cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of the neuromuscular junction connectome

Motivation: Unraveling the structure and behavior of the brain and central nervous system (CNS) has always been a major goal of neuroscience. Understanding the wiring diagrams of the neuromuscular junction connectomes (full connectivity of nervous system neuronal components) is a starting point for this, as it helps in the study of the organizational and developmental properties of the mammalian CNS. The phenomenon of synapse elimination during developmental stages of the neuronal circuitry is such an example. Due to the organizational specificity of the axons in the connectomes, it becomes important to label and extract individual axons for morphological analysis. Features such as axonal trajectories, their branching patterns, geometric information, the spatial relations of groups of axons, etc. are of great interests for neurobiologists in the study of wiring diagrams. However, due to the complexity of spatial structure of the axons, automatically tracking and reconstructing them from microscopy images in 3D is an unresolved problem. In this article, AxonTracker-3D, an interactive 3D axon tracking and labeling tool is built to obtain quantitative information by reconstruction of the axonal structures in the entire innervation field. The ease of use along with accuracy of results makes AxonTracker-3D an attractive tool to obtain valuable quantitative information from axon datasets. Availability: The software is freely available for download at http://www.cbi-tmhs.org/AxonTracker/ Contact: [email protected]
Hypotension after medical termination of pregnancy: think outside of the uterus.

Abstract Background Under usual circumstances, an ectopic pregnancy would not be generally considered in the initial differential diagnosis of shock after voluntary termination of pregnancy. Objective To present a rare case of a young woman with shock after voluntary termination of pregnancy due to undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy with concealed hemorrhage. Case Report A 37-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) 3 days after termination of pregnancy with clinical features of shock. The patient had some evidence of infection and was initially managed as a case of septic shock secondary to possible complication of recent termination of pregnancy. Subsequent work-up led to suspicion of internal bleeding, and ruptured ectopic pregnancy was confirmed and managed successfully. Conclusion Ruptured ectopic pregnancy can present with a wide range of symptoms and under variable circumstances. Recognition of subtle signs of hemorrhage and consideration of the diagnosis of ruptured pregnancy in the ED will lead to early diagnosis and appropriate management.
Anxious-depression in boys: an evaluation of executive functioning

The effects of anxiety and depression on frontal lobe functioning were tested in two groups of 9-11-year-old boys. Participants were screened for handedness, health, intelligence and classified as anxious-depressed or non-anxious, non-depressed based on scores from the A-State scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and the Child Depression Inventory. Previous research in our laboratory has indicated that boys high in anxious-depression may have neuropsychological deficits [e.g., Emerson, C. S., Harrison, D. W., & Everhart, D. E. (1999). Investigation of receptive affective prosodic ability in school-aged boys with and without depression. Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neurology, 12(2), 102-109; Emerson, C. S., Harrison, D. W., Everhart, D. E., & Williamson, J. B. (2001). Grip strength asymmetry in depressed boys. Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology, and Behavioral Neurology, 14(2), 130-134]. In order to assess the effects of anxious-depression on cerebral functioning performance on the Trail Making Test (Forms A and B) and on the Concept Formation subtest of the Woodcock Johnson was compared between groups. As predicted, anxious-depressed boys demonstrated deficits in sequencing, alternation, and problem-solving tasks as evidenced by longer completion times and significantly more errors on the tests. These results provide supportive evidence for deficits in frontal lobe functioning.
Intrusion detection in RFID systems

In recent years, advances in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has led to their widespread adoption in diverse applications such as object identification, access authorization, environmental monitoring and supply chain management. Although the increased proliferation of tags enables new applications, they also raise many unique and potentially serious security and privacy concerns. Security solutions in RFID systems need to be strengthened to ensure information integrity and to prevent hackers from exploiting the sensitive tag data. In this paper, we address the importance of intrusion detection security paradigm for RFID systems. We present an overview of state of the art in RFID security and investigate the limitations of traditional security solutions based on cryptographic primitives and protocols. We propose an RFID intrusion detection model that integrates information from RFID reader layer and middleware layer to detect anomalous behavior in the network, thus improving their resilience to security attacks.
Multipoint Fluorescence Quenching-Time Statistics for Single Molecules with Anomalous Diffusion

Three-point fluorescence lifetime correlation functions are computed for the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and electron transfer (ET) quenching mechanisms in a single donor−acceptor system of which the distance X undergoes anomalous diffusion in a harmonic potential with short-time variance scaling as ∼tα. The three-point joint probability distribution of X and its moments are calculated by solving the fractional Fokker−Planck equation (FFPE). For α = 1, the process is stationary and the two- and three-point joint probability distribution is centered around the time-dependent average donor−acceptor separation, 〈X(t)〉. For α < 1, the distribution slows down, becomes nonstationary, and remains centered at initial separation X(0) even for times exceeding the bath correlation time scale.
Scalable Rejection Sampling for Bayesian Hierarchical Models

Bayesian hierarchical modeling is a popular approach to capturing unobserved heterogeneity across individual units. However, standard estimation methods such as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) can be impracticable for modeling outcomes from a large number of units. We develop a new method to sample from posterior distributions of Bayesian models, without using MCMC. Samples are independent, so they can be collected in parallel, and we do not need to be concerned with issues like chain convergence and autocorrelation. The algorithm is scalable under the weak assumption that individual units are conditionally independent, making it applicable for large data sets. It can also be used to compute marginal likelihoods. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2014.0901.
Good Seed Makes a Good Crop: Accelerating Active Learning Using Language Modeling

Active Learning (AL) is typically initialized with a small seed of examples selected randomly. However, when the distribution of classes in the data is skewed, some classes may be missed, resulting in a slow learning progress. Our contribution is twofold: (1) we show that an unsupervised language modeling based technique is effective in selecting rare class examples, and (2) we use this technique for seeding AL and demonstrate that it leads to a higher learning rate. The evaluation is conducted in the context of word sense disambiguation.
Questioning the Coercive Effect of Self-Identifying Speech

In Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, the United States Supreme Court held that the Boy Scouts had a First Amendment right to expel an assistant Scoutmaster because he was a homosexual. The Court upheld an associational right to interpret broad terms like "moral" and "clean" in the Scout Oath and bylaws to mean "not gay." The Court also upheld a speech right to expel gays: their participation would force the group to express a pro-homosexuality message, which the Scouts wished to avoid. Dale is the doctrinal intersection between the freedom from coerced speech and the freedom of expressive association. This article suggests that those two freedoms are really one in the same. There exists no crisp methodological distinction between the claim that a group is being forced to espouse some message that it does not wish to convey and the claim that a group is being forced to espouse a message that is different from the message the group has chosen to convey. The best way to approach expressive association claims is not to artificially distinguish them from the freedom from compulsory speech. Instead, the former First Amendment right is derivative of the latter. Taken together, these rights insulate individuals and groups from bearing messages with which they disagree. Yet there is no First Amendment right to discriminate based solely on status traits like race, sex, or sexual orientation. Because those traits are not expression, being forced to associate with individuals does not force a group to send a message affirming those individuals' status. The article traces the freedom from government-coerced speech case law and demonstrates how it can be applied to the Scouts' claim in Dale. The argument is that self-identifying oneself as gay, though speech, is not sufficient to render an association with openly gay people as a compelled affirmation of homosexuality. In fact, self-identifying speech is indeterminate, and it is expressed for a variety of reasons in ordinary life. Associating with a person who self-identifies as gay, then, does not coerce a group like the Scouts to say anything; nor does it require the group to change its organizing principles, since those say nothing explicit about homosexuality. Thus, the First Amendment should not insulate the Scouts from anti-discrimination laws.
Volume-Based Peritoneal Dialysis Prescription Guide to Achieve Adequacy Targets.

BackgroundThe use of automated and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (APD and CAPD) prescriptions (Rxs) to achieve adequate uremic toxin and fluid removal targets is important for attaining...
Influence of erythrocytes on direct potentiometric determination of sodium and potassium.

We have shown that the sodium concentration in whole blood measured by direct potentiometry is higher than in plasma. The ‘erythrocyte-effect’, already described by Siggaard Andersen, is most pronounced for instruments equipped with a reference electrode with an open static liquid junction and is thus a general phenomenon. Instruments with a modified liquid junction show less interference. The same phenomenon appears for the determination of the potassium concentration, although the difference between whole blood and plasma, when measured with instruments equipped with a modified liquid junction, can be neglected in practice.
Alaskaperla, a New Stonefly Genus (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae), and Further Descriptions of Related Chloroperlidae

Chloroperla ovibovis Ricker is removed from Chloroperla and placed in a new monotypic genus Alaskaperla , and first descriptions of its eggs and nymphs are provided. Vein A2 of the forewing is unbranched, unlike all other North American Chloroperlinae genera except Haploperla , and the delicate, paired aedeagal rods separate A. ovibovis from European Chloroperla sensu Zwick (1967), which have complex, blade-like rods, and from Triznaka , which have no rods. The elongate, tongue-like epiproct and aedeagus are distinctive among Chloroperlinae. Females have a broadly rounded subgenital plate, produced over two-thirds of sternum 9. Nymphs have a distinctive head pattern, a double row of barbed bristles on the mandibles, a single row of paired lacinial bristles and are described in conformance to Stewart & Stark (1988). The ovate eggs average 250 by 190 μm, have shallow hexagonal follicular cell impressions and rounded pits over the chorion surface and have greater development of the collar than other described Chloroperlinae. First SEMs of adult characters are presented for the type species of Chloroperla , selected Haploperla, Rasvena, Triznaka, Siphonoperla, and Suwallia species, and the eggs of Triznaka signata .
Examining Theory-Based Behavior-Change Constructs, Social Interaction, and Sociability Features of the Weight Watchers’ Online Community

Objective. To examine whether and to what extent relevant and meaningful discussions of weight loss occurred in the Weight Watchers’ online community, and whether and to what extent the online community is designed for fostering such discussions. Methods. A multimethod approach was used here. First, a quantitative content analysis was conducted on 320 posts from 64 threads sampled from WeightWatchers.com’s message boards between December 1, 2011, and January 31, 2012. The coding categories included constructs from the health belief model, the planned behavior theory, and the theory of self-efficacy. An acceptable level of intercoder reliability was reached; frequencies, cluster analysis, and t test were reported. Second, a conventional content analysis of the posts was conducted. The posts were examined for themes and patterns within the discussion. Finally, the researchers examined the sociability features of the message boards. The qualitative review followed established procedures and was conducted ind...
Crystal structures of two nitroreductases from hypervirulent Clostridium difficile and functionally related interactions with the antibiotic metronidazole.

Nitroreductases (NRs) are flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-dependent enzymes that catalyze the biotransformation of organic nitro compounds (RNO2; R = alkyl, aryl) to the nitroso RN=O, hydroxylamino RNHOH, or amine RNH2 derivatives. Metronidazole (Mtz) is a nitro-containing antibiotic that is commonly prescribed for lower-gut infections caused by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium difficile. C. difficile infections rank number one among hospital acquired infections, and can result in diarrhea, severe colitis, or even death. Although NRs have been implicated in Mtz resistance of C. difficile, no NRs have been characterized from the hypervirulent R20291 strain of C. difficile. We report the first expression, purification, and three-dimensional X-ray crystal structures of two NRs from the C. difficile R20291 strain. The X-ray crystal structures of the two NRs were solved to 2.1 A resolution. Their homodimeric structures exhibit the classic NR α+β fold, with each protomer binding one FMN cofactor near the dimer interface. Functional assays demonstrate that these two NRs metabolize Mtz with associated re-oxidation of the proteins. Importantly, these results represent the first isolation and characterization of NRs from the hypervirulent R20291 strain of relevance to organic RNO2 (e.g., Mtz) metabolism.
TAK1 regulates caspase 8 activation and necroptotic signaling via multiple cell death checkpoints

Necroptosis has emerged as a new form of programmed cell death implicated in a number of pathological conditions such as ischemic injury, neurodegenerative disease, and viral infection. Recent studies indicate that TGFβ-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is nodal regulator of necroptotic cell death, although the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms are not well defined. Here we reported that TAK1 regulates necroptotic signaling as well as caspase 8-mediated apoptotic signaling through both NFκB-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Inhibition of TAK1 promoted TNFα-induced cell death through the induction of RIP1 phosphorylation/activation and necrosome formation. Further, inhibition of TAK1 triggered two caspase 8 activation pathways through the induction of RIP1-FADD-caspase 8 complex as well as FLIP cleavage/degradation. Mechanistically, our data uncovered an essential role for the adaptor protein TNF receptor-associated protein with death domain (TRADD) in caspase 8 activation and necrosome formation triggered by TAK1 inhibition. Moreover, ablation of the deubiqutinase CYLD prevented both apoptotic and necroptotic signaling induced by TAK1 inhibition. Finally, blocking the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway prevented the degradation of key pro-survival signaling proteins and necrosome formation. Thus, we identified new regulatory mechanisms underlying the critical role of TAK1 in cell survival through regulation of multiple cell death checkpoints. Targeting key components of the necroptotic pathway (e.g., TRADD and CYLD) and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway may represent novel therapeutic strategies for pathological conditions driven by necroptosis.
Charge metastability and hysteresis in the quantum Hall regime

We report simultaneous quasi-dc magnetotransport and high-frequency surface acoustic wave measurements on bilayer two-dimensional electron systems in GaAs. Near strong integer quantized Hall states, a strong magnetic-field-sweep hysteresis in the velocity of the acoustic waves is observed at low temperatures. This hysteresis indicates the presence of a metastable state with anomalously high conductivity in the interior of the sample. This nonequilibrium state is not revealed by conventional low-frequency transport measurements which are dominated by dissipationless transport at the edge of the two-dimensional system. We find that a field-cooling technique allows the equilibrium charge configuration within the interior of the sample to be established. A simple model for this behavior is discussed.
Manipulation and Deception as Part of a Phishing Equilibrium

Free markets are products of peace and freedom, flourishing in stable times when people do not live in fear. But they also create an economic equilibrium that is highly suitable for enterprises that manipulate or distort our judgment on competitive markets. Unregulated free markets rarely reward the different kind of heroism, of those who restrain themselves from taking advantage of customers’ psychological or informational weaknesses. People frequently make decisions that are not in their best interest. Such bad decisions make it possible for them to be phished for phools. If we have some weakness or other—some way in which we can be phished for phools for more than the usual profit—in the phishing equilibrium, it will be taken up.
An evaluation of layer 2 and layer 3 routing on high capacity aerial directional links

The increasing need to augment ground/surface networks with an aerial tier has prompted research in understanding whether mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) routing techniques can be applied to the unique characteristics of high capacity airborne links. Due to the high cost of development and fielding such systems, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking joint-service solutions that take in requirements from the Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marines. One of the challenges of the joint architecture is the differing routing architectures. The Navy prefers operating the provider network as layer 2 for simplicity, while the Air Force and Army requires layer 3 because many radio systems do not converge on Ethernet frames. In this paper, we examine the tradeoffs between layer 2 and layer 3 network on the high capacity airborne backbone and implement a software-based router that can support either approach. We evaluate both approaches with representative traffic and topologies to quantify performance in terms of convergence time, overhead and efficiency for each approach.
Trauma-Informed Parenting Classes Delivered to Rural Kinship Parents: A Pilot Study:

BACKGROUND: Without an informed approach, kinship parents, often grandparents, may struggle to effectively interact with their children who have experienced trauma. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this ...
Depression and Rural School Mental Health: Best Practices

With depression affecting approximately one out of ten young people, it is likely that many children and adolescents will experience this disorder. However, a lack of mental health practitioners in rural areas—as well as a number of other barriers to receiving care—means that rural youth who experience depression in these regions might not receive the mental health care they require. Incorporating mental health services into the school system is an innovative way of ensuring that children and adolescents experiencing mental health difficulties such as depression receive the care they need. This chapter outlines the current state of the treatment of depression in youth in rural areas and ways in which this treatment can be incorporated into schools. Additionally, this chapter reviews the core components of evidence-based treatment of depression, with an emphasis on pragmatic modifications and considerations when this treatment is implemented in a rural school-based context. Exemplar school mental health programs and a case vignette are provided and discussed.
One-pot hydrothermal synthesis and fabrication of kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin films

Abstract Kesterite Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) powder was synthesized by a hydrothermal process. The thin films were fabricated by physical vapor deposition of CZTSSe powder followed by a thermal annealing process. The kesterite microstructure was identified by the X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology and elemental composition of CZTSSe thin films were also investigated. The dependence of resistance on the temperature of CZTSSe film was measured and the thermal activation energy of conductivity was estimated to be 0.33 eV based on Arrhenius plot of resistance versus temperature. A high absorption coefficient (> 10 4 cm −1 ) of CZTSSe was found in the visible and NIR regions of the spectrum. A direct band gap structure with band gap energy of 1.46 eV was also estimated for CZTSSe films. The photoconductivity was measured under both AM 1.5G and NIR illumination and a stable and fully recoverable photoconductivity was observed for both as-deposited and annealed CZTSSe films. The annealed films show a higher photoconductivity than the as-deposited films under both AM 1.5G and NIR lights.
Parathyroid lesion localization: Review of imaging techniques with emphasis on radionuclide scintigraphy and ultrasound

1040 Learning Objectives 1. Provide a brief overview regarding primary hyperparathyroidism and indications for (preoperative) lesion localization. 2. Review various imaging techniques for parathyroid lesion localization including their accuracy with emphasis on:a) Scintigraphic techniques (including the potential value of SPECT(CT)) for both dual phase sestamibi as well as dual isotope (subtraction) techniquesb) Ultrasonography (US)c) and less frequently used techniques (CT, MRI). 3. Gain an understanding of the usefulness of possibly combining parathyroid scintigraphy with ultrasound in locating parathyroid adenomas. 4. Provide pertinent illustrative figures of parathyroid imaging using the above techniques. Summary: Parathyroid imaging is increasingly accepted by endocrinologists and ENT surgeons as part of the preoperative workup for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, especially if minimally invasive surgery is anticipated. Various imaging techniques have been used to (preoperatively) localize hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands including parathyroid scintigraphy, US, CT and MRI. Most commonly, radionuclide studies and US are used, both with very good accuracy. Scintigraphic techniques overall perform better in localizing ectopic lesions. Some parathyroid adenomas are difficult to localize with one method alone, and combining imaging techniques (for example parathyroid scintigraphy with ultrasound) can increase the sensitivity of preoperative localization. Our presentation will provide an up-to-date overview of parathyroid imaging highlighting scintigraphy and ultrasound techniques. It will serve as a valuable review for technologists and physicians alike.
Photoacoustic and double resonance spectra of H2Cs

Frequency offsets from the line centers of a stabilized CO2 laser have been measured for 48 thioformaldehyde lines in the 935-1085 cm-1 region. Radio-frequency/infrared double-resonance signals have been detected for 3 of these lines and their behavior in magnetic fields up to 5.6 kG has been studied.
Estimated versus measured blood loss during dilation and evacuation: an observational study

Abstract Objective To compare estimated versus measured blood loss at the time of dilation and evacuation (DE we excluded 163 procedures because of failure to measure blood loss or contamination with amniotic fluid. Included and excluded procedures had similar median EBLs. Median EBL differed significantly from MBL for each week gestation from 16 to 24 weeks (p≤.001 for all comparisons); MBL was approximately twice as high as EBL for each gestational week. EBL and MBL increased with increasing gestation, as did the difference between EBL and MBL. Conclusion Providers consistently and significantly underestimate blood loss at the time of D&E. D&E providers may want to consider using a new heuristic for estimating blood loss. Implications Providers significantly underestimate blood loss at the time of D&E. Future research should confirm these findings (particularly at 22–24 weeks gestation), evaluate the efficacy of interventions to improve estimations of blood loss, and determine best practices for decreasing blood loss.
Effect of Bulk Density on the Acoustic Performance of Thermally Bonded Nonwovens

The effect of different fiber blend ratios and bulk densities at similar thicknesses on air permeability and sound absorption coefficient was investigated. The raw materials used were cotton, polye...
Instruction of Evaluation Competencies in Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-Accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Programs.

Although research on evaluation instruction has increased in the past decade, little is known about evaluation education in Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)–accredited schools of publi...
Rethinking our definition of operative success: predicting early mortality after emergency general surgery colon resection.

Background The postoperative outcomes of emergency general surgery patients can be fraught with uncertainty. Although surgical risk calculators exist to predict 30-day mortality, they are often of limited utility in preparing patients and families for immediate perioperative complications. Examination of trends in mortality after emergent colectomy may help inform complex perioperative decision-making. We hypothesized that risk factors could be identified to predict early mortality (before postoperative day 5) to inform operative decisions. Methods This analysis was a retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2012–2014). Patients were stratified into three groups: early death (postoperative day 0–4), late death (postoperative day 5–30), and those who survived. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore characteristics associated with early death. Kaplan-Meier models and Cox regression were used to further characterize their impact. Results A total of 18 803 patients were analyzed. Overall 30-day mortality was 12.5% (3316); of these, 37.1% (899) were early deaths. The preoperative factors most predictive of early death were septic shock (OR 3.62, p Conclusions Nearly 40% of patients who die after emergent colon resection do so before postoperative day 5. Early mortality is heavily influenced by the presence of both preoperative and new or persistent postoperative septic shock. These results demonstrate important temporal trends of mortality, which may inform perioperative patient and family discussions and complex management decisions. Level of evidence Level III. Study type: Prognostic.
What is a science of virtue

My remarks will outline, from a philosopher’s perspective, challenges and opportunities that I see for a science of virtue. I will touch on three topics: (1) ensuring that the studies are philosoph...
Using Patient Preference Information to Inform Regulatory Decision Making: An Opportunity to Spur Patient-Centered Innovation in Kidney Replacement Therapy Devices.

Medical devices play an essential role in the health care system, often facilitating patients’ management of their own health. Such devices—items used for the “diagnosis…cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease that are not absorbed or metabolized by the body” ([1][1])—range
Family processes: Risk, protective and treatment factors for youth at risk for suicide

Abstract Family factors have continually been identified as potential risk and protective factors for youth at risk for suicide. This paper reviews family processes that not only are associated with suicide risk, but also might be malleable enough to target in treatment. We also review family intervention components that have been incorporated into most youth suicide treatments. Unfortunately, research on if and how these family processes moderate, mediate or change as a result of treatment is limited. Recommendations for future research are offered.
Relationships among driving styles, desire for control, illusion of control, and self-reported driving behaviors.

A correlational study examined relationships among driving styles, 4 subfactors of desire for control, illusion of control, accident concern, self-rated likelihood of being involved in an accident,...
Machine LearningAnalysisof 2×1 VCSEL ArrayCoherence and ImaginaryCouplingCoefficient

Machine learning is used to estimate the coherent-coupling power enhancement from 2 × 1 VCSEL arrays and serves to identify coherent non-Hermitian operation.
A Multidisciplinary Prematurity Research Cohort Study

Background Worldwide, 10% of babies are born preterm, defined as a live birth before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death, and survivors face lifelong risks of adverse outcomes. New approaches with large sample sizes are needed to identify strategies to predict and prevent preterm birth. The primary aims of the Washington University Prematurity Research Cohort Study were to conduct three prospective projects addressing possible causes of preterm birth and provide data and samples for future research. Study Design Pregnant patients were recruited into the cohort between January 2017 and January 2020. Consenting patients were enrolled into the study before 20 weeks9 gestation and followed through delivery. Participants completed demographic and lifestyle surveys; provided maternal blood, placenta samples, and cord blood; and participated in up to three projects focused on underlying physiology of preterm birth: cervical imaging (Project 1), circadian rhythms (Project 2), and uterine magnetic resonance imaging and electromyometrial imaging (Project 3). Results A total of 1260 participants were enrolled and delivered during the study period. Of the participants, 706 (56%) were Black/African American, 494 (39%) were nulliparous, and 185 (15%) had a previous preterm birth. Of the 1260 participants, 1220 (97%) delivered a live infant. Of the 1220 with a live birth, 163 (14.1%) had preterm birth, of which 74 (6.1%) were spontaneous preterm birth. Of the 1220 participants with a live birth, 841 participated in cervical imaging, 1047 contributed data and/or samples on circadian rhythms, and 39 underwent uterine magnetic resonance imaging. Of the 39, 25 underwent electromyometrial imaging. Conclusion We demonstrate feasibility of recruiting and retaining a diverse cohort in a complex prospective, longitudinal study throughout pregnancy. The extensive clinical, imaging, survey, and biologic data obtained will be used to explore cervical, uterine, and endocrine physiology of preterm birth and can be used to develop novel approaches to predict and prevent preterm birth.
Meßprinzip, Validierung und Grenzen der Oszillometrischen Blutdruckmessung

Die Messung des arteriellen Blutdrucks mittels der oszillometrischen Methode ist das am haufigsten angewandte automatisierte nichtinvasive Verfahren. Sein Einsatz von der Praventiv- bis zur Intensivmedizin und die Verwendung in der klinischen Forschung macht ein Verstandnis von der Validierung und den Grenzen des Verfahrens unabdingbar. Unterschiede ergeben sich dabei sowohl hersteiler- als auch baujahrabhangig. Im ubrigen sind die Anspruche, die der Anwender an die Methode stellt, je nach Applikation verschieden. Im folgenden wird nicht auf die volumenoszillometrische oder photoplethysmographische Methode eingegangen, bei der die Blutdruckmessung mittels einer pneumatischen Fingermanschette vorgenommen wird (1–3).
Beyond Non-Participation: Validation of Interest and Frequency of Participation Categories in Constraints Research

Research on constraints to recreation participation has accumulated over the past decade, including empirical analyses of constraints and the construction of theoretical models to aid in conceptual...
Market Approaches to Water Allocation: Lessons from Latin America

Latin American experiences with water markets offer lessons to the U.S. because they have emerged in different political and economic contexts. The Western U.S. experience has been longer and has defined some of the world's classic cases of market allocation of water. These cases, however, have been driven by domestic factors and have evolved within domestic social and institutional contexts, which are easy for people in the U.S. to take for granted. Looking at Chile and Mexico can help us see Western U.S. water allocation with fresh eyes. These Latin American cases have been strongly influenced by international theories and policy debates, forcing the question of how to adapt foreign ideas to local realities. The Chilean case in particular shows the strong relationship between market approaches and institutions for water governance and sustainability. A comparative perspective might help loosen the gridlock that characterizes many Western U.S. water problems.
A Generalized Analysis Methodology for Distributed Satellite Systems

A generalized analysis methodology for assessing the performance and cost of distributed satellite systems is presented. The framework is completely generalizable and can be applied to any satellite mission, including communications, sensing or navigation. The primary enabler for this work is that all current satellite applications involve the collection and dissemination of information. Satellite systems can then be treated as modular information processing networks. This generalization allows the adoption of well-developed mathematics for information network flow. The resulting analysis methodology involves the definition of quantitative metrics for the cost, capability, performance and adaptability of satellite systems. The capabilities of a satellite system are shown to be characterized by four quality of service parameters that relate to the isolation, rate and integrity of information being transferred between origin-destination pairs. The Cost per Function metric is identified as a valuable tool for design and comparative analysis, allowing the impacts of system architecture, deployment strategy, schedule slip, market demographics and technical risk to be assessed. As a case study to demonstrate the metrics utility, the comparative analysis of several proposed Ka-band communication systems is presented.
El futuro de la economía de la salud

Este articulo aborda la economia de la salud como una ciencia del comportamiento y como insumo para la politica y la investigacion en servicios de la salud. Ilustras este papel dual con datos sobre publicaciones y citas de dos importantes revistas de economia de la salud y de tres reconocidos economistas de la salud norteamericanos. Cinco topicos en economia, importantes y relativamente nuevos, se recomiendan a economistas de la salud que se enfocan en la economia como una ciencia de comportamiento. De igual modo, se dan sugerencias para los economistas de la salud en su papel de proveer insumos para la politica de salud y la investigacion sobre servicios de salud. Tambien discute sobre las fortalezas y debilidades de la economia, el papel de los valores y el potencial de la investigacion interdisciplinaria y multidisciplinaria. Ademas, presenta las razones por las cuales el autor piensa, que continuara una fuerte demanda por la economia de la salud. El articulo concluye con una exhortacion dirigida principalmente a quienes ingresan recientemente a esta area. Palabras Clave: Economia de la salud, ciencia del comportamiento, politica de salud, investigacion en servicios de salud.
Online control-message scheduling for quality of protection (QoP) in DWDM mesh networks

Lightpaths in a mesh network may have different restoration time requirements. We show that a priority-based scheduling algorithm incorporated into the restoration signaling protocol can restore significantly higher proportion of connections within the QoP requirements.
Analysing Discourses and Dispositifs. Profiling Discourse Research in the Tradition of Sociology of Knowledge

Der Beitrag geht von aktuellen Vorschlagen aus, Michel FOUCAULTs Uberlegungen zum Diskursbegriff fur die empirische Diskursforschung zu nutzen. Diese Bemuhungen befordern jedoch einen sprachanalytischen Bias der Diskursanalyse, der dem FOUCAULTschen Anliegen einer Analyse von Macht/Wissen-Komplexen nicht ausreichend Rechnung tragt. Stattdessen und dagegen wird fur einen Anschluss der Diskurstheorie und -forschung an die (Hermeneutische) Wissenssoziologie pladiert. Dazu prasentiert der Beitrag methodisch-konzeptionelle Vorschlage zum hermeneutisch-interpretativen Vorgehen, zur Analyse von Wissensbausteinen (Deutungsmuster, Klassifikationen, Phanomenstruktur, narrative Struktur) und, angelehnt an die Grounded Theory sowie Traditionen der Sequenzanalyse, zu konkreten Arbeitsschritten der empirischen Diskursforschung. Betont wird zugleich, dass Diskursanalyse nicht auf Textanalyse reduziert wird, sondern auch Materialitaten – bspw. in Gestalt von Dispositiven – erfasst. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0702198
Comparative proteomic analysis reveals insights into anoxic growth of Methyloversatilis universalis FAM5 on methanol and ethanol.

Methyloversatilis universalis FAM5 is a facultative methylotrophic bacterium that has been found in a variety of natural and engineered ecosystems. The goal of this study was to investigate M. universalis FAM5 responses to different electron/carbon donors, e.g. methanol or ethanol, during anoxic growth in chemostats with nitrate as the electron acceptor. During steady-state anoxic growth on either methanol or ethanol, over 90% of the influent nitrate was reduced primarily to nitrite. The cell yield on methanol was lower, possibly due to high energy requirements for C(1) assimilation. Label-free proteomics further revealed that methanol-grown cells displayed elevated concentrations of the enzymes involved in C(1) metabolism (H(4)MPT/H(4) F pathways, formate oxidation and serine cycle). In contrast, C(2) metabolism (glyoxylate shunt and tri-carboxylic acid cycle) and polyhydroxy-β-butyrate (PHB) synthesis related proteins were overrepresented during subsequent growth on ethanol. Notably, the expression of respiratory nitrate reductase was not affected by the carbon sources applied. Furthermore, the changes in the proteome upon switching back to methanol were mostly reversible. Therefore, M. universalis displays wide-ranging responses to adapt between growth on methanol and ethanol. Such metabolic versatility could be particularly useful in wastewater treatment systems, which need to switch between different electron donors, while still reliably meeting effluent nitrogen discharge goals.
Recovery of bone marrow phagocytic activity after chemotherapy for neuroblastoma

An 11 year old girl, with biopsy proven neuroblastoma cells in the bone marrow, had lack of uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in marrow of the pelvic area. Her chemotherapy was changed. A repeat image 25 days later then showed accumulation of radiocolloid in the pelvic region.
Payer status is related to differences in access and outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the United States.

Background. The hypothesis of this study was that differences exist among patients with private insurance compared with patients with Medicaid or no insurance, regarding access to the timely treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and the outcomes of AAA repair. Methods. The study comprised 5363 patients aged less than 65 years (mean age, 59 years) with a diagnostic code for intact or ruptured AAA and a procedure code for AAA repair in the National Inpatient Sample for 1995 to 2000. Dependent variables included ruptured AAA, intact AAA, and in-hospital postoperative mortality rates. Independent variables included payer status, median income, race, gender, age, and comorbid disease. Risk-adjusted analyses were performed with the use of binary logistic regression. Results. AAA rupture was most likely (P <.001) to affect patients with no insurance (36%) or Medicaid (18%), compared with patients with private insurance (13%). After an adjustment for case-mix had been made, data showed that patients without insurance had an increased risk of rupture compared with patients with private insurance (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.5-3.5; P <.001). Operative mortality rates after elective AAA repair were greater (P =.04) for patients with no insurance (2.6%) or Medicaid (2.7%), compared with patients with private insurance (1.2%). Similarly, operative mortality rates for AAA repair after rupture were greater (P =.001) in patients without insurance (45.3%) or Medicaid (31.3%), compared with patients with private insurance (26.2%). Conclusion. Uninsured patients more often seek treatment of ruptured AAAs compared with patients with private insurance. Operative mortality rates in uninsured patients are greater for elective and emergent AAA repair. These data support the tenet that payer status is associated with mortality rates after AAA repair. (Surgery 2003;134:142-5.)
Impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abstract Objective Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use has the potential to adversely affect blood pressure in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We sought to evaluate this association. Study design Women affected with severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were identified by retrospective chart review. The medication administration record was then used to identify controls (no NSAID exposure) until a sufficient number of patients were obtained, after which the cases (NSAID exposed) were identified in a chronological manner during the same study period until a 2:1 ratio was achieved. The primary outcome was the change in mean of all postpartum mean arterial pressures (MAP) throughout the hospital stay. Power analysis showed that 146 exposed and 73 unexposed subjects were necessary to obtain 90% power to detect a MAP difference of 10mmHg between the groups. Secondary outcomes included: initiation of anti-hypertensive medication, need for increased doses of anti-hypertension medication, and adverse events related to hypertension. Results 223 women had severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, of whom 75 (34%) were not exposed to NSAIDs and 148 (66%) were exposed. NSAID exposure was not associated with a difference in the average MAP postpartum ( p =0.70), nor any of the secondary outcomes evaluated. Exposure to NSAIDs was less likely as serum creatinine increased ( p =0.012). Conclusion In women with severe hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, NSAIDs did not appear to increase the average postpartum MAP, increase the requirement for anti-hypertensive medications, or increase the rate of adverse postpartum events.
How nature takes shape: extensions of constructal theory to ducts, rivers, turbulence, cracks, dendritic crystals and spatial economics

The constructal theory of the origin of geometrical form in natural flow (open) systems began with the discovery that, contrary to the established view, the tree network can be deduced from a single principle: the geometric minimization of resistance in volume-to-point flow. This article reviews a series of developments that extend the constructal law over naturally shaped flow phenomena other than the tree. Examples include the proportionality between width and depth in rivers of all sizes, the nearly round cross-sections of all blood vessels and bronchial passages, the dendritic shape of the snowflake, the pattern formed by cracks in a solid that shrinks upon cooling or drying (e.g., mud cracks), the onset and multiplication of rolls in B~nard convection, the transition (first eddy) and stepwise growth of all turbulent mixing regions, and the very existence of economics spatial structure (minimal cost routes between an area and one point). ~) Elsevier, Paris. constructal therory / tree network / minimization of resistance / economic optimization / transition to turbulence / B~nard rolls / shape of the cross-sections
Acquisition of Second Language Vocabulary for Kindergartners with Speech Sound Disorders

Researchers and educators alike have raised concerns over the potential exclusion of children with speech and language disorders in immersion programs. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine whether children with speech sound disorders acquire Spanish vocabulary at a rate comparable to typical peers when learning in an immersion program, and if rates of acquisition differ for expressive versus receptive vocabulary. Five kindergartners attending a partial, early elementary immersion school were studied: one control participant and four participants with speech sound disorders. This investigation used expressive (spoken) and receptive (understood) vocabulary probes to test the number of Spanish vocabulary words children could produce and comprehend within an eight-week period. Results show that children with speech sound disorders acquire expressive Spanish vocabulary at a rate comparable to their typical peers but had lower levels of acquisition overall, while rates of receptive vocabulary acquisition varied across participants. The results of this pilot study, which are not yet comprehensive, suggest that children with speech sound disorders are able to acquire Spanish vocabulary and, as a result, should continue to be included in immersion programs in the future.
Cytotoxic Cell Granule-mediated Apoptosis CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MACROMOLECULAR COMPLEX OF GRANZYME B WITH SERGLYCIN

We have recently shown that the physiological mediator of granule-mediated apoptosis is a macromolecular complex of granzymes and perforin complexed with the chondroitin-sulfate proteoglycan, serglycin (Metkar, S. S., Wang, B., Aguilar-Santelises, M., Raja, S. M., Uhlin-Hansen, L., Podack, E., Trapani, J. A., and Froelich, C. J. (2002) Immunity 16, 417-428). We now report our biophysical studies establishing the nature of granzyme B-serglycin (GrB.SG) complex. Dynamic laser light scattering studies establish that SG has a hydrodynamic radius of approximately 140 +/- 23 nm, comparable to some viral particles. Agarose mobility shift gels and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), show that SG binds tightly to GrB and has the capacity to hold 30-60 GrB molecules. SPR studies also indicate equivalent binding affinities (K(d) approximately 0.8 microm), under acidic (granule pH) and neutral isotonic conditions (extra-cytoplasmic pH), for GrB.SG interaction. Finally, characterization of GrB.SG interactions within granules revealed complexes of two distinct molecular sizes, one held approximately 4-8 molecules of GrB, whereas the other contained as many as 32 molecules of GrB or other granule proteins. These studies provide a firm biophysical basis for our earlier reported observations that the proapoptotic granzyme is exocytosed predominantly as a macromolecular complex with SG.