cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SOME IMPORTANT FACTORS IN PERINATAL MORTALITY STATISTICS IN A RURAL STATE.

Abstract The aid of a biostatistician in the planning of a combined study of perinatal mortality and in evaluating the data is evident. In North Carolina the socioeconomic and environmental factors are significant but the variables indicate that the racial factor becomes less significant. The poorly educated female in the low economic income group is subject to greater hazards from antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum complications. These complications contribute to the increase in perinatal mortality. The increased incidence of spontaneous premature rupture of the membranes warrants special mention in this group of patients. In a related study of premature infants who lived at least 5 years there was a definite increase in minor and major defects; in social studies they tested at a lower level. It is again evident that maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality cannot be “cured” by medical care, alone.
Using practice-based evidence to reduce disparities in care a virtuous cycle turns

Clinicians face many questions in daily practice; among the most important are: Does the evidence upon which I base my practice produce the desired results in the patients I care for? Am I doing my part to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care? The Institute of Medicine, in a report on the
Why the origin of flight is rocket science

Dinosaurs of the Air: The Evolution and Loss of Flight in Dinosaurs and Birds. Gregory S. Paul. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London. 2002. i–xii + 460 pages ISBN 0-8018-6763-0. Cloth $49.95. Reconstructing the origin of birds and the origin of their flight is anything but a simple problem. In fact, this issue, often treated as a single problem, comprises many problems that, although logically independent and approached with different methods, are involved with each other simply because they are part of a single historic evolutionary radiation. So, whereas the origin of birds—that is, their relationships to other animals—is a phylogenetic question, and the origin of their flight is a question rooted in structure, function, and aerodynamics, the two are related because they should be consistent with each other if their answers explain the same single evolutionary history. When questions of physiology, locomotion, ecology, environment, diet, developmental biology, and flight performance are added to the mix, the whole issue becomes very knotty indeed. The complexity of the issue partly explains the diversity of viewpoints among perfectly competent scientists. It is difficult to have expertise on everything from Mesozoic reptile anatomy to experimental and theoretical aerodynamics. Sometimes, people who are knowledgeable about one of the aspects mentioned above feel that they have the key to the entire issue, and are disappointed when they are rebuffed by other scientists who say that things are not so simple or reducible. Indeed, one reason why this issue commands so much interest is that it touches so many fields of science and engineering. With nearly annual regularity I receive for review yet another manuscript by (usually) a team of scientists or engineers who have never seen Archaeopteryx or studied paleontology but are sure that they have solved the problem of bird flight, or bird …
Salivary Gland Biopsy as a Diagnostic Test for Parkinson's Disease (IN2-1.002)

OBJECTIVE: Determine if biopsies of the submandibular gland and minor salivary gland demonstrate Lewy-type alpha-synucleinopathy (LTS) in Parkinson9s disease (PD) patients. BACKGROUND: There is no diagnostic test for LTS in living patients with PD. We have found LTS in autopsied PD submandibular glands and others found LTS in the minor salivary gland. DESIGN/METHODS: Patients with PD for >5 years, responsive to dopaminergic medication, without dementia or known salivary gland disorder were included. Core needle biopsies (18 or 16 gauge) of one submandibular gland were performed percutaneously. Minor salivary glands were removed via a small incision in the lower lip. Tissue was fixed in formalin and serial 5um paraffin sections were immunohistochemically stained for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein and reviewed for evidence of LTS. RESULTS: To date biopsies from 10 PD subjects (6 female, 4 male) have been fully completed. Mean age was 67.8 yrs (range 61-76) and mean PD duration was 10.4 yrs (range 6-14). We extracted 1-5 core needle samples of submandibular gland (240-535 um thick) and 2-5 minor salivary glands requiring 1-3 stiches. Three patients had one adverse event each: swollen cheek, sore throat, excess fluid expelled from the needle biopsy site after a sneeze. Positive LTS staining was detected in 4/6 submandibular gland biopsies (4 cases did not have sufficient glandular tissue). Only 1/10 minor salivary gland biopsies was positive despite sufficient glandular tissue in all 10. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study provides the first evidence for the use of submandibular, but not minor salivary, gland biopsies as a diagnostic test for LTS in patients with PD. Data from 15 cases will be presented. This finding may be of great use when needing confirmatory tissue proof of PD especially when considering performing invasive procedures (ie. deep brain stimulation surgery or gene therapy). Supported by: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson9s Research. Disclosure: Dr. Adler has received personal compensation for activities with Ipsen, Merz Pharma, and Impax. Dr. Adler has received research support from Avid Radiopharmaceuticals and Phytopharm. Dr. Beach has received research support from Avid Radiopharmaceuticals/Eli Lilly Corporation, Bayer Healthcare, GE Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., Elan Corporation, Janssen, Iperian, Signum, Biogen Idec, HTG Molecular and Neotope. Dr. Dugger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hinni has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lott has nothing to disclose. Dr. Driver-Dunckley has received research support from Allon Therapeutics, Chelsea Therapeutics, EMD Serono, and Ipsen. Dr. Nagel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Arizona Parkinson9s Disease Consortium has nothing to disclose.
Racial Differences in Outcomes of an Advance Care Planning Intervention for Dialysis Patients and Their Surrogates.

Abstract Background: African Americans' beliefs about end-of-life care may differ from those of whites, but racial differences in advance care planning (ACP) outcomes are unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of an ACP intervention on preparation for end-of-life decision making and post-bereavement outcomes for African Americans and whites on dialysis. Method: A secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial comparing an ACP intervention (Sharing Patient's Illness Representations to Increase Trust [SPIRIT]) with usual care was conducted. There were 420 participants, 210 patient-surrogate dyads (67.4% African Americans), recruited from 20 dialysis centers in North Carolina. The outcomes of preparation for end-of-life decision making included dyad congruence on goals of care, surrogate decision-making confidence, a composite of the two, and patient decisional conflict assessed at 2, 6, and 12 months post-intervention. Surrogate bereavement outcomes included anxiety, depre...
Imaging the mechanical properties of biological tissues

It is well known that the mechanical properties of pathological tissues vary from that of healthy tissue. However, there is a lack of quantitative methods for optically evaluating the mechanical behavior of tissues for diagnostic purposes. Herein, laser speckle methods for imaging the mechanical properties of tissues for medical diagnostics will be discussed.
Revenue and Distributional Effects of Property Tax Relief Measures in Texas School Districts

Because of tax relief measures, Texas school districts have lost a little over $4 billion in tax revenues, or 23.4 percent of their tax revenue potential, the author says. Tax relief measures for agricultural property have the greatest impact on the poorest school districts, while residential exemptions have a greater impact on wealthier school districts.
Research and Implementation of SOA Based Enterprise Information Integration Platform

How to deal with information sharing and business integration in enterprise business systems has been one of key problems that must be solved in the implementation of enterprise informationalization. In order to solve the issue of "information island", and improve the efficiency and level of information sharing, a solution is designed for enterprise information integration platform based on SOA. The solution uses ESB and Web Service as core technologies, and uses adapter to package data structures, communication protocols and application, which can get services finally. The solution can not only achieve business integration through reusing services and service combination, but also reduce software development costs. Application results in Hainan Power Grid show that the solution is effective.
Study on Inductive Voltage Protection of 110～500 kV Transmission Line

The reason of inductive voltage of transmission line is analyzed.According to field tests and analysis of electric field intensity and inductive voltage of typical 110～500 kV transmission lines,it is found that the distribution of power frequency electric field intensity on transmission line tower is extremely non-uniform,and the human body inductive current on most 220 kV transmission line towers is over the limit value of 150 μA,and the inductive voltage along transmission line is far over the human body safe voltage of 36 V.Protection measures of electric field and inductive voltage are also proposed based on test results.
Studies on Domain Specific Aggregation Behavior of Huntingtin Exon1

The pathogenesis of Huntington's disease results from polyQ expansions (>36Q) in the Huntingtin (Htt) protein.1 These polyQ expansions make Htt less soluble and promote the formation of misfolded oligomers, fibrils and aggregates in Huntington's disease.2 Efforts to prevent aggregation will greatly benefit from a detailed molecular understanding of the misfolding process. However, htt misfolding has been difficult to study as the protein is tough to handle and examine spectroscopically. Here we developed a novel purification scheme to generate recombinant, clean and monomeric Htt exon1, an aggregation prone fragment of htt that is highly expressed in disease. The misfolding of spin labeled derivatives of Htt exon1 were then monitored by EPR in order to obtain site-specific folding information for residues in different regions of the protein. Our data indicate that residues in the N-terminal N17, the middle polyQ region and the C-terminal, proline rich region all undergo structural changes on different time scales. Moreover, we have also found that the aggregation kinetics and mechanisms of aggregation significantly depend on Q length. Overall, the data indicate distinct phases in which different regions of the molecule undergo conformational changes. Each of these stages may afford the design of different compounds intended at altering the aggregation process.1. Bates, GP.; Harper, PS.; Jones, L., editors. Huntington's Disease. Oxford University Press; Oxford, U.K.: 2002.2. Bates, GP.; Benn, C. The polyglutamine diseases. In: Bates, GP.; Harper, PS.; Jones, L., editors. Huntington's Disease. Oxford University Press; Oxford, U.K.: 2002. p. 429-472.
DAQ/Trigger Simulations of CDF II

Fermilab’s Tevatron pp collider is currently being upgraded both in energy (from √s = 1.8 TeV/c2 to 2.0 TeV/c2) and luminosity (from 2.1031 cms −2s−1 to 2.1032 cm−2s−2). The order-of-magnitude increase in the luminosity will be achieved essentially by reducing the time between bunch collisions from 3.5 μs to 132 ns. The data acquisition (DAQ) and trigger electronics had to be redesigned to meet the new conditions while minimizing the dead time of the detector. We describe here the Monte Carlo simulations which we carried out to guide this undertaking to achieve a deadtime of ≈5% at the canonical maximum rates of 45 kHz for events accepted by the Level 1 trigger and 300 Hz for events accepted by Level 2.
Stability of Country Image: A Multicultural/Cross-National Perspective

The Country-of-Origin (CO) construct has attracted much research attention over the past three decades. In spite of its potential importance in competitive positioning, the nature of the CO construct and its impact on product preferences and purchase intentions are far from clear. There remains a lack of consensus as to the dimensionality of the CO construct and as to what constitutes items relevant to a CO scale. Besides, past research has not been able to arrive at a clear conclusion regarding the strength of the country-of-origin effect in affecting product preferences and purchase intentions, an issue of crucial importance to international marketers. Another crucial but relatively unexplored issue is the variation in country-of-origin perceptions and responses by consumer segment. This research seeks to address the above issues through an empirical study.
Training the performing artist

The training of performing artists is a long process that frequently involves several teachers, different training environments, and a variety of performance experiences. Regardless of age, all talented performing artists progress from beginners who demonstrate ability, to students gaining competence, and eventually to experts who work professionally. Intensive and extensive training processes prepare them for the rigors of a performance career, and during this training, the performer’s brain and body are altered. Through deliberate practice and expert teaching they adapt to the demands of their performance domain. However, many of these highly successful training programs fail to include courses in career preparation, physical conditioning, and psychological skills. Performing artists need to be fit in order to decrease risk of injury and they need to have coping skills to manage the stress and tension that is part of their professional career.
Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of molten metal cleansing by the rotating impeller degasser: Part I. Fluid flow

Abstract The removal of dissolved hydrogen and solid impurity particles from molten alloys by rotary degassing is a widely used foundry practice. Rotary degassing involves purging a gas into the molten alloy through holes in a rotating impeller. Monatomic dissolved hydrogen either diffuses into these gas bubbles or it forms diatomic hydrogen gas at the bubbles’ surface; in any case, hydrogen is removed from the melt with the rising bubbles. Simultaneously, solid particles in the melt collide with one another due to turbulence created by the impeller rotation and the gas flow and form aggregates. These aggregates either settle to the furnace floor, or are captured by the rising gas bubbles and are also removed from the melt. A mathematical model has been developed to simulate the turbulent multiphase flow field that develops in the melt during rotary degassing. The mathematical model allows calculation of the mean turbulence dissipation energy and the distribution of gas bubbles in the melt. Both these quantities are input into other mathematical models that simulate the removal of dissolved hydrogen and impurity solid particles from the melt.
Si-bronze to 304 stainless steel GTA weld fusion zone microstructure and mechanical properties

Abstract Si-bronze and 304 stainless steel were joined using gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding with two different welding (filler) rods matching the base metals. Cross-sections of the welds were analyzed using light optical microscopy (LOM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and hardness testing. Mechanical testing was performed for welds from each of the two filler metals using cross-weld tensile bars. For (1) the Si-bronze filler weld, partial mixing resulted in (a) copper-based regions with enhanced hardness due to iron-based islands and (b) iron-based regions with elevated hardness due to Si enrichment. Joint strength was ~ 90% that of the base Si-bronze strength of 340 MPa, and elongation was ~ 48%, as compared to the base Si-bronze elongation of 55%. For (2) the stainless steel filler rod (a) primary austenite solidification and (b) micro-fissures were identified in the fusion zone. Thermodynamics calculation software was used to model solidification mode, demonstrating that the Cu (contributed by the Si-bronze) stabilized primary austenite solidification, which led to solidification micro-cracking or micro-fissuring. Micro-fissuring caused low ductility in the transverse weld tensile specimens. Fractography was performed to characterize the fracture mechanisms. For the stainless filler weld, a Cu film formed in interdendritic spaces between primary austenite grains.
A New Derivatization Reagent for HPLC–MS Analysis of Biological Organic Acids

Small molecules containing carboxylic acid functional groups are ubiquitous throughout biology, playing vital roles in biological chemistry ranging from energy metabolism to cellular signaling. This paper describes a new derivatization reagent, 4-bromo-N-methylbenzylamine, which was selected for its potential to derivatize mono-, di- and tri-carboxylic acids, such as the intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. This derivatization procedure facilitated the use of positive electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) detection of derivatized species allowing for clear identification thanks to the easily recognizable isotope pattern of the incorporated bromine. A liquid chromatography (LC)-MS/MS method was developed which provided limits of detection between 0.2 and 44 μg L−1 in under 6 min, depending on the analyte and total analysis time. This method was successfully applied in both in vitro and in vivo models.
The Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) and Mediation of Inflammatory Neurodegeneration.

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) is an immunoglobulin-type, transmembrane receptor that is expressed on numerous cell types in the Central Nervous System (CNS) and periphery, such as neurons, astrocytes, microglia, mononuclear phagocytes, epithelial cells and endothelial cells (ECs). RAGE binds a discrete repertoire of ligands, including non-enzymatically glycated proteins and lipids, also known as advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), for which the receptor is named, in addition to multiple members of the S100/calgranulin family, oligomeric forms of Aβ, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), phosphatidylserine (PS) and lysophosphatidic acid.
Correlation of Clinical Evaluation and Radiographic Hindfoot Alignment in Stage II Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity.

Background:Previous work has demonstrated that the amount of radiographic hindfoot correction required at the time of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) operative treatment can be predicted b...
Modeling and control of a dual cell link for battery-balancing auxiliary power modules

This paper focuses on the design of current controllers of a half-full bridge balancing link for a battery-balancing auxiliary power module. The fundamental concept of the converter is explained, e.g. phase shift control. For steady-state operation while the cells are unbalanced, a duty cycle adjustment is introduced to make inductor VA balanced. The proposed topology offers four typical balancing modes, including cells to auxiliary, cell to cell and auxiliary, auxiliary to cells, and cell to cell. They are realized by properly controlling leakage inductor current and output power from the half-full bridge. The average model of the topology and the linearized output power characteristic are derived to help choose the current controller gains. High-fidelity validation results are shown to verify the controller design and mode switching given the cell current demands.
Nitrates in Soils and Waters from Sewage Wastes on Land

Research was initiated in 1973 at St. Paul, Minnesota, with objectives to develop efficient, practical, and environmentally safe methods for utilizing sewage wastes on land in harmony with agricultural usage. Applications of municipal sewage sludge and/or wastewater effluent were studied. Liquid digested sewage sludges from several wastewater treatment plants were applied to a 16-ha terraced watershed cropped to maize ( Zea mays L.) and reed canarygrass ( Phalaris arundinacea L.). The sludge was transported to the site by tank truck, stored in lagoons, and spread by combinations of traveling gun and subsurface injection. Sludge was applied to the maize areas for 20 years (total of 68 cm, 224 tonnes ha −1 solids, and 9460 kg ha −1 total N) and to the reed canarygrass areas for 12 years (total of 96 cm, 173 tonnes ha −1 solids, and 10 040 kg ha −1 total N). Crop yields were high with normal plant tissue concentrations of N, P, and K. Analysis of water samples from runoff, soil, and ground water showed no movement of potentially polluting materials out of the watershed via surface runoff or leaching. Wastewater effluent was sprinkled onto a 2-ha area containing maize and eight forage species for a four-year period at about 5 and 10 cm wk −1 (total of 120 to 280 cm yr −1 and 260 to 680 kg N ha −1 yr −1 ). Tile drainage, ground and soil water, soils, and crops were analyzed for N, P, K, and trace metals. Maize and forage grasses produced high yields (average of 13.4 and 11.1 tonnes ha −1 for maize and reed canarygrass, respectively). Removal of N and P from effluent by the combination of crop uptake and soil sorption was satisfactory. No increase in trace metal concentrations was detected in either the water percolate or crops. Special management of the crop was important for maintaining adequate infiltration rates, for producing high yields of dry matter, and for maximum removal of N.
Aligning Team Measurement Practice with Theory Through Novel Analytic Applications

The measurement of team constructs presents unique challenges for researchers and practitioners. However, little research has capitalized on advanced analytic strategies to align measurement practi...
Singular splines

Consider a function of the form $$f(x) = \frac{{\bar f(x)}}{{(x - s_1 )^{k_1 } (x - s_2 )^{k_2 \ldots } (x - s_N )^{k_N } }}, \bar f(s_i ) = |0, 1 \leqq i \leqq N,$$ where thes is are interior points of the interval on whichf is defined, thek is are nonnegative integers and $$\bar f$$ is sufficiently smooth, which is approximated by a modification of a piecewise spline interpolate. Extensions to the approximations of the derivatives off and also to the case where thek is are rational numbers with(x?s i)k i well-defined are made.
“A PLACE SO FAR REMOVED”: DYNASTY AND RITUAL IN MONUMENTS FROM CHINKULTIC, CHIAPAS, MEXICO

The site of Chinkultic in Chiapas, Mexico, remains largely absent from discussions of Classic Maya history and culture, despite a long history of excavation and a substantial corpus of monumental sculpture. This paper explores two groups of sculptures from Chinkultic, photographed using raking-light photographic techniques in 2011 and 2013. Sculptures in the first group depict royal accession and suggest that the rulers of Chinkultic acceded the throne as warriors. The second group of monuments demonstrates a ritual tradition involving rulers and subordinate individuals. Based on analysis of these groups, I argue that Chinkultic was home to consistent artistic programming that performed an elite identity based on warfare and control over surrounding people and places. Combined, these sculptures demonstrate artistic connections between Chinkultic and the Usumacinta region, provide a new window into the sociopolitical history of the Comitan valley, and reflect the innovative artistic programs of frontier places in ancient Mesoamerica.
Clinical Characteristics, Inpatient Management and Variables Associated with Post-Discharge Mortality in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Patients Hospitalized with Right Heart Failure

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may be associated with acute and chronic right ventricular (RV) failure and confers adverse outcomes in PAH. Given a paucity of data in understanding the management of RV failure in PAH, we sought to evaluate the characteristics of PAH patients admitted with RV failure, inpatient management strategies and the determinants of post-hospitalization mortality. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 41 patients with an established diagnosis of PAH, admitted for management of right heart failure or cardiogenic shock. Demographics, clinical characteristics, echocardiograms, right heart catheterization, medications use and outcome data including length of stay (LOS) and mortality were evaluated. Results Our cohort had a median age of 63 years and 90% were female. Hypertension (65.6%), dyslipidemia (32%), connective tissue disease (34%), and tricuspid regurgitation (71%) were common in this cohort. 17% were admitted directly to the intensive care unit (ICU), 83% to a non-ICU setting with 9% requiring escalation of care to the ICU. Inpatient management included the use of escalating diuretic dosing (80.5%), endothelin receptor antagonists (ERA) (48.8%), phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE-I) (61.0%), intravenous (IV) treprostinil (36.6%), spironolactone (41.5%) and digoxin (46.3%) and inhaled nitric oxide (INO) (7.3%). Overall LOS and ICU LOS were a mean of 6 and 3.5 days respectively. Evaluation of medications revealed a 50% increase in the proportion of patients discharged on ERAs, a 21% increase in the use of PDE-I and a 71% increase in IV treprostinil use. Inpatient mortality was 0 but post-discharge mortality was 19.5% over a median follow up period of 743 days. On Cox proportional hazard analysis, age [HR(CI): 1.1 (1.02-1.2), p=0.02], serum creatinine [HR(CI): 1.7 (1.1-2.7), p=0.02] and INO [HR(CI): 39.5 (2.5-631.5), p=0.009] were found to predict post-discharge mortality in all patients. Additionally, higher TAPSE was associated with lower mortality in patients requiring only non-ICU care [HR(CI): 0.9 (0.8-0.97), p=0.01]. Conclusion RV failure treatment often involves simultaneous treatment strategies aimed at improving RV preload, afterload and contractility. Understanding patterns of contemporary management of PAH patients admitted with RV failure and the factors associated with post-hospitalization mortality is important to provide better and individualized care to these patients.
Some psychophysical evidence for natural phonological processes

Abstract Stampe (1969, 1973) hypothesizes innate mental phonological processes which are selectively suppressed or limited by the child in the course of language acquisition. Stampe’s evidence for the existence of the various processes he posits derives entirely from speech production. However, if the processes are truly mental as Stampe claims, one would expect them to be operative in speech perception as well. Starting from this observation, I first state predictions for a selection of posited “natural processes”, and then test them against some of the extant data on speech perception. The result supports Stampe’s hypothesis of centrality of processes.
Developing a Co-Curricular Activity to Introduce Student Pharmacists to the Cultural Proficiency Continuum Framework.

Background: As the United States becomes more culturally diverse, health professionals must be able to demonstrate competency in caring for a multitude of diverse patients. The cultural proficiency continuum has proven to be an effective framework to assess where individuals and institutions are on the continuum of cultural sensitivity and competence in educational settings. Innovation: A co-curricular activity was developed as an exercise in self-awareness to allow first year pharmacy students the opportunity to explore potential biases by evaluating comfort in both social and patient care settings. The 90-minute activity employed a lecture, followed by both small and large group discussions and a debriefing session. Findings: Student survey responses showed their appreciation of this framework and its application to patient-centered care. Student self-rated knowledge increased by 3 points on a 10-point scale after completion of the activity. Students agreed that their level of cultural awareness would lead them to respond appropriately in cross-cultural situations, and that the provision of care is dependent on approaches that are culturally proficient. Conclusion: This activity dismantles the misconception of cultural competence as an attainable finite skill, but instead presents it as an ongoing process of self-awareness. The co-curricular activity offers an easy to implement model of education that could potentially fit the needs of pharmacy programs searching for ideas to teach cultural competency and social determinants of health, while circumventing the need to affect curricular structure.
The Cost of Losing Team Bias in Water Polo

Parallel game simulations are utilized to determine whether or not bias in foul calling can impact the outcomes of games. The authors find that referees, not team performance, may be the source of losing team bias.
Low Microcirculatory Perfused Vessel Density and High Heterogeneity are Associated With Increased Intensity and Duration of Lactic Acidosis After Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

INTRODUCTION: Lactic acidosis after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is common and associated with an increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. A number of potential causes for an elevated lactate after cardiopulmonary bypass include cellular hypoxia, impaired tissue perfusion, ischemic-reperfusion injury, aerobic glycolysis, catecholamine infusions, and systemic inflammatory response after exposure to the artificial cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. Our goal was to examine the relationship between early abnormalities in microcirculatory convective blood flow and diffusive capacity and lactate kinetics during early resuscitation in the intensive care unit. We hypothesized that patients with impaired microcirculation after cardiac surgery would have a more severe postoperative hyperlactatemia, represented by the lactate time-integral of an arterial blood lactate concentration greater than 2.0 mmol/L. METHODS: We measured sublingual microcirculation using incident darkfield video microscopy in 50 subjects on intensive care unit admission after cardiac surgery. Serial measurements of systemic hemodynamics, blood gas, lactate, and catecholamine infusions were recorded each hour for the first 6 h after surgery. Lactate area under the curve (AUC) was calculated over the first 6 h. The lactate AUC was compared between subjects with normal and low perfused vessel density (PVD 0.4), and low vessel-by-vessel microvascular flow index (MFIv < 2.6). RESULTS: Thirteen (26%) patients had a low postoperative PVD, 20 patients (40%) had a high MHI, and 26 (52%) patients had a low MFIv. Patients with low perfused vessel density had higher lactate AUC compared with subjects with a normal PVD (22.3 [9.4-31.0] vs. 2.6 [0-8.8]; P < 0.0001). Patients with high microcirculatory heterogeneity had a higher lactate AUC compared with those with a normal MHI (2.5 [0.1-8.2] vs. 13.1 [3.7-31.1]; P < 0.001). We did not find a difference in lactate AUC when comparing high and low MFIv. CONCLUSION: Low perfused vessel density and high microcirculatory heterogeneity are associated with an increased intensity and duration of lactic acidosis after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
[Cost-effectiveness of ceftazidime/avibactam versus colistin + meropenem for treatment of carbapenemic-resistant enterobacteria infections in Chile].

Background Ceftazidime-avibactam (C/A), has shown reduction in mortality rates and risk of nephrotoxicity, compared to colistin, conventional therapy. Aim To estimate the cost-effectiveness of C/A versus colistin + meropenem in the treatment of infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in Chile. Methods An economic decision tree type model was adapted. The perspective of the public payer was used with a time horizon of 30 days and extrapolation to life expectancy. The clinical information was derived from an observational study. Medication and care costs correspond to local reports. The results are expressed as incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per life year gained (LYG) and per quality adjusted life year (QALY) in Chilean pesos and US dollars (US$ 1.00 = $792.2218). Results 8.65 and 6.48 LYGs and 6.44 and 4.27 QALYs were obtained, for C/A and colistin + meropenem, respectively. The estimated ICER for C/A was $940,488 (US$1,187.2) per AVG and $938,715 (US$1,184.9) per QALY. Discussion Given the lack of publications or evidence, the model is based on an observational study. C/A would reduce the death rate and increase LYGs and QALYs, resulting in a cost-effective alternative vs. colistin + meropenem for CRE.
Practices and Perceptions in Manifestation Determination Reviews

Manifestation determination reviews (MDRs) are a federally mandated procedure designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities. This study sought to examine practices and perceptions of...
No Windfall to Solvent Debtors on Post-Petition Interest: Salvaging the Solvent-Debtor Exception in the Aftermath of Ultra Petroleum

The Bankruptcy Code generally prohibits unsecured creditors from recovering any unmatured post-petition interest. This ban applies regardless of the debtor’s solvency. However, its purpose is to help other creditors when the assets are insufficient for debt repayment and to assist debtors in getting a fresh start. In large corporate reorganizations, interest that accrues after the filing of the bankruptcy petition can amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. Under the common-law solvent-debtor exception, unsecured creditors of a solvent debtor were allowed to recover post-petition interest despite the statutory prohibition. Recently, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Ultra Petroleum Corp. v. Ad Hoc Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Ultra Resources, Inc. (In re Ultra Petroleum), 913 F.3d 533 (5th Cir. 2019), gave a solvent debtor an opportunity to retain $400 million in post-petition interest — money which rightfully belonged to its unsecured creditors. Although the current statutory scheme is murky at best with respect to post-petition interest, this Article offers a plausible interpretation that is consistent with the fundamental principle of bankruptcy law: the debtor cannot cap its exposure when it is financially solvent. It must respect all of its contractual obligations.
Free will: A case study in reconciling phenomenological philosophy with reductionist sciences.

Phenomenology aspires to philosophical analysis of humans' subjective experience while it strives to avoid pitfalls of subjectivity. The first step towards naturalizing phenomenology - making phenomenology scientific - is to reconcile phenomenology with modern physics, on the one hand, and with modern cellular and molecular neuroscience, on the other hand. In this paper, free will is chosen for a case study to demonstrate the feasibility. Special attention is paid to maintain analysis with mathematical precision, if possible, and to evade the inherent deceptive power of natural language. Laplace's determinism is re-evaluated along with the concept of microscopic reversibility. A simple and transparent version of proof demonstrates that microscopic reversibility is irreconcilably incompatible with macroscopic irreversibility, contrary to Boltzmann's claim. But the verdict also exalts Boltzmann's statistical mechanics to the new height of a genuine paradigm shift, thus cutting the umbilical cord linking it to Newtonian mechanics. Laplace's absolute determinism must then be replaced with a weaker form of causality called quasi-determinism. Biological indeterminism is also affirmed with numerous lines of evidence. The strongest evidence is furnished by ion channel fluctuations, which obey an indeterministic stochastic phenomenological law. Furthermore, quantum indeterminacy is shown to be relevant in biology, contrary to the opinion of Erwin Schrodinger. In reconciling phenomenology of free will with modern sciences, three issues - alternativism, intelligibility and origination - of free will must be accounted for. Alternativism and intelligibility can readily be accounted for by quasi-determinism. In order to account for origination of free will, the concept of downward causation must be invoked. However, unlike what is commonly believed, there is no evidence that downward causation can influence, shield off, or overpower low-level physical forces already known to physicists. Quasi-determinism offers an escape route: The possibility that downward causation arising from hierarchical organization of biological structures can modify dispersions of physical laws remains open. Empirical evidence in support of downward causation is scanty but nevertheless exists. Still, origination of free will must be considered an unsolved problem at present. It is demonstrated that objectivity does not guarantee scientific rigor in the study of complex phenomena, such as human creativity. In its replacement, universality and overall consistency between a theory and empirical evidence must be maintained. Visual thinking is proposed as a reasoning tool to ensure universality and overall consistency through inference to the best explanation.
Escherichia coli survival in lettuce fields following its introduction through different irrigation systems.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the contamination risk of Escherichia coli in commercial lettuce grown under three different irrigation systems (overhead sprinkler, subsurface drip and surface furrow). Methods and Results: Three replicated field trials were conducted. In an initial trial, we consistently observed higher mesophilic bacteria counts under sprinkler irrigation but visual quality was found to be dependent on the water potential of leaves at harvest. Further, in the other two trials, E. coli K-12 strains LMM1010 and ATCC 25253, was injected into the water stream of the different irrigation systems to determine survival in the field. Results showed that product samples were positive for E. coli up to 7 days when using sprinkler irrigation, whereas only one product sample was found positive for E. coli when using other irrigation methods. Survival of bacteria in soil persisted longer in furrow-irrigated areas, ranging from an estimated 17 days in winter months to 5 days during the warmer summer periods. This finding combined with results from a parallel 3-year survey of canal waters indicate that while highest risk of finding E. coli in irrigation water is in warmer months, the survival in soil is lower during the same time period. Conclusions: Our results in a study set under common commercial conditions confirmed the enhanced risk of E. coli contamination when using sprinkle irrigation. Furthermore, E. coli persistence in furrow-irrigated soil validates the importance of an early irrigation termination for both sprinkler and furrow methods. Significance and Impact of the Study: Stringent monitoring and in-field food safety controls should be emphasized during the last few days before harvest.
Simple densitometer for microbiology laboratories.

Abstract A densitometer composed of a microscope and a colorimeter is described. Results obtained with the microscope densitometer and with a standard densitometer compare favorably.
Good Practices for Whom? A Vital Question for Understanding the First Year of College

This chapter demonstrates that the effects of good teaching and academic challenge on leadership and psychological well-being during the first year of college differ for African-American and White students, which suggests that institutional researchers should disaggregate data by race or other relevant student characteristics when trying to understand the relationship between experiences and outcomes for first-year students.
Pregnancy and concurrent chronic myelogenous leukemia

Abstract Two patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia were treated with cytotoxic drugs during pregnancy. One patient was treated at conception and throughout two pregnancies with colcemid. The second patient was treated with busulfan from the twenty-first to the fortieth weeks of pregnancy. In each case, delivery was without complications. The infants were normal at birth and continue normal development at ages 9, 8, and 5 years, respectively. Pregnancy had no adverse effect on maternal health or on the course of the disease. The literature on the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia during pregnancy is reviewed.
Evaluation of a Mobile Phone for Aircraft GPS Interference

Measurements of spurious emissions from a mobile phone are conducted in a reverberation chamber for the Global Positioning System (GPS) radio frequency band. This phone model was previously determined to have caused interference to several aircraft GPS receivers. Interference path loss (IPL) factors are applied to the emission data, and the outcome compared against GPS receiver susceptibility. The resulting negative safety margins indicate there are risks to aircraft GPS systems. The maximum emission level from the phone is also shown to be comparable with some laptop computer's emissions, implying that laptop computers can provide similar risks to aircraft GPS receivers.
Targeted modification of complex N-glycosylation results in a spontaneous CVID-like immunodeficiency with anti-lymphocyte autoimmunity (BA14P.204)

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic primary immunodeficiency affecting humans. Although a clear disease etiology remains elusive, a common characteristic of CVID is deficient IgG antibody production to infection or vaccination. Many patients also exhibit symptoms of abnormal T cell function, including an apparent lack of naive T cells which correlates with clinical severity. We describe here one of the first animal models of spontaneous CVID that incorporates aspects of both humoral and T cell dysfunction. The CVID mice exhibit characteristic deficiencies in IgG responses to both protein and polysaccharide vaccines. Interestingly, the immunodeficiency is associated with decreased T cell activity due to a persistent autoimmune response depleting naive T cells, which appears to be mechanistically linked to changes in erythrocyte surface N-glycosylation. The N-glycosylation dependent auto-epitopes that emerge on erythrocytes were found to cross-react with naive T cells independent of changes to the latter’s glycosylation profile. While the use of Ig replacement therapy and antibiotics has reduced the number of infections in CVID, the major inflammatory complications such as lung disease, cancer, and autoimmunity still develop; thus our findings provide potential insight into human CVID beyond hypogammaglobulinemia by addressing the mechanisms that may contribute to the more broad defects in adaptive immunity linked to clinical severity.
Selenoprotein W regulates epidermal growth factor receptor trafficking, expression, and activation (374.4)

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) is the founding member of the ErbB family of growth factor receptors that control growth, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and cell migration. Selenoprotein W (SEPW1) is a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed 9 kDa selenocysteine-containing protein involved in cell cycle control. SEPW1 siRNA inhibited EGFR activation in RWPE-1, MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells, while SEPW1 overexpression increased it. SEPW1 siRNA inhibited EGF-induced activation of downstream pathways (MAPK, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, and p53), and blocked EGF-induced cell cycle entry. SEPW1 was associated with peripheral punctuate structures that partially co-localized with EGFR. Ligand-bound EGFR failed to traffic towards the nucleus in SEPW1-depleted cells, indicating that SEPW1 has a role in EGFR trafficking. Consequently, the half-life, expression, dimerization, and phosphorylation of EGFR were also decreased in SEPW1-depleted cells. SEPW1 siRNA also inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced EGFR...
Inferences from Other Bodies for the Earth's Composition and Evolution

Properties of the earth are considered in the light of the earth's presumed status as an end member of the class of predominantly silicate solar system bodies. Bulk composition data for the inner planets are presented and processes which may account for compositional variations are discussed. Problems posed by Viking findings on Mars and Pioneer findings on Venus are mentioned. Prominent evolutionary patterns of the inner planets are discussed, including the inverse correlation of lithospheric and crustal thickness with planetary size, and the thermotectonics of Venus, Mars, and earth are compared.
Malignant melanoma of the third eyelid in a horse

Summary An 8-year-old grey Quarter Horse gelding was referred for evaluation of a rapidly growing mass associated with the third eyelid of the left eye. A pigmented mass of approximately 2 cm in diameter was palpated and visualised associated with the conjunctival lining of the nictitans. It was not possible to palpate normal nictitans deep to the base of the mass. A full dermatological examination revealed no other melanomas in common sites. Based on the size and rapid growth of the mass, surgical excision and one application of local chemotherapy was performed under general anaesthesia. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma and the presence of clean surgical margins. There was no recurrence at 5 weeks post surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a primary malignant melanoma of the third eyelid in a horse.
Using goal setting and feedback to increase weekly running distance

We evaluated goal setting with performance feedback to increase running distance among 5 healthy adults. Participants set a short-term goal each week and a long-term goal to achieve on completion of the study. Results demonstrated that goal setting and performance feedback increased running distance for all participants.
Connectivity in digraphs

Let c(x,y) denote the maximum number of edge-disjoint directed paths joining x to y in the digraph G. It is shown that, for a given point a of G, c(a,x) ≤ c(x,a) for any x implies that the outdegree of a is ≤ its indegree. An immediate consequence is Kotzig's conjecture: Given a digraph G, c(x,y) = c(y,x) for every x, y if and only if the graph is pseudo-symmetric, i.e., each point has the same indegree and outdegree (the “if” part having been proved by Kotzig). The same method is applied to prove a weakened form of a conjecture of N. Robertson, while the original conjecture is disproved.
A criterion for the dynamical-to-kinematical transition in X-ray diffraction by a bent crystal

Abstract A criterion is given in answer to the question: “To what extent is it possible to bend a crystal without loss of X-ray peak reflectivity?” An expression based on the work of Chukhovskii, Gabrielyan and Petrashen, is formulated that applies to anisotropic cubic crystals and that can be used not only for conventional asymmetric Bragg diffraction, but also for inclined crystal diffraction. The following special cases are treated as examples: an isotropic crystal, a standard symmetrical Bragg diffraction, an extremely asymmetric diffraction, and backscattering with Bragg angles near 90°. In addition, the asymptotic behavior at high energies is discussed.