cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute mitral valvular obstruction from infective endocarditis: echocardiographic diagnosis and report of the second successfully treated case.

Severe mitral stenosis of rapid onset and progression was observed in a patient with infective endocarditis superimposed upon mild rheumatic mitral valvular stenosis. This severe stenosis resulted from large vegetations impinging upon the mitral valve orifice. Preoperative studies indicating mitral stenosis with vegetations and pulmonary edema were followed by emergency mitral valve replacement, which was successful.
Collaborative and Multiscalar Practices for a New Metropolitan Identity: Naples and its Sea

Abstract The metropolitan dimension is an important resource to improve the competitiveness of the territories in economic terms and the quality of urban life in social and environmental terms. In Italy this topic is long overdue and the Law n. 56/2014 dealing with metropolitan cities proved to be ineffective. Particularly, these cities does not seem to have a real metropolitan identity. The best results seem to have been achieved in those contexts where there was already an awareness, or even a real metropolitan identity, and where communities have been involved in processes of information, consciousness and participation. Naples is one of the major European metropolitan cities, the third in Italy, and it is a potential laboratory for an innovative process in building a metropolitan identity based on culture, integration, enhancement of human capital, with particular attention to the sea resource. In this context, in order to recognize into this new metropolitan identity and to accept it, it is possible to undertake collaborative processes and operate territory transformations through more effective collaborative strategies among institutions, stakeholders and citizens.
Perceived Neighborhood Safety, Social Cohesion, and Psychological Health of Older Adults.

Purpose of the study We aimed to investigate the interactive effects of perceived neighborhood safety and social cohesion on the psychological health of older adults with and without functional impairments. Design and methods This cross-sectional study included 13,897 community-dwelling older adults (aged 65 years and older) from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Hypotheses were tested using weighted moderated ordinary least squared regression analysis. Results Perceived neighborhood safety was significantly associated with psychological health regardless of respondents' physical functioning, although the effect was greater among older adults with functional limitations. Perceived social cohesion, however, was only significantly related to psychological health among those with functional limitations. Among physically impaired respondents, social cohesion buffered the ill-effect of an unsafe neighborhood on psychological health. Implications Findings suggest that efforts to promote perceived neighborhood safety and social cohesion are essential to the well-being of older adults. Special attention should be paid to older adults with functional limitations, who appear to be more vulnerable to the negative effects of neighborhood environments.
Graduate research opportunities in acoustics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan is host to a wide array of acoustics research which encompasses many of the core Technical Committees of the ASA. Within the Department of Mechanical Engineering work is being done to advance the field of remote sensing and underwater acoustics, to better understand the physics of the cochlea in human hearing, and even to design safer football helmets. Within the University of Michigan Medical School, faculty and graduate students are constantly advancing techniques for diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound procedures. In the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, computational methods are being used to predict sound signatures and structural loading of complex sea vessels. Researchers in the Linguistics Department are using acoustic, perceptual, and articulatory methods to analyze human speech. And while these are only a sample of the projects taking place at Michigan, new opportunities for acoustics research and collaboration open up each semester. Combined w...
Indexing the Pickup and Drop-Off Locations of NYC Taxi Trips in PostgreSQL – Lessons from the Road

In this paper, we present our experience in indexing the drop-off and pick-up locations of taxi trips in New York City. The paper presents a comprehensive experimental analysis of classic and state-of-the-art spatial database indexing schemes. The paper evaluates a popular spatial tree indexing scheme (i.e., GIST-Spatial), a Block Range Index (BRIN-Spatial) provided by PostgreSQL as well as a new indexing scheme, namely Hippo-Spatial. In the experiments, the paper considers five evaluation metrics to compare and contrast the performance of the three indexing schemes: storage overhead, index initialization time, query response time, maintenance overhead, and throughput. Furthermore, the benchmark takes into account parameters that affect the index performance, which include but is not limited to: data size, spatial query selectivity, and spatial area density, The paper finally analyzes the experimental evaluation results and highlights the key insights and lessons learned. The results emphasize the fact that there is no one size that fits all when it comes to indexing massive-scale spatial data. The results also prove that modern database systems can maintain a lightweight index (in terms of storage and maintenance overhead) that is also fast enough for spatial data analytics applications. The source code for the experiments presented in the paper is available here: https://github.com/DataSystemsLab/hippo-postgresql.
Correlation of structural and electrical properties of PrBaCo2O5+δ thin films at high temperature

Abstract Epitaxial PrBaCo2O5+δ (PBCO, 0≤ δ ≤ 1) thin films were deposited by pulsed laser deposition. The structural and electrical properties of the films were characterized at high temperatures in reduced environments. X-ray diffraction scans at high temperature in reduced environment show potential structural transitions of PBCO as evidenced by both a large (Δl = 0.335 nm) expansion of the out-plane (c-axis) lattice, due to thermal and chemical expansion, and a step in the expansion of the c-axis lattice parameter. These transitions indicate the presence of oxygen vacancy ordering as the oxygen content in the films is reduced. Resistivity measurements under the same environments also show evidence of sharp transitions related with the structural transformations. This study helps the understanding of the structure-property relationship of PBCO at high temperature and provides important technological information to utilize these materials for solid oxide fuel cell at intermediate temperatures.
True Femoral and Popliteal Artery Aneurysms: Clinical Features and Treatment

Arterial aneurysms (AAs) of the periphery are uncommon, are likely under diagnosed, and primarily confer a risk for limb loss. This is in contrast to abdominal and thoracic AA that confers a significant risk to life, depending on size and growth rates. Peripheral aneurysms occurs often in patients with more proximal arterial tree AA, and thus evaluation of synchronous disease in these patients is important. A peripheral AA is traditionally defined as an increased size 150% of the proximal normal artery; for most patients, this is a dilation greater than 1.5 cm for the popliteal artery and ~2.5 for a common femoral artery. This chapter will focus on the modern evaluation and treatment of true peripheral AA, and will not discuss pseudoaneurysms.
Correlation and Association Analysis

Correlation coefficients provide a numerical measurement of the association between two variables. They can be used to determine the similarly between two objects when they are merged into a cluster; to assess the association between two gene expression profiles; to establish a connection between two genes in a genetic network; or to asses the agreement between two experimental methodologies.
Does Communitarianism Require Individual Independence

Critics of liberalism have argued that liberal individualismmisdescribes persons in ignoring the degree to which they aredependent on their communities. Indeed, they argue that personsare essentially socially constituted. In this paper, however, Iprovide two arguments – the first concerning communitariandescriptive claims about persons, our society, and the communitarian ideal society, and the second regarding thecommunitarian view of individual autonomy – that the communitariantheory of Alasdair MacIntyre, Charles Taylor, and Michael Sandel,relies on individuals either being independent from theircommunities or having a community-independent desire. Thisis indicative of a deep contradiction in communitarian thought.
Snyder’s Classification System for Therapeutic Interviews

In 1943, I devised a system of categories, with later modifications, to be used for conducting research and training in psychotherapeutic interviewing and counseling. The two-way classification system includes categories primarily descriptive of the interaction between counselor or therapist verbal responses and the content and affect of client verbal responses. These systems have been used in many research projects since they were first developed. They are introduced below with brief descriptions, examples, and coding symbols. Some 1963 additions follow the presentation of the original systems.
Life in the Fast Lane: Drugs, Hedonistic Lifestyles, and Economic Crime:

We examine whether economic crimes are committed to fund drug addiction and/or to fund a hedonistic lifestyle. To address motivation, we estimate reciprocal relationships between economic crime and...
Depressive symptoms and age of alcohol use onset interact to predict suicidal ideation

Distal risk factors of alcohol use may increase suicidal ideation in the presence of proximal risk factors, such as depressive symptoms. We tested whether depressive symptoms and age at onset of alcohol use interact to predict suicidal ideation in 500 individuals (67% men; 68% Black/African American) under criminal justice supervision. Regression analysis revealed that age of onset negatively associated with suicidal ideation only at average and high levels of depressive symptoms while controlling for suicide attempt history. Clinicians may consider individuals with an early age of onset of alcohol use and current depressive symptoms at risk for suicidal ideation.
Coexistent Hyperuricemia and Gout in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Associations With Comorbidities, Disease Activity, and Mortality.

OBJECTIVE Although hyperuricemia and gout can complicate the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the impact of these factors on outcomes in RA is unclear. We undertook this study to examine associations of coexistent hyperuricemia and gout with RA disease measures, RA treatments, and survival. METHODS Participants from a longitudinal RA study were categorized by the presence of gout and serum urate (UA) status. Groups were compared by baseline patient characteristics, RA disease activity, treatments, and comorbidities. Associations of baseline serum UA levels with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality were examined in multivariable survival analyses. RESULTS Of 1,999 participants with RA, 341 (17%) had serum UA concentrations of >6.8 mg/dl, and 121 (6.1%) were diagnosed with gout. There were no significant associations of serum UA concentration or gout with RA disease activity or treatment at enrollment, with the exception that those with gout were more likely to be receiving sulfasalazine and less likely to be receiving nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. After adjustments for age and sex, moderate hyperuricemia (serum UA >6.8 to ≤8 mg/dl) was associated with an increased risk of CVD-related mortality (hazard ratio 1.56 [95% confidence interval 1.11-2.21]). This association was attenuated and not significant following additional adjustment for comorbidities that more commonly accompany hyperuricemia. Results corresponding with serum UA concentrations of >8.0 mg/dl were similar, although not reaching statistical significance in any model. There were no associations of baseline serum UA concentration with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION Our study reports the frequency of hyperuricemia and gout in patients with RA. These results demonstrate strong associations of hyperuricemia with CVD mortality in this population, a risk that appears to be driven by excess comorbidity.
Learning Lessons from Instruction: Descriptive Results from an Observational Study of Urban Elementary Classrooms:

BackgroundFor nearly three decades, policy makers and researchers in the United States have promoted more intellectually rigorous standards for mathematics teaching and learning. Yet, to date, we h...
Should Hypotensive Trauma Patients Ever Be Transferred to a Trauma Center

Many trauma patients present to nontrauma centers with emergency conditions. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act dictates that nontrauma centers attempt stabilization and provide appropriate transfer. Our goal was to determine whether there was a survival benefit in transferring hypotensive patients. The Tampa General Hospital trauma registry database was queried for adult trauma transfers from January 2012 to April 2018 including the first recorded systolic blood pressure (SBP) and other pertinent data. A manual chart review in hypotensive (SBP < 90) patients determined blood pressure at the time of transfer. Of the 3038 patients, 40 patients were hypotensive on arrival, with 40% (16) mortality. Eight of nine (88%) patients with SBP <70 on arrival, 3 of 11 (27%) with SBP 70 to 79, and 5 of 20 (25%) with SBP 80 to 89 died. The only survivor in the <70 group was normotensive at transport. Patients in these groups who were hypotensive at the time of transport died (4/4, 100%). Our data show no benefit in transferring patients with refractory hypotension at the time of transport; although the numbers are small, an SBP <70 should be considered prohibitive to transfer.
High-resolution imaging reveals microbial biofilms on patient urinary catheters despite antibiotic administration

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a significant cause of morbidity worldwide, as they account for 40% of all hospital-associated infections. Microbial biofilm formation on urinary catheters (UCs) limits antibiotic efficacy, making CAUTI extremely difficult to treat. To gain insight into the spatiotemporal microbe interactions on the catheter surface we sought to determine how the presence or absence of bacteriuria prior to catheterization affects the organism that ultimately forms a biofilm on the UC and how long after catheterization they emerge. Thirty UCs were collected from patients who received a urine culture prior to catheterization, a UC, and antibiotics as part of standard of care. Immunofluorescence imaging and scanning electron microscopy were used to visualize patient UCs. Most patients did not have bacteria in their urine (based on standard urinalysis) prior to catheterization, yet microbes were detected on the majority of UCs, even with dwell times of < 3 days. The most frequently identified microbes were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli. This study indicates that despite patients having negative urine cultures and receiving antibiotics prior to catheter placement, microbes, including uropathogens associated with causing CAUTI, could be readily detected on UCs with short dwell times. This suggests that a potential microbial catheter reservoir can form soon after placement, even in the presence of antibiotics, which may serve to facilitate the development of CAUTI. Thus, removing and/or replacing UCs as soon as possible is of critical importance to reduce the risk of developing CAUTI.
Enhancement in MS‐based peptide detection by microfluidic free‐flow zone electrophoresis

Matrix components are known to significantly alter the ionization of a target analyte in ESI-based measurements particularly when working with complex biological samples. This issue however may be alleviated by extracting the analyte of interest from the original sample into a relatively simple matrix compatible with ESI mass-spectrometric analysis. In this article, we report a microfluidic device that enables such extraction of small peptide molecules into an ESI-compatible solvent stream significantly improving both the sensitivity and reproducibility of the measurements. The reported device realizes this analyte extraction capability based on the free-flow zone electrophoretic fractionation process using a set of internal electrodes placed across the width of the analysis channel. Employing lateral electric fields and separation distances of 75 V/cm and 600 µm, respectively, efficient extraction of the model peptide human angiotensin II was demonstrated allowing a reduction in its detection limit by one to three orders of magnitude using the ESI-MS method. The noted result was obtained in our experiments both for a relatively simple specimen comprising DNA strands and angiotensin II as well as for human serum samples spiked with the same model peptide.
Abstract P3-06-07: ADGRF1 overexpression inhibits tumor growth in vivo by inducing cell cycle arrest in HER2+ breast cancer

Background: Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form the second largest GPCR subfamily and control many cellular processes involved in cancer. ADGRF1 is an adhesion GPCR overexpressed and gene amplified in HER2+ and triple-negative breast cancer (BC). We have previously found a role of ADGRF1 in promoting tumorigenicity and metastatic processes in cell-based studies in HER2+ BC. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of ADGRF1 overexpression in vivo in HER2+ BC. Methods: BT474 stable cell lines were generated using lentiviral system containing ADGRF1 cDNA using PHAGE system, overexpressing ADGRF1 in Doxycycline (Dox)-inducible manner. Mice (N=8/group) were injected with various numbers of cells with (+) or without (-) Dox (10K, 30K, 100K, 300K, 1 million) to assess for tumor initiation and growth. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of ADGRF1-overexpressing BT474 cells was also performed using RNAseq and RPPA analysis, respectively. The candidates were validated using western blotting and IHC staining. Cell cycle analysis was conducted by measuring DNA content with propidium iodide using flow cytometry. Results: Dox-induced overexpression of ADGRF1 in mice led to inhibition of tumor growth compared to no Dox treated tumors. Furthermore, fewer mice injected with Dox-treated cells formed tumors. Our RNA-Seq data revealed downregulation of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, which included E2F targets, G2M checkpoint pathways, and MYC targets. Likewise in RPPA analysis, several proteins in the cell cycle pathway (FOXO1, AuroraA, Ki67, Ezh2, CHAF1, DEPTOR, Rb1, Phospho-Rb (S780), and Hexokinase II) were downregulated by ADGRF1 overexpression. Validation of RNAseq and RPPA candidates demonstrated lower number of Ki67+ cells and reduced NF-kB expression, and inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, we found that ADGRF1 overexpression by Dox also led to cell cycle arrest at GO/G1 phase. Conclusion: Our results suggest that ADGRF1 overexpression inhibits tumor growth in vivo by inducing cell cycle arrest in HER2+ breast cancer. These results are in contrast to the in vitro data demonstrating a role of ADGRF1 in promoting tumorigenicity and metastatic processes in HER2+ BC. Understanding the mechanism of this difference is critical in investigating ADGRF1 as a drug target in breast cancer. Citation Format: Raksha Bhat, Noor Mazin Abdulkareem, Lanfang Qin, Carmine De Angelis, Hala Yasser, Hariprasad Thangavel, Jennifer Torres, Vidyalakshmi Sethunath, Tamika Mitchell, Sarmistha Nanda, Resel Pereira, Martin Shea, Rachel Schiff, Meghana Trivedi. ADGRF1 overexpression inhibits tumor growth in vivo by inducing cell cycle arrest in HER2+ breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-06-07.
Nature in Built Space in North America

North America, comprising the United States and Canada, is the least socio-politically diverse, but one of the most geographically extensive of United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) regions. It ranks as the most economically and industrially developed. These unique features have far-reaching implications for nature in the region’s built space, particularly its urban areas. This chapter discusses the ways in which these features conspire with the region’s politico-economic, socio-cultural geo-ecological and historical factors to facilitate or obfuscate efforts to promote nature in the built environment. It is shown that the region’s liberal democratic and economically advanced system, combined with its dominant Judeo-Christian culture, have proved to be a boon for these efforts.
Valley-Spin Logic Gates

In the emerging field of $v\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}y\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}s$, logic gates are typically based on the valley-pseudospin degree of freedom in materials with particular electronic structures. For certain two-dimensional (2D) materials, the valley-dependent spin polarization is 100% and can be switched by an electric field. The authors design valley-spin logic gates based on certain 2D materials, and demonstrate seven complete logic gates: NOT, XNOR, XOR, AND, NAND, OR, and NOR. Importantly, the proposed valley-spin gates satisfy the concatenation requirement, which is key for practical use: The output of one can be used as the input for the next, and all inputs and outputs are plain voltages.
4 s 4 d D 1 − 4 p 2 D 1 interaction in the Zn I isoelectronic sequence

The importance of the interaction between $4s4d^{1}D$ and $4{p}^{2}^{1}D$ is studied in the Zn I isoelectronic sequence from Zn I to W XLV. Multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock calculations have been carried out for the two lowest $^{1}D$ terms in this sequence and used to calculate $\mathrm{gf}$ values for the $^{1}P\ensuremath{-}^{1}D$ transitions. For the heavier elements relativistic effects are important and intermediate-coupling calculations of the $\mathrm{gf}$ values using multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock transition energies have been carried out. Final $\mathrm{gf}$ values take into account relativistic effects in an approximate way, as well as core-polarization effects. The latter are found to be as important for the $^{1}P\ensuremath{-}^{1}D$ transitions as for the $^{1}S\ensuremath{-}^{1}P$ resonance transition even for high-ionization stages. The $\mathrm{gf}$ values for transitions from the lowest $^{1}D$ terms were found to be small due to destructive interference. Little experimental data exist with which the present results can be compared. Furthermore, it is shown that much of the earlier experimental material concerning the $^{1}D$ terms are in error. Comparison with a few very recent experimental investigations shows good agreement, however, and the present results point to the need for further experimental studies of this sequence, even towards the neutral end.
Evaluation of a Pharmacy Service to Lower BMI Prior to Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Background:Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) postsurgical complications are increased in patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2. Reducing BMI prior to surgery can be complicated a...
Physicians' political party affiliation and clinical management of obesity.

Studies have documented that few patients with obesity receive evidence-based care. One provider characteristic that may impact clinical obesity care, but that has been under studied to date, is political party affiliation. This study sought to evaluate how primary care physicians (PCPs) report managing patients with obesity and assess whether there are differences between Democratic and Republican PCPs. This was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 225 PCPs registered to vote as Democrats or Republicans in 29 US States. After reading a patient vignette, the PCPs reported the following outcomes: likelihood of documenting obesity in the medical record; likelihood of discussing obesity with the patient; and likelihood of engaging in eight different obesity management options. Almost all PCPs reported they would document obesity in the medical record (Republican = 97.6%, Democrat = 94.3%) and discuss it further (Republican = 95.2%, Democrat = 92.2%). Among eight obesity management options, PCPs were least likely to say they would prescribe medication (3.9%) or refer the patient to counselling (24.0%), regardless of political affiliation. Republicans were more likely to report that they would inquire about the time course of obesity (73.4% v. 56.2%, P = 0.012) and discuss health risks of obesity (91.0% vs 78.3%, P = .018). Republican and Democratic PCPs report some differences in managing patients with obesity, suggesting that political beliefs may play a role in some clinical care.
Turnaround Value & Valuation: Reassessing Scott Paper

This paper presents an approach for assessing turnaround opportunities that entails both pre- and post-turnaround valuation considerations, as well as exit planning. The approach is illustrated by way of the Scott Paper Company (Scott) turnaround. In April of 1994, Scott appointed “Chainsaw” Al Dunlap, Chairman and CEO with a mandate to turn the firm’s poor performance around. Slightly more than one year into the turnaround, Scott’s value increased from approximately $2.8 billion on the market to approximately $9.4 billion via Kimberly-Clark’s acquisition price. We show how Scott qualified as a turnaround opportunity using our approach prior to Dunlap’s appointment, and how a conservative exit plan could have been formulated following his appointment. Conservative exit planning mitigates execution risk, which could manifest in a variety of ways, as we discuss. The approach presented in this paper could be significant from a private equity perspective because, according to some observers, there is a scarcity of professionals skilled in turnaround analysis and management. If that observation is correct, turnaround-related opportunities could emerge if current economic risks manifest and corporate returns decline.
Fear, Trauma, and Racism

This chapter explores the relationship between fear, trauma, and racism; racism as a determinant of health; and pervasive and structural aspects of racism.
Three-Dimensional Modeling in Training, Simulation, and Surgical Planning in Open Vascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background The expanding use of three-dimensional (3D) printing in open vascular and endovascular neurosurgery presents a promising new tool in resident learning as well as operative planning. Recent studies have investigated the accuracy, efficacy, and practicality of 3D-printed models of patient-specific disease. Objective To review the literature exploring 3D modeling in neurovascular and endovascular surgery for training, simulation, and surgical preparation. Methods A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted using keywords relating to 3D printing and neurovascular or endovascular surgery. Articles were manually screened to include those that focused on resident training, surgical simulation, or preoperative planning. Information on fabrication method, materials, cost, and validation measures was collected. Results A total of 27 articles were identified that met inclusion criteria. Twenty-one studies used 3D printing to produce aneurysm models, 5 produced arteriovenous malformation models, and 1 produced aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation models. Stereolithography was the most common fabrication method used, with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and VeroClearTangoPlus (Stratasys) being the most frequently used materials. The mean manufacturing cost per model was U.S. $624.83. Outcomes included model measurement accuracy, concordance of intraoperative devices with those selected preoperatively, and qualitative feedback. Conclusions Models generated by 3D printing are anatomically accurate and aid in resident learning as well as operative planning in open vascular and endovascular neurosurgery. As advancements in printing methods are made and manufacturing costs decrease, this tool may supplement training on a wider scale in a field in which direct exposure to cases is limited.
Republished: Moving target: transient rotational stenosis precipitating jugular bow hunter's syndrome

A 60-year-old man presented with a 10-month history of of stereotypical spells characterized by vertigo, tinnitus, blurred vision, left hemibody numbness, and occasional syncope, precipitated by turning his head leftwards. Cerebral angiography and CT angiography of the head and neck with provocative maneuvers did not demonstrate vertebral artery narrowing. However, there was narrowing of the left internal jugular vein due to extrinsic compression from the sternocleidomastoid with leftward head rotation in the setting of hypoplasia of the right internal jugular vein. The patient underwent a cervical venogram which confirmed the finding. Manometric evaluation demonstrated a gradient of 29 mm Hg across the stenosis with the head turned leftwards compared with 1 mm Hg in the neutral position. The patient was treated with myectomies of the left sternocleidomastoid, posterior belly of the digastric, stylohyoid and omohyoid and styloid process removal. Following surgery, the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms. Repeat venography demonstrated resolution of the stenosis and pressure gradient.
Will I See Sensor-Based Games Happen Before I Die?

In this, the second “Games” column, we look at the possibility of developing sensor-based games. We do this from a high level, pointing out that all the pieces exist but have not yet been put together.
Intrathecally administered N-methyl-D-aspartate increases persistent hindlimb flexion in rat

Abstract Persistent hindlimb flexion was induced in pentobarbital anesthetized rats using a prolonged, electrical stimulus. Intrathecal (i.t.) N- methyl- d -aspartate NMDA) (1 mM, 5 μl) applied prior to stimulation increased flexion relative to stimulated controls subsequent to stimulation (156%); 3 days later (109%) and after spinalization at 3 days (91%). Pretreatment with MK-801 (3 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented the enhancement of flexion. Withdrawal latencies to a thermal stimulus also were measured. I.t. NMDA plus stimulation reduced mean latency relative to controls only subsequent to stimulation. Latencies were increased by MK-801 post-injection, post-stimulation and at 3 days. The results suggest that the induction of persistent hindlimb flexion depends upon spinal NMDA receptors.
Hormonal regulation of mouse fatty acid synthase gene transcription in liver

Blot analysis of poly(A+) RNA showed a rapid and dramatic insulin induction of fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA in diabetic mouse liver. Insulin administration to diabetic mice increased the mRNA level 4-fold within 1 h, and a maximum of 19-fold was reached in 6 h. The nutritional induction of FAS mRNA by fasting/refeeding was abolished by streptozotocin-induced diabetes and also by dibutyryl cAMP administered during refeeding in normal animals, demonstrating the roles of insulin and cAMP during nutritional manipulation. Run-on transcription analysis with isolated nuclei showed that the transcription rate of the FAS gene increased 3.5-fold after 30 min, reached a maximum of 7-fold after 2 h of insulin administration in diabetic animals, and was maintained at the maximum level to 6 h. The cAMP, administered to previously fasted normal mice during refeeding of a high carbohydrate diet, abolished the increased transcription of the FAS gene caused by nutritional manipulation. These results indicate positive control by insulin and negative control by dibutyryl cAMP of FAS gene transcription. Furthermore, the effect of insulin on the FAS mRNA level was abolished by cycloheximide administration. This indicates that ongoing protein synthesis is necessary for the transcriptional activation of the FAS gene by insulin.
Time space tradeoffs in GA based feature selection for workload characterization

This paper reports the results of a research effort that explores time/space tradeoffs inherent to genetic algorithms (GA). The study analyzes redundancy in the GA search space and lays out a schema for efficient utilization of record keeping in the form of a cache to minimize redundancy. The application used for evaluation of the record keeping procedure is feature selection for computer workload characterization. The experimental results demonstrate the utility of record keeping in the GA domain, and show a significant reduction in execution time with virtually the same solution quality.
Method to create regional mechanical dyssynchrony maps from short-axis cine steady-state free-precession images.

Purpose To develop a robust method to assess regional mechanical dyssynchrony from cine short-axis MR images. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment for patients with heart failure and evidence of left-ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony. Patient response to CRT is greatest when the LV pacing lead is placed in the most dyssynchronous segment. Existing techniques for assessing regional dyssynchrony require difficult acquisition and/or postprocessing. Our goal was to develop a widely applicable and robust method to assess regional mechanical dyssynchrony. Materials and Methods Using the endocardial boundary, radial displacement curves (RDCs) were generated throughout the LV. Cross-correlation was used to determine the delay time between each RDC and a patient-specific reference. Delay times were projected onto the American Heart Association 17-segment model creating a regional dyssynchrony map. Our method was tested in 10 normal individuals and 10 patients enrolled for CRT (QRS > 120 ms, NYHA III-IV, EF < 35%). Results Delay times over the LV were 23.9 ± 33.8 ms and 93.1 ± 99.9 ms (P < 0.001) in normal subjects and patients, respectively. Interobserver reproducibility for segment averages was 6.8 ± 39.3 ms and there was 70% agreement in identifying the latest contracting segment. Conclusion We have developed a method that can reliably calculate regional delay times from cine steady-state free-precession (SSFP) images. Maps of regional dyssynchrony could be used to identify the latest-contracting segment to assist in CRT lead implantation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:958–965. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elimination of hepatitis C virus RNA in infected human hepatocytes by adenovirus-mediated expression of ribozymes.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the cause of more than 90% of chronic non-A non-B hepatitis worldwide (2). It has been estimated that more than 1% of the world population is infected with HCV. Although transmission is parenteral in the majority of cases, the incidence and mechanisms of nonparenteral transmission remain uncertain. Viral infection is variable; persistent viremia occurs in about 90% of cases, chronic hepatitis occurs in 60 to 70% of cases, and 20 to 40% of infected individuals ultimately develop cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease,and/orhepatocellularcarcinoma(2).Accordingtorecent data, HCV infection is the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States, and chronic hepatitis C is associated with more than 50% of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States (6a). Orthotopic liver transplantation is performed in patients with end-stage liver disease, but viremia persists in 100% of patients, and ultimately, the transplanted organ becomes reinfected (11). HCV is an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus with a genome size of approximately 9.4 kb (5, 13) which encodes a single large open reading frame of ;3,010 amino acids. The singlepolyproteingeneproductundergoesproteolyticprocessing to multiple gene products, including a capsid protein, two or more envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2), and six or more nonstructural gene products (NS2, NS3, NS4a, NS4b, NS5a, and NS5b) which are thought to be involved in viral assembly and replication, respectively (10). After the infection of hepatocytes, the genomic, positive HCV RNA strand is translated. The NS5 gene product, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, presumably catalyzes the synthesis of replicative, minus HCV RNAstrandswhichrepresentthetemplateforproducingmore
Analysis of stressed power systems using normal forms

Deals with the analysis of the interarea mode phenomenon in stressed power systems following large disturbances. It has been shown that the interarea mode phenomenon occurs as a result of a nonlinear interaction of the natural modes of oscillation in the system. Normal forms of vector fields are used to determine the interacting modes of oscillation and to identify the nature and characteristics of the interarea mode phenomenon. A numerical example for a one-machine infinite bus system is included. >
Effect of tip resonances on tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance in ferromagnetic metal break-junctions: A first-principles study

First-principles calculations of electron tunneling transport in nanoscale Ni and Co break-junctions reveal strong dependence of the conductance on the magnetization direction, an effect known as tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance (TAMR). An important aspect of this phenomenon stems from resonant states localized in the electrodes near the junction break. The energy and broadening of these states is strongly affected by the magnetization orientation due to spin-orbit coupling, causing TAMR to be sensitive to bias voltage on a scale of a few millivolts. Our results bear a resemblance to recent experimental data and suggest that TAMR driven by resonant states is a general phenomenon typical for magnetic broken contacts. This effect may be observed in any experiment where a magnetic tip is used to probe electron transport, e.g., spin-polarized scanning-tunneling measurements.
ENHANCEMENT OF THE PLAQUE-FORMING CAPACITY OF POLIOVIRUS RIBONUCLEIC ACID WITH BASIC PROTEINS

Smull, Christine E. (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park) and Ernest H. Ludwig. Enhancement of the plaque-forming capacity of poliovirus ribonucleic acid with basic proteins. J. Bacteriol. 84:1035-1040. 1962.-The addition of appropriate amounts of either of two basic proteins to poliovirus ribonucleic acid (RNA) preparations was found to increase markedly the infectivity of the RNA for HeLa cells. These two basic proteins are histone (calf thymus nuclei) and protamine (salmine and clupine). The histone was found to be most effective when used in a final concentration of 200 to 400 mug per ml, and the protamine at approximately 600 mug per ml. The increase in infectivity was brought about in isotonic sodium chloride solution and at neutral pH. An analysis of the period allowed for adsorption of histone-RNA preparations revealed that the greatest increase in infectivity occurred when adsorption was allowed to take place at 4 C for approximately 5 min. An inhibitor of poliovirus RNA infectivity was found in saline washings of the HeLa-cell monolayers, and it was felt that decreased formation or activity of this substance, at 4 C, might account for the increased infectivity of the RNA at 4 C. The addition of RNA and histone to the cell monolayers at separate times resulted in almost no infectivity. The large increase in infectivity was brought about when the RNA and histone were mixed together prior to inoculation on the cell monolayers. A number of other basic materials and two other proteins were found not to increase the infectivity of poliovirus RNA.
Quarantine Pathway Pest Risk Analysis at the APHIS Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory1

Abstract Pathways are any means that lead to entry or spread of pests. Pathway risk analysis entails identifying pathways and assigning the probability of entry, spread, introduction, establishment, or outbreak of a pest through the various pathways, along with the consequences of their introduction. As an example, a schematic quantitative pathway analysis for the number of infested imported avocados entering susceptible areas of the United States annually is presented. Nomenclature: Avocado, Persea americana Mill. ‘Hass’; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. Additional index words: Introduction, outbreak, pest entry, spread. Abbreviations: PERAL, Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory; CPHST, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology; APHIS-PPQ, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service–Plant Protection and Quarantine.
Refractive state of the rhinoceros

Rhinoceroses have been supposed to be myopic; however, our examination of four specimens by retinoscopy, infrared photorefraction, and telescopic pointspread retinoscopy has shown them to be mildly hyperopic.
Absorption of light by soot particles in micro-droplets of water

Abstract Absorption cross section of carbon soot clusters inside water microdroplets is calculated. Fractal geometry of carbon inclusions is considered with the fractal dimension D in the interval 1≤D≤3 , which includes the trivial geometry (D=3) as a limiting case. It is found that the absorption cross section of a soot cluster inside a water droplet is increased, compared to that in vacuum, by the factor of ≈16 for the practically important case of D=1.8 . This result is obtained by averaging of the enhancement factor over the diffraction parameter of the microdroplets x=ka ( k=2 π /λ) a is the radius of the microdroplet) with a fine resolution. It is shown that the narrow resonances in the enhancement factor as a function of x play important role and should be taken into account for the purpose of averaging over x . The absorption enhancement factor increases, on average, when D decreases, and reaches the value of ≈22 for D=1 .
A model of socially responsible buying/sourcing decision‐making processes

Purpose – Socially responsible buying/sourcing (SRB) has become a critical issue in many companies. The purpose of this study was to build an exploratory model to describe buying/sourcing professionals' SRB decision‐making process.Design/methodology/approach – Adopting business ethics and attitude theories, the SRB process was hypothesized to be a composite of cognitive processing and affective reactions to personal sources of information (e.g. peers). The mail survey data obtained from buying/sourcing professionals in the US apparel/shoe companies were analyzed using a Structural Equation Modeling technique.Findings – SRB generally followed a cognitive decision framework and was partly influenced by the decision maker's affective reaction to peer buying/sourcing professionals' behaviors. Emotional reaction to top‐management, however, was not significant.Research limitations/implications – The SRB scale created for this study is focused on the apparel/shoe buying context, which may limit its applicability...
Quantification of Cell-Associated Atazanavir, Darunavir, Lopinavir, Ritonavir, and Efavirenz Concentrations in Human Mononuclear Cell Extracts

An ultrasensitive assay utilizing high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry detection was developed and validated for the quantification of the antiretrovirals atazanavir (ATV), darunavir (DRV), lopinavir (LPV), ritonavir (RTV), and efavirenz (EFV) in human mononuclear cell (MNC) extracts. The assay utilizes 20 μl of cellular extract that contains as few as 50,000 MNCs. The analytical range of the assay is 0.0200 to 10.0 fmol/μl for ATV, 0.0500 to 25.0 fmol/μl for DRV, LPV, and RTV, and 0.200 to 100 fmol/μl for EFV. The assay has proven to be a clinically useful tool for investigating antiretroviral drug concentrations in virologic sanctuaries where harvested cell numbers are extremely low. The assay provides a tool for investigators to explore the clinical pharmacology of strategies for prevention, treatment, and cure in pathophysiologically relevant sites.
Assessing reliability of protein-protein interactions by gene ontology integration

Recent advances in genome-wide identification of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) have produced an abundance of interaction data which give an insight into functional associations among proteins. However, it is known that the PPI datasets determined by high-throughput experiments or inferred by computational methods include an extremely large number of false positives. Using Gene Ontology (GO) and its annotations, we assess reliability of the PPIs by considering the semantic similarity of interacting proteins. Protein pairs with high semantic similarity are considered highly likely to share common functions, and therefore, are more likely to interact. We analyze the performance of existing semantic similarity measures in terms of functional consistency and propose a combined method that achieves improved performance over existing methods. The semantic similarity measures are applied to identify false positive PPIs. The classification results show that the combined hybrid method has higher accuracy than the other existing measures. Furthermore, the combined hybrid classifier predicts that 59.6% of the S. cerevisiae PPIs from the BioGRID database are false positives.
Surface modes in inviscid free surface shear flows

We investigate the linear stability of inviscid plane Poiseuille flow between two parallel free surfaces. We show that there are short wave instabilities with eigenfunctions localized near the free surface and derive the asymptotics of these modes.
MIMO radar signal processing for distributed phased arrays

We explore transmit signaling and receive signal processing strategies for a notional MIMO radar system consisting of widely distributed phased arrays. The assumptions are that within a phased array, there is a fixed rigid geometry and perfect phase synchronization, and there is a single look at the target. In constrast, between phased arrays there is imperfect phase synchronization and multiple views of the target. The relative advantages and disadvantages of coherent and orthogonal signaling in such a model are explored through simulation.
Optimisation approach to power restoration in steel mills

The efficiency of the power systems for steel mills has become more important due to global competition. At the same time, reliability continues to be a major concern because of the high costs of disrupting a continuous steel making process. An optimisation-based solution for the steel mill restoration problem is presented. This is a mixed integer programming problem and as such has many local minima. A new global optimisation algorithm called Navigator for solving this problem is presented. This is applied to a sample steel mill power system to provide many reasonable solutions from which the mill operator can select.