cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
David Cole, Engines of Liberty: The Power of Citizen Activists to Make Constitutional Law

David Cole, Engines of Liberty: The Power of Citizen Activists to Make Constitutional Law (New York: Basic Books, 2016). Pp. viii+307. $27.99 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-465-06090-0. David Cole, a professor at the Georgetown Law Center and, as well, a prominent civil liberties litigator, has written an excellent book about the role that “civil society groups” play in “shaping constitutional law” (p. 6). His aim is to develop a “richer understanding of how constitutionalism works in practice” as well as, for at least some readers, helping to “inform future movements” as to productive tactics in achieving “constitutional change” (p. 7). He does this through an intensive examination of the role that such groups played in the legal struggles over same-sex marriage, gun rights, and the protection of civil liberties, especially for non-US nationals, in the aftermath of September 11. The book fits within … SLevinson{at}law.utexas.edu
Detachment of Pseudomonas fluorescens P26 from Beef Rinsed in Salt and Acid Solutions.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that numbers of bacteria detached from meat could be increased by modification of the ionic environment surrounding both the meat and bacterial surfaces. Of five 0.1 M chloride salt solutions that were used to rinse cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens P26 from meat, KCl removed the highest average number of cells. These numbers were significantly greater than those for NH4Cl and MgCl2. Compared with water, the solution of 0.1 M KCl rinsed three times as many bacteria from cubes of inoculated meat shaken in solution for 1 min and there were one-half as many bacteria recovered from meat rinsed with KCl as from meat rinsed with water. The latter difference was significant, and we conclude that KCl assisted in detachment of the pseudomonads. However, no significant effect of 0.1 M KCl was observed when it was added to water that had been buffered to pH 4 and 5 with citrate-phosphate buffer. Instead, the buffered rinse caused a large loss in viability of the pseudomonads. This large loss in viability may have over-shadowed the smaller effect of KCl.
Charged-particle emission tomography

Purpose Conventional charged-particle imaging techniques — such as autoradiography — provide only two-dimensional (2D) black ex vivo images of thin tissue slices. In order to get volumetric information, images of multiple thin slices are stacked. This process is time consuming and prone to distortions, as registration of 2D images is required. We propose a direct three-dimensional (3D) autoradiography technique, which we call charged-particle emission tomography (CPET). This 3D imaging technique enables imaging of thick tissue sections, thus increasing laboratory throughput and eliminating distortions due to registration. CPET also has the potential to enable in vivo charged-particle imaging with a window chamber or an endoscope. Methods Our approach to charged-particle emission tomography uses particle-processing detectors (PPDs) to estimate attributes of each detected particle. The attributes we estimate include location, direction of propagation, and/or the energy deposited in the detector. Estimated attributes are then fed into a reconstruction algorithm to reconstruct the 3D distribution of charged-particle-emitting radionuclides. Several setups to realize PPDs are designed. Reconstruction algorithms for CPET are developed. Results Reconstruction results from simulated data showed that a PPD enables CPET if the PPD measures more attributes than just the position from each detected particle. Experiments showed that a two-foil charged-particle detector is able to measure the position and direction of incident alpha particles. Conclusions We proposed a new volumetric imaging technique for charged-particle-emitting radionuclides, which we have called charged-particle emission tomography (CPET). We also proposed a new class of charged-particle detectors, which we have called particle-processing detectors (PPDs). When a PPD is used to measure the direction and/or energy attributes along with the position attributes, CPET is feasible.
30-Second bound and pore water concentration mapping of cortical bone using 2D UTE with optimized half-pulses.

Purpose MRI of cortical bone has the potential to offer new information about fracture risk. Current methods are typically performed with 3D acquisitions, which suffer from long scan times and are generally limited to extremities. This work proposes using 2D UTE with half pulses for quantitatively mapping bound and pore water in cortical bone. Methods Half-pulse 2D UTE methods were implemented on a 3T Philips Achieva scanner using an optimized slice-select gradient waveform, with preparation pulses to selectively image bound or pore water. The 2D methods were quantitatively compared with previously implemented 3D methods in the tibia in five volunteers. Results The mean difference between bound and pore water concentration acquired from 3D and 2D sequences was 0.6 and 0.9 mol 1H/Lbone (3 and 12%, respectively). While 2D pore water methods tended to slightly overestimate concentrations relative to 3D methods, differences were less than scan-rescan uncertainty and expected differences between healthy and fracture-prone bones. Conclusion Quantitative bound and pore water concentration mapping in cortical bone can be accelerated by 2 orders of magnitude using 2D protocols with optimized half-pulse excitation. Magn Reson Med, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
A freestanding NiSx porous film as a binder-free electrode for Mg-ion batteries

An ultrathin, freestanding NiSx nanoporous thin-film was developed by facile electrochemical deposition, etching, anodization and chemical vapor treatments. The NiSx nanoporous thin-film shows excellent reversible insertion/extraction of Mg ions and long-term cycling performance, which is an ideal energy storage device for small/micro-size electronic and medical devices.
Neighborhood SES is particularly important to the cardiovascular health of low SES individuals.

Abstract Rationale Health disparities defined by neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) are well established; it is less well understood whether neighborhood SES is differentially associated with health depending on one's own SES. Objective The double jeopardy hypothesis, collective resources model, fundamental cause theory, and relative deprivation hypothesis support differential patterns of association between neighborhood and individual SES with health. The first three models suggest that higher neighborhood SES predicts health more strongly among lower, as compared to higher, SES individuals. The relative deprivation hypothesis suggests that higher SES neighborhoods bring no extra health benefit to low SES individuals and could even bring a health deficit. This study examined competing hypotheses with prospective associations between cardiovascular (CV) health and individual SES, neighborhood SES, and their interaction. Method Data were from two waves of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study (N = 1012), a national survey of adults ages 25 and older at baseline. Neighborhood SES was a composite of five census tract-level SES indicators from the 1990 census. Individual SES was a composite of educational attainment and household income at wave one (1995–1996). CV health at wave two (2004–2008), was computed as a composite based on smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, diet, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose. Results Individual and neighborhood SES were each associated with CV health net of baseline health status and other covariates. Interactions between individual and neighborhood SES showed that higher neighborhood SES was associated with better CV health for those of lower, not higher, individual SES. Conclusion Results are consistent with the double jeopardy hypothesis, the collective resources model, and the fundamental cause theory, but not with a relative deprivation hypothesis. Results suggest that additional attention to the neighborhood socioeconomic context of lower SES individuals may reduce SES disparities in cardiovascular health.
Volume estimations for combined free-weight and rubber-band resistance exercise

Volume, or the total work performed during resistance training is one of the vital variables of resistance exercise programming. The most common definition in use by practitioners is sets x reps x external weight. While appropriate for linear loading incurred through free-weight resistance exercise, this inadequately addresses the nonlinear loading incurred with rubber resistance, a relatively new loading technique. The purpose of this investigation was to derive a theoretical model to describe a method of volume calculation for rubber band plus free-weight exercise. Men (n=51; age 19.5±1.6 years; body height 1.76±0.07 meters; body weight 77.3±11.3 kilograms) and women participants (n=66; age 18.9±1.1 years; body height 1.65±0.07 meters; body weight 62.8±9.1 kilograms) were measured for band lengths incurred at: squat with knee extended position, squat with flexed position, and change in band length was then calculated. Significant gender differences were seen for band length change as a percentage of body height (p<0.5) during the squat, which mandated separate volume equations (females=33.8%; males=35.3% of body height). Equations were determined for total external volume estimation in kgm=[0.338(m+2c2+(ln(h)-0.383)2c1)]/g and kgm=[0.352(m+2c2+(ln(h)-0.382)2c1)]/g for females and males, respectively, where m is the total external resistance, c2 and c1 are constants derived from rubber-band loading parameters, h is the body height of the participant, and g is gravitational acceleration. This work provides practitioners and researchers with a simple theoretical method for work estimation using participant’s body height to estimate displacement values during the squat exercise. Key words: variable resistance, material properties, reliability, intra-repetition
Flower: Navigating program flow in the IDE

Program navigation is a critical task for software developers. State-of-the-art tools have been shown to support effective program navigation strategies, and do so by adding widgets, secondary views, and visualizations to the screen. In this work, we build on prior work by exploring what types of navigation can be supported with relatively few interface elements. To that end, we designed and implemented a prototype tool, named Flower, that supports structural program navigation while maintaining a minimalistic interface. Flower enables developers to simultaneously navigate control flow and data flow within the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment. Based on a preliminary evaluation with eight programmers, Flower succeeds when call graphs contained relatively few branches, but was strained by complex program structures.
The role of nephrologists in the management of small renal masses

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignancy seen in the nephrology clinic, yet most nephrologists have inadequate knowledge of current treatment options. Here we discuss RCC presentation and therapies, including potential renal adverse effects, and highlight the need for involvement of nephrologists in the multidisciplinary management of this disease. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignancy seen in the nephrology clinic, yet most nephrologists have inadequate knowledge of current treatment options. Here we discuss RCC presentation and therapies, including potential renal adverse effects, and highlight the need for involvement of nephrologists in the multidisciplinary management of this disease.
THE SHOCKING TRUTH: PHANTOM SHOCKS AS A MANIFESTATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ICD INSERTION

The implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can come with serious psychological problems. A 72 year-old male with a past medical history of reduced ejection fraction (25%) non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, status post cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D)
Caterpillar Basking Behavior and Nonlethal Parasitism by Tachinid Flies

Insects that become parasitized may behave differently than unparasitized individuals. For instance, some parasitized caterpillars bask at the top of vegetation. Caterpillars of Platyprepia virginalis that had previously been infected by the tachinid parasitoid, Thelaira americana, were more likely to bask on dead vegetation than were unparasitized caterpillars. This behavior was associated with elevated body temperatures compared to individuals that were not basking. This is the first report of behavioral fever by a caterpillar, by any insect in the field, and by any insect caused by a macroparasite rather than a pathogen. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that parasitized caterpillars are induced to develop behavioral fever by basking and this may help them recover from their parasitoids; other interpretations are also possible.
Association of Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement for Venous Thromboembolic Disease and a Contraindication to Anticoagulation With 30-Day Mortality.

Importance Despite the absence of data from randomized clinical trials, professional societies recommend inferior vena cava (IVC) filters for patients with venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) and a contraindication to anticoagulation therapy. Prior observational studies of IVC filters have suggested a mortality benefit associated with IVC filter insertion but have often failed to adjust for immortal time bias, which is the time before IVC filter insertion, during which death can only occur in the control group. Objective To determine the association of IVC filter placement with 30-day mortality after adjustment for immortal time bias. Design, Setting, and Participants This comparative effectiveness, retrospective cohort study used a population-based sample of hospitalized patients with VTE and a contraindication to anticoagulation using the State Inpatient Database and the State Emergency Department Database, part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, from hospitals in California (January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2011), Florida (January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2013), and New York (January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2012). Data analysis was conducted from September 15, 2015, to March 14, 2018. Exposure Inferior vena cava filter placement. Main Outcomes and Measures Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were constructed with IVC filters as a time-dependent variable that adjusts for immortal time bias. The Cox model was further adjusted using the propensity score as an adjustment variable. Results Of 126 030 patients with VTE, 61 281 (48.6%) were male and the mean (SD) age was 66.9 (16.6) years. In this cohort, 45 771 (36.3%) were treated with an IVC filter, whereas 80 259 (63.7%) did not receive a filter. In the Cox model with IVC filter status analyzed as a time-dependent variable to account for immortal time bias, IVC filter placement was associated with a significantly increased hazard ratio of 30-day mortality (1.18; 95% CI, 1.13-1.22;P Conclusions and Relevance After adjustment for immortal time bias, IVC filter placement was associated with increased 30-day mortality in patients with VTE and a contraindication to anticoagulation. Randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy of IVC filter placement in patients with VTE and a contraindication to anticoagulation.
BubR1 Insufficiency Impairs Affective Behavior and Memory Function in Mice.

Purpose Although aging causes functional declines in cognition, the molecular mechanism underlying these declines remains largely unknown. Recently, the spindle checkpoint kinase budding uninhibited by benzimidazole-related 1 (BubR1) has emerged as a key determinant for age-related pathology in various tissues including brain. However, the neurobehavioral impact of BubR1 has not been explored. In this study, we investigated the role of BubR1 in behavioral function. Methods To investigate the neurobiological functions of BubR1 in vivo, we utilized transgenic mice harboring BubR1 hypomorphic alleles (BubR1H/H mice), which produce low amounts of BubR1 protein, as well as mice that have specific knockdown of BubR1 in the adult dentate gyrus. To assess anxiety-like behavior, the above groups were subjected to the elevated plus maze and the light-dark test, in addition to utilizing the tail-suspension and forced-swim test to determine depression-like behavior. We used novel object recognition to test for memory-related function. Results We found that BubR1H/H mice display several behavioral deficits when compared to wild-type littermates, including increased anxiety in the elevated-plus maze test, depression-like behavior in the tail suspension test, as well as impaired memory function in the novel object recognition test. Similar to BubR1H/H mice, knockdown of BubR1 within the adult dentate gyrus led to increased anxiety-like behavior as well as depression-like behavior, and impaired memory function. Conclusion Our study demonstrates a requirement of BubR1 in maintaining proper affective and memory-related behavioral function. These results suggest that a decline in BubR1 levels with advanced age may be a crucial contributor to age-related hippocampal dysfunction.
Brief Behavioral Intervention for Disruptive Behavior in a Child with a Hypothalamic Hamartoma: A Case Report

Most children with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) manifest symptoms of epilepsy and associated cognitive deficits and behavioral difficulties as well as central precocious puberty (CPP). However, there is little to no research examining behavioral difficulties in children with HH without epilepsy, nor is there research examining treatments to address the behavioral difficulties of patients with HH without epilepsy. In the current case report, the authors implemented a validated parent management training program [the Brief Behavioral Intervention (BBI)], to treat symptoms of ADHD and disruptive behavior in a 6-year-old female patient with HH and CPP. The family participated in six BBI sessions over a period of 8 weeks. Parent behavioral ratings suggested significant reductions of symptoms of ADHD and disruptive behaviors to the normal range. The current case report demonstrates the effectiveness of the BBI program in the treatment of behavioral difficulties in a patient with HH and CPP. Further, the present study explores behavioral manifestations rarely explored in patients with HH without epilepsy.
Evaluating the Utilization of Line Snugglers in Protecting and Organizing Central Lines in a Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Population

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Children undergoing a bone marrow transplant (BMT) require central lines and connected intravenous tubing (IV) for care. Unfortunately, children play with and inadvertently disconnect, tangle, chew, or spill fluids on the lines. These events increase risk of developing a Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection. Recently, a nurse invented nursing product labeled the Line Snuggler, has provided a means to protect lines from such contamination or entanglement. Line Snugglers are waterproof sleeves, or vests with waterproof sleeves, that cover the connection points between the IV tubing and central line lumens extending 20-30” toward the IV pole. Methods, Intervention, & Analysis The specific aim is to evaluate clinical utilization and consumer satisfaction of Line Snugglers in the pediatric BMT population. The study assesses if Line Snugglers change bacteria presence on connected IV tubing and the surrounding environment by swabbing for adenosine triphosphate (ATP)after total IV tubing changes both with and without wearing the Line Snuggler sleeve for two consecutive line changes; patients serve as their own control. At study completion, a parent completes an online survey about consumer satisfaction and user convenience. At conclusion of study enrollment, staff will complete a survey regarding their experience using Line Snugglers. Findings & Interpretation Recruitment is ongoing with 21 of 40 patients enrolled; we anticipate study conclusion by the end of the year. At that time, ATP swabbing data will be analyzed. Preliminary parental feedback on Line Snuggler use is very positive and reflects a perception that Line Snugglers help protect children's lines. Parent perception on Line Snugglers application indicate ease of use, minimal training required, and an overall good experience. Discussion & Implications Line Snugglers offer patient control and staff convenience to reduce line contamination. Line Snugglers are design patented and deemed not a medical device by the FDA as reviewed by the 513(g) process (#C180053). The study is expanding into an adult unit and the team hopes that soon patients, their families, and nurses everywhere will benefit from Line Snugglers.
Subclinical effects of groundwater contaminants. III. Effects of repeated oral exposure to combinations of benzene and toluene on immunologic responses in mice

Toxicity of environmental pollutants may be expressed as combined effects of a chemicals. Benzene, a proven hematotoxic agent, frequently occurs with toluene in cocontaminated groundwater. Groups of CD-1 male mice were exposed continuously for 4 weeks to benzene (166 mg/l), toluene (80 and 325 mg/l), and combinations of benzene (166 mg/l) + toluene (80 mg/l or 325 mg/l) in drinking water. Benzene-induced anemia was alleviated by simultaneous toluene treatment. Leukopenia and lymphopenia were observed in the case of benzene only and benzene + toluene (80 mg/l)-treated mice. The cytopenia, however, was less severe in the benzene + toluene (325 mg/l)-treated group. Immunotoxicity induced by benzene treatment alone was characterized by involution of thymic mass and suppressions of both B- and T-cell mitogeneses, mixed lymphocyte culture response to alloantigens, the tumor lytic ability of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes as determined by 51Cr-release assay, and antibody production response to T-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells). IL-2 secretion by Con A-stimulated mouse T-cells was decreased in the benzene-treated group. Toluene (325 mg/l) completely inhibited these adverse effects when it was coadministered with benzene, while the low dose of toluene (80 mg/l) did not protect against benzene-induced depressions of immune functions. Toluene administered alone at levels up to 325 mg/l showed no obvious immunotoxic effects. Results of this study demonstrated that toluene, in sufficient amounts, has an antagonistic effect on benzene immunotoxicity.
The Sociology of Emotions: Dramaturgical and Cultural Theorizing on Emotions

The dramaturgical metaphor comes from William Shakespeare, who proclaimed, “All the world is a stage, and all men and women merely players” who have their entrances and exits and play many parts during the course of their lifetime. In viewing social interaction as theater, attention is drawn to the script, stage, audience, staging props, and actors who play dramatic roles. Let us begin with the script. All dramaturgical theorists adopt the view that interaction is guided by a script written by culture. All actors are aware of the norms, values, beliefs, and other symbolic elements that direct how they are to talk, act, and otherwise play their roles. Interaction is also performed on a stage in front of an audience. People act as if they are on a stage, and so each person in an interaction views others in a situation as constituting the audience to whom a presentation of self is given. In seeing people as actors performing on a stage, one's attention is drawn to the props – from clothing to physical objects – that individuals use to play their roles and to interpret the cultural script guiding their performance. Culture is not a straightjacket; although it is constraining, all actors are given some dramatic license in their playing of a role. Indeed, dramaturgical approaches emphasize impression management by actors as they present their selves to their audiences.
Mechanisms of Autoimmunity and Pharmacologic Treatments

Autoimmune disease is thought to affect more than 5% of the world’s population, and thus represents a significant healthcare burden. Autoimmunity results from an inappropriate immune response to self-antigens (also called autoantigens), which results in inflammation and subsequent tissue damage. Depending on the autoantigen targeted, tissue damage from this destructive attack by the immune system can be organ-specific or systemic in nature. Causative mechanisms tipping the scales toward immune attack against self include a combination of genetic and environmental factors, as well as a failure of immune regulation. The mechanisms of several autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are discussed here. Additionally, immune system drug targets are also described as treatments for these autoimmune disorders in which immunosuppression is warranted. Many of these drugs are immunomodulatory in nature, suppress one or several pro-inflammatory cytokines, or suppress specific T or B cell activation mechanisms.
MALDI matrix cluster ions as internal references for ion mobility measurements

In the absence of high vacuum, the mobility of ions in an electric field is dependent on the charge, mass, shape and size of the ions. To achieve accurate calibration for ion mobility measurements, it is important to select calibrants with comparable physical properties to the molecular ions of interest. The size of an ion is often referred as its collision cross section (CCS). Currently, the information on the CCS values of various types of molecular ions are limited, thus representing a challenge to the calibration of ion mobility spectrometry. In this study, instead of finding a way to improve the calibration of ion mobility measurements, the intrinsic by-products of the conventional matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) technique, namely MALDI matrix cluster (MAC) ions, are being used as internal references for ion mobility measurements. The standard MALDI matrix and sample preparation method are used. During the MALDI ionization process, MAC ions are generated and co-exist with the molecular ions of interest within the ion source. Our results indicate the MAC ions do possess suitable ion mobility characteristics, thus allowing the MAC ions to serve as internal reference for ion mobility measurements. The MAC ions cannot be used as internal standard or calibrants for ion mobility measurements, because their molecular structures as well as their CCS are unknown. However, the detection of MAC ions can allow us to determine whether the normal operation as well as the expected performance on the sensitivity and resolution of ion mobility spectrometry are achievable and reproducible. The MAC ions can also facilitate the transfer of specific experimental protocols between ion mobility instruments and/or laboratories. No extra materials, equipment or procedure are required for using MAC ions. For the proof of concept, all experimental work in this study was carried out on a traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry platform.
The Surgical and Anesthesia Workforce and Provision of Surgical Services in Rural Communities: A Mixed-Methods Examination.

Purpose Rural-urban disparities in the surgical and anesthesia workforce exist. This mixed-methods study describes the distribution of the surgical and anesthesia workforce and qualitatively explores how such workforce and other factors influence rural hospitals' provision of surgical services. Methods We calculated provider counts by county from the Area Health Resource File. Using American Hospital Association survey data, we sampled rural hospitals, stratified by critical access status and state policies. We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews with administrators at 16 hospitals and performed directed content analysis of factors influencing surgical services provision at rural hospitals. Findings Within rural counties, 55.1% of counties had no surgeon, 81.2% had no anesthesiologist, and 58.1% had no Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Administrators reported that rural hospitals struggled to provide many surgical services given lack of subspecialty surgeons and adequate postsurgical care. Rural hospitals likely struggle to generate volumes necessary to support safe and profitable subspecialty surgery programs. Anesthesia services were not reported as a current limitation given that CRNAs in particular had strong, diverse skills sets and many hospitals allowed high CRNA autonomy. However, meeting anesthesia needs for emergency surgeries and 24-hour obstetrics posed significant challenges. Conclusions While rural hospitals reported meeting community needs for elective and noncomplex surgeries, rural hospitals continued to face significant challenges providing subspecialty surgeries, emergency surgeries, and 24-hour obstetrical services.
Multi-access Interference Cancellation Receiver for Time-Hopping Ultra Wideband Communication

In this paper, a low complexity coherent joint maximum-likelihood detection receiver is developed for canceling multi-access interference in impulse radio (IR) based ultra wideband (UWB) wireless communication systems. Unlike previous joint demodulation receivers, where the complexity is enormous and the other users' codes are required, the proposed approach does not need to know the time hopping (TH) codes of the other users which makes it a very attractive solution. The performance of joint demodulation receiver depends on the ability to estimate the channel coefficients of desired and interfering users. A novel and practical algorithm for estimating multiple users' channel responses is developed. The performance of the proposed algorithms are tested through computer simulations and the results are compared with the performance of the conventional single user UWB receiver. It is observed that the proposed joint demodulation receiver provides significant performance gains with respect to conventional single user receiver.
Abnormal Fetal Echocardiogram at 33 Weeks’ Gestation

An echocardiogram of a fetus at 33 weeks’ gestation is shown in the Video. If the condition depicted in this video were to continue, what finding(s) might be seen on future fetal ultrasonography? 1. Oligohydramnios 2. Intrauterine growth restriction 3. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen, pleural space(s), and pericardial space 4. Increased nuchal fold thickness with dysmorphic facial features 5. Protrusion of intestinal contents outside the abdominal wall Video. Click here to view the video. An echocardiogram of fetus at 33 weeks. The videotape shows a 4-chamber view of the fetal heart and demonstrates fetal tachycardia with a heart rate of 306 beats/min (Figure). The structure and function of the fetal heart in the videotape are normal. Fetal tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than 180 beats/min. The tachycardia illustrated in the video clip is most likely caused by supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), the most common form of fetal …
Investigations on Electrolytic Capacitors to Improve Reliability under Assembly-Level Impact Conditions

Electrolytic capacitors are of great importance in modern power electronics due to their ability to withstand high voltages for PFC (power factor correction) applications. Solid capacitors, such as ceramic chip capacitors, are not able to achieve this purpose.One of the most common failure modes of electrolytic capacitors is dielectric breakdown, which may lead to internal short-circuits when the capacitor is being charged under high-voltage. Although protection features in the control circuit may be implemented, the voltage fluctuations during the short may still results in failures of other sensitive components in the circuit. Diagnosing such failures is difficult because the functional parameters of the capacitor return to normal following breakdown.One of the dominant reason for dielectric breakdown of electrolytic capacitors is repeated mechanical impact, such as drop loading and vibration, which the jelly-rolled structure of electrolytic capacitors are sensitive to. Repeated mechanical stress may also results in accumulative internal damage to the capacitor and trigger dielectric breakdown over time.The research presented in this paper involves both non-destructive inspection techniques and root cause analysis approaches to analyze typical dielectric breakdown of the capacitor after industry-standard assembly-level drop tests. Based on the failure mode, several measures are proposed to improve the drop reliability of the capacitor in the power electronics. The feasibility of those measures is also analyzed.In summary, we have proposed a potential mitigating strategy to protect power electronics against impact (drop and vibration, etc.) applications, such as high-power portable converters, chargers and electric vehicles
Simple Agent, Complex Environment: Efficient Reinforcement Learning with Agent State.

We design a simple reinforcement learning (RL) agent that implements an optimistic version of $Q$-learning and establish through regret analysis that this agent can operate with some level of competence in any environment. While we leverage concepts from the literature on provably efficient RL, we consider a general agent-environment interface and provide a novel agent design and analysis. This level of generality positions our results to inform the design of future agents for operation in complex real environments. We establish that, as time progresses, our agent performs competitively relative to policies that require longer times to evaluate. The time it takes to approach asymptotic performance is polynomial in the complexity of the agent's state representation and the time required to evaluate the best policy that the agent can represent. Notably, there is no dependence on the complexity of the environment. The ultimate per-period performance loss of the agent is bounded by a constant multiple of a measure of distortion introduced by the agent's state representation. This work is the first to establish that an algorithm approaches this asymptotic condition within a tractable time frame.
Gulf War veterans exhibit broadband sleep EEG power reductions in regions overlying the frontal lobe.

Abstract Aims Nearly a third of U.S. veterans who deployed in support of the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War are affected by Gulf War illness (GWI). Here we aimed to characterize whether subjective sleep complaints in GWI veterans are associated with objective sleep EEG disturbances relative to healthy veterans and controls; and whether Gulf War veterans show alterations in neural activity during sleep that differentiate them from healthy subjects. Main methods We used high-density EEG (HDEEG) to assess regional patterns of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep between three groups: Gulf War male veterans with fatigue and GWI, Gulf War male veterans without fatigue or GWI, and control males. The groups were matched relative to age, sex and obstructive sleep apnea. Topographic comparisons of nocturnal NREM and REM sleep were made between groups for all frequency bands. Key findings Topographic analysis revealed a broadband reduction in EEG power in a circumscribed region overlying the frontal lobe in both groups of Gulf War veterans, regardless of GWI and fatigue. This frontal reduction in neural activity was present, to some extent, across all frequency bands in NREM and REM sleep. Significance Given that our findings were observed in all Gulf War veterans, it appears unlikely that frontal sleep HDEEG power reductions prove wholly responsible for fatigue symptoms. These results provide avenues for research which may someday contribute to improved clinical care of formerly deployed veterans of the Persian Gulf War.
Inferential SIR-GN: Scalable Graph Representation Learning.

Graph representation learning methods generate numerical vector representations for the nodes in a network, thereby enabling their use in standard machine learning models. These methods aim to preserve relational information, such that nodes that are similar in the graph are found close to one another in the representation space. Similarity can be based largely on one of two notions: connectivity or structural role. In tasks where node structural role is important, connectivity based methods show poor performance. Recent work has begun to focus on scalability of learning methods to massive graphs of millions to billions of nodes and edges. Many unsupervised node representation learning algorithms are incapable of scaling to large graphs, and are unable to generate node representations for unseen nodes. In this work, we propose Inferential SIR-GN, a model which is pre-trained on random graphs, then computes node representations rapidly, including for very large networks. We demonstrate that the model is able to capture node's structural role information, and show excellent performance at node and graph classification tasks, on unseen networks. Additionally, we observe the scalability of Inferential SIR-GN is comparable to the fastest current approaches for massive graphs.
A2B adenosine receptors promote retention of cardiac stem cells in a myofibroblast-like state induced by myocardial infarction (652.11)

Adult cardiac stem cells can contribute to scar formation by acquiring myofibroblast phenotype in response to myocardial injury. Adenosine levels increase in ischemic hearts and modulate cardiac cell functions via binding to adenosine receptors (AR). Here, we tested the hypothesis that A2BAR regulate a reversible transition of cardiac Sca1+CD31- mesenchymal stem cells into a myofibroblast-like state in a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI). Using flow cytometry, we found that MI resulted in a rapid increase in the numbers of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive Sca-1+CD31- cells by day 5, followed by gradual decline. Genetic ablation of A2BAR had no effect on accumulation of αSMA-positive Sca-1+CD31- cells. However, their numbers remained significantly higher in wild-type (WT) compared with A2BAR knockout (KO) hearts during their deactivation (by 1.2 and 2-fold on post-MI days 7 and 14, respectively; p<0.05) indicating that this process is modulated by A2BAR signaling. Furthermore, the numbers ...
Integrated antenna system for wireless RFID tag in monitoring oil drill pipe

The paper reports a new integrated antenna system for a 5.8 GHz radio frequency identification (RFID) tag proposed for predicting the pipe's lifetime and to provide inventory control. Powering for the tag's electronics is obtained by using rectifying circuits that convert microwave energy into DC energy. The tag requires a minimal incident power density of 13.5 mW/cm/sup 2/ to establish a link and transmit 64-bit coded information to the interrogating reader.
Spatial and Temporal Regulation of Hair Follicle Progenitors by Hedgehog Signaling

Epithelial organs such as the vertebrate hair undergo programmed self-renewal in part by controlling the growth of progenitor cells. The hedgehog signaling pathway regulates progenitor growth in a variety of tissues. This chapter discusses evidence for how the skin regulates the production of Shh ligand, the reception of the Shh signal, and maintenance of the signal to promote hair morphogenesis and prevent tumor formation.
Iatrogenic and idiopathic acute myelogenous leukemia: A comparison of clinical features and treatment complications

We have compared the clinical and laboratory features as well as treatment complications observed in 6 patients with iatrogenic acute myelogenous leukemia (I-AML) with those of 26 patients with idiopathic acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). I-AML patients were significantly younger and their disease appeared less virulent on admission than in the AML patients. Following identical chemotherapy, hemorrhagic complications and the need for platelet support were found to be similar for both groups. Major infections, including systemic candidiases and Gram-negative septicemias, occurred 3 times more frequently among I-AML than AML patients. More marked suppression and delayed regeneration of the bone marrow also occurred in I-AML patients. These observations and other factors, such as post-splenectomy state and inherent immune deficiency among surgically staged lymphoma patients as well as radiation induced immunologic impairment, may have contributed to the increased propensity to develop infection observed in this group of patients. Five of the 6 I-AML and 17 of the 26 AML patients achieved remission. We attribute the satisfactory outcome in our I-AML patients to treatment in a protective environment and availability of facilities for hematologic supportive care.
Clostridium difficile: progress and challenges

There is a surge of new interest in C. difficile infection (CDI) reflecting substantial increases in cases and fatalities. The new challenges by this now old pathogen have brought renewed interest in all facets of the disease. Particularly important are the role of fluoroquinolones as inducing agents, the new polymerase chain reaction test to detect toxigenic strains in stools, the important role of the NAP-1 strain, recent evidence favoring oral vancomycin over metronidazole in seriously ill patients, and new guidelines for management.
An investigation of human immune response to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pollen cytochrome c (Lol p X)

Cytochrome c (Lol p X) was purified from the pollen of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). It was used in a sensitive double-antibody radioimmunoassay to determine specific IgG and IgE antibody (Ab) levels in the sera of grass-allergic human subjects and the relationship between immune responsiveness and HLA type. A total of 139 subjects were studied, including 63 subjects treated by grass immunotherapy and 76 untreated subjects. The sera of only four subjects were found to contain anticytochrome c IgG Ab; there was no evidence of cytochrome c-specific IgE Ab in any of these patients. Based on these data, we conclude that the prevalence of IgE and IgG Ab responses to this protein is low. Because of the small number of responders, it was not possible to demonstrate a significant association between any HLA-D specificity and immune responsiveness to ryegrass cytochrome c.
Regional distribution of cyclic GMP and its metabolizing enzymes within the hippocampal formation of the guinea-pig.

Abstract Using quantitative histochemical methods the distribution of cyclic GMP, guanylate cyclase and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase among regions of the guinea-pig hippocampal formation was examined. The four regions examined were the dentate gyrus, hippocampus, subiculum and entorhinal cortex. The guanylate cyclase activity was lowest in the hippocampus and only half that of the other regions which had similar activity. In contrast, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity varied little among the four regions. Basal cyclic GMP content was similar in hippocampus, subiculum and entorhinal cortex; however, the dentate gyrus had nearly twice this basal level. Seizures produced by pentylenetetrazol treatment caused a variable (4–7-fold) increase in levels of cyclic GMP in all the regions. The hippocampus had the lowest level of cyclic GMP during seizure activity. This may be the result of the lower guanylate cyclase in the hippocampus as compared to the other regions studied.
Attenuation of front-end reflections in an impulse radar using high-speed switching

Pulse reflection between front-end components is a common problem for impulse radar systems. Such reflections arise because radio frequency components are rarely impedance-matched over an ultra-wide bandwidth. Any mismatch between components causes a portion of the impulse to reflect within the radar front-end. If the reflection couples into the transmit antenna, the radar emits an unintended, delayed and distorted replica of the intended radar transmission. These undesired transmissions reflect from the radar environment, produce echoes in the radar image, and generate false alarms in the vicinity of actual targets. The proposed solution for eliminating these echoes, without redesigning the transmit antenna, is to dissipate pulse reflections in a matched load before they are emitted. A high-speed switch directs the desired pulse to the antenna and redirects the undesired reflection from the antenna to a matched load. The Synchronous Impulse Reconstruction (SIRE) radar developed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is the case-study. This paper reviews the current front-end design, provides a recent radar image which displays the aforementioned echoes, and describes the switch-cable-load circuit solution for eliminating the echoes. The consequences of inserting each portion of the new hardware into the radar front-end are explained. Measurements on the front-end with the high-speed switch show an attenuation of the undesired pulse transmissions of more than 18 dB and an attenuation in the desired pulse transmission of less than 3 dB.
Auditory evoked potentials differ at 50 milliseconds in right- and left-handed listeners.

Abstract Left-handed individuals show a 4 ms later Wave Pb, in the 45–60 ms latency range of the auditory middle latency response (MLR) than right-handed individuals. Examination of auditory evoked potentials in fifteen right-handed and fifteen left-handed normal hearing adults showed that this difference was not evident in time periods earlier or later than 45–60 ms. The isolation of this latency difference to a specific time period suggests that the source or sources of Wave Pb, may be an independent physiological index which correlates with hand preference.
A location prediction based routing protocol and its extensions for multicast and multi-path routing in mobile ad hoc networks

This paper discusses a new location prediction based routing (LPBR) protocol for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) and its extensions for multicast and multi-path routing. The objective of the LPBR protocol is to simultaneously minimize the number of flooding-based route discoveries as well as the hop count of the paths for a source-destination (s-d) session. During a regular flooding-based route discovery, LPBR collects the location and mobility information of nodes in the network and stores the collected information at the destination node of the route search process. When the minimum-hop route discovered through flooding fails, the destination node locally predicts a global topology based on the location and mobility information collected during the latest flooding-based route discovery and runs a minimum-hop path algorithm. If the predicted minimum-hop route exists in reality, no expensive flooding-based route discovery is needed and the source continues to send data packets on the discovered route. Similarly, we propose multicast extensions of LPBR (referred to as NR-MLPBR and R-MLPBR) to simultaneously reduce the number of tree discoveries and the hop count per path from the source to each multicast group receiver. Nodes running NR-MLPBR are not aware of the receivers of the multicast group. R-MLPBR assumes that each receiver node also knows the identity of the other receiver nodes of the multicast group. Finally, we also propose a node-disjoint multi-path extension of LPBR (referred to as LPBR-M) to simultaneously minimize the number of multi-path route discoveries as well as the hop count of the paths.