cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency ablation for treatment of medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective This study evaluated long-term results of radiofrequency ablation for medically inoperable early–stage lung cancer. Methods Thirty-one consecutive patients with biopsy-proven non–small cell lung cancer underwent 38 treatments of computed tomographically guided radiofrequency ablation in a 4.5-year period. All patients were carefully selected and deemed medically ineligible for resection by a multidisciplinary team. Radiofrequency ablation was performed with curative intent with a single or cluster cool-tip electrode. Patients were hospitalized for 23-hour observation. Results Treatment was complete in all cases, with no 30-day mortality. Local recurrence was confirmed radiographically by computed tomography, positron emission tomography, or both after 31.5% of treatments (12/38). Two patients were successfully retreated for technical failures related to pneumothorax; 3 underwent radiotherapy with stable disease. Mean maximal diameter of 38 tumors treated was 2.0 ± 1.0 cm (range 0.8–4.4 cm). After median follow-up of 17 ± 11 months, 74% of patients (23/31) were alive. Three patients died of metastatic disease; 5 died of pneumonia remote from treatment. The 2- and 4-year survivals were 78% and 47%, respectively. Median overall survival was 30 months. Pneumothorax (13%), pneumonia (16%), and pleural effusion (21%), were the most common complications. Conclusions Radiofrequency ablation of medically inoperable early–stage lung cancer in carefully selected patients yields encouraging midterm results without significant loss of pulmonary function. Local tumor progression appears related to lung tumors larger than 3 cm. Computed tomography and positron emission tomography need further validation for the early identification of local tumor progression following radiofrequency ablation.
Rheumatoid arthritis complicated by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus and the development of Sjögren's syndrome

A patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis became infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through heterosexual transmission. After the primary phase of the HIV infection, persistent lymphadenopathy, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia developed. Over the ensuing 3 years, the signs and symptoms of inflammatory polyarthritis completely disappeared, and severe Sjogren's syndrome developed. HIV and its associated immune dysfunction may be responsible for these events.
Food Lobbies, the Food Pyramid, and U.S. Nutrition Policy:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1991 withdrawal of its Eating Right Pyramid food guide in response to pressure from meat and dairy producers was only the latest in a long series of industry attempts to influence federal dietary recommendations. Such attempts began when diet-related health problems in the United States shifted in prevalence from nutrient deficiencies to chronic diseases, and dietary advice shifted from "eat more" to "eat less." The Pyramid controversy focuses attention on the conflict between federal protection of the rights of food lobbyists to act in their own self-interest, and federal responsibility to promote the nutritional health of the public. Since 1977, for example, under pressure from meat producers, federal dietary advice has evolved from "decrease consumption of meat" to "have two or three (daily) servings." Thus, this recent incident also highlights the inherent conflict of interest in the Department of Agriculture's dual mandates to promote U.S. agricultural products and to advise the public about healthy food choices.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and the skin: a unique application for the treatment of psoriasis.

ConclusionPsoriasis is a most perplexing disease that continues to afflict approximately 50 million people worldwide. Although many theories have been proposed for the cause of psoriasis, the primary cause of this hyperpro-liferative cutaneous disorder is unknown. Most treatments for psoriasis are associated with toxic side effects and there continues to be a need for a safe and effective method for treating this disfiguring disorder (27).In the 1930s and 1940s vitamin D was touted to be an effective agent for the treatment of a variety of skin diseases. Extremely high doses of up to 2.5 mg/day were perscribed for the treatment of a variety of skin disorders including scleroderma, acne, eczema, and psoriasis (39). In addition, vitamin D was added to soaps, skin creams, and shaving creams with the intent of providing some benefit to skin. Although some favorable responses of high-dose vitamin D for psoriasis have been reported, the amounts were so high as to cause significant toxicity and as a result this ...
In vitro growth and analysis of Candida biofilms

Evaluation of fungal biofilm formation can be performed using several techniques. In this protocol, we describe methods used to form Candida biofilms on three different medical device substrates (denture strips, catheter disks and contact lenses) to quantify them and to evaluate their architecture and drug susceptibility. Biofilm formation involves adhesion of fungal cells to pretreated substrates, followed by growth in medium. Formed biofilms are quantified by determining their metabolic activity and dry weight, whereas their gross morphology and architecture are evaluated using fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy techniques. Susceptibility of biofilms is determined by comparing their metabolic activity in the presence of antifungal agents with that in their absence. The methods described here can be completed in a typical laboratory with minimum involvement of software. Evaluation of the growth of fungal biofilms and their analyses can be completed using the described methods in ∼15 d.
Stateflow to Extended Finite Automata Translation

State flow, a graphical interface tool for Matlab, is a common choice for design of event-driven software and systems. In order for their offline analysis (testing/verification) or online analysis (monitoring), the State flow model must be converted to a form that is amenable to formal analysis. In this paper, we present a systematic method, which translates State flow into a formal model, called Input/Output Extended Finite Automata (I/O-EFA). The translation method treats each state of the State flow model as an atomic module, and applies composition/refinement rules for each feature (such as state-hierarchy, local events) recursively to obtain the entire model. The size of the translated model is linear in the size of the State flow chart. Our translation method is sound and complete in the sense that it preserves the discrete behaviors as observed at the sample times. Further, the translation method has been implemented in a Matlab tool, which outputs the translated I/O-EFA model that can itself be simulated in Matlab.
Educational Attainment and Timing to First Union Across Three Generations of Mexican Women

We use data from Wave 3 of the Mexican Family Life Survey (N = 7,276) and discrete-time regression analyses to evaluate changes in the association between educational attainment and timing to first union across three generations of women in Mexico, including a mature cohort (born between 1930 and 1949), a middle cohort (born between 1950 and 1969), and a young cohort (born between 1970 and 1979). Mirroring prior research, we find a curvilinear pattern between educational attainment and timing to first union for women born between 1930 and 1969, such that once we account for the delaying effect of school enrollment, those with the lowest (0–5 years) and highest levels of education (13+ years) are characterized by the earliest transition to a first union. For women born between 1970 and 1979, however, we find that the relationship between educational attainment and timing to first union has changed. In contrast to their peers born in earlier cohorts, highly educated women in Mexico are now postponing first union formation relative to the least educated. We draw on competing theories of educational attainment and timing to first union to help clarify these patterns in the context of Mexico.
Teaching with Movement Using the Health Privilege Activity to Physically Demonstrate Disparities in Society

This article describes and evaluates an activity designed to demonstrate how biological factors (e.g., genetics), individual-level behaviors (e.g., smoking), and social factors (e.g., socioeconomic status) shape health status and access to health care. Active learning techniques were utilized to introduce the sociological imagination as it pertains to health, as well as to physically demonstrate stratification processes. A pretest-posttest design was implemented to evaluate the activity’s impact on student learning outcomes (N = 305). Analysis suggests that after the activity students regarded society as important for influencing health, including a shift in responsibility for one’s health away from the individual, and that students gained a greater understanding of the importance of social class in shaping health. In open-ended responses, students indicated that the physicality of the approach provided further clarity of abstract concepts. Implications of these findings and broader directions for advancing students’ understanding of disparities related to health are discussed.
Low-power MIMO signal processing

In this paper, we present a new adaptive error-cancellation (AEC) technique, denoted as multi-input-multi-output (MIMO)-AEC, for the design of low-power MIMO signal processing systems. The MIMO-AEC technique builds on the previously proposed AEC technique by employing an algorithm transformation denoted as MIMO decorrelating (MIMO-DECOR) transform. MIMO-DECOR reduces complexity by exploiting correlations inherent in MIMO systems, thereby improving the energy efficiency of AEC. The proposed MIMO-AEC enables energy minimization of MIMO systems by correcting transient/soft errors that arise in very large scale integration signal processing implementations due to inherent process nonidealities and/or aggressive low-power design styles, such as voltage overscaling. We employ the MIMO-AEC in the design of a low-power Gigabit Ethernet 1000Base-T device. Simulation results indicate 69.1%-64.2% energy savings over optimally voltage-scaled present-day systems with no loss in algorithmic performance.
The design and simulation model of an analog floating-gate computational element for use in large-scale analog reconfigurable systems

We present the methodology for implementing a computational memory element using a floating-gate pFET model suitable for the design and simulation of analog systems. A first-order physically inspired model of pFET hot-election injection is implemented in Verilog-A, fit to experimental data, and then applied to a proposed floating-gate circuit. The model parameters are fit directly to the drain current data from a measured floating-gate pFET, eliminating the need for estimating or measuring gate injection current. The model is used to examine the programming transient response of a proposed analog computational vector-matrix multiplier cell. The circuit eliminates power-supply ramping by using a negative voltage, avoids complex characterization by linearized the injection current, and reduces off-chip interaction with on-chip feedback. We discuss how our model and approach represent a pathway for accessible floating-gate design, simulation, and implementation.
Interlocutor support in oral proficiency interviews: the case of CASE

Despite a considerable amount of research on oral proficiency testing over the last 20 years, little is understood about the interview process itself and the spoken interaction that takes place in ...
The effect of global ischemia and reperfusion on the plasma levels of vasoactive peptides. The neuroendocrine response to cardiac arrest and resuscitation

Abstract Objective: Return of spontaneous circulation with CPR is a function of coronary perfusion pressure, which is determined by vasomotor tone and the force of compression. Vasomotor tone is affected by the relative stimulation of arterial vasoconstricting and vasorelaxing receptors by vasoactive substances. We measured the plasma levels of the endogenous vasoactive peptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) angiotensin II (ANG-II) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) during cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Design: A fibrillatory canine model of canine arrest was used. `Down time' was greater than 10 min, during which no therapy, including BLS, was given. Standard ACLS was initiated at the end of the down time with manual external chest compression standardized to an esophageal pulse pressure of 50 mmHg. Blood samples were collected through an aortic catheter during spontaneous circulation and 3 min after initiation of ACLS. Peptide levels were measured using standard RIA techniques. Results are reported as the mean ± S.D. in pg/ml. Results: AVP levels increased from a baseline of 1.7 ± 1.0 pg/ml during spontaneous circulation to 29.9 ± 33.3 during cardiac arrest and CPR ( P = 0.01). There was a moderate positive correlation between aortic pressure and circulating AVP levels after the first dose of epinephrine ( R = 0.5). There was a trend towards higher AVP levels in animals with return of spontaneous circulation ( P = 0.12). ANG-II levels increased from a baseline of 14.7 ± 12.9 pg/ml during spontaneous circulation to 151 ± 105 during cardiac arrest and CPR ( P P
Nanomaterial disposal by incineration

As nanotechnology-based products enter into widespread use, nanomaterials will end up in disposal waste streams that are ultimately discharged to the environment. One possible end-of-life scenario is incineration. This review attempts to ascertain the potential pathways by which nanomaterials may enter incinerator waste streams and the fate of these nanomaterials during the incineration process. Although the literature on incineration of nanomaterials is scarce, results from studies of their behavior at high temperature or in combustion environments for other applications can help predict their fate within an incinerator. Preliminary evidence suggests nanomaterials may catalyze the formation or destruction of combustion by-products. Depending on their composition, nanomaterials may undergo physical and chemical transformations within the incinerator, impacting their partitioning within the incineration system (e.g., bottom ash, fly ash) and the effectiveness of control technology for removing them. These transformations may also drastically affect nanomaterial transport and impacts in the environment. Current regulations on incinerator emissions do not specifically address nanomaterials, but limits on particle and metal emissions may prove somewhat effective at reducing the release of nanomaterials in incinerator effluent. Control technology used to meet these regulations, such as fabric filters, electrostatic precipitators, and wet electrostatic scrubbers, are expected to be at least partially effective at removing nanomaterials from incinerator flue gas.
Pediatric obesity: Causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment (Review)

Pediatric or childhood obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disorder among children and adolescents worldwide. Approximately 43 million individuals are obese, 21-24% children and adolescents are overweight, and 16-18% of individuals have abdominal obesity. The prevalence of obesity is highest among specific ethnic groups. Obesity increases the risk of heart diseases in children and adults. Childhood obesity predisposes the individual to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, liver and kidney diseases and causes reproductive dysfunction in adults. Obesity in children is a major health concern of the developed world. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has reported that the prevalence of obesity is on the increase in all the pediatric age groups, in males and females, and in various ethnic and racial groups. Factors, such as eating habits, genetics, environment, metabolism, and lifestyle play an important role in the development of obesity. Over 90% of obesity cases are idiopathic and less than 10% are associated with genetic and hormonal causes. Obesity occurs when the body consumes more calories than it burns, through overeating and underexercising. The symptoms of obesity include breathing disorders, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, certain types of cancer such as prostate, bowel, breast and uterine, coronary heart disease, diabetes (type 2 in children), depression, liver and gallbladder problems, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, and joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, pain in knees and lower back. Environmental, behavioral such as consumption of convenience foods, genetic, and family factors contribute to pediatric obesity. Obesity can be countered through lower calorie consumption, weight loss and diet programs, as well as increased physical activity. A number of endogenous molecules including leptin, hypothalamic melanocortin 4 receptor, and mitochondrial uncoupling proteins, are known to affect body weight. These molecules serve as potential targets for the pharmacological manipulation of obesity. Sibutramine and orlistat are primariliy used for the treatment of adult obesity, which produces modest weight loss, of 3-8% compared to placebo. For children and obese adolescents, metformin is used in the case of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Octreotide is used for hypothalamic obesity. Bariatric surgery is performed for the treatment of severe childhood obesity. The causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity are described in the present review.
Generation of artificial strong motion accelerograms

SUMMARY A method for generating synthetic strong motion accelerograms for use in engineering design is presented. This method utilizes the model proposed by Trifunac in 197127 in conjunction with the recent empirical scaling functions for characterization of amplitudes and duration of strong shaking in terms of (i) earthquake magnitude, M, and epicentral distance, R, or (ii) Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) at the recording station. The method also enables one to consider the desired levels of confidence that the synthetic motion will not be exceeded, direction of ground motion (horizontal or vertical) and the dispersive properties of geologic environment beneath and surrounding the station. The principal features of this approach are that the resulting accelerograms have non-stationary frequency and amplitude characteristics which are in full agreement with known principles of wave propagation through a stratified medium, and that the Fourier amplitudes and the frequency-dependent duration are scaled in accordance with known trends as in recorded accelerograms.
Encapsulation and selective recognition of sulfate anion in an azamacrocycle in water

Structural characterization of a sulfate complex with an azamacrocycle suggests that one sulfate is encapsulated in the macrocyclic cavity with eight hydrogen bonds; a significant selectivity of the host was observed for sulfate over halides, nitrate and perchlorate as evaluated by 1H NMR studies in water.
Perceived Effectiveness among College Students of Selected Statistical Measures in Motivating Exercise Behavior.

Abstract This study explored the effectiveness of selected statistical measures at motivating or maintaining regular exercise among college students. The study also considered whether ease in understanding these statistical measures was associated with perceived effectiveness at motivating or maintaining regular exercise. Analyses were based on a cross-sectional survey of 546 students. Students identified the total number of disease cases as the most effective measure for motivating behavior change, followed by the risk ratio of developing disease, percentage of disease cases, ratio lifetime risk of developing disease, percentage lifetime risk of developing disease, and then lethality. The ordering of these statistical measures in terms of ease in understanding was total number of disease cases, risk ratio, percentage of disease cases, ratio lifetime risk, lethality, and finally percentage lifetime risk. Students who identified total number of disease cases as the best statistical measure for motivating b...
Optimal order reduction for the the two-dimensional burgers’ equation

Two popular model reduction methods, the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), and balanced truncation, are applied together with Galerkin projection to the two- dimensional Burgers' equation. This scalar equation is chosen because it has a nonlinearity that is similar to the Navier- Stokes equation, but it can be accurately simulated using far fewer states. However, the number of states required is still too high for controller design purposes. The combination of POD and balanced truncation approaches results in a reduced order model that captures the dynamics of the input-output system. In addition, These two techniques are shown to be optimal in the sense of distance minimizations in spaces of Hilbert-Schmidt integral operators. POD is interpreted as a shortest distance minimization from an L2 space-time function to a particular tensor product subspace. Both POD and balanced truncation are shown to be optimal approximations by finite rank operators in the Hilbert-Schmidt norm, the latter when starting with a balanced state space realization.
Testing for neglected nonlinearity in time series models

Abstract In this paper a new test, the neural network test for neglected nonlinearity, is compared with the Keenan test, the Tsay test, the White dynamic information matrix test, the McLeod-Li test, the Ramsey RESET test, the Brock-Dechert-Scheinkman test, and the Bispectrum test. The neural network test is based on the approximating ability of neural network modeling techniques recently developed by cognitive scientists. This test is a Lagrange multiplier test that statistically determines whether adding ‘hidden units’ to the linear network would be advantageous. The performance of the tests is compared using a variety of nonlinear artificial series including bilinear, threshold autoregressive, and nonlinear moving average models, and the tests are applied to actual economic time series. The relative performance of the neural network test is encouraging. Our results suggest that it can play a valuable role in evaluating model adequacy. The neural network test has proper size and good power, and many of the economic series tested exhibit potential nonlinearities.
State Transition Approach to Reliability Based Design of Composite Structures

*† The paper presents a new approach to the optimal design of composite structural systems in the presence of uncertainties. A progressive damage propagation model for composites, based on transformation field analysis (TFA), is used to develop a design for reliability that includes multiple failure modes typical in laminated composite structural systems. This analysis involves multiscale computations, with complex interactions between response parameters at different length scales. Not all failure modes are equally catastrophic and may only result in degraded structural performance. A design problem formulation based on a state transition approach is introduced, and allows for the handling of multiple failure modes in a rational manner. This methodology termed as a system effectiveness approach, models designer preference as to acceptability of degraded performance, and is used to develop optimal designs. A comparison of these designs against those obtained from a more widely used competing risk methodology provides insight into the advantages of the new approach.
Design of a four degree-of-freedom force-reflecting manipulandum with a specified force/torque workspace

It is noted that the performance of force-reflecting hand controllers, also called manual interfaces or manipulanda, is at present limited more by mechanical design than by computing hardware. Some of the important mechanical features of a high-performance manual interface are low inertia, low friction, high stiffness, backdriveability, high output force capability, multiple degrees-of-freedom, and sizable range of motion. A four-degree-of-freedom manipulandum that utilizes a three-degree-of-freedom parallel-link mechanism was designed to incorporate these features. The kinematic design of the manipulator prompted the definition of a force/torque workspace as the volume of operation within which certain maximum desired endpoint forces and torques can be achieved, given actuators of limited output. The design requires low actuator torques, is small in size, and does not approach joint limits in the workspace. >
Advanced tutorial on coevolution

The advanced tutorial on coevolution continues the topics covered in the introductory coevolution tutorial with a view towards research conducted in the last eight years. We will explore two themes which have recently been identified: interaction, which is where the context-sensitive nature of evaluation manifests itself; and elaboration, which represents the goal of accumulating capabilities. Evolutionary game theory and the order theory used in Pareto coevolution will be covered as examples of the study of interaction. NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (NEAT) in particular and monotonic solution concepts more generally treat questions of elaboration. Further topics to be covered include: EGT and dynamical systems studies of cooperative coevolutionary algorithms; archive methods; dimension extraction; and the estimation-exploration algorithm.
Fairness Means More to Some Than Others: Interactional Fairness, Job Embeddedness, and Discretionary Work Behaviors

We examined when job embeddedness might serve as a boundary condition between interactional fairness and employee behavior. Specifically, we explored whether elements of affective attachment associated with job embeddedness moderated relations of supervisors’ interactional fairness with citizenship behavior and production deviance. Results from a field and a scenario study supported the idea that interactional fairness exerts a stronger effect on these outcomes for employees embedded in their jobs than for their less attached coworkers. We found this result even after controlling for turnover intent. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Renal Toxicity of the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

NSAIDs pose little threat of renal insult in normal, healthy persons at therapeutic dosages. However, NSAID administration to susceptible persons may cause decrements in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate within hours. Such acute noxious renal effects are mediated by products of arachidonic acid metabolism. Precipitous decrements in glomerular filtration and renal ischemia, manifested by increased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen, are possible. However, these effects are usually fully reversible with prompt discontinuation of the offending NSAID. Risk factors for the development of these acute renal effects are known. Acute interstitial nephritis with or without nephrotic syndrome is a rare form of renal toxicity that typically occurs between 2-18 months of use. Renal impairment may be so severe as to require temporary hemodialysis; however, renal function usually returns to normal upon discontinuation of the NSAID. The mechanism of acute interstitial nephritis is presumed to be of allergic origin but could also be caused by a reactive metabolite. Fenoprofen use appears to be associated with a much higher risk for its development. In contrast to the acute effects of NSAIDs, irreversible, analgesic-associated nephropathy manifested by papillary necrosis and chronic interstitial nephritis may occur following months to years of high doses of analgesic mixtures. The mechanism by which combination analgesics produce this form of renal injury is unknown and could be either a result of medullary ischemia or a direct effect of a reactive metabolite. An important issue to be resolved is the relationship between the acute, reversible, prostaglandin-mediated renal effects of the NSAIDs and chronic, irreversible destruction, if such a relationship exists. Theoretically, continual or repeated decrements in renal function in patients with predisposing risk factors could cause or contribute to progressive deterioration in renal function. Elevations in blood pressure or interference with the effects of antihypertensive medications could theoretically also contribute to long-term renal deterioration. In addition to renal syndromes caused by NSAIDs that result in renal impairment, other transient effects on electrolyte and water metabolism may also occur. Reduced secretion of sodium may result in formation of edema, exacerbation of heart failure, or increased blood pressure. Hyporeninemic-hypoaldosteronism may produce hyperkalemia. Finally, reduced excretion of water has rarely caused hyponatremia. It has been suggested that NSAIDs may be renoprotective in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Others have suggested that sulindac is "renal-sparing" because of a unique metabolic pathway that supposedly limits the exposure of the kidney to the active sulfide metabolite.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Novel architectures for orthogonal wavelength division multiplexed passive optical networks (OWDM-PONs) in a 25-GHz grid

A novel orthogonal wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network with 25-GHz channel spacing has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated for the first time. Error-free transmission over 15-km SMF-28 was achieved for both 25-Gb/s downlink and 12.5-Gb/s uplink.
Uptake and intra-inclusion accumulation of exogenous immunoglobulin by Chlamydia-infected cells

Background Obligate intracellular pathogens belonging to the Chlamydiaceae family possess a number of mechanisms by which to manipulate the host cell and surrounding environment. Such capabilities include the inhibition of apoptosis, down-regulation of major histocompatability complex (MHC) and CD1/d gene expression, and the acquisition of host-synthesized nutrients. It is also documented that a limited number of host-derived macromolecules such as β-catenin and sphingomyelin accumulate within the inclusion.
Meta-analyses of the effectiveness of intravenous immune globulin for prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis.

Objective . To determine the effectiveness of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) in the prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis. Design . All published studies of IVIG for the prevention or treatment of neonatal sepsis were reviewed. Peer-reviewed, prospective, randomized trials with high merit were analyzed by two meta-analyses. The effect of prophylactic IVIG was evaluated by comparison of the numbers of cases of sepsis (bacteremia in the presence of systemic manifestations of sepsis), and of therapeutic IVIG by comparison of the numbers of deaths resulting from early-onset sepsis. Results . Meta-analysis of 4933 evaluable newborns in 12 studies of IVIG prophylaxis showed a statistically significant negative association with the incidence of sepsis in premature low birth weight newborns given IVIG shortly after birth ( P = .0193, two-sided). The heterogeneity across these studies precluded estimation of a common odds ratio. Meta-analysis of 110 evaluable cases of neonatal sepsis in three studies of IVIG treatment of neonatal sepsis showed a significant decrease in the mortality rate for neonates with sepsis given IVIG ( P = .007, two-sided). The common odds ratio was .173 (95% confidence interval = .031 to .735). Conclusions . Using conservative and objective outcome rating criteria, the addition of IVIG to standard therapies is of minimal but demonstrable benefit in preventing sepsis when administered prophylactically to premature low birth weight newborns, and of unequivocal benefit in preventing death when administered therapeutically for early-onset neonatal sepsis. The likelihood of newborns with sepsis living past the neonatal period was improved nearly sixfold when IVIG was administered in addition to standard therapies. neonatal sepsis, immune globulin.
Large-Scale Testing of Hollow Structural Sections for Seismic Applications

ABSTRACT Hollow structural sections (HSS) are highly efficient members which have been underutilized for bending applications, such as beam members, in regions of high seismicity. To increase the use of HSS beam members, a better understanding of their ability to form stable plastic hinges without a dramatic decrease in strength is needed. This paper describes an experimental study focusing on the behavior of HSS members under cyclic bending with respect to various depth-to-thickness ratios. Five U.S. stock HSS beam sections are tested ranging in size from HSS203.2x101.6x6.4 to HSS304.8x152.4x6.4. Increasing cyclic displacement cycles up to rotations of 0.08 radians are applied. These tests show that the depth-to-thickness ratio plays an important role in the stable deformation behavior of these members. Depth-to-thickness ratios larger than 48.5 result in decreased secant stiffness and energy dissipation capacity with continued cycling. The overall results indicate that depth-to-thickness ratios below 19.9 provide more stable inelastic bending behavior suggesting their viability as beam members in seismic moment frames.
Transport and binding of chloroguanide-triazine by rat liver slices.

SummaryWhen rat liver slices were incubated aerobically at 37° with 3.5×10-7M chloroguanide-triazine (CGT), the compound readily entered the tissue against an apparent concentration gradient. After 2 hr, the slice/medium concentration ratio was 9, and after 4 hr about 12. Uptake of CGT into slices occurred by a process that became saturated at high concentrations of the drug. Uptake was diminished by anaerobic conditions and by metabolic inhibitors such as iodoacetate and 2, 4-dinitrophenol. Uptake was also inhibited by certain tertiary and quaternary amine compounds, which pre-iodoacetate and 2, 4-dinitrophenol. Uptake process. These results suggested that CGT is taken up by liver slices at least in part by an active transport process that is closely related to the process which secretes CGT and certain other tertiary and quaternary amines into bile in vivo. CGT also entered liver slices by a process of diffusion. The compound was highly bound to homogenates of rat liver, suggesting that part of the accu...
The prevalence, correlates, and impact of logically inconsistent preferences in utility assessments for joint health states in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Variations in health state utilities can impact cost-effectiveness analyses. One potential source of error is when joint health state (JS) utilities are rated higher than the embedded single state (SS) utilities. Knowing when and in whom this occurs can improve cost-effectiveness analyses. METHODS Men (n = 323) were surveyed at the time of prostate biopsy. Time tradeoff SS and JS utilities for prevalent prostate cancer (PCa) health states were collected. JS utilities assessed included those most prevalent for PCa. "Inconsistency" was defined in the following 3 ways: (1) any size rank order violation; (2) total number of violations; and (3) differences greater than 1 standard deviation (SD). Regression analysis assessed independent patient characteristics associated with inconsistent responses. RESULTS Aggregate JS utilities were consistent. At the individual level, 36% to 41% of responses violated rank order and 12% to 14% were larger than 1 SD. In all, 69% of respondents had at least 1 JS inconsistency, and 24% had >1 SD inconsistencies. Being married and feeling anxious were independently correlated with giving all types of inconsistent ratings, and lower education correlated with making >SD errors. SS utilities, and not JS utilities, were significantly lower for the inconsistent group. "Correcting" JS inconsistencies decreased aggregate utilities 1 to 9 units. CONCLUSIONS Inconsistent JS utilities for PCa are prevalent in men at biopsy. Being married, more anxious, and having less education are correlated with inconsistencies. It is the SS utilities, rather than the JS utilities, that differ between consistent and inconsistent raters. Better understanding of the source of these inconsistencies is needed.
Method for establishing Human Cells in Culture: Susceptibility to Poliomyelitis after Prolonged Cultivation.

SummaryA technic is described by which human tissues may be established readily in vitro either on glass or in thin plasma clots. Susceptibility to infection with the MEFi strain of poliomyelitis is retained after prolonged cultivation.
First Principles Modeling Of High-K Dielectric Materials

First-principles calculations are performed for high-K gate dielectric materials using model bulk and interface systems. Detailed electronic structures and atomic configurations are investigated for transition metal (Hf and Zr) oxide, metal doped silicate bulk system and a model Si-silicate interface system. Pseudo polymorphs of metal oxides are investigated to elucidate the underlying driving mechanisms in microscopic configurations of metal oxides and silicates in amorphous structures. We studied energetics and electronic structure of metal oxide pseudo morph with varying oxygen coordination. Dielectric constants of metal oxide and silicate materials are also investigated using the density functional perturbation theory method implemented in the ABINIT code. Electronic and dielectric properties of silica interface layers between high-κ dielectric and Si substrate are investigated leading to a confirmation that 1 nm is the physical limit of gate oxide thickness. Furthermore silica interface layer is found to have small dielectric constant of 3.4~3.9.
Dual Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry Labeling to Enable Single-Molecule FRET Studies of p97 Folding

Many cellular functions are critically dependent on the folding of complex multimeric proteins, such as p97, a hexameric multidomain AAA+ chaperone. Given the complex architecture of p97, single-molecule (sm) FRET would be a powerful tool for studying folding while avoiding ensemble averaging. However, dual site-specific labeling of such a large protein for smFRET is a significant challenge. Here, we address this issue by using bioorthogonal azide-alkyne chemistry to attach an smFRET dye pair to site-specifically incorporated unnatural amino acids, allowing us to generate p97 variants reporting on inter- or intradomain structural features. An initial proof-of-principle set of smFRET results demonstrated the strengths of this labeling method. Our results highlight this as a powerful tool for structural studies of p97 and other large protein machines.
Effect of Surgical Bursectomy on the Ellipsoid, Ellipsoid‐Associated Cells, and Periellipsoid Region of the Chicken's Spleen

Surgical bursectomy resulted in cellular depletion of the periellipsoid white pulp, confirming its bursa dependency. Also, in bursectomized birds, the ellipsoid could not be identified, although a small number of abnormal ellipsoid-associated cells (EAC) were observed in the periellipsoid region. The most characteristic finding was the degeneration of the EAC. Degeneration of EAC indicated that the intact bursa was mandatory for normal differentiation of cells of the periellipsoid white pulp into EAC. The promoting effect of the bursa might take place by a bursal hormone. The histological impairment of the EAC was followed by reduced carbon binding and migrating capabilities. Bursectomy resulted in a shift in bacterial phagocytosis in that many cells of the periellipsoid phagocytosed Salmonella. The reduced heterophil infiltration of the ellipsoid in bursectomized birds might be explained by the impaired granular content of the EAC. The impaired migration capability of the EAC might contribute to the low number of germinal centers in bursectomized birds.
Resistance of Musca domestica to three kinds of normal used insecticides in Baoshan district of Shanghai

Objective To investigate the resistance of Musca domestica to dichlorovos,pirimiphos-methyl and deltamethrin in baoshan district of Shanghai in 2010.Methods Topical application method was used.Results The results showed that Musca domestica had different resistant levels to these three insectieides.The resistance of Musca domestica field population to dichlorovos was on the low level,LD50 of dichlorovos was 0.344 996 μg/insect.Furthermore,the resistance to pirimiphos-methyl was on the medium level,LD50 of pirimiphos-methyl was 0.989 695 μg/insect.Moreover,the resistance to deltamethrin was on the high level,LD50 of deltamethrin was 0.028 733 μg/insect.Conclusion Musca domestica had developed marked resistance to deltamethrin and pirimiphos-methyl,but Musca domestica was susceptible to dichlorovos.In order to control and delay resistance,insecticides should be alternated or combined for controlling Musca domestica in these areas.
Redox Shuttles with Axisymmetric Scaffold for Overcharge Protection of Lithium-Ion Batteries

The derivatives of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene are thus far the best performing redox shuttle additives for overcharge protection of Li-ion batteries. The most durable molecules of this kind typically possess two in-plane methoxy groups that are equivalent by inversion symmetry. However, such geometry leads to a vanishing average dipole moment that causes poor solubility of these molecules in carbonate-based electrolytes. In this study, a novel redox shuttle additive, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethoxy-1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-naphthalene (TDTN), is introduced. It has been demonstrated that reversible oxidation at 4.05 V versus Li+/Li, high polarity, high solubility (around 0.4 m), and excellent electrochemical stability (150 overcharge cycles at C/2 rate with 100% overcharge) can all be achieved simultaneously by the imposition of axial symmetry in the corresponding radical cation that is generated by electrochemical oxidation of TDTN in the battery. The intricate interplay between the symmetry and the chemical stability of the radical cation is scrutinized using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron structure modeling.
Parking Control of Mixed Conventional/Braking Actuation Mobile Robots Using Fuzzy Logic Control

In this paper a new mobile robot system, the mixed conventional/braking actuation mobile robot (MAMR), is introduced. Various actuation systems exist for mobile robots such as differential drive with motor-driven wheels, legged mechanisms, and others. The common characteristics of all those actuation systems is the use of conventional motors to move each degree of freedom. Robots with such actuation systems are generally complex, heavy, and expensive. This paper uses brakes in combination with conventional actuators to tackle those drawbacks. In this study, some of the conventional actuators are replaced by brakes resulting a new mobile robot platform. Two states of brakes (i.e. ON/OFF) which are obtained by assuming Coulomb friction at the brake are considered. This paper discusses the dynamics and parking control of such a robot using a fuzzy logic controller. Several Matlab/Simulink simulations with different initial conditions are done to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Kernel based principal axis tree

K-nearest neighbors (KNN) describes a problem of finding the nearest K neighbors for a query point from a given data set. Among the available techniques, principal axis tree (PAT) always performs well when being used as an index for nearest neighbors search. As a generalization of k-dimensional tree (k-d tree), PAT uses its principal axis at each step, instead of using a coordinate axis to sort the data set. In this paper, we consider further performance improvement of PAT. Inspired by “kernel tricks” which is computationally cheaper than the explicit computation of the coordinates, we propose a kernel based principal axis tree (KPAT) method. Compared with k-d tree and PAT, the effectiveness of KPAT is verified by experimental results.
Matthew James Crawford, The Andean wonder drug: cinchona bark and imperial science in the Spanish Atlantic, 1630–1800

Although initially described as a comprehensive history of quina, an Andean medicinal bark employed in the early modern period to treat malarial fevers, The Andean Wonder Drug is much more than tha...
Dermatomyositis: Gastrointestinal Features

Dermatomyositis is a connective tissue disease associated with inflammation of the muscles and skin. The exact cause remains unknown. There is evidence that the disease is autoimmune in origin but may also have components of viral infection and can be drug-induced, as well. Although the presentation is mainly with skin rash and proximal muscle weakness, the disease can affect multiple organs.
Games: Facilitating Communications Training (and Fun)

Communication is an important aspect to providing technical support. Specialized training towards communication skills can dramatically help apprentice support staff grow comfortable fielding questions and provide excellent support even as their technical knowledge expands. Tabletop and video games can be used, with or without modification, to facilitate communication training for students and team building for full time staff. This poster will explore key aspects of communication like facilitating an understanding of the terminology of constituents, facilitating translation into technical terms. Additional topics include avoiding terms that have multiple meanings, especially to non-technical users, pattern recognition. The games used in this poster Include Taboo, Codenames, and Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. These games, as well as many other, will be used to showcase the variety of tools that can be used to facilitate training and team building. The goal of this poster is to explain a few of these tools and include an interactive element where attendees can participate in at least one of the games.
Navigating the Workplace: The Costs and Benefits of Shifting Identities at Work among Early Career U.S. Black Women

Although much progress has been made in race relations in the United States, discrimination still persists in the workplace. As a result, Black women, among individuals from other underrepresented groups, develop coping strategies, such as identity shifting, to diminish the negative consequences of discrimination. We used the phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory to examine shifting racial, gender, and class identities among early career (recent college graduates) U.S. Black women working in predominantly White environments. Drawing on ten semi-structured interviews with college-educated Black women, data were analyzed with an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results revealed two major themes: (a) benefits of identity shifting and (b) the costs of identity shifting, the latter with five subthemes: (a) managing interpersonal rejection: frozen effect, (b) assimilation to the dominant culture and inauthenticity, (c) confronting and dismantling stereotypes, (d) model Black citizen, and (c) mixed feelings toward identity shifting. The findings indicate that Black women vacillate between the benefits and costs of identity shifting, altering their dialect and behavior to meet social norms. Our study’s implications suggest the necessity of a multicultural approach by employers to affirm their workers’ social identities, strengthen employee relationships, and lessen the need for shifting identities.
A Formula to Calculate Standard Liver Volume Using Thoracoabdominal Circumference.

BackgroundWith the use of split liver grafts as well as living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) it is imperative to know the minimum graft volume to avoid complications. Most current formulas to predict standard liver volume (SLV) rely on weight-based measures that are likely inaccurate in the set