate days. All of the inter-day and intra-day coefficients of variation (C.V.s) were less than 20% except for a low QC for 3MM. The inter-day and intra-day accuracies were less than 20% for the low QCs, less than 15% for the medium QCs and less than 12% for the high QCs, for all compounds. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 2 ng/ml urine for DTM and 3MM, 250 ng/ml urine for DT, and 100 ng/ml urine for 3OH. Absolute recovery was 76% for DTM, 74% for 3MM, 77% for DT, 46% for 3OH, 73% for ETM, and 57% for COD. The frequency distribution of the CYP2D6 metabolic ratio (DTM/DT) illustrated a bimodal distribution whereas, the CYP3A metabolic ratio (DTM/3MM) exhibited a unimodal distribution in overnight urine samples of volunteers who ingested 30 mg dextromethorphan hydrobromide. The CYP2D6 metabolic ratio significantly correlated with 3MM/3OH (r=0.82) and DTM/3OH (r=0.95) but did not correlate with the CYP3A metabolic ratio (r=0.27).
Oceanographic Data Profile Analysis Using Interactive Computer Graphics Techniques

The analysis of oceanographic data often involves visual comparison of a collected data profile with other collected, historical, or simulated profiles. Using conventional graphics techniques, geometrical data comparisons involving such operations as sliding data curves (i.e., viewing different sections of the entire data profile), rescaling data, expanding curve sections, and overlaying curves require extensive, tedious replotting. Using airborne marine magnetic anomaly data as an example, this paper will show how software, designed using newly available interactive computer graphics tools, allows the scientific data analyst to perform, rapidly and easily, this type of geometrical data profile analysis.
Microanalysis by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry in Comparison to Spark Ablation of Certified and Found Minerals Galena, Sphalerite, and Pyrite

Abstract A double-tandem technique of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) involving laser ablation for the analysis of compact or briquetted minerals on one hand and spark ablation for the analysis of powders on the other is presented. The technical arrangement, the design of the optimized sample chamber, the evaluation of operating conditions, and the test of liquid-solid calibration are described. Both techniques can be used for the determination of elemental compositions of minerals providing a dynamic range from tens of mass-percent down to milligrams per kilogram. The objective of this study was to compare laser ablation (LA)-ICP-AES and spark-ICP-AES with regard to accuracy, precision, and sample turnaround time for multielement analysis of the certified minerals galena GF1, sphalerite SF1, and pyrite PS1. A systematic error of smaller than 3% in both techniques and a random error of smaller than 9 and 5%, respectively, is pointed out. The optimized methods were applied to samples of galena, sphalerite, and pyrite from four deposits each to find fingerprints by different contents of major, minor, and trace elements, which characterize the deposits.
Solving a cafeteria dish circulation problem by computer simulation

Abstract The contractor operating a University of Toledo dormitory cafeteria faced a significant problem: the number of dishes did not meet service demand. A simulation model, written in SLAM II, was used to establish optimal dish and flatware inventory levels and improve dishroom throughput.
Modular multilevel converter as a low inductance machine drive

Many high performance machines are high speed, use permanent magnets, and have a low turns number in conjunction with minimal to no iron. Under these circumstances, the inductance of the machine is very low, i.e. the design of a voltage sourced power electronics drive is challenging from a current regulation/ripple perspective. Traditional approaches to correct this issue include external line reactors between the drive and machine or high switching frequencies. Implemented individually, these techniques are not optimal as external reactors may be bulky and high switching frequencies may cause additional losses in the drive and degrade the mechanical structure of the machine via parasitic coupling. This paper presents the use of a modular multilevel converter (MMC) to drive a low inductance machine. The MMC topology is unique via its ability to combine the operational characteristics of voltage and current source converter topologies to drive zero inductance loads while regulating current.
A proteomic study identifies different levels of light chain ferritin in corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy

Clinical and pathological evidence supports the notion that corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are distinct, but overlapping neurodegenerative tauopathies. Although both disorders are characterized by abnormal accumulation of 4-repeat tau, they display distinct proteolytic profiles of tau species and they have distinct astrocytic lesions, astrocytic plaques in CBD and tufted astrocytes in PSP. To investigate other differences between these two disorders at the molecular level, we compared the profiles of proteins from caudate nucleus of CBD and PSP by quantitative two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. Twenty-one protein spots differentially expressed in CBD and PSP were dissected for mass spectrometry (MS). One of the spots was identified by MS to contain light chain (LC) ferritin. Western blot analysis verified the presence of LC ferritin in this spot and showed that this protein was two-fold higher in caudate of CBD than that of PSP samples. These results were confirmed by LC ferritin immunohistochemistry. Co-labeling of caudate nucleus with tau and LC ferritin antibodies showed the presence of LC ferritin immunoreactivity in astrocytic plaques of CBD, but minimal labeling of tufted astrocytes in PSP. This difference did not reflect the extent of gliosis. Analysis of other brain regions in CBD and PSP showed no difference in LC ferritin levels. Together the data suggest that LC ferritin is a unique marker of astrocytic lesions in CBD, adding further support to the notion that CBD and PSP are distinct clinicopathologic entities.
Skeleton Particle-in-Cell Codes on Emerging Computer Architectures

The next generation of supercomputers will likely consist of a hierarchy of parallel computers. If we define each supercomputer node as a parameterized abstract machine, then it's possible to design algorithms independently of the hardware. Such an abstract machine can be defined to consist of a collection of vector (SIMD) processors, each with a small fast memory communicating via a larger global memory. This abstraction fits a variety of hardware, such as GPUs and multicore processors with vector extensions. To program such an abstract machine, we can use many ideas familiar from the past as well as some new concepts. Examples from plasma particle-in-cell (PIC) codes help illustrate this approach.
Nipple-Areolar Complex Ischemia After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy With Immediate Implant-Based Reconstruction: Risk Factors and the Success of Conservative Treatment

Background: Nipple-sparing mastectomy performed via an inframammary fold incision with implant-based reconstruction is an oncologically safe procedure that provides excellent cosmesis. Objectives: The authors report their experience with conservative treatment of postoperative nipple-areolar complex (NAC) ischemia and an analysis of risk factors for NAC ischemia and conservative treatment failure. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 318 nipple-sparing mastectomies performed through inframammary fold incisions with implant-based reconstruction between July 2006 and October 2012. NAC dressings consisted of topical nitroglycerin, external warming for 24 hours, antibacterial petrolatum gauze, and a loose bra for 1 week. Patients were monitored for NAC ischemia as the primary endpoint. NAC ischemia was treated with bacitracin ointment. In cases of full-thickness ischemia, expanders were also partially deflated. Results: Partial- and full-thickness NAC ischemia occurred in 44 (13.8%) and 21 (6.6%) cases, respectively. All partial- and 17 full-thickness cases resolved with conservative treatment. Of these, 7 partial- and 2 full-thickness cases suffered residual depigmentation. Four full-thickness cases required operative debridement. Factors associated with NAC ischemia included increasing age ( P = .035), higher body mass index ( P = .0009), greater breast volume ( P = .0023), and diabetes ( P = .0046). Factors associated with conservative treatment failure included increasing age ( P < .0001), higher body mass index ( P = .014), greater breast volume ( P = .020), smoking ( P = .0449), acellular dermal matrix use ( P < .0001), and single-stage reconstruction ( P = .0090). Conclusions: Postoperative NAC ischemia can be effectively managed conservatively to preserve cosmesis and implant viability. Knowledge of risk factors for NAC ischemia and conservative treatment failure may improve future patient counseling and outcomes. Level of Evidence: 4 ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Flow through, immunomagnetic cell separation

A brief, process-oriented overview of immunologically based cell separation technology is presented. In addition, the design and preliminary experimental data of two unique flow-through immunomagnetic cell separation devices are presented. The first design is based on a dipole magnetic field, while the second design is basis on a quadrupole magnetic field. The dipole design can "fractionate" an inlet, magnetically labeled, cell stream into different outlet streams on the basis of the degree to which the cell is immunomagnetically labeled. The quadrupole separator splits an inlet, immunomagnetically labeled, cell stream into two outlet streams in which the purity, recovery, and potentially the degree to which the cells are immunomagnetically labeled is controlled by the flow rates in the inlet and outlet flows. A 99% purity and 86% recovery have been achieved with this system. Some distinct advantages of these two systems are the potential of high purity, recovery, and throughput at a cost which is potentially significantly lower than current, comparable technologies.
Audiovisual integration for speech during mid-childhood: Electrophysiological evidence

Previous studies have demonstrated that the presence of visual speech cues reduces the amplitude and latency of the N1 and P2 event-related potential (ERP) components elicited by speech stimuli. However, the developmental trajectory of this effect is not yet fully mapped. We examined ERP responses to auditory, visual, and audiovisual speech in two groups of school-age children (7–8-year-olds and 10–11-year-olds) and in adults. Audiovisual speech led to the attenuation of the N1 and P2 components in all groups of participants, suggesting that the neural mechanisms underlying these effects are functional by early school years. Additionally, while the reduction in N1 was largest over the right scalp, the P2 attenuation was largest over the left and midline scalp. The difference in the hemispheric distribution of the N1 and P2 attenuation supports the idea that these components index at least somewhat disparate neural processes within the context of audiovisual speech perception.
Stroke during coronary artery bypass grafting using hypothermic versus normothermic perfusion

Does the abandonment of hypothermic perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass compromise cerebral protection and thus lead to a higher incidence of stroke? From 1987 to June 1993, 2,585 consecutive patients underwent myocardial revascularization using warm-body (perfusion at 37°C), cold-heart (cold cardioplegic arrest) surgical technique and were followed for new overt neurologic deficits. Perfusion pressure was maintained between 50 and 70 mm Hg, and hematocrit was kept around 20%. There were 25 operative deaths (1%) in this normothermic group, and new neurologic deficits developed after operation in 25 patients (1%). These results were compared retrospectively with those in 1,605 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization between 1980 and 1986 with moderate hypothermic (25° to 30°C) perfusion ame surgical team, and similar operative techniques. The normothermic group included more elderly patients, more patients with left ventricular dysfunction and unstable angina, and more frequent use of an internal mammary artery conduit. Neurologic complication rates were 1% and 1.3% for the normothermic and hypothermic perfusion groups, respectively. Risk factors for stroke that were identified included age greater than 70 years, severity of aortic arch atherosclerosis, and severe hypotension in the perioperative period. Thus, in a large clinical series, the incidence of overt neurologic injuries was found to be no higher with normothermic perfusion than with hypothermic perfusion.
Vitamin D status, receptor gene polymorphisms, and supplementation on tuberculosis: A systematic review of case-control studies and randomized controlled trials

Objective To investigate the impacts of vitamin D status, supplementation and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms on tuberculosis (TB).
Social rank and social separation as determinants of alcohol drinking in squirrel monkeys.

Rationale Alcohol may be self-administered for its anxiolytic effects to alleviate symptoms of stress, but different types of stressors have varying effects on alcohol intake. Social stress is particularly relevant to alcohol drinking, and a primate model of stress-induced alcohol self-administration would be useful.
Varenicline for smoking cessation among methadone-maintained smokers: A randomized clinical trial ☆

Background With smoking rates far exceeding the general population, methadone-maintained (MMT) opiate-dependent smokers experience high rates of tobacco-related health consequences. Previous treatment studies have used nicotine replacement and produced low quit rates.
Diffusion-weighted images in neonatal cerebral hypoxic-ischemic injury

Diffusion-weighted images of magnetic resonance imaging, obtained by mapping apparent diffusion coefficients, are more sensitive than other magnetic resonance imaging sequences in the earliest detection of acute cytotoxic injury. The usefulness of diffusion-weighted images in focal ischemic brain injury has been documented in children and adults. We report eight full-term neonates with global cerebral hypoxic-ischemic injury and abnormalities on diffusion-weighted images. Distribution of diffusion-weighted imaging abnormalities in the eight neonates was consistent with global hypoxic-ischemic injury in full-term neonates, with diffuse cortical necrosis, border-zone infarcts, or basal ganglia/thalamic injury. Magnetic resonance imaging scans with diffusion-weighted images were obtained within the first 4 days of age in all eight neonates. In each patient, standard magnetic resonance imaging sequences substantially underestimated the extent of injury when compared with diffusion-weighted images in unmyelinated neonatal brains. Extensive injury bilaterally with basal ganglia and thalamic and widespread multifocal cortical injury correlated with a severe neurologic outcome. Lesser degrees of injury, limited to smaller sectors of cortical or border zone involvement, were associated with better neurologic outcome. The high sensitivity of diffusion-weighted images to map the extent of hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonates makes it a potentially useful tool for assessing future neuroprotective strategies for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury.
The relation of flash intensity and background illumination to the photic evoked potential in the pigeon's optic tectum

Abstract Flash intensity (5 levels) and background illumination (no background and 5 levels) effects on the photic evoked potential were recorded from the optic tectum of the unanesthetized pigeon. As flash intensity increased, the response latency decreased and amplitude increased. As background level increased, little effect on latency was found except at low flash levels. However, a complex relation was found for the background effects on response amplitudes. For most flash intensities, low background levels had no effects or slightly potentiated the response amplitude, while at higher background levels, the response was suppressed. The flash intensity, background level interaction was discussed in terms of brightness contrast relations.
Variations of the Martin-Solovay Tree

Assuming II' determinacy, the model L[T2] does not depend on the choice of T2. -2 ?0. Introduction. In [BeKe], Becker and Kechris solved the third Delfino problem by showing that provided T3 is a tree projecting to the complete FI set of reals and arising in a reasonably canonical fashion, L[T3] does not depend on the exact choice of TI3. 0.1. THEOREM (Becker and Kechris). Assume projective determinacy. Let P be a complete FI1 set of reals (in the sense of reducibility by recursive, continuous functions) and ('pn) a regular Il1 scale on P. Let T3(P, ((On)) be the tree arising from the scale in the usualfashion. Then L[T3(P, ((On))] is independent of the choice of P and (On). (See [BeKe] for a proof. W) In fact, their techniques were much more powerful than 0.1 above indicates. In particular, they were able show that the analogue of 0.1 holds at all odd levels. However, their methods seemed insufficient to prove the natural version of 0.1 at the even levels, or even for trees on complete FH1 sets. This led them to ask whether the model L[T2] is sensitive to the choice of T2. The same question also appears in the appendix of [KeMaMo], as part of a progress report on open problems in the area. It turns out that this has a positive answer. 0.2. THEOREM. Assume fldeterminacy. Let P be a complete f' set of reals and (pm) a Als-scale on P. Let T2(P, (pm)) be the tree arising from the scale in the usual fashion. Then the model L[T2(P, (pm))] is independent of the choice of P and ((#m). (See 3.5. D) It might be worth pausing to place the discussion of such trees into perspective. It is not immediately obvious why 0.2 might be considered a natural analogue of 0.1. It is a classical fact that every .1 set can be presented as the projection of a countable, recursive tree. More recently, Shoenfield showed, in [Sho], that every S1 set is the projection of a tree, T1 C (co x col)<w, which exists in L. One of the preoccupations of modern set theory has been to prove and understand versions of these results at higher levels of the projective hierarchy, using large cardinal or determinacy assumptions. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 04A15.
Microenvironment induced spheroid to sheeting transition of immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cultured in microbubbles formed in polydimethylsiloxane

The in vivo cellular microenvironment is regulated by a complex interplay of soluble factors and signaling molecules secreted by cells and it plays a critical role in the growth and development of normal and diseased tissues. In vitro systems that can recapitulate the microenvironment at the cellular level are needed to investigate the influence of autocrine signaling and extracellular matrix effects on tissue homeostasis, regeneration, disease development and progression. In this study, we report the use of microbubble technology as a means to culture cells in a controlled microenvironment in which cells can influence their function through autocrine signaling. Microbubbles (MB) are small spherical cavities about 100-300 μm in diameter formed in hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with ∼60-100 μm circular openings and aspect ratio ∼3.0. We demonstrate that the unique architecture of the microbubble compartment is advantaged for cell culture using HaCaT cells, an immortalized keratinocyte cell line. We observe that HaCaT cells, seeded in microbubbles (15-20 cells/MB) and cultured under standard conditions, adopt a compact 3D spheroidal morphology. Within 2-3 days, the cells transition to a sheeting morphology. Through experimentation and simulation we show that this transition in morphology is due to the unique architecture of the microbubble compartment which enables cells to condition their local microenvironment. The small media volume per cell and the development of shallow concentration gradients allow factors secreted by the cells to rise to bioactive levels. The kinetics of the morphology transition depends on the number of cells seeded per microbubble; higher cell seeding induces a more rapid transition. HaCaT cells seeded onto PDMS cured in 96-well plates also form compact spheroids but they do not undergo a transition to a sheeting morphology even after several weeks of culture. The importance of soluble factor accumulation in driving this morphology transition in microbubbles is supported by the observation that spheroids do not form when cells - seeded into microbubbles or onto PDMS cured in 96-well plates - are cultured in media conditioned by HaCaT cells grown in standard tissue culture plate. We observed that the addition of TGF-β1 to the growth media induced cells to proliferate in a sheeting morphology from the onset both on PDMS cured in 96-well plates and in microbubbles. TGF-β1 is a morphogen known to regulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Studies of the role of Ca(2+) concentration and changes in E-cadherin expression additionally support an EMT-like HaCaT morphology transition. These findings taken together validate the microbubble compartment as a unique cell culture platform that can potentially transform investigative studies in cell biology and in particular the tumor microenvironment. Targeting the tumor microenvironment is an emerging area of anti-cancer therapy.
Equating Tests Under the Graded Response Model

The Stocking and Lord (1983) procedure for computing equating coefficients for tests having dichotomously scored items is extended to the case of graded response items. A system of equations for obtaining the equating coefficients under Samejima's (1969, 1972) graded response model is derived. These equations are used to compute equating coefficients in two related situations. Under the first, the equating coefficients are obtained by matching, on an examinee by examinee basis, the true scores on two tests. In the second case, the equating coefficients are obtained by matching the test characteristic curves (TCCS) of the two tests. Several examples of computing equating coefficients in these two situations are provided. The TCC matching ap proach was much less demanding computationally and yielded equating coefficients that differed little from those obtained through the true score distribution matching approach.
Inadequate Literacy Is a Barrier to Asthma Knowledge and Self-Care

Study objectives To determine the relationship of literacy to asthma knowledge and ability to use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) among patients with asthma. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Emergency department and asthma clinic at an urban public hospital. Patients Convenience sample of 273 patients presenting to the emergency department for an asthma exacerbation and 210 patients presenting to a specialized asthma clinic for routine care. Interventions Measurement of literacy with the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, asthma knowledge (20 question oral test), and demonstration of MDI technique (six-item assessment). Measurements and results Only 27% of patients read at the high-school level, although two thirds reported being high-school graduates; 33% read at the seventh- to eighth-grade level, 27% at the fourth- to sixth-grade level, and 13% at or below the third-grade level. Mean asthma knowledge scores (±SD) were directly related to reading levels: 15.1 ± 2.5, 13.9 ± 2.5, 13.4 ± 2.8, 11.9 ± 2.5, respectively (p Conclusions Inadequate literacy was common and strongly correlated with poorer knowledge of asthma and improper MDI use.
Transitional behavior of polymeric hollow microsphere formation in turbulent shear flow by emulsion diffusion method

Abstract Polymeric hollow microspheres have attracted growing attention because of their unique properties and extensive applications. We report a facile emulsion diffusion process to fabricate polylactic acid (PLA) hollow microspheres driven by viscous turbulent fluid flow. The process involves the emulsification of PLA–ethyl acetate solution in the water–glycerol medium under high viscous turbulent shear flow where emulsion droplets coalesce into multiple emulsions, and the solidification of PLA by the diffusion of ethyl acetate. The addition of glycerol changed the viscosity of the continuous aqueous phase, resulting in the transition of fluid flow from inertial turbulent to viscous turbulent dominant regime and thus PLA particle size and shape from solid nanospheres to hollow microspheres. The emulsification temperature also needs to exceed the glass transition temperature of PLA to form hollow microstructure. This method allows the easy control of PLA particle shape and size for different applications.
Image potential for an electron near an impenetrable surface.

A self-energy formalism is used to determine the quantal image potential for an electron near an impenetrable solid surface. The electron is considered to be in a Coulombic potential outside a repulsive wall. The complete, orthonormal basis set of wave functions for an electron in such a model potential is employed in the calculation of the image potential.
After-hyperpolarizations produced in frog motoneurons by excitatory amino acid analogues.

Abstract After-hyperpolarizations (AHPs) produced in frog motoneurons by applications of the excitatory amino acid analogues quisqualate (QUIS), N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), and kainate (KA) were studied in the isolated hemisected frog spinal cord using sucrose gap techniques. AHPs were present following 98% of QUIS-induced depolarizations, but were seen in only 35% and 15% of NMDA- and KA-evoked responses respectively. AHPs produced by QUIS are produced both by direct effects of QUIS on motoneuron membranes and by indirect effects mediated through a synaptic process involving interneurons. Thus, applications of Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , or tetrodotoxin (TTX) in concentrations sufficient to block synaptic transmission and interneuronal firing, reduced, but did not abolish the AHPs produced by QUIS. In contrast, NMDA- and KA-AHPs appear to be entirely mediated by indirect means as block of synaptic transmission and interneuronal firing eliminated AHPs produced by these substances. Exposure of the cord to Mn 2+ after addition of TTX did not affect the size of QUIS-AHPs. In the presence of TTX, QUIS-AHPs were reduced or completely blocked by addition of dinitrophenol (DNP) and sodium cyanide, by dihydro-ouabain, by removal of K + from the superfusate, by cooling, and by replacement of 50% of the external Na + with Li + . The results suggest that the QUIS-AHPs are largely the result of the direct effect of the excitatory amino acid agonist on motoneuron membranes and is caused by activation of an electrogenic Na + pump. AHPs following depolarizations evoked by NMDA and KA are presumably the result of indirect actions of these latter analogues on interneurons.