cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Confidential Care for Adolescents in the U.S. Health Care System

In providing care for adolescents, maintaining confidentiality should be considered a human right and an evidence-based component of quality care. Unfortunately, complexities in the U.S. legal and health care systems have created a setting in which confidential care is inaccessible to many adolescent patients. Federal laws provide a minimum standard for confidentiality protections, but variations in state legislation relating to minor consent, special health care services, and confidentiality exemptions create large variability in adolescent confidentiality rights across the country. In certain contexts, such as consensual sexual activity, legal provisions may not align with professional ethical standards in adolescent care. In addition, contemporary clinical and administrative issues related to the electronic health record and health care financing also threaten to breach confidentiality. Although further research is necessary, providers and institutions are already well positioned to broaden protections by implementing best practices in training and education, workflow, and medical records related to adolescent confidentiality.
Compact Hybrid Simulation System: Validation and Applications for Braced Frames Seismic Testing

Hybrid Simulation (HS) is a well-established testing method that combines both experimental and analytical components to evaluate the performance of structures under extreme events, commonly earthq...
Access to Faster Eukaryotic Cell Labeling with Encoded Tetrazine Amino Acids

Labeling of biomolecules in live eukaryotic cells has been limited by low component stability and slow reaction rates. We show that genetically encoded tetrazine amino acids in proteins reach reaction rates of 8 × 104 M-1 s-1 with sTCO reagents, making them the fastest site-specific bioorthogonal labels in eukaryotic systems. We demonstrate that tetrazine amino acids are stable on proteins and are capable of quantitative labeling with sTCO reagents. The exceptionally high reaction rate of this ligation minimizes label concentration, allowing for substoichiometric in vivo eukaryotic protein labeling where the concentration of the label is less than the concentration of the protein. This approach offers unprecedented control over the composition and stability of the protein tag. We anticipate that this system will have a broad impact on labeling and imaging studies because it can be used where all generally orthogonal PylRS/tRNA pairs are employed.
Simultaneous Inhibition of Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation Triggers a Multi-Fold Increase in Secretion of Exosomes: Possible Role of 2'3'-cAMP.

Exosome secretion by cells is a complex, poorly understood process. Studies of exosomes would be facilitated by a method for increasing their production and release. Here, we present a method for stimulating the secretion of exosomes. Cultured cells were treated or not with sodium iodoacetate (IAA; glycolysis inhibitor) plus 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP; oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor). Exosomes were isolated by size-exclusion chromatography and their morphology, size, concentration, cargo components and functional activity were compared. IAA/DNP treatment (up to 10 µM each) was non-toxic and resulted in a 3 to 16-fold increase in exosome secretion. Exosomes from IAA/DNP-treated or untreated cells had similar biological properties and functional effects on endothelial cells (SVEC4-10). IAA/DNP increased exosome secretion from mouse organ cultures, and in vivo injections enhanced the levels of circulating exosomes. IAA/DNP decreased ATP levels (p < 0.05) in cells. A cell membrane-permeable form of 2′,3′-cAMP and 3′-AMP mimicked the potentiating effects of IAA/DNP on exosome secretion. In cells lacking 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNPase; an enzyme that metabolizes 2′,3′-cAMP into 2′-AMP), effects of IAA/DNP on exosome secretion were enhanced. The IAA/DNP combination is a powerful stimulator of exosome secretion, and these stimulatory effects are, in part, mediated by intracellular 2′,3′-cAMP.
Effect of production system and inhibitory potential of aroma volatiles on polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity in tomatoes

Background Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) are key enzymes associated with shelf life and defense responses. Thus, the activity of PPO and POD enzymes is usually assessed to check the quality of food samples and to understand the physiological responses of plants to different stresses. However, the outcomes of PPO and POD activity assessment studies are highly dependent on assay conditions. Hence, in this study, we initially optimized PPO and POD extraction and high-throughput 96-well plates-based enzymatic activity assessment methods to evaluate the inhibitory potential of tomato volatile compounds. Later, we explored the effects of net-house and open-field growing on the PPO and POD activity in tomato fruits of eight cultivars. Results We found 150 mM of catechol and pH 7.0 were the optimal conditions for the maximum activity for the PPO assay. Conversely, 24 mM guaiacol with 12 mM H2 O2 and pH 6.0 was the best condition for the POD assay. Thermal inactivation studies confirmed that tomato POD is more resistant to heat than PPO. We found that the production systems had a considerable genotype-specific impact on tomato PPO and POD activity. Moreover, amongst the volatiles that were studied, β-damascenone and d-limonene showed 50% PPO inhibition at 40 and 80 mM, respectively. Conclusion The results of this study can be used to improve the shelf-life of fresh tomato fruit and its products. The findings also underscore the significance of PPO and POD enzymes as physiological trait markers in the tomato crop and fruit quality improvement programs. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
History of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use and Functional Outcomes After Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested a potential benefit from COX-2 inhibition on secondary injury activation after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-admission NSAID use on functional recovery in spontaneous ICH patients. Consecutive adult ICH patients enrolled in the Intracerebral Hemorrhage Outcomes Project (2009–2018) with available 90-day follow-up data were included. Patients were categorized as NSAID (daily COX inhibitor use ≤ 7 days prior to ICH) and non-NSAID users (no daily COX inhibitor use ≤ 7 days prior to ICH). Primary outcome was the ordinal 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Outcomes were compared between cohorts using multivariable regression and propensity score-matched analyses. A secondary analysis excluding aspirin users was performed. The NSAID and non-NSAID cohorts comprised 228 and 361 patients, respectively. After 1:1 matching, the matched cohorts each comprised 140 patients. The 90-day mRS were comparable between the NSAID and non-NSAID cohorts in both the unmatched (aOR = 0.914 [0.626–1.336], p = 0.644) and matched (aOR = 0.650 [0.392–1.080], p = 0.097) analyses. The likelihood of recurrent ICH at 90 days was also comparable between the NSAID and non-NSAID cohorts in both the unmatched (aOR = 0.845 [0.359–1.992], p = 0.701) and matched analyses (aOR = 0.732 [0.241–2.220], p = 0.581). In the secondary analysis, the non-aspirin NSAID and non-NSAID cohorts comprised 38 and 361 patients, respectively. After 1:1 matching, the matched cohorts each comprised 38 patients. The 90-day mRS were comparable between the non-aspirin NSAID and non-NSAID cohorts in both the unmatched (aOR = 0.615 [0.343–1.101], p = 0.102) and matched (aOR = 0.525 [0.219–1.254], p = 0.147) analyses. The likelihood of recurrent ICH at 90 days was also comparable between the non-aspirin NSAID and non-NSAID cohorts in both the unmatched (aOR = 2.644 [0.258–27.091], p = 0.413) and matched (aOR = 2.586 [0.228–29.309], p = 0.443) analyses. After the exclusion of patients with DNR or withdrawal of care status, NSAID use was associated with lower mRS at 90 days (aOR = 0.379 [0.212–0.679], p = 0.001), lower mRS at hospital discharge (aOR = 0.505 [0.278–0.919], p = 0.025) and lower 90-day mortality rates (aOR = 0.309 [0.108–0.877], p = 0.027). History of nonselective COX inhibition may affect functional outcomes in ICH patients. Pre-admission NSAID use did not appear to worsen the severity of presenting ICH or increase the risk of recurrent ICH. Additional clinical studies may be warranted to investigate the effects of pre-admission NSAID use on ICH outcomes.
Immunosurveillance and mechanisms of immune escape in head and neck cancer

Abstract In this chapter, we provide a brief introduction to tumor immunology, the concept of immunosurveillance, and mechanisms of immune escape in head and neck cancer. We focus on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), using this predominant subtype of head and neck cancer as an illustrative example. We detail the mechanisms that this malignancy uses to create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to fuel tumor growth, including disruption of antigen presentation via the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), dysregulation of the tumor microenvironment cytokine balance, imbalance of the immune checkpoints and costimulatory molecules, and the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells. Throughout, we specifically focus on mechanisms of tumor escape from natural killer (NK) and T cells, the primary effector immune cell types that are being leveraged for clinical therapy.
Rusty Blackbirds select areas of greater habitat complexity during stopover

The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a widespread, uncommon migrant that has experienced heavy population declines over the last century. This species can spend over a quarter of their annual cycle on migration, so it is important to determine their habitat requirements during stopover events to inform effective conservation planning. We assessed their habitat selection at an important stopover site in northern Ohio during both fall and spring migration. Since stopover habitat selection is scale-dependent, we investigated both patch-scale (between patches) and fine-scale (within a patch) selection using radio telemetry to locate foraging and roosting flocks, and compared habitat variables between used and available points across the study site. At the patch scale, we found that birds preferred dogwood–willow swamp, low-lying forest patches, and areas of greater habitat complexity for foraging in both seasons. At the fine scale, spring migrants foraged closer to habitat edges than random, and preferred areas with more wet leaf litter and shallow water, and less grass cover. Fall migrants also preferred shallow water and leaf litter cover, and avoided areas with dense grass, forbs, and herbaceous shrub cover. By contrast, birds consistently roosted in dense stands of emergent Phragmites or Typha marsh, suggesting that the best stopover or staging sites are those with a matrix of different wetland habitats. Although the migratory range of Rusty Blackbirds is currently dominated by agricultural development, our results suggest that fragmented landscapes can still provide adequate habitat for migrants if the available land is managed for a variety of wet habitat types.LAY SUMMARYThe Rusty Blackbird is a widespread, uncommon migrant that has experienced heavy population declines over the last century.Rusty Blackbirds can spend over a quarter of the year on migration, so it is important to determine their habitat requirements during stopover events to inform conservation planning.We assessed their habitat selection at 2 spatial scales at an important stopover site in Ohio during fall and spring migration, using radio telemetry to locate foraging and roosting flocks.At the patch scale, we found that Rusty Blackbirds preferred dogwood–willow swamp, flooded forest patches, and areas of habitat complexity for foraging.At the fine scale, birds foraged close to habitat edges, and preferred areas with more wet leaf litter and shallow water, while avoiding dense grass, forbs, and herbaceous shrub cover.By contrast, Rusty Blackbirds consistently roosted in dense stands of emergent marsh, suggesting that the best stopover sites are those with several different wetland habitats.
Effect of multi-step processing on the structural, morphological and dielectric behaviour of PVDF films

In this work, we have reported the systematic preparation of flexible and transparent PVDF films, through multi-step processing techniques including solvent casting followed by thermal compression and mechanical stretching. Variation in the structural, morphological and dielectric behaviour of each film with respect to each processing condition are analysed through FTIR, XRD, DSC, FESEM, AFM and impedance spectroscopy. The structural characterisation revealed the deep influence of thermal compression and mechanical stretching process on the electroactive s-phase structure of solvent-casted PVDF films while the morphological analysis confirmed the formation of microfibrillar morphology after three successive processing methods. A significant increment in the dielectric constant value from 10.7 (for solvent-casted PVDF film) to 24 (for solvent-casted followed by thermal compression followed by mechanical stretched PVDF film) and dielectric loss of 0.015 to 0.0018 has achieved for PVDF film after multi-step processing techniques. Such improvements in structural and dielectric behaviour are attributed to the thermo and mechanical dependent changes in the crystalline structure which helps in the rotation of polar –CH2-CF2 group.
Sleep Management within Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Practice Survey

A cross-sectional descriptive survey of 105 occupational therapy practitioners examined the practice patterns in sleep management within skilled nursing facilities. All participants viewed sleep as essential to address in their settings, since clients frequently reported inadequate sleep, daytime sleepiness, difficulty staying asleep, and situational interruption. Majority of the practitioners reported not screening, assessing, treating, or documenting sleep issues and lack the use of standardized assessments and evidence-based interventions for sleep. Results suggest that practitioners need more training, education, and advocacy skills to promote the role of occupational therapy in addressing sleep management in skilled nursing facilities.
Challenges to Admitting Residents: Perspectives from Rural Nursing Home Administrators and Staff.

Rural residents are older, on average, than urban residents, with more underlying health conditions and higher rates of disability. Rural nursing homes face unique challenges admitting medically-co...
Deciphering Private Equity Incentive Contracting and Fund Leverage Choice

I explain the standard carried interest contract as a mechanism to induce incentive compatible fund leverage while also satisfying LP return objectives. Fee, leverage and target return data from private equity real estate (PERE) funds are used to calibrate the model. Steps in the modeling process include developing a tradeoff model of fund capital structure that pits alpha against the costs of financial distress. Financial distress costs are shown to create endogenous upper bounds on fund debt levels. GPs with convex incentive fee payoff functions limit debt, even in the absence of distress costs. I also analyze how catch-up fee provisions arise endogenously to generate larger fees for high-skill fund managers.
Automated Frailty Screening At-Scale for Pre-Operative Risk Stratification Using the Electronic Frailty Index.

BACKGROUND Frailty is associated with numerous post-operative adverse outcomes in older adults. Current pre-operative frailty screening tools require additional data collection or objective assessments, adding expense and limiting large-scale implementation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of an automated measure of frailty integrated within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) with post-operative outcomes for nonemergency surgeries. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Academic Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS Patients 65 years or older that underwent nonemergency surgery with an inpatient stay 24 hours or more between October 8th, 2017 and June 1st, 2019. EXPOSURES Frailty as measured by a 54-item electronic frailty index (eFI). OUTCOMES AND MEASUREMENTS Inpatient length of stay, requirements for post-acute care, 30-day readmission, and 6-month all-cause mortality. RESULTS Of 4,831 unique patients (2,281 females (47.3%); mean (SD) age, 73.2 (5.9) years), 4,143 (85.7%) had sufficient EHR data to calculate the eFI, with 15.1% categorized as frail (eFI > 0.21) and 50.9% pre-frail (0.10 < eFI ≤ 0.21). For all outcomes, there was a generally a gradation of risk with higher eFI scores. For example, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and accounting for variability by service line, patients identified as frail based on the eFI, compared to fit patients, had greater needs for post-acute care (odds ratio (OR) = 1.68; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.36-2.08), higher rates of 30-day readmission (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.46; 95%CI = 1.72-3.52) and higher all-cause mortality (HR = 2.86; 95%CI = 1.84-4.44) over 6 months' follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The eFI, an automated digital marker for frailty integrated within the EHR, can facilitate pre-operative frailty screening at scale.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with cor triatriatum sinister; case series and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION Cor triatriatum sinister (CTS) is a rare congenital heart defect characterized by fibromuscular septation of the left atrium associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). The incidence of hemodynamically insignificant CTS in the AF ablation population and effect on ablation success are not known. Furthermore, little is known about the potential effect of CTS on arrhythmogenic substrate. OBJECTIVE We define the incidence of hemodynamically insignificant CTS in patients undergoing AF ablation with RF and cryoballoon ablation, the technical challenges created by the left atrial partitioning, and the potentially arrhythmogenic effects of the membrane. We also review the literature of CA in patients with CTS. METHODS First-time AF ablation cases at our institution over a 10-year period were screened to identify patients with CTS. Retrospective review was performed to obtain clinical characteristics and ablation data. RESULTS Of the 3953 consecutive patients undergoing initial AF ablation during the study period, four patients (0.10%) had CTS. Ablation was successful acutely in all patients. One patient had recurrent AF and required repeat ablation for a single procedure success rate of 75% and multi-procedure success rate of 100%. The CTS membrane was associated with low voltage zones in the two patients in whom it was measured and with substrate for macro-reentrant atrial tachycardia in one of these patients. CONCLUSION The incidence of hemodynamically insignificant CTS in patients undergoing CA for AF is very low, but does not serve as a significant barrier to successful ablation as long as directed access to the superoposterior chamber is obtained.
Liquid Acquisition Strategies for Exploration Missions: Current Status 2010

NASA is currently developing the propulsion system concepts for human exploration missions to the lunar surface. The propulsion concepts being investigated are considering the use of cryogenic propellants for the low gravity portion of the mission, that is, the lunar transit, lunar orbit insertion, lunar descent and the rendezvous in lunar orbit with a service module after ascent from the lunar surface. These propulsion concepts will require the vapor free delivery of the cryogenic propellants stored in the propulsion tanks to the exploration vehicles main propulsion system (MPS) engines and reaction control system (RCS) engines. Propellant management devices (PMD s) such as screen channel capillary liquid acquisition devices (LAD s), vanes and sponges currently are used for earth storable propellants in the Space Shuttle Orbiter OMS and RCS applications and spacecraft propulsion applications but only very limited propellant management capability exists for cryogenic propellants. NASA has begun a technology program to develop LAD cryogenic fluid management (CFM) technology through a government in-house ground test program of accurately measuring the bubble point delta-pressure for typical screen samples using LO2, LN2, LH2 and LCH4 as test fluids at various fluid temperatures and pressures. This presentation will document the CFM project s progress to date in concept designs, as well ground testing results.
Studies on the reaction catalyzed by transport (Na, K) adenosine triphosphatase. I. Effects of divalent metals.

Abstract The effects of divalent metals (Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ and Pb 2+ ) on a microsomal preparation of NaK-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) from beef cerebral cortex were studied. These metals are all potent inhibitors of the enzyme with I 50 values of 1 μM for Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ , 3 μM for Fe 2+ and 20 μM for Pb 2+ . Kinetic studies examining the effect of low concentrations of divalent metals on K m and V for MgATP are reported. The results indicate that Fe 2+ and Pb 2+ are competitive inhibitors of NaK-ATPase with K i values of 1.60 μM and 1.90 μM respectively. Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ are noncompetitive inhibitors of NaK-ATPase with K i values of 1.18 μM and 3.48 μM respectively.
Dynamics of body fluids following the rapid removal of large volumes of ascites.

Abstract Five patients with massive carcinomatous ascites and one patient with a four-liter unilocular cyst underwent paracentesis and rapid removal of 3 to 21 L. of fluid. Blood volume, blood pressure, pulse, and serum electrolytes showed no significant change during and following paracentesis. The only observed changes were in levels of serum proteins.
The transverse-momentum distribution in dual resonant models

It is shown that under the hypothesis that multiplicity is not larger than lns, transverse momentum is exponentially cut off in DRM, beyond the tree approximation. Qualitative arguments are given showing that the above hypothesis is verified by the model.
Mechanism of the asymmetric activation of the MinD ATPase by MinE

Summary MinD is a component of the Min system involved in the spatial regulation of cell division. It is an ATPase in the MinD/ParA/Mrp deviant Walker A motif family which is within the P loop GTPase superfamily. Its ATPase activity is stimulated by MinE; however, the mechanism of this activation is unclear. MinD forms a symmetric dimer with two binding sites for MinE; however, a recent model suggested that MinE occupying one site was sufficient for ATP hydrolysis. By generating heterodimers with one binding site for MinE we show that one binding site is sufficient for stimulation of the MinD ATPase. Furthermore, comparison of structures of MinD and related proteins led us to examine the role of N45 in the switch I region. An asparagine at this position is conserved in four of the deviant Walker A motif subfamilies (MinD, chromosomal ParAs, Get3 and FleN) and we find that N45 in MinD is essential for MinE-stimulated ATPase activity and suggest that it is a key residue affected by MinE binding.
Development of Adaptive Behavior in Preschoolers with Autism or Down Syndrome.

The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales were used to assess adaptive behavior of MA-matched preschool children with autism or Down syndrome. Preschoolers with Down syndrome attained higher age equivalents and standard scores in the Socialization domain than did children with autism. Adaptive standard scores were unrelated to chronological age (CA) in both groups. However, adaptive age equivalent was positively related to CA for children with Down syndrome in all domains, but only in Communication for children with autism. All children with higher mental ages (MAs) also had higher levels of adaptive skills in all domains. Vineland standard scores recalculated by MA were higher in the Down syndrome than the autism group for Socialization. Results suggest that differing patterns of adaptive development are present very early in children with autism or Down syndrome.
Splice of life: toward understanding genetic determinants of oral diseases.

The introduction of recombinant DNA technology has led to a rapid advancement of our knowledge of genes and genomic structure. Such technology, applied to the human genome, has provided valuable information concerning the nature and possible treatment of inherited disorders throughout the human life span. A number of oral diseases can be attacked by use of molecular biological techniques in conjunction with genetic linkage analysis. It will be possible to identify carriers of inherited diseases, to utilize prenatal and antenatal diagnosis when appropriate, and to pursue studies on the mode of inheritance of specific oral diseases. Present and projected advances in this dimension of dental research provide the knowledge and strategies for approaching and solving a number of major problems as we continue to pave the way for improvements in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of many oral and craniofacial diseases. This position paper examines a few of the promising areas and suggests future goals towar...
Allorecognition, Germline Chimerism, and Stem Cell Parasitism in the Colonial Ascidian, Botryllus schlosseri

Many marine invertebrates have the ability to combine tissues with conspecifics and form chimeras. This ability is usually accompanied by the presence of a polymorphic self/non-self recognition system (allorecognition) that allows integration of closely related individuals, but blocks interactions between those more distantly related. The presence of a discriminatory allorecognition system suggests that there are costs and benefits to chimerism that are correlated to relatedness, but the nature of these costs and benefits is still poorly understood. Interestingly, allorecognition is found throughout the animal kingdom, with examples in nearly all the multicellular phyla; however, the role of allorecognition in these different species is not always clear. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying allorecognition in different species are not related, suggesting a unique origin for each species. This brings up the question as to whether there is a universal need for self/non-self recognition processes among the metazoa, or if these systems evolve in response to different selective pressures. We are studying allorecognition and chimerism in the colonial ascidian, Botryllus schlosseri. Allorecognition takes place at the tips of the extracorporeal vasculature, and can result in a parabiosis (fusion), or a rejection reaction that blocks vascular fusion. Fusion has both hypothesized benefits as well as well-documented costs. This article will focus on characterizing the costs and benefits of fusion and chimerism in Botryllus, and put them into the broader context of the role of allorecognition in the metazoa.
Material transfer from water to sediment in Florida lakes

We describe statistical relationships between chemical aspects of surficial sediments from 34 Florida lakes, and trophic state of the overlying waters. Trophic state is expressed by Carlson's TSI-Chl a. The objectives of the study are two-fold: 1) to understand processes that govern the transfer of material across the mudwater interface, and 2) to develop transfer functions for inferring historical TSI measures in chemically analyzed, 210Pb-dated cores. Simple regression of organic matter content or nutrient (C, N, P) concentration in surface sediments vs. TSI yields nonsignificant or weak positive correlations. However, using a novel application of 210Pb assay, net accumulation rates of the materials are estimated and show a better correlation with trophic state. Cation (Ca, Mg, Fe, K) and sulfur concentrations in surface muds are poorly related to corresponding TSI's. Net accumulation rates of these elements (Ca, Mg, Fe, K, S) are positively correlated (P < 0.01) with TSI-Chl a. Chemical data from the Florida surficial sediment survey suggest that inferred levels of past trophic state should be based on net accumulation rates of chemical constituents rather than their simple sediment concentrations.
Regression models of discharge and mean velocity associated with near-median streamflow conditions in Texas: utility of the U.S. Geological Survey discharge measurement database

AbstractA database containing more than 16,300 discharge values and ancillary hydraulic attributes was assembled from summaries of discharge measurement records for 391 USGS streamflow-gauging stations (streamgauges) in Texas. Each discharge is between the 40th- and 60th-percentile daily mean streamflow as determined by period-of-record, streamgauge-specific, flow-duration curves. Each discharge therefore is assumed to represent a discharge measurement made for near-median streamflow conditions, and such conditions are conceptualized as representative of midrange to baseflow conditions in much of the state. The hydraulic attributes of each discharge measurement included concomitant cross-section flow area, water-surface top width, and reported mean velocity. Two regression equations are presented: (1) an expression for discharge and (2) an expression for mean velocity, both as functions of selected hydraulic attributes and watershed characteristics. Specifically, the discharge equation uses cross-sectiona...
The electroreduction of ethylene

Abstract A study of the electroreduction of ethylene on platinum is reported. A mechanism for this process is deduced from the results, which also explains the observed value of the rest potential, which results from the simultaneous anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction of ethylene.
Optical scattering enhanced by silicon micromachined surfaces

Advanced semiconductor detection devices incorporate surface texturing to reduce reflection of the incident radiation, and thus, enhance optical absorption through scattering. Using micromachining techniques, three different silicon surfaces were fabricated, optically characterized, and analyzed in terms of their ability to scatter incident optical energy. The fabricated surfaces consist of: randomly sized and spaced pyramids (RSSPs), deep vertical- wall grooves (DVWGs), and porous silicon. The DVWG structures consist of interdigitated, 270 micrometers deep, 25 micrometers wide, and 1000 micrometers long grooves separated by 5 micrometers wide walls. The RSSP textured surfaces consist of pyramids with random 0.5-12.0 micrometers square base widths and heights, but otherwise consistent shape and symmetry. The pyramid walls make an angle of 54.74 degrees with respect to the sample surface. Porous silicon samples consist of surfaces with etched random pores that are 0.2-5 micrometers in depth, 1-5 micrometers in length, and 0.1-5 micrometers in width. Utilizing a laser scatterometry, the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of silicon textured surfaces has been measured at commercially available laser wavelengths of 1.06 and 10.6 micrometers . A highly- polished, single-crystal silicon wafer was used as a reference surface. The three micromachined surfaces showed an enhanced scatter at 1.06 micrometers as demonstrated by a reduced specular peak and increased average BRDF. The RSSP textured surface also demonstrated a low BRDF at 10.6 micrometers incident laser wavelength.
The Cost-Effectiveness of the Decision to Hospitalize Nursing Home Residents With Advanced Dementia

Abstract Context Nursing home (NH) residents with advanced dementia commonly experience burdensome and costly hospitalizations that may not extend survival or improve quality of life. Cost-effectiveness analyses of decisions to hospitalize these residents have not been reported. Objectives To estimate the cost-effectiveness of 1) not having a do-not-hospitalize (DNH) order and 2) hospitalization for suspected pneumonia in NH residents with advanced dementia. Methods NH residents from 22 NHs in the Boston area were followed in the Choices, Attitudes, and Strategies for Care of Advanced Dementia at the End-of-Life study conducted between February 2003 and February 2009. We conducted cost-effectiveness analyses of aggressive treatment strategies for advanced dementia residents living in NHs when they suffer from acute illness. Primary outcome measures included quality-adjusted life days (QALD) and quality-adjusted life years, Medicare expenditures, and incremental net benefits (INBs) over 15 months. Results Compared with a less aggressive strategy of avoiding hospital transfer (i.e., having DNH orders), the strategy of hospitalization was associated with an incremental increase in Medicare expenditures of $5972 and an incremental gain in quality-adjusted survival of 3.7 QALD. Hospitalization for pneumonia was associated with an incremental increase in Medicare expenditures of $3697 and an incremental reduction in quality-adjusted survival of 9.7 QALD. At a willingness-to-pay level of $100,000/quality-adjusted life years, the INBs of the more aggressive treatment strategies were negative and, therefore, not cost effective (INB for not having a DNH order, −$4958 and INB for hospital transfer for pneumonia, −$6355). Conclusion Treatment strategies favoring hospitalization for NH residents with advanced dementia are not cost effective.
Carcinoma in a Mixed Mammary Tumor in a Llama (Lama Glama)

A 13-year-old female llama was presented to the referring veterinarian for swelling and firmness of the right rear mammary gland, for a duration of 2 months, which had been unresponsive to antibiotics. A formalin-fixed wedge biopsy specimen from the affected quarter was submitted to Purdue University Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for histopathology. Histopathologic examination revealed tubulopapillary acinar or solid nest-like clusters of neoplastic epithelial cells surrounded by whorls and sheets of proliferative myoepithelial cells. Histologic criteria for malignancy observed in neoplastic epithelial cells included marked cellular and nuclear atypia, high mitotic index, and numerous bizarre mitoses. The presence of osseous metaplasia in the proliferative mesenchymal component justified classification as a mixed tumor. Positive immunohistochemical staining of neoplastic epithelial cells with anticytokeratin antibody, and proliferative spindloid cells with antiviemtin and antismooth muscle actin antibodies supported the histopathologic diagnosis. The llama was in good health after about 1 year of initial presentation, and metastasis to regional lymph nodes was not reported. Mammary neoplasia is rare in camelids. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a carcinoma in a mixed mammary tumor in a llama.
Au colloid monolayers as templates for nanostructure assembly

Abstract A new approach to nanostructure formation based on replication of an existing pattern of colloidal Au nanoparticles is described. The key steps in this strategy involve the coating of a well-defined Au colloid monolayer with an SiOx sol-gel, HF etching until colloidal particles are exposed, and removal of colloidal Au with aqua regia. This process was carried out on a two-dimensional array of 12nm diameter particles on an In-doped SnO2 (ITO) substrate, and monitored by UV-vis, electrochemistry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM data indicate the strategy is feasible, with clearly visible differences in surface morphology observed between bare ITO and colloidal Au-depleted, SiOx-coated ITO.
Choreoathetosis in the setting of lithium toxicity.

Background Lithium toxicity has been shown to cause lasting neurological sequelae in certain cases. Objective The authors present a case of choreoathetosis in the aftermath of a presumed episode of lithium toxic reaction. Method The patient was treated by aggressive rehydration; lithium and, ultimately, all psychotropic medication was withheld for a period. Results The patient showed marked improvement in orientation and movement control; however, some of the choreoathetoid symptoms persisted Conclusion Patients on combination therapy with lithium and other psychotropics need to be closely monitored for the development of choreoathetoid and other symptoms of overmedication.
Conditioning of odors in compound with taste is a function of factors other than potentiation

Rats ingested odor-alone and/or odor-taste solutions and were subsequently made ill by lithium chloride injections. Following poisoning, aversions to the odor stimuli were assessed using a two-bottle choice test. The results failed to provide clear evidence of odor-taste potentiation for all the stimuli we employed, regardless of the nature of the odor CSs administered and the use of both within- and between-group analyses. These findings suggest that previous reports of odor-taste potentiation may be somewhat tenuous, and that odor saliency and order of conditioning may play more important roles than potentiation does in the development of odor aversion.
Postpubertal Psychosexual Function in Male Hypopituitarism without Hypogonadotropinism after Growth Hormone Therapy

Abstract This paper documents specific aspects of sex and eroticism, as well as related aspects of social behavior, in nine postpubertal male hypopituitary patients without hypogonadotropinism. The data reported on erection, ejaculation, masturbation, erotic imagery, intercourse and dating indicate an inertia of libido in these patients. Evidence for a deficit in socializing and pair‐bonding behavior is also present. Several alternative hypotheses for the observed deficits are considered.
Optimized removal of the tongue-and-groove underdose via constrained partial synchronization and variable depth recursion

Full synchronization (FS) leaf sequencing removes tongue-and-groove underdosages (TGU) but increases the number of segments. Constrained partial synchronization (CPS) uses a minimum tongue-and-groove ratio (TGR) to reduce the number of segments while achieving acceptable TGUs. TGR is the ratio of non-overlapping intensities that irradiate a common junction. For TGRs of 1, 1.5 and 2, the TGUs were measured as 18%, 4% and 0%, respectively, for a 6 MV beam and a Siemens 82 leaf MLC. The extraction and sweep processes of the variable depth recursion (VDR) leaf-sequencing algorithm were constrained to satisfy a minimum TGR. For a Siemens MLC and 15 clinical cases, VDR with a TGR = 1.5 produced 7% more segments than the unsynchronized VDR, while a fully synchronized sweeping window algorithm produces 62% more segments. For random intensity maps, VDR with CPS produced significantly fewer segments than an unsynchronized sweeping window. Similar results can be obtained for MLCs that interdigitate. This has implications for direct aperture optimization algorithms (DAO) that use the sweeping window as a starting point (Pinnacle), for which a significant TGU has been observed. The concept of CPS can be applied to DAO by choosing appropriate levels for each of the segments in DAO.
Aortic arch anomalies associated with the administration of epinephrine in chick embryos.

Single doses of epinephrine (5 μg) administered to 83 groups of chick embryos (24–190 h) at 2-h intervals, produced a spectrum of aortic arch anomalies. The epinephrine was placed on the surface, of the extra embryonic membrane over the developing embryo in ovo, at a time when aortic arch morphogenesis is occurring. The peak incidence of anomalies (94%) occurred after treatment during day 5 of incubation (108–112 h). The anomalies involved the 3rd, 4th, and 6th pairs of aortic arches; those involving the right 4th arch (arcus aortae) were consistently associated with ventricular septal defects.
NASA Computational Case Study: SAR Data Processing--Ground-Range Projection

Radar technology is used extensively by NASA for remote sensing of the Earth and other planetary bodies. In this case study, we learn about different computational concepts for processing radar data. In particular, we learn how to correct a slanted radar image by projecting it on the surface that was sensed by a radar instrument. The Web extra contains a Matlab data format file, as mentioned in the article.
Undernutrition during the brain growth period of the rat significantly delays the development of processes mediating pavlovian trace conditioning

Pavlovian trace conditioning procedures allow one to assess the ability of animals to associate events that are temporally separated because the conditioned stimulus terminates prior to the occurrence of the unconditioned stimulus. We report that undernutrition during Postnatal Days 2–18 significantly delays the development of trace conditioning to a visual stimulus. Previously undernourished 20-day-old rats conditioned when no temporal interval separated the termination of the CS and US onset (0-s trace interval). However, it was not until the undernourished pups were 30 days old that they conditioned when the trace interval was 10 or 30 s. In contrast, control pups only 20 days old were able to condition when a 10-s trace interval separated the CS and US events, and 25-day-old control pups conditioned when the interval was either 10 or 30 s. These results suggest that undernutrition delays the development of processes that enable the rat to sustain a representation of a visual CS during the trace interval.
Postoperative intraocular pressure elevation after the use of Healon GV in pediatric cataract surgery

Abstract Intraocular pressure elevation after the use of viscoelastic agents in uncomplicated cataract surgery has been well documented in adults. However, pediatric patients are thought to clear residual viscoelastic agents from the anterior chamber more easily than adults, presumably because of healthier trabecular meshwork. 1 We report on a series of 4 eyes of 4 children with previously normal intraocular pressure who underwent cataract extraction with primary (3 patients) or secondary (1 patient) intraocular lens implantation with Healon GV, which was complicated by marked postoperative intraocular pressure elevation (greater than 30 mm Hg). The patients, aged 5 to 14 years, had an intraocular pressure ranging from 34 to 50 mm Hg with Tonopen or applanation tonometry 1 day, postoperatively associated with nausea, eye pain, and microcystic corneal edema. Viscoelastic material was not entirely removed during surgery. Each of these cases occurred after a change in our preferred viscoelastic agent from one with less viscosity to Healon GV. Medical management controlled the elevated intraocular pressure in all cases without affecting the visual outcome. However, 1 patient with intractable nausea and vomiting required hospitalization for rehydration. With meticulous removal of all viscoelastic material at the completion of surgery, we have not documented any additional cases of postoperative pressure elevation. J AAPOS 2000;4:60-1.
Predictive value of prostate-specific antigen density for the presence of micrometastatic carcinoma of the prostate

Abstract Objective . To examine the efficacy of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density (PSAD; serum PSA/prostate volume) as a predictor of clinical outcome of patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinically confined prostate cancer, and its ability to determine the presence of micrometastatic disease. Methods. A retrospective analysis of patient outcome as reflected by surgical stage and postoperative PSA was performed with respect to PSAD as determined by preoperative PSA and pathologic prostate gland volume. The findings for 107 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy are reported. Results. PSAD at low values was found to be 90 percent accurate in predicting operative success or absence of micrometastatic disease. PSAD at high values was shown to be 70 percent accurate in predicting failure. Conclusions. PSAD appears to be useful in selecting patients for radical prostatectomy and may be capable of identifying patients with micrometastatic disease.
SolarCode: Utilizing Erasure Codes for Reliable Data Delivery in Solar-powered Wireless Sensor Networks

Solar-powered sensor nodes have incentive to spend extra energy, especially when the battery is fully charged, because this energy surplus would be wasted otherwise. In this paper, we consider the problem of utilizing such energy surplus to adaptively adjust the redundancy level of erasure codes used in communication, so that the delivery reliability is improved while the network lifetime is still conserved. We formulate the problem as maximizing the end-to-end packet delivery probability under energy constraints. This formulated problem is hard to solve because of the combinatorics involved and the special curvature of its objective function. By exploiting its inherent properties, we propose an effective solution called SolarCode, which has a constant approximation ratio. We evaluate SolarCode in the context of our solar-powered sensor network testbed. Experiments show that SolarCode is successful in utilizing energy surplus and leads to higher data delivery reliability.
Rate Constants and Branching Ratios for the Reactions of Selected Atmospheric Primary Cations with n-Octane and Isooctane (2,2,4-Trimethylpentane)

Gas-phase ion molecule reactions of the primary atmospheric cations (NO+, O2+, O+, N+, and N2+) with two isomers of octane, n-C8H18 and iso-C8H18 (2,2,4-trimethylpentane) have been studied using a ...
A scanning, single mode, LiNbO3, optical parametric oscillator

Abstract A single longitudinal mode, LiNbO 3 , optical parametric oscillator (OPO) has been developed to provide tunable, high resolution, infrared radiation. An injection seeded Nd:YAG laser is used to pump an OPO in which the high frequency (≈ 1.55 μm) component is resonated. The resulting bandwidth of the low frequency component, or idler, at ≈3.4 μm is approximately 0.001 cm −1 . An open loop computer program is used to continuously scan the single mode OPO over a range of as much as 3 cm −1 .
Effect of normal load on microscale friction measurements

Abstract Friction force microscopy (FFM) was used to study microscale friction between a sharp tip and various samples. Effect of normal load and tip material on the coefficient of friction has been studied. Friction force as a function of normal load of virgin silicon with a thin film of native oxide and dry-oxidized SiO2 coating showed two distinct slopes. The coefficient of friction in the low load region of less than about 15 mN is lower than that in the high load region. The critical load at which the coefficient of friction starts to increase corresponds to the specimen hardness. Ploughing at high loads is believed to be responsible for high values of the coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction of polished natural diamond remains virtually independent of normal load because no ploughing occurs. The coefficient of friction on a macroscale is higher than that on a microscale for comparable contact stresses. When measured for the small apparent area of contact and very small loads used in microscale measurements, the indentation hardness and modulus of elasticity on a microscale are higher than that at the macroscale. This reduces the degree of wear at the microscale. In addition, small apparent areas of contact in microscale measurements reduces the number of particles trapped at the interface and thus minimizes the ploughing contribution to the friction force. Based on this study, it is concluded that measured values of the coefficient of friction on a microscale are a strong function of normal load and the apparent area of contact. Ultralow values of the coefficient of friction and near-zero wear can be achieved with microscale components at very light loads in the absence of significant ploughing.