cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing outpatient infusion with interdisciplinary care to manage refractory pediatric migraine: Preliminary outcomes from “CAMP” (the Comprehensive Aggressive Migraine Protocol) (P3.10-016)

Objective: To determine preliminary outcomes from a novel treatment approach to refractory pediatric migraine comprising a combination of outpatient dihydroergotamine (DHE) infusion and interdisciplinary adjunctive care. Background: In a minority of the 10% of children affected by migraine, headaches are refractory to multiple treatments and persist unabated for days and weeks, often resulting in high levels of family distress and increasing utilization of healthcare services. Although limited data are available to guide treatment of refractory migraine in children, aggressive treatment with intravenous dihydroergotamine (DHE) therapy has shown some promise. However, this treatment approach often is implemented in potentially cost-prohibitive inpatient settings and in isolation of nonpharmacological strategies shown to enhance analgesia and functional outcomes. Design/Methods: Our headache program began piloting an outpatient day treatment (“CAMP”) for adolescents with refractory migraine, integrating DHE infusion with interdisciplinary adjunctive nonpharmacological care (e.g., relaxation training, aromatherapy, and massage therapy). Youth were eligible for the program if they were between age 11–18 with frequent or continuous migraine that had failed to respond to several medication trials and at least one other treatment modality (e.g., occipital nerve block). For the current study, electronic health record data on response to treatment were evaluated through 3-month follow-up for the first cohort of 36 patients. Results: On average, headache intensity declined by 58% over 5 days of treatment (P Conclusions: A multidisciplinary outpatient approach alongside with DHE treatment appears to be an effective choice of treatment for adolescents experiencing refractory migraines. Disclosure: Dr. Bickel has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Theranica. Dr. Bickel has received research support from Pfizer Independent Learning. Dr. Sekhon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stephens has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boorigie has nothing to disclose. Dr. Connelly has nothing to disclose.
Characteristics of Line 1 Hereford females resulting from selection by independent culling levels for below-average birth weight and high yearling weight or by mass selection for high yearling weight.

Simultaneous selection for low birth weight and high yearling weight has been advocated to improve efficiency of beef production. Two sublines of Line 1 Hereford cattle were established by selection either for below-average birth weight and high yearling weight (YB) or for high yearling weight alone (YW). Direct effects on birth weight and yearling weight diverged between sublines with approximately four generations of selection. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic trends for traits of the cows. A three-parameter growth curve [W t = A(1 - b 0 e -kt )] was fitted to age (t, d)-weight (W, kg) data for cows surviving past 4.5 yr of age (n = 738). The resulting parameter estimates were analyzed simultaneously with birth weight and yearling weight using multiple-trait restricted maximum likelihood methods. To estimate maternal additive effects on calf gain from birth to weaning (MILK) the two-trait model previously used to analyze birth weight and yearling weight was transformed to the equivalent three-trait model with birth weight, gain from birth to weaning, and gain from weaning to yearling as dependent variables. Heritability estimates were 0.32, 0.27, 0.10, and 0.20 for A, b 0 , k, and MILK, respectively. Genetic correlations with direct effects on birth weight were 0.34, -0.11, and 0.55 and with direct effects on yearling weight were 0.65, -0.17, and 0.11 for A, b 0 , and k, respectively. Genetic trends for YB and YW, respectively, were as follows: A (kg/generation), 8.0 ± 0.2 and 10.1 ± 0.2; b 0 (x 1,000), -1.34 ± 0.07 and -1.16 ± 0.07; k (x 1,000), -14.3 ± 0.1 and 4.3 ± 0.1; and MILK (kg), 1.25 ± 0.05 and 1.89 ± 0.05. Beef cows resulting from simultaneous selection for below-average birth weight and increased yearling weight had different growth curves and reduced genetic trend in maternal gain from birth to weaning relative to cows resulting from selection for increased yearling weight.
Spiritual health locus of control and life satisfaction among African American breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: To examine the relationships between spiritual health locus of control (SHLOC) and satisfaction with life in African American (AA) breast cancer survivors (BCS).Methods: A total of 118 AAB...
Improving the Timeliness and Safety of Therapeutic Hypothermia for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Introduction Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is a time-sensitive, efficacious treatment for newborns who experience perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Optimal management of patient temperatures during TH may improve newborn outcomes and reduce side effects. We noted that patients undergoing TH were often outside of the target temperature range during treatment. This project sought to improve the timely initiation of effective treatment and temperature stability during TH through system-based changes in practice. Methods Measures include the time to target temperature, the percentage of core temperatures outside of the target range, and the absolute difference between core and peripheral temperatures over 41 months. System-based changes in the TH protocol included changing from passive to active hypothermia on transport and utilizing a delivery mode that uses more gradual temperature fluctuations during TH. We compared measures of health status and side effects as balancing measures. Results The TH protocol changes resulted in a significant reduction of time to goal temperature from 1.67 to 0.49 hours, in the percentage of temperature readings outside goal range from 12.6% to 6.3%, and the average absolute difference between core and peripheral temperatures from 1.78°C to 1.47°C. No adverse health outcomes were detected. We observed decreases in vasopressor use with each protocol change. Conclusions This study demonstrates that detailed attention to the method of delivery of TH has an impact on ensuring effective delivery of therapy and minimizing the risks of treatment. The protocol changes were not associated with an increase in adverse events and were associated with a reduction in vasopressor use.
Active metabolism unmasks functional protein-protein interactions in real time in-cell NMR.

Protein–protein interactions, PPIs, underlie most cellular processes, but many PPIs depend on a particular metabolic state that can only be observed in live, actively metabolizing cells. Real time in-cell NMR spectroscopy, RT-NMR, utilizes a bioreactor to maintain cells in an active metabolic state. Improvement in bioreactor technology maintains ATP levels at >95% for up to 24 hours, enabling protein overexpression and a previously undetected interaction between prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein, Pup, and mycobacterial proteasomal ATPase, Mpa, to be detected. Singular value decomposition, SVD, of the NMR spectra collected over the course of Mpa overexpression easily identified the PPIs despite the large variation in background signals due to the highly active metabolome. Leonard Breindel et al. develop a real time in-cell NMR spectroscopy that utilizes a bioreactor to maintain cells metabolically active. This real time in-cell NMR spectroscopy enables the identification of protein–protein interactions that would not happen when cells don’t produce energy, suggesting the utility of this method.
COVID-19 outcomes, risk factors and associations by race: a comprehensive analysis using electronic health records data in Michigan Medicine

IMPORTANCE: Blacks/African-Americans are overrepresented in the number of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. Reasons for this disparity have not been well-characterized but may be due to underlying comorbidities or sociodemographic factors. OBJECTIVE: To systematically determine patient characteristics associated with racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study with comparative control groups. SETTING: Patients tested for COVID-19 at University of Michigan Medicine from March 10, 2020 to April 22, 2020. PARTICIPANTS: 5,698 tested patients and two sets of comparison groups who were not tested for COVID-19: randomly selected unmatched controls (n = 7,211) and frequency-matched controls by race, age, and sex (n = 13,351). Main Outcomes and Measures: We identified factors associated with testing and testing positive for COVID-19, being hospitalized, requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality (in/out-patient during the time frame). Factors included race/ethnicity, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, healthcare utilization, and residential-level socioeconomic characteristics (SES;i.e., education, unemployment, population density, and poverty rate). Medical comorbidities were defined from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, and were aggregated into a comorbidity score. RESULTS: Of 5,698 patients, (median age, 47 years;38% male;mean BMI, 30.1), the majority were non-Hispanic Whites (NHW, 59.2%) and non-Hispanic Black/African-Americans (NHAA, 17.2%). Among 1,119 diagnosed, there were 41.2% NHW and 37.4% NHAA;44.8% hospitalized, 20.6% admitted to ICU, and 3.8% died. Adjusting for age, sex, and SES, NHAA were 1.66 times more likely to be hospitalized (95% CI, 1.09-2.52;P=.02), 1.52 times more likely to enter ICU (95% CI, 0.92-2.52;P=.10). In addition to older age, male sex and obesity, high population density neighborhood (OR, 1.27 associated with one SD change [95% CI, 1.20-1.76];P=.02) was associated with hospitalization. Pre-existing kidney disease led to 2.55 times higher risk of hospitalization (95% CI, 1.62-4.02;P<.001) in the overall population and 11.9 times higher mortality risk in NHAA (95% CI, 2.2-64.7, P=.004). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Pre-existing type II diabetes/kidney diseases and living in high population density areas were associated with high risk for COVID-19 susceptibility and poor prognosis. Association of risk factors with COVID-19 outcomes differed by race. NHAA patients were disproportionately affected by obesity and kidney disease.
V122I Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy: An Opportunity to Build Trust and Resolve Disparities.

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is 1 of the 2 most common causes of amyloid cardiomyopathy. Presenting as either wild-type (ATTRwt; nonhereditary) or familial (ATTRm; hereditary type), ATTR is characterized by dissociation of the TTR protein tetramer into monomers and oligomers, which misfold and
Integrated networks of care: supporting teachers who care for latina mothering students

This article explores how three teachers developed a similar mindset and practice of care for Latina mothering students within a caring alternative school located along the U.S./Mexico border. Thre...
Moore, Ian Alexander: Eckhart, Heidegger, and the Imperative of Releasement: SUNY Press, Albany, 2019

In Eckhart, Heidegger, and the Imperative of Releasement, Ian Alexander Moore investigates Martin Heidegger’s use of releasement (Gelassenheit). Moore argues that this conceptual development was greatly influenced by Meister Eckhart’s thought. In addition to their shared use of releasement, Moore suggests, both Heidegger and Eckhart share similar philosophical strategies. The task of Moore’s monograph is to illuminate how releasement functions in Heidegger’s work and to argue that Eckhart was one of Heidegger’s central influences. This review examines Moore’s method for assessing the function of releasement in Heidegger and Eckhart’s thought, while noting the distinctive and compelling aspects of this monograph.
Teach the Geography of Food—Please!

For anybody creating a new course on the geography of food (or perhaps food and agriculture), the options can be overwhelming. In the past decade, there has been a proliferation of books, films, an...
Evaluating the role of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-specific antibiotic prophylaxis for neurosurgical patients.

Abstract Objective Surgical site infection (SSI) in neurosurgical patients increases morbidity. Despite the rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization, there is little consensus regarding antibiotic prophylaxis for SSI in MRSA-colonized neurosurgical patients. Our objective was to examine the incidence of SSI in MRSA-colonized neurosurgical patients and interrogate whether MRSA-specific antibiotic prophylaxis reduces SSIs. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures between 2013 and 2018. The primary outcome was SSI in patients with MRSA colonization receiving MRSA-specific antibiotics. Secondary outcomes included predictors of SSI, including whether broad use of MRSA-specific antibiotics affects SSI rate. Results Of 9739 procedures, 376 had SSI (3.9 %). Seven hundred forty-four procedures (7.6 %) were performed on patients screened preoperatively for MRSA, including 54 procedures on MRSA-colonized patients. MRSA-colonized patients were more likely than MRSA-non-colonized patients to receive MRSA-specific antibiotics (35.2 % vs. 17.8 %, p = 0.002) for prophylaxis. Nevertheless, MRSA-colonized patients had higher SSI rates compared to MRSA-non-colonized patients (22.2 % vs. 6.4 %, p = 0.00002). MRSA-colonization led to 3.49 greater odds (95 % CI 1.52–7.65, p = 0.002) of SSI relative to MRSA-non-colonization. MRSA-colonized patients receiving MRSA-specific antibiotics, compared to those receiving non-MRSA-specific antibiotics, had lower SSI rates, but this difference was not statistically significant (15.8 % vs. 25.7 %, p = 0.40). In the non-screened population, those receiving MRSA-specific antibiotics, compared to those receiving non-MRSA-specific antibiotics, had significantly higher SSI rates (6.9 % vs. 3.0 %, p = 0.00001). The use of MRSA-specific antibiotic prophylaxis in the non-screened population increased the odds of SSI (OR 1.90, 95 % CI 1.45−2.46, p = 0.0001). Conclusion MRSA-colonized neurosurgical patients had a higher SSI rate compared to MRSA-non-colonized patients. While MRSA-specific antibiotics may benefit those with MRSA colonization, the difference in SSI rate between MRSA-colonized patients receiving MRSA-specific antibiotics vs. non-specific antibiotics requires further investigation. The broader use of MRSA-specific antibiotics may paradoxically confer an increased risk of SSI in a non-screened neurosurgical population.
Age‐Related Trajectories of Cardiovascular Risk and Use of Aspirin and Statin Among U.S. Adults Aged 50 or Older, 2011–2018

OBJECTIVES To examine age-related trajectories of cardiovascular risk and use of aspirin and statin among U.S. adults aged 50 or older. DESIGN Repeated cross-sectional study using data from 2011 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. SETTING Nationally representative health interview survey in the United States. PARTICIPANTS Non-institutionalized adults aged 50 years and older (n = 11,392 unweighted). MEASUREMENTS Primary prevention was defined as the prevention of a first cardiovascular event including coronary heart disease, angina/angina pectoris, heart attack, or stroke, whereas secondary prevention was defined as those with a history of these clinical conditions. Medication use was determined by self-report; aspirin use included dose and frequency, and statin use included generic names, days of prescription fills, and indications. We examined linear trends between age and each medication use, after controlling for period, sex, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS Prevalence of those eligible for primary prevention treatment increased with age from 31.8% in ages 50-54 to 52.0% in ages ≥75 (p < 0.001). Similarly, those eligible for secondary prevention treatment increased with age from 2.7% in ages 50-54 to 21.1% in ages ≥75 (p < 0.001). Low-dose daily aspirin use increased with age (p < 0.001), and 45.3% of adults aged ≥75 took low-dose aspirin daily for primary prevention. Statin use also increased with age (p < 0.001), and 56.4% of adults aged ≥75 had long-term statin use for secondary prevention. CONCLUSION While adults aged ≥75 do not benefit from the use of aspirin to prevent the first CVD, many continue to take aspirin on a regular basis. In spite of the clear benefit of statin use to prevent a subsequent CVD event, many older adults in this risk category are not taking a statin. Further education and guidance for both healthcare providers and older adults regarding the appropriate use of aspirin and statins to prevent CVD is needed.
Subacute osteomyelitis of the tibial diaphysis associated with Brodie's abscess: A rare case report of a four-year-old child.

Introduction Septic osteomyelitis is a hematogenous bacterial bone infection. The acute presentation is the most common; the subacute one is less frequent. The aim of our case report is to put forward the features of this uncommon presentation and to propose a therapeutic management. Presentation of case We report a rare case of subacute osteomyelitis associated with Brodie's abscess of the tibial diaphysis in a four-year-old child. The chief complaint was a pain in the left tibia evolving for five weeks. The radiological findings and the unusual location of this pathology suggested a malignant bone tumor. Thanks to imaging assessment and bone biopsy the diagnosis of subacute osteomyelitis associated with Brodie's abscess was made. Therefore, the child had antibiotic therapy and plaster immobilization to avoid pathological fracture. Pain relief and radiological improvement was obtained after 3 months of antibiotic treatment. At a two-year follow-up, the X-ray was normal. Discussion We report an uncommon case of subacute osteomyelitis which evolved to Brodie's abscess with diaphyseal location. The mainstream treatment is surgery combined with antibiotics. However, medical treatment alone can lead to recovery without sequelae. Conclusion Because of the atypical location and presentation of subacute osteomyelitis, the other differential diagnoses, especially malignant bone tumors have to be eliminated. In some cases, treatment may be based on antibiotics therapy alone.
Dialogue and Trust

Encountering another person who is afflicted—whether from illness, injury, or the result of some genetic or congenital disorder—one comes into or happens on the moral order. This occurs, of course, in distinct ways in different sorts of relationships: in the present context, it occurs within the clinical encounter with its characteristic asymmetric relationship of power and vulnerability. The ground of ethics, I have thus only barely suggested, is the reflexive relatedness to and with the other person—perhaps most poignantly presented when we come upon the other-as-stranger, and even more so when the stranger is ill, when in both cases a form of strangeness comes to invade the ongoing interrelationships with other people.
Informed consent to human subject research: improving the process of obtaining informed consent from mentally ill persons.

This Note demonstrates that the federal regulations regarding human subject research must provide more specific guidelines that emphasize the process of obtaining informed consent from persons with mental illnesses. Part I discusses schizophrenia as a case example of mental illness that requires more stringent informed consent standards in human subject research. Part II describes the legal foundations of informed consent to human experimentation and the current federal regulations for human subject research. Part III examines the inadequacy of current federal regulations for mentally ill research subjects and proposes revisions to ensure that mentally ill persons provide adequate informed consent to participate in research. This Note concludes that when the potential subject is a person with schizophrenia, the process of obtaining informed consent should require a conversation between the physician-investigator and the potential subject in the presence of a third party patient advocate.
THE FETAL HEART; COMPARISON OF ITS ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EVENTS.

Abstract 1. 1. Simultaneous fetal phonocardiographs and fetal electrocardiographs were performed on 144 pregnant women. 2. 2. The tracings have been evaluated for several characteristics which provide information regarding fetal cardiac energies. 3. 3. Findings in complicated pregnancies have not been at variance from those of normal pregnancies.
Baseline serum C-reactive protein and death from colorectal cancer in the NHANES III cohort

Several prospective studies suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP), a nonspecific serologic marker of inflammation, might be linked to risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), whereas others have reported null or protective effects. We analyzed data from 7,072 participants (50-85 years) in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994), a nationally representative cohort (n = 33,994; 2 months-85 years) with vital status follow-up to 2000. Hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality associated with baseline clinically raised (≥1.00 mg/dL) and intermediate (≥0.22-0.99 mg/dL) CRP levels were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression controlling for CRC risk factors. There were 59 deaths from CRC, 106 from other obesity-related cancers (other-ORCs) and 1,130 from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Participants with clinically raised CRP at baseline were found to have a statistically significant greater risk of CRC death (HRs = 2.36-2.47) in comparison to persons with undetected levels. HRs were lower for death from other-ORC and CVD (1.82, 95% CI 1.05-3.15; 1.53, 95% CI 1.29-1.81, respectively). Intermediate CRP level was associated with a nonsignificant 10-21% increased risk for CRC death. HR for CRC death was higher among persons with a normal BMI (2.16, 95% 0.96-4.87, p = 0.06) compared to those who were overweight (1.22, 95% CI 0.53-2.78) or obese (1.23, 95% CI, 0.37-4.08). A similar pattern was observed for waist circumference. This effect modification suggests that the impact of chronic inflammation may be independent of excess body fat. Future research is recommended to confirm emerging data that elevated serologic CRP might reflect underlying colonic inflammation.
Complexity issues in automated model revision without explicit legitimate state

Existing algorithms for the automated model revision incur an impediment that the designers have to identify the legitimate states of original model. Experience suggests that of the inputs required for model revision, identifying such legitimate states is the most difficult. In this paper, we consider the problem of automated model revision without explicit legitimate states. We note that without the explicit legitimate states, in some instances, the complexity of model revision increases substantially (from P to NP-hard). In spite of this, we find that this formulation is relatively complete, i.e., if it was possible to perform model revision with explicit legitimate states then it is also possible to do so without the explicit identification of the legitimate states. Finally, we show if the problem of model revision can be solved with explicit legitimate states then the increased cost of solving it without explicit legitimate states is very small. In summary, the results in this paper identify instances of model revision where the explicit knowledge of legitimate state is beneficial and where it is not very crucial.
Association between operative approach and complications in patients undergoing Hartmann's reversal.

Background Complications following reversal of Hartmann's procedure are common, with morbidity rates of up to 50 per cent, and a mortality rate as high as 10 per cent. This is based on case series with heterogeneous data collection and analysis. This study determined risk factors for complications following Hartmann's reversal. Methods Patients who underwent elective open and laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005–2010). The programme collects patient demographics, preoperative medical history, clinical findings and laboratory investigations. Postdischarge data were obtained by a certified reviewer. Complications were categorized as major, septic or incisional. Risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes were assessed by univariable and multivariable analyses, adjusting for patient characteristics, co-morbidity and operative approach. Results During the study period 7996 patients had a Hartmann's procedure and 2567 cases of Hartmann's reversal were identified, including 336 laparoscopic procedures (13·1 per cent). Major, septic and incisional complication rates were 13·3, 8·5 and 15·7 per cent respectively, with a mortality rate of 0·5 per cent. A laparoscopic approach was found to be independently associated with fewer major (odds ratio (OR) 0·53, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·34 to 0·81), septic (OR 0·48, 0·27 to 0·83) and incisional (OR 0·54, 0·37 to 0·80) complications. A history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 1·78–2·00), steroid use (OR 1·75), body mass index at least 30 kg/m2 (OR 1·48), diabetes (OR 1·40), smoking (OR 1·33–1·40), American Society of Anesthesiologists fitness grade III and IV (OR 1·46–1·48) and prolonged operating time (OR 1·02) were other factors associated with complications. Conclusion A laparoscopic approach to Hartmann's reversal was associated with fewer complications than open surgery in this highly selected group of patients.
Japan's changing diet and agricultural conflicts

Abstract Let me choose a meal that would have been the least expensive for a Japanese consumer in 1955, 1960 and 1965. The meal would consist of a combination of wheat, minor grains, soybeans and green vegetables. The total price would be less than half of the actual average amount spent on food and drink during those years. Since the end of the second world war, Japan 's rice prices have been kept systematically high; rice would therefore not be included in the lowcost meal. If rice did replace the wheat and minor grains, the resulting combination of rice, soybeans and green vegetables would provide the raw materials for the typical traditional Japanese simple diet: a bowl of soup, a plate of vegetables, and a bowl of rice.
Increased kidney size, glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow in short-term insulin-dependent diabetics

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF) and kidney volume were measured in thirteen male subjects (mean age 30 years) with short-term insulin-dependent diabetes (mean duration of disease 2.4 years) and fourteen normal male subjects (mean age 29 years). GFR and RPF were measured by constant infusion technique using I125-iothalamate and 131I-hippuran. Kidney size was determined by means of ultrasound. GFR, RPF and kidney volume were increased in the diabetic patients compared to the normal controls, 144 versus 113 ml/ min×1.73m2 (p<0.0005), 627 versus 523 ml/ min×1.73 m2 (p<0.0025) and 278 versus 224 ml/ 1.73 m2 (p<0.0005) respectively. Combining results from diabetic patients and controls revealed a positive correlation between kidney size and GFR (r= 0.70, p<0.001) and between kidney size and RPF (r=0.61, p<0.001). Within the groups kidney size and RPF correlated significantly in the diabetics (p< 0.01) and the same was found for kidney size and GFR (0.025< p<0.05), while no correlations were found in the normal group. GFR and RPF correlated in the diabetics when evaluated separately (r=0.81, p<0.001) and in the controls (r=0.73, p<0.001). The previous and present data suggest that the mechanisms of the elevated GFR in insulin-dependent diabetics are enhanced RPF, increased transglomerular hydrostatic pressure gradient and increased glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient. The increased kidney size is probably the main cause of the above alterations in the GFR determinants.
A Review of Sex Differences in Peer Relationship Processes: Potential Trade-offs for the Emotional and Behavioral Development of Girls and Boys

Theory and research on sex differences in adjustment focus largely on parental, societal, and biological influences. However, it also is important to consider how peers contribute to girls' and boys' development. This article provides a critical review of sex differences in several peer relationship processes, including behavioral and social-cognitive styles, stress and coping, and relationship provisions. The authors present a speculative peer-socialization model based on this review in which the implications of these sex differences for girls' and boys' emotional and behavioral development are considered. Central to this model is the idea that sex-linked relationship processes have costs and benefits for girls' and boys' adjustment. Finally, the authors present recent research testing certain model components and propose approaches for testing understudied aspects of the model.
Frugal channel tracking for transmit beamforming

Channel state feedback is a serious burden for transmit beamforming systems with many antennas in FDD mode. Instead of estimating the channel at the receiver and feeding back quantized beamformer information, a different approach that exploits the spatio-temporal correlation of the channel is proposed. The transmitter periodically sends a beamformed pilot signal, while the receiver feeds back the quantized innovation derived from either a Kalman filtering or a MAP tracking loop. Simulations show that close to optimum performance can be attained with only 2 bits per channel dwell, clearing a hurdle for transmit beamforming with many antennas in FDD mode.
Exploring the Room-Temperature Synthesis and Properties of Multifunctional Doped Tungstate Nanorods

Uniform Mn-doped alkaline-earth metal tungstate—AWO4 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba)—nanorods of reproducible size, shape, and composition have been methodically prepared using a modified template-directed methodology under ambient, room-temperature conditions. The dopant ion distribution within the nanostructures does not appear to adversely affect either the structural or crystalline integrity of our as-prepared compounds, as determined by microscopy and diffraction studies. What is much more important is the fact that the presence of Mn2+ not only substantially increases the photoluminescent potential of a pristine tungstate material but also reinforces its versatility by adding a desirable magnetic component to its repertoire of properties. In so doing, we have created multifunctional one-dimensional nanorods with exciting opto-magnetic behavior, which should become important for the future incorporation of these materials into functional nanoscale devices, with various potential applications in a number of diverse ...
Retinal Detachment After Phacoemulsification

We reviewed the characteristics of 100 retinal detachments after phacoemulsification. The characteristics of retinal breaks and the configurations of the detachments were similar to cases of retinal detachments after intracapsular surgery. Evidence indicates that detachments occurring within six months of cataract surgery appeared to be statistically different from those occurring more than one year after phacoemulsification. Those detachments occurring within six months after cataract surgery tended to be more phakic in nature than those occurring relatively late. The surgical reattachment rates in these eyes compared favorably to previously published figures on the repair of retinal detachment after intracapsular surgery.
On distributed order integrator/differentiator

In this paper, we derive the impulse response of the distributed order integrator/differentiator and its asymptotic property by using the complex path integral. Based on the derived analytical impulse response, we present a technique to perform the discretization of the above distributed order integrator/differentiator. The derived asymptotic property can be applied to verify the feasibility of this method. Some new features of the distributed order integrator/differentiator are shown in time and frequency domains. A number of illustrated figures are presented to validate the concepts.
A Sun Awareness Pilot Project in Texas

Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States today, is the most preventable. Sun overexposure results in approximately 90% of all skin cancer. Americans' lifetime risk of developing ski...
The traction initial-boundary value problem for bending of thermoelastic plates with cracks

The initial-boundary value problem for bending of a thermoelastic plate weakened by a crack, with Neumann-type boundary conditions along the edges of the crack, is studied, and its unique solvability in spaces of distributions is proved by means of a combination of the Laplace transformation and variational methods.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 215,219,223,227

Abstract The evaluator presents in this publication spectroscopic data and level schemes from radioactive decay and nuclear reaction studies for all nuclei with mass numbers A=215, 219, 223, 227, and 231. Nuclei with mass number A=215 have spherical shape, and their nuclear structure have been interpreted in terms of the shell model. Nuclei with mass number A=219 belong to a transitional region with spherical, quadrupole, and possibly octupole deformations; those with mass numbers A=223 and 227 belong to a newly studied region of coexisting quadrupole with possible octupole deformations; and nuclei with mass number A=231 essentially have quadrupole deformation. Highlights of this publication are given below: A recent study of the 206 Pb( 13 C,4nγ) reaction (1998St24) has extended up to Jπ=61/2+ the previously known level scheme from 208 Pb( 13 C,6nγ) (1988Fu10,1983Lo16). This study has provided a new interpretation for all the spectroscopic data above the 2247--keV (Jπ=29/2--) level in 215 Ra. A new isotope, 219 U (42 μs), which was identified with the recoil separator VASSILISSA (1994Ye08,1994AnZY,1993An07), has been included in this evaluation. The first 223 Rn β-- decay scheme (1992Ku03) and a significantly improved measurement of 227 Ac α decay (1995Sh03) are presented here. A level scheme of 223 Fr has been constructed on the basis of these studies, where most of the levels below 600 keV have been assigned to parity doublet bands and interpreted in terms of the reflection--asymmetric rotor model. This evaluation includes the first level structures of 227 Fr and 227 Th. Levels in 227 Fr are from 227 Rn β-- decay (1997Ku20); those in 227 Th, are from 231 U α decay, from 227 Pa electron--capture decay, and from 226 Ra(α,3nγ) (1997Mu08,1995Li04,1998Ma83). A study of the β-- decay of a mass--separated source of 231 Fr has produced the first level scheme of 231 Ra (2001Fr05). The only published data (1994Br36,1996Le01) on the electron--capture decay of 231 U have provided much information on the level structure of 231 Pa. Studies on 232 Th(p,2nγ) and Coulomb Excitation of 231 Pa (1996Le01,1999Wu05), which have complemented the existing spectroscopic data from these reactions, have suggested the possibility of weak octupole correlations in 231 Pa. A new isotope of plutonium, 231 Pu (1999La14), has been included in this evaluation.
Understanding anodic wear at boron doped diamond film electrodes

Abstract This research investigated the mechanisms associated with anodic wear of boron-doped diamond (BDD) film electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to measure changes in electrode response and surface chemistry as a function of the charge passed and applied current density. Density functional theory (DFT) modeling was used to evaluate possible reaction mechanisms. The initial hydrogen-terminated surface was electrochemically oxidized at lower potentials than water oxidation (≤ 1.83 V/SHE), and was not catalyzed by the hydrogen-terminated surface. In the region where water oxidation produces hydroxyl radicals (OH ), the hydrogen-terminated surface may also be oxidized by chemical reaction with OH . Oxygen atoms became incorporated into the surface via reaction of carbon atoms with OH , forming both C O and C-OH functional groups, that were also detected by XPS measurements. Experimental and DFT modeling results indicate that the oxygenated diamond surface lowers the potential for activationless water oxidation from 2.74 V/SHE for the hydrogen terminated surface to 2.29 V/SHE for the oxygenated surface. Electrode wear was accelerated at high current densities (i.e., 500 mA cm−2), where SEM results indicated oxidation of the BDD film resulted in significant surface roughening. These results are supported by EIS measurements that document an increase in the double-layer capacitance as a function of the charge passed. DFT simulations provide a possible mechanism that explains the observed diamond oxidation. DFT simulation results indicate that BDD edge sites (=CH2) can be converted to COOH functional groups, which are further oxidized via reactions with OH to form H2CO3(aq.) with an activation energy of 58.9 kJ mol−1.
The Response of Gray Treefrogs to Anesthesia by Tricaine Methanesulfonate (TMS or MS-222)

The design of anesthetic protocols for frogs is commonly hindered by lack of information. Results from fishes and rodents do not always apply to frogs, and the literature in anurans is concentrated on a few species. We report on the response of treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis and H. versicolor) to tricaine methanesulfonate. Body mass did not differ significantly between the species or between sexes. In the first exposure of a frog to TMS, variation in induction time was best explained by species (H. chrysoscelis resisted longer) and body mass (larger animals resisted longer). Multiple exposures revealed a strong effect of individual variation on induction time and a significant increase of induction time with number of previous anesthesia events within the same day. Recovery time was mostly explained by individual variation, but it increased with total time in anesthetic and decreased with induction time. It also increased with number of days since the last series of anesthesias and decreased with number of previous uses of the anesthetic bath. This is one of the first studies of anesthesia in hylids and also one of the first assessments of the factors that influence the variability of the response to anesthesia within a species.
Advances in Low-Defect Multilayers for EUVL Mask Blanks

Low-defect multilayer coatings are required to fabricate mask blanks for Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL). The mask blanks consist of high reflectance EUV multilayers on low thermal expansion substrates. A defect density of 0.0025 printable defects/cm2 for both the mask substrate and the multilayer is required to provide a mask blank yield of 60 percent. Current low defect multilayer coating technology allows repeated coating-added defect levels of 0.05/cm2 for defects greater than 90 nm polystyrene latex sphere (PSL) equivalent size for lots of 20 substrates. Extended clean operation of the coating system at levels below 0.08/cm2 for 3 months of operation has also been achieved. Two substrates with zero added defects in the quality area have been fabricated, providing an existence proof that ultra low defect coatings are possible. Increasing the ion source-to-target distance from 410 to 560 mm to reduce undesired coating of the ion source caused the defect density to increase to 0.2/cm2. Deposition and etching diagnostic witness substrates and deposition pinhole cameras showed a much higher level of ion beam spillover (ions missing the sputter target) than expected. Future work will quantify beam spillover, and test designs to reduce spillover, if it is confirmed to be the cause of the increased defect level. The LDD system will also be upgraded to allow clean coating of standard format mask substrates. The upgrade will confirm that the low defect process developed on Si wafers is compatible with the standard mask format 152 mm square substrates, and will provide a clean supply of EUVL mask blanks needed to support development of EUVL mask patterning processes and clean mask handling technologies.
Effective energy approach to collectively quantized systems

We generalize effective energy variational techniques to study appropriately quantized solitonic field configurations. Our approach rests on collective quantization ideas and is specifically designed for the numerical evaluation of soliton parameters. We employ this method to obtain the one-loop quantum corrections to the soliton mass and form factor. Special attention is given to the regularization of the physical observables in the solitonic sector of the theory. The numerical implementation of the method is demonstrated for a simple one-dimensional scalar field example.
Fluid-Thermal-Structural Modeling and Analysis of Hypersonic Structures under Combined Loading

Accurate predictions of structural response and life in extreme environments are necessary to achieve the United States Air Force’ goals of affordable, reusable platforms capable of sustained hypersonic flight and responsive access to space. However, the predictive capability of current commercial software is limited for combined aerothermal and aeropressure loading due in part to the inability to seamlessly address multi-coupled, multi-scale fluid-thermal-structural interactions. This study aims to quantify the significance of a frequently neglected interaction, namely: the mutual (2-way) coupling of structural deformation and aerodynamic heating, on response prediction in hypersonic flow. In order to accomplish this objective, an additional focus is on the use of partitioned solution procedures to couple separate: fluid, thermal, and structural models. The response of a carbon-carbon hypersonic skin panel in Mach 12 flow is investigated. It is determined that the 2-way coupled quasi-static solution is converged for O(10) thermal time steps and O(10) deformation updates in aerodynamic heating computations within the characteristic thermal response time. Subsequently, it is shown that including the dependence of aerodynamic heating on structural deformation results in O(20%) increase in peak skin temperature and O(200%) increase in surface ply failure index for relatively modest peak displacement, O(2%) of panel length. Dynamic aeroelastic stability of the quasi-static response predictions is verified through the use of short-duration, transient dynamic response tests that use subiterations to converge the fluid-structural response. Additionally, a long-duration, staggered dynamic solution procedure is investigated. It is determined that the use of sequential cold restarts of the dynamic structural solution results in numerical errors that can alter the predicted response.
Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on urea cycle intermediates and nitric oxide levels after congenital heart surgery

Abstract Objective To test the hypothesis that cardiopulmonary bypass used for repair of ventricular septal defects and atrioventricular septal defects would decrease availability of urea cycle intermediates including arginine and subsequent nitric oxide availability. Study design Consecutive infants (n = 26) undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for repair of an unrestrictive ventricular septal defect or atrioventricular septal defect were studied. Blood samples were collected immediately before surgery, immediately after surgery, and 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after surgery. Urea cycle intermediates, including citrulline, arginine, and ornithine, were measured by amino acid analysis. Nitric oxide metabolites were measured by means of the modified Griess reaction. Results Cardiopulmonary bypass caused a significant decrease in the urea cycle intermediates arginine, citrulline, and ornithine at all postoperative time points compared with preoperative levels. The ratio of ornithine to citrulline, a marker of urea cycle function, was elevated at all postoperative time points compared with preoperative values, indicating decreased urea cycle function. Nitric oxide metabolites were significantly decreased at all postoperative time points except for 48 hours, compared with preoperative levels. Conclusions Cardiopulmonary bypass significantly decreases availability of arginine, citrulline, and nitric oxide metabolites in the postoperative period. Decreased availability of nitric oxide precursors may contribute to the increased risk of postoperative pulmonary hypertension. (J Pediatr 2003;142:26-30)
Sampled data systems on M2×L2: The quadratic cost formulation for linear delay systems

Infinite dimensional discrete-time systems which arise from sampling of a delay system on M2xL2 can be enlarged into an equivalent system of finite dimensional equations. The finite dimensional reformulation of the quadratic cost problem can be exploited to yield a feedback synthesis. The quadratic formulation considered involves delays in the control action, delays in the observation and internal system delays.
Gestational nicotine exposure regulates expression of AMPA and NMDA receptors and their signaling apparatus in developing and adult rat hippocampus

Untimely activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) by nicotine results in short- and long-term consequences on learning and behavior. In this study, the aim was to determine how prenatal nicotine exposure affects components of glutamatergic signaling in the hippocampus during postnatal development. We investigated regulation of both nAChRs and glutamate receptors for AMPA and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), from postnatal day 1 (P1) to P63 after a temporally restricted exposure to saline or nicotine for 14 days in utero. We analyzed postsynaptic density components associated with AMPA receptor (AMPAR) and NMDA receptor (NMDAR) signaling: calmodulin (CaM), CaM Kinase II alpha (CaMKIIα), and postsynaptic density-95 (PSD95), as well as presynaptically localized synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25). At P1, there was significantly heightened expression of AMPAR subunit GluR1 but not GluR2, and of NMDAR subunits NR1, NR2a, and NR2d but not NR2b. NR2c was not detectable. CaM, CaMKIIα, and PSD95 were also significantly upregulated at P1, together with presynaptic SNAP25. This enhanced expression of glutamate receptors and signaling proteins was concomitant with elevated levels of [³H]epibatidine (³H]EB) binding in prenatal nicotine-exposed hippocampus, indicating that α4β2 nAChR may influence glutamatergic function in the hippocampus at P1. By P14, neither [³H]EB binding nor the expression levels of subunits GluR1, GluR2, NR1, NR2a, NR2b, NR2c, or NR2d seemed changed with prenatal nicotine. However, CaMKIIα was significantly upregulated with nicotine treatment while CaM showed downregulation at P14. The effects of nicotine persisted in P63 young adult brains which exhibited significantly downregulated GluR2, NR1, and NR2c expression levels in hippocampal homogenates and a considerably muted overall distribution of [³H]AMPA binding in areas CA1, CA2 and CA3, and the dentate gyrus. Our results suggest that prenatal nicotine exposure can regulate the glutamatergic signaling system throughout postnatal development by enhancing or inhibiting availability of AMPAR and NMDAR or their signaling components. The persistent depression, in adults, of the requisite NR1 subunit for NMDAR assembly, and of GluR2, important for assembly, trafficking, and biophysical properties of AMPAR, indicates that nicotine may alter ionotropic glutamate receptor stoichiometry and functional properties in adults after prenatally restricted nicotine exposure.