cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium Modulation of Microvascular Sensitivity during Renovascular Hypertension

AbstractThe effects of in vivo alterations in local calcium concentration on small vessel responses to norepinephrine were obtained for a first order arteriole and venule in the cremaster muscle of normotensive and one-kidney, one-clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats. The cremaster with intact circulation and innervation was suspended in a modified Krebs solution which contained either 1.3, 2.6, or 5.1 mM CaCl2. Closed-circuit television microscopy was used to measure vessel diameters. The resting lumenal diameters of first-order arterioles in hypertensive rats were 31% smaller than lumenal diameters of the corresponding arterioles in normotensive rats. Concentration-response curves showed that the norepinephrine sensitivity (pD2) of first-order arterioles in normotensive rats was significantly increased by a change in bath [Ca2+] from 1.3 to 2.6 mM; however, the norepinephrine sensitivity of comparable arterioles in hypertensive rats was not affected by this change in bath [Ca2+]. These data indicate that me...
Dispersion and holdup in a three-phase fluidized-bed bioreactor

Axial dispersion and phase holdup measurements were made using electroconductivity in a fermenting fluidized-bed bioreactor (FBR) and in a model nonfermenting three-phase FBR. Multiple axial conductivity probes were used to nonintrusively monitor the bed conductivity. The gas phase holdup was estimated from a ratio of the average bed conductivity and bulk conductivity. The solid fraction in the three-phase FBR can be estimated from the two-phase liquid-solid FBR. The response to a salt pulse was used to estimate the liquid axial dispersion coefficient. Particle Peclet numbers on the order of 10-2 were estimated as a function of flowrates and compared to literature correlations.
The annihilator of a sum

If b and c in a module have annihilators {iI} and J, the possible annihilators of b +c are the K with \(K \supseteqq I \cap J\) and K ∩ J.
COMPARING THE EFFICACY OF DRONEDARONE WITH OLDER ANTI-ARRHYTHMIC DRUGS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENT OF ELECTRICAL CARDIOVERSION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Current ACC guidelines have class 2A recommendations that pretreatment with class 1c or class 3 anti-arrhythmic drugs can enhance the acute success rate of electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Efficacy of pretreatment with Dronedarone, a new class 3 anti-arrhythmic drug is currently
Polyamine levels as biomarkers of injury response in polytrauma victims

Abstract Enhanced protein mobilization and synthesis are common responses to severe trauma. The hypothesis that extracellular polyamine levels could be valid biomarkers for these responses has been investigated. The three polyamines, spermidine, spermine and their precursor putrescine are directly involved in cell growth/death kinetics through regulation of protein metabolism. The lack of tissue uptake of extracellular polyamines and their rapid conjugation and excretion make them excellent biomarkers of variations in cellular kinetics. The polyamine levels in plasma and urine of severely traumatized patients were measured during the early “flow” phase of injury and compared with unstressed normals. Significantly elevated urinary levels of free and total putrescine and spermidine indicate the increase in the protein synthesis and breakdown rates, respectively, in polytrauma patients. Urinary spermidine level correlates well with other known parameters of protein catabolism, such as isotopically measured whole body protein breakdown rate in the basal state and 3-methylhistidine excretion and nitrogen loss in the basal condition and during nutritional therapy. Whole-body protein synthesis rate positively correlates with putrescine levels in urine. Based on these observations, urinary levels of the polyamines spermidine and putrescine may be applied as valid biomarkers of protein breakdown and synthesis rates, respectively, both for the existing pathology of severe trauma and for the response to nutritional therapy.
Actinomycotic brain infection: registered diffusion, perfusion MR imaging and MR spectroscopy.

Introduction: Actinomycotic brain infection is caused by an organism of the Actinomyces genus. We report here one such case. Methods: The methods used included coregistered diffusion, perfusion and spectroscopic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Results: Decreased apparent diffusion coefficient, markedly elevated fractional anisotropy (FA) and reduced cerebral blood flow were observed. MR spectroscopy demonstrated elevated amino acids, acetate and succinate. Conclusion: Elevated FA values may be due to the microstructure of this special brain infection.
Hippocampal and striatal gray matter volume are associated with a smoking cessation treatment outcome: results of an exploratory voxel-based morphometric analysis

Rationale Compared to nonsmokers, smokers exhibit a number of potentially important differences in regional brain structure including reduced gray matter (GM) volume and/or density in areas including frontal and cingulate cortices, thalamus, and insula. However, associations between brain structure and smoking cessation treatment outcomes have not been reported.
Cyclopenta[b]naphthalene cyanoacrylate dyes: synthesis and evaluation as fluorescent molecular rotors.

We describe the design, synthesis and fluorescent profile of a family of environment-sensitive dyes in which a dimethylamino (donor) group is conjugated to a cyanoacrylate (acceptor) unit via a cyclopenta[b]naphthalene ring system. This assembly satisfies the typical D–π-A motif of a fluorescent molecular rotor and exhibits solvatochromic and viscosity-sensitive fluorescence emission. The central naphthalene ring system of these dyes was synthesized via a novel intramolecular dehydrogenative dehydro-Diels–Alder (IDDDA) reaction that permits incorporation of the donor and acceptor groups in variable positions around the aromatic core. A bathochromic shift of excitation and emission peaks was observed with increasing solvent polarity but the dyes exhibited a complex emission pattern with a second red emission band when dissolved in nonpolar solvents. Consistent with other known molecular rotors, the emission intensity increased with increasing viscosity. Interestingly, closer spatial proximity between the donor and the acceptor groups led to decreased viscosity sensitivity combined with an increased quantum yield. This observation indicates that structural hindrance of intramolecular rotation dominates when the donor and acceptor groups are in close proximity. The examined compounds give insight into how excited state intramolecular rotation can be influenced by both the solvent and the chemical structure.
A Parameterization of Vertical Dispersion of Ground-Level Releases

The authors propose a simple parameterization for estimating vertical dispersion in the surface boundary layer. It improves upon methods proposed earlier (e.g., by van Ulden, Briggs, and Pasquill and Smith) in that it is based on simulation results generated from a Lagrangian stochastic model, which represents the current understanding of dispersion; parameterizations proposed by other investigators have relied on semiempirical K theory or Lagrangian similarity theories. The new parameterization has been evaluated with data gathered from Project Prairie Grass and from the National Reactor Test Station in Idaho.
Dynamic and invisible messaging for visual MIMO

The growing ubiquity of cameras in hand-held devices and the prevalence of electronic displays in signage creates a novel framework for wireless communications. Traditionally, the term MIMO is used for multiple-input multiple-output where the multiple-input component is a set of radio transmitters and the multiple-output component is a set of radio receivers. We employ the concept of visual MIMO where pixels are transmitters and cameras are receivers. In this manner, the techniques of computer vision can be combined with principles from wireless communications to create an optical line-of-sight communications channel. Two major challenges are addressed: (1) The message for transmission must be embedded in the observed display so that the message is hidden from the observer and the electronic display can simultaneously be used for its originally intended purpose (e.g. signage, advertisements, maps); (2) Photometric and geometric distortions during the imaging process corrupt the information channel between the transmitter display and the receiver camera. These distortions must be modeled and removed. In this paper, we present a real-time messaging paradigm and its implementation in an operational visual MIMO optical systems. As part of the system, we develop a novel algorithm for photographic message extraction which includes automatic display detection, message embedding and message retrieval. Experiments show that the system achieves an average accuracy of 94.6% at the bitrate of 6222.2 bps.
HYPOXEMIA DURING ORAL FEEDING OF CHILDREN WITH SEVERE CEREBRAL PALSY

Oral feeding of children with severe dysphagia and multiple disabilities may result in hypoxemia. Pulse oximetry was used to monitor hemoglobin saturation (SpO2) during oral feeding of five children with multiple disabilities who were referred because of food refusal or coughing and fatigue during feeding. Modified barium videofluoroscopic swallow studies demonstrated deglutition abnormalities. SpO2 values were within the normal range at rest, but routine, upright oral feeding resulted in significant degrees of hypoxemia. The pharyngeal stage of deglutition was abnormal in all five children. In three, the periods of hypoxemia were dependent on food texture. Awareness of meal-time hypoxemia contributed to the decision to use gastrostomy-tube feedings for the other two children. Pulse oximetry during oral feeding should be considered for all children with severe dysphagia and multiple disabilities.
Duality and the regulator problem for linear systems over commutative rings

A commutative ring with identity is called a full quotient ring if every element of R is either a unit or a zero divisor. The Duality Principle, “Reachability is dual to observability,” holds for (stationary, discrete-time) linear systems over Noetherian full quotient rings. The solvability of the pole assignment problem is equivalent to reachability for these systems, and (dually) the solvability of the state-estimation problem is equivalent to observability. To summarize these facts, we say that: The regulator problem is solvable for linear systems over Noetherian full quotient rings.
Gaussian function characterization of unnotched tension behavior in a carbon/epoxy composite containing localized fiber waviness

Abstract This study presents the results of analytical and experimental efforts performed on the tension behavior of a common aerospace grade carbon fiber/epoxy material system containing out-of-plane fiber waviness. The composite material selected for this study is one designated by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Advanced General Aviation Transportation Experiments program for use in aerospace structural applications. Unidirectional and multidirectional laminates were examined with different thicknesses containing three levels of waviness. The waviness morphology considered in this study is a ‘degrading’ type waviness, where a relatively sharp wave occurs on the first ply and is completely diminished at the other laminate face. To determine analytically the tensile stiffness, a Gaussian function is introduced to characterize the waviness observed and is used in a transformation-based classical lamination theory approach. The tension failure behavior is also reported for the waviness specimens tested.
Microstructure of thin layers of MBE-grown GaAs on Si substrates

The ability to grow high quality epitaxial GaAs films directly on Si substrates has recently been demonstrated by Molecular Beam Epitaxy. Many of the most successful growth techniques include initial growth at low temperatures and slow growth rate to nucleate the compound on the elemental semiconductor with subsequent normal growth under conditions used for homoepitaxial GaAs MBE. The mechanisms for the success of this method are still poorly understood. This work focusses on a study of the structural evolution of this low temperature initial layer and conventionally grown overlayer. Thin films in the 5 to 300 nm range were used to evaluate the effect of the temperature and thickness on the growth process. Thicker films, described elsewhere, were used to evaluate the crystalline and optical quality of potential device layers. The structure of the thin buffer layers was studied as a function of both temperature and thickness. The crystalline quality of these layers was found to be quite poor, with substantial disorder at the GaAs/Si interface. The quality improved slowly as a function of thickness. The effect of the conventional overgrowth on this initil layer was also investigated. It was found that the quality of the low tumperature layer improved as normal overgrowth continued, as measured by ion channeling aligned yields. After 200 nm of overgrowth, ion channeling aligned yields from the material at the interface had declined substantially. This indicates that substantial regrowth and annealing of defects occurs as growth continues. These observations are further confirmed by TEM.
Higher overall nosocomial infection rate because of increased attack rate of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus

Abstract Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has become a frequent cause of hospital-acquired infectious disease. However, the impact of methicillin-resistant S. aureus on the overall nosocomial infection rate has not been clearly defined. Methods: The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital is a tertiary care facility and participant in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system. Prospective, hospital-wide surveillance for nosocomial infections was conducted for 8 months per year during 1986 through 1991. Results: The total nosocomial infection rate increased from 4.5% in 1987 to 5.9% in 1990. This was temporally associated with a rise in the attack rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus from 0% to 0.4%. The remainder of the increase was caused by other gram-positive microorganisms, including methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. We identified methicillin-resistant S. aureus most commonly in the surgical intensive care unit and as a cause of lower respiratory tract infections. In contrast, methicillin-sensitive S. aureus was most frequently found in the neurologic intensive care unit and as the etiologic agent of surgical wound infections. Conclusions: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus has become a common nosocomial pathogen. There has been no decrease in the attack rate of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus or other gram-positive cocci. The total nosocomial infection rate has increased as a result equally of the emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus and of the renewed activity of other gram-positive pathogens. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus has added to the overall burden of nosocomial infectious disease.
Water disinfection for developing countries and potential for solar thermal pasteurization

Abstract Water-borne disease in developing countries leads to millions of deaths and billions of illnesses annually. Water disinfection is one of several interventions that can improve public health, especially if part of a broad program that considers all disease transmission routes and sustainably involves the community. Considering water volumes ≲30 m3/day, appropriate disinfection methods include chlorination, slow sand filtration, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and pasteurization. Pretreatment with a coarse roughing filtration is generally used with the first three of these technologies to reduce turbidity and maintain high effectiveness. Cysts and worm eggs are resistant to chlorination and UV but can be filtered relatively easily. Chlorination is widely used and inexpensive but requires a continual supply of chemicals. Slow sand filtration is lowest in cost but requires high investment in labor. Household filtration using indigenous devices requires little capital investment but is relatively ineffective and difficult to properly maintain. Batch treatment with solar UV is very easy to implement but effectiveness in practice is uncertain since temperatures above 50°C should be attained. UV lamp devices are inexpensive and easy to use but require power and access to maintenance infrastructure. Boiling of water requires no initial expense but fuel and labor costs are very high. Solar pasteurization devices (batch and flow-through) are effective and relatively maintenance-free, but existing products yield high treatment cost. Flow-through systems with selective flat plate collectors become cost-competitive with UV technology at costs of about $380/m2 and $80/m2 for home-scale and village-scale use, respectively. These cost goals might be attained with polymer thin film designs if durability issues are adequately resolved.
Minimum expected risk probability estimates for nonparametric neighborhood classifiers

We consider the problem of estimating class probabilities for a given feature vector using nonparametric neighborhood methods, such as k-nearest neighbors (k-NN). This paper's contribution is the application of minimum expected risk estimates for neighborhood learning methods, an analytic formula for the minimum expected risk estimate for weighted k-NN classifiers, and examples showing that the difference can be significant
Multi-dimensional seismic imaging using the inverse scattering series

The inverse scattering series (ISS) is a comprehensive multidimensional theory for processing and inverting seismic reflection data, that may be task-separated such that meaningful sub-problems of the seismic inverse problem may be accomplished individually, each without an accurate velocity model. We describe a task-separated subseries of the ISS geared towards accurate location in depth of reflectors, in particular the mechanisms of the series that act in multiple dimensions. We show that some 2D ISS imaging terms have analogs in previously developed 1D ISS imaging theory (e.g., Weglein et al., 2002; Shaw, 2005) and others do not; the former are used to create a 2D depth-only imaging prototype algorithm which is tested on synthetic salt-model data, and the latter are used to discuss ongoing research into reflector location activity within the series that acts only in the case of lateral variation and the presence of, e.g., diffraction energy in the data. Numerical tests are encouraging and show clear added value.
Reasons for nonparticipation in adult basic education.

This research sought to determine reasons for nonparticipation in adult basic education (ABE), whether there was an underlying structure to those reasons, and whether sociodemographic variables were associated with reasons for nonparticipation. The study was conducted on a representative sample of Iowa adults (N= 129) who were aged eighteen or older, had not completed high school, and had never attended ABE. Data were collected through a telephone survey which had three parts: corroboration of eligibility for the study, sociodemographic information and 32 items which operationalized the concept "reasons for nonparticipation." Factor analysis of the 32 items resulted in four interpretable factors: Low Perception of Need, Perceived Effort, Dislike for School, and Situational Barriers. Low perception of Need correlated positively with age, and Situational Barriers was shown to be related to adult mid-life.
Environmental Aesthetics and Public Environmental Philosophy

We argue that environmental aesthetics, and specifically the concept of aesthetic integrity, should play a central role in a public environmental philosophy designed to communicate about environmental problems in an effective manner. After developing the concept of the “aesthetic integrity” of the environment, we appeal to empirical research to show that it contributes significantly to people’s sense of place, which is, in turn, central to their well-being and motivational state. As a result, appealing to aesthetic integrity in policy contexts is both strategically and morally advisable. To provide a concrete illustration of the ways in which such appeals can play a role in policy making, we examine a specific case study in which attention to aesthetic integrity contributed to blocking a proposed development. The case yields at least four lessons: (1) aesthetic integrity can be a practically effective framing device; (2) local deliberative settings are particularly conducive for addressing it; (3) it can ...
Increasing sensor network lifetime by identifying and leveraging nodes with excess energy in heterogeneous networks

We propose and evaluate wireless sensor routing algorithms designed to extend the lifetime of a heterogeneous wireless sensor network. The network is heterogeneous in the sensors' energy distribution and also in the amount of data each sensor must communicate. As a basis for comparison, we analyze the lifetime of a network using a simple, nearest-neighbor routing algorithm and an analytic solution to the optimal lifetime of networks meeting certain constraints. We compare the performance of all the routing algorithms in simulation.
Identification of Atherosclerotic Lipid Deposits by Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Objectives— The content and distribution of lipids is an important aspect of plaque vulnerability, but lipids are present within a heterogeneous environment, impeding detection by magnetic resonance imaging. Our goal was to achieve accurate detection of mobile lipids by a single magnetic resonance imaging sequence. Methods and Results— Carotid endarectomy specimens (n=23) were imaged ex vivo at a high magnetic field (11.7 T) within 24 hours after surgery. Three contrast-weighted (T1W, T2W, and diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI]) image sequences were acquired and then coregistered with histological preparations for lipids (Oil red O and polarized light microscopy) and fibrous tissue (trichrome). Contrast-to-noise ratios were measured and compared for the 3 contrast weightings. Contrast-to-noise ratio measurement in regions identified as lipid versus fibrous tissue showed greater differences by DWI (4.5±0.63 versus 0.64±0.08; P P Conclusions— Biophysical properties of plaque lipids can confer selective identification by DWI, as opposed to standard T1W and T2W imaging sequences. Successful translation of DWI in vivo could identify of features of vulnerable plaque.
The pacific northwest demand response market demonstration

This paper describes the implementation and results of a field demonstration wherein residential electric water heaters and thermostats, commercial building space conditioning, municipal water pump loads, and several distributed generators were coordinated to manage constrained feeder electrical distribution through the two-way communication of load status and electric price signals. The field demonstration took place in Washington and Oregon and was paid for by the U.S. Department of Energy and several northwest utilities. Price is found to be an effective control signal for managing transmission or distribution congestion. Real-time signals at 5-minute intervals are shown to shift controlled load in time. The behaviors of customers and their responses under fixed, time-of-use, and real-time price contracts are compared. Peak loads are effectively reduced on the experimental feeder. A novel application of portfolio theory is applied to the selection of an optimal mix of customer contract types.
How effective is albedo modification (solar radiation management geoengineering) in preventing sea-level rise from the Greenland Ice Sheet?

Albedo modification (AM) is sometimes characterized as a potential means of avoiding climate threshold responses, including large-scale ice sheet mass loss. Previous work has investigated the effects of AM on total sea-level rise over the present century, as well as AM's ability to reduce long-term (103 yr) contributions to sea-level rise from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS). These studies have broken new ground, but neglect important feedbacks in the GIS system, or are silent on AM's effectiveness over the short time scales that may be most relevant for decision-making (<103 yr). Here, we assess AM's ability to reduce GIS sea-level contributions over decades to centuries, using a simplified ice sheet model. We drive this model using a business-as-usual base temperature forcing scenario, as well as scenarios that reflect AM-induced temperature stabilization or temperature drawdown. Our model results suggest that (i) AM produces substantial near-term reductions in the rate of GIS-driven sea-level rise. However, (ii) sea-level rise contributions from the GIS continue after AM begins. These continued sea level rise contributions persist for decades to centuries after temperature stabilization and temperature drawdown begin, unless AM begins in the next few decades. Moreover, (iii) any regrowth of the GIS is delayed by decades or centuries after temperature drawdown begins, and is slow compared to pre-AM rates of mass loss. Combined with recent work that suggests AM would not prevent mass loss from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, our results provide a nuanced picture of AM's possible effects on future sea-level rise.
Resilience in Children at High Risk for Psychological Disorder

This longitudinal study examined factors related to healthy adjustment in young children who had experienced conditions and stresses known to carry a substantial risk of adverse outcome. Psychological adjustment of 109 children at age 6 to 7 years was examined for its relationship to infancy risk status, determined at age I month by means of a multifactor screen assessing perinatal stress, psychological problems and stresses in the family, maternal attitudes toward self and parenthood, and maternal perceptions of infant temperament. Several variables believed to mediate outcome for high-risk children were studied, including subsequent stressful life events, social support available to child and mother, and child's locus of control orientation. Interactions between predictor variables showed that life events magnify synergistically the adverse effects of infancy risk factors, and social support and internal control orientation potently buffer the effects of risk and stress. Considered jointly in conjunction with their interactions, the predictor variables were strongly predictive of outcome, explaining 56% of the variance observed in behavior problems and 64% of the variance in school problems.
The Scientific Study of Expert Levels of Performance: general implications for optimal learning and creativity 1

Recent research in many different domains of expertise has shown that the large differences in performance between experts and novices are frequently reproducible under standardized conditions and can often be captured with representative tasks in the laboratory. Furthermore, these differences in performance are predominantly mediated by complex skills acquired over a decade, as a result of high daily levels of activities which are specially designed'to improve performance (deliberate practice). The effects of extended deliberate practice are remarkably far‐reaching and include physiological adaptations and qualitative changes in performance mediated by acquired cognitive skills. Most importantly, expert performers have acquired mental representations that allow them to plan and reason about potential courses of action and these representations also allow experts to monitor their performance, thus providing critical feedback for continued complex learning. The study of elite performance also reveals how a...
Confined parison inflation behavior of a high-density polyethylene

An analysis of the confined parison inflation step associated with the extrusion blowmolding of a high-density polyethylene is presented. Based upon simple geometrical considerations and material conservation principles, relationships describing the wall thickness variation have been obtained for various mold configurations. The experimentally measured part thickness distribution is found to be in good qualitative agreement and reasonable quantitative correspondence with the theoretical predictions. Furthermore, the expressions for the thickness variation have been utilized in order to estimate the confined inflation time for the case of a power-law constitutive equation. In addition, a brief discussion of some practical mold design considerations is given based upon the theoretical analysis.
Rotten trade: Millennial capitalism, human values and global justice in organs trafficking

(2003). Rotten trade: Millennial capitalism, human values and global justice in organs trafficking. Journal of Human Rights: Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 197-226.
Interactive learning through web-mediated peer review of student science reports

Two studies analyzed impacts of writing and receiving web-mediated peer reviews on revision of research reports by undergraduate science students. After con- ducting toxicology experiments, 77 students posted draft reports and exchanged double- blind reviews. The first study randomly assigned students to four groups representing full, partial, or no peer review. Students engaging in any aspect of peer review made more revisions than students confined to reviewing their own reports. In the second study, all students engaged in peer review, and the influence of writing versus receiving critiques was analyzed using linear regression. Both studies showed receiving reviews to be more sig- nificant than writing them in terms of triggering report revisions. Students valued the peer review experience and credited it with giving them insights about their work. Conclusions address implications for optimal design of online peer review systems and for further research into student learning gains.
ABO incompatibility and its effects on body iron contents.

. The correlation between iron content of the liver and ABO incompatiblity was evaluated by histological examinations of stillborn and neonatal infants. ABO- incompatible infants had significantly higher iron content than ABO compatible infants. This study offered histological evidence of increased hemolysis in ABO-incompatible infants even though clinically no such symptoms existed.
School Dropout, Delinquent Behavior, and Drug Use

The importance of acquiring at least a high school education in our society is well established. Those who do not complete high school experience more social disadvantages later in life, particularly in terms of employment and economic well-being. Yet an increasing number of youngsters drop out of school prior to graduating, especially youngsters who live in relatively poor areas of the inner city. Because of the negative social and economic consequences of dropping out of school, it is important that we (1) identify factors that increase the risk of dropping out of school and (2) understand better the consequences of dropping out. Only by doing so can we develop effective policies to combat this problem.
Determining peritoneal dialysis prescriptions by employing a patient-specific protocol

ObjectiveTo develop a formula that would permit a rapid and simple calculation of required dialysate volume needed to provide a predetermined daily creatinine clearance.DesignProspective study of p...
Expansion dilatation balloons for cervical ripening in obstetric practice

During recent decades, mechanical devices have been substituted by pharmacological methods. Their place in the therapeutic arsenal remains important with a renewed obstetrical interest for these devices. Due to a lack of data they are still not recommended as first-line. This review thus attempted to examine the use of expansion dilatation balloons (Foley catheter and double-balloons) to analyze their effectiveness in case of native uterus and previous cesarean section. Twenty-seven clinical trials had compared balloons catheter and prostaglandins in patients without a history of uterine scar. The risk of cesarean section did not differ. Mechanical methods seemed to be more effective in achieving delivery within 24hours, with fewer episodes of excessive uterine contractions, but they necessitated more oxytocin during labor. Ten clinical trials analyzed dilatation balloons in patients with previous cesarean section. More than 70% women had favorable cervical ripening (Bishop score>6), and vaginal delivery was reported between 35 and 70% of patients. The risk of uterine rupture was low between 0.64 and 0.72%, with neither increased risk of severe neonatal and maternal morbidity nor increased risk of infectious morbidity. Mechanical methods are effective and safe for third trimester cervical ripening, mainly in women with previous cesarean section. Potential advantages may include wide availability and reduction of some of the side effects.
Hardware Fault Compensation Using Discriminative Learning

With process scaling and the adoption of post-CMOS technologies, permanent faults are becoming a fundamental problem. Circuits containing defects are either discarded (reducing yield) or partially disabled (reducing performance). In this paper, we propose a general approach using supervised and discriminative learning techniques to compensate for the effect of permanent faults on a circuit's output. The insight for this approach is that many emerging systems and applications are able to tolerate some loss of quality in their computed results. Therefore, more scalable and lower overhead compensation techniques may be used to approximately correct for the effect of hardware faults on the circuit output. The proposed approach is shown to improve the output quality of complex accelerator and application-specific logic by 2-3 orders of magnitude while incurring
Comorbid ADHD and anxiety affect social skills group intervention treatment efficacy in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Objective: To assess the influence of psychiatric comorbidity on social skill treatment outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Methods: A community sample of 83 children (74 males, 9 females) with an ASD (mean age 9.5 yr; SD 1.2) and common comorbid disorders participated in 10-week social skills training groups. The first 5 weeks of the group focused on conversation skills and the second 5 weeks focused on social problem solving skills. A concurrent parent group was also included in the treatment. Social skills were assessed using the Social Skills Rating System. Ratings were completed by parents at pre- and posttreatment time periods. Results: Children with ASD and children with an ASD and comorbid anxiety disorder improved in their parent reported social skills. Children with ASD and comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder failed to improve. Conclusion: Psychiatric comorbidity affects social skill treatment gains in the ASD population. (J Dev Behav Pediatr 32:439-446, 2011) Index terms: autism spectrum, social skills, ADHD.
Retarding Thick White Deterioration by Holding Shell Eggs in Sealed Containers

Abstract THE retarding effect of carbon dioxide on thick white deterioration has been recognized for many years. However, this principle has not been used to the fullest advantage in maintaining thick white quality. Sharp (1937) reviewed the literature concerning the effect of carbon dioxide on the preservation of shell eggs. Most of the previous work has dealt with the exposure of eggs to carbon dioxide during long storage periods. Subsequent changes in thick white structure after short carbon dioxide treatments have not been elucidated. It has been shown by Evans and Carver (1942), Bose and Stewart (1948), Yushok and Romanoff (1949), Winter and Cotterill (1949), and Gibbons (1950) that the beneficial effects of oiling or other means of shell coating eggs soon after laying are dependent on the retention of inherent carbon dioxide in the egg. Romanoff and Yushok (1948) stated that if the shells of fresh eggs are made impervious …
Volcanism, Ecology and Culture: A Reassessment of the Volcán Ilopango TBJ Eruption in the Southern Maya Realm

The Tierra Blanca Joven (TBJ) eruption of the Ilopango caldera in central El Salvador was one of the largest Holocene volcanic events in Central America, and its ecological and cultural impacts were felt throughout El Salvador and adjoining areas of Guatemala and Honduras. Early radiocarbon measurements established a ca. A. D. 260 ± 114 calendar date for the eruption. However, a reevaluation of the original 14C dates, in addition to new AMS 14C assays, shows that the TBJ eruption occurred at least a century and a half later than originally estimated. The revised 14C composite supports an Early Classic Period calendar date for the eruption: 1 sigma = A. D. 421(429)526; 2 sigma = A. D. 408(429)536. A review of archaeological settlement, ceramic, and radiocarbon evidence from sites throughout the area of greatest devastation reveals a large-scale demographic collapse following the event. We believe that the population crash was caused both by the biophysical effects of the eruption and by the resulting disarticulation of the "Miraflores" cultural-economic sphere. The affected areas of El Salvador and south-eastern Guatemala did not completely recover until the seventh century A. D.
Irrelevant learned reward associations disrupt voluntary spatial attention

Attention can be guided involuntarily by physical salience and by non-salient, previously learned reward associations that are currently task-irrelevant. Attention can be guided voluntarily by current goals and expectations. The current study examined, in two experiments, whether irrelevant reward associations could disrupt current, goal-driven, voluntary attention. In a letter-search task, attention was directed voluntarily (i.e., cued) on half the trials by a cue stimulus indicating the hemifield in which the target letter would appear with 100 % accuracy. On the other half of the trials, a cue stimulus was presented, but it did not provide information about the target hemifield (i.e., uncued). On both cued and uncued trials, attention could be involuntarily captured by the presence of a task-irrelevant, and physically non-salient, color, either within the cued or the uncued hemifield. Importantly, one week prior to the letter search task, the irrelevant color had served as a target feature that was predictive of reward in a separate training task. Target identification accuracy was better on cued compared to uncued trials. However, this effect was reduced when the irrelevant, and physically non-salient, reward-associated feature was present in the uncued hemifield. This effect was not observed in a second, control experiment in which the irrelevant color was not predictive of reward during training. Our results indicate that involuntary, value-driven capture can disrupt the voluntary control of spatial attention.
Quantum Bayesian approach to circuit QED measurement with moderate bandwidth

We consider continuous quantum measurement of a superconducting qubit in the circuit QED setup with a moderate bandwidth of the measurement resonator, i.e., when the ``bad-cavity'' limit is not applicable. The goal is a simple description of the quantum evolution due to measurement, i.e., the measurement backaction. Extending the quantum Bayesian approach previously developed for the bad-cavity regime, we show that the evolution equations remain the same, but now they should be applied to the entangled qubit-resonator state, instead of the qubit state alone. The derivation uses only elementary quantum mechanics and basic properties of coherent states, thus being accessible to nonexperts.
Kernel based approach for protein fold prediction from sequence

Due to the relatively large gap of knowledge between gene identification and gene function, the ability to construct a computational model describing gene function from sequence information has become an important area of research. In order to understand the biological role of a specific gene, we will require knowledge of the corresponding protein's structure and function. We present a support vector machines based method for determining a protein's fold from sequence information alone where this sequence has little similarity with sequences with known structures. We have focused on improvement in multiclass classification, parameter tuning, descriptor design, and feature selections. The current implementation showed better performance than previous similar approaches.
Education, Ecology and Poverty Reduction

Many of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas. They depend on environmental resources for their health and well-being. The rural poor depend disproportionately on trees, freshwater streams, pollinators, mangroves, and rainfall (UN Millennium Project 2005). Many rural people have grown up in those rural areas; they come from generations of rural producers—herders, farmers, hunters, and gathers—who collectively possess an unwritten library of local knowledge, intelligence, skills, and technologies about how to survive and thrive on what local ecosystems can provide.
Abstract 136: Differential Effect of Nitric Oxide on the 26S Proteasome in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Rats

INTRODUCTION: We have shown that nitric oxide (NO) is more effective at inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia in rodent models of type 2 versus type 1 diabetes. To explain this difference, we looked at the 26S proteasome and deubiquitinating enzyme, USP5, since recent data revealed altered protein ubiquitination in diabetic environments. We hypothesize that NO has a differential effect on the 26S proteasome, the proteasomal activator, PA28-α, and/or USP5 in type 1 vs. 2 diabetic rat models. METHODS: The carotid artery injury model was performed in non-diabetic (LZ), type 1 (streptozotocin-injected LZ [STZ]), and type 2 diabetic (ZDF) rats. Groups included control, injury, and injury+PROLI/NO [n=4-7/group]. At 72hrs, carotid arteries were homogenized. PA28-α and USP5 expression was assessed by Western blot analysis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were harvested from LZ and ZDF rats and exposed to NO. After 24hrs, Western blot analysis for PA28-α and USP5, or the 26S activity assay was performed. RESULTS: ZDF arteries exhibited 2-fold more PA28-α expression versus STZ arteries. While NO caused a 2-fold decrease in PA28-α after injury in LZ arteries, NO caused complete inhibition in STZ and ZDF arteries versus injury alone. Similarly, ZDF arteries showed 2-fold more USP5 expression versus STZ arteries. While NO caused a decrease in USP5 expression in LZ arteries, NO exposure resulted in a doublet formation and no inhibition of USP5 in STZ and ZDF arteries versus injury alone. NO inhibited 26S proteasome activity (p CONCLUSION: NO caused significant early changes in PA28-α and USP5 in rodent models of type 1 and 2 diabetes versus non-diabetic rats. NO also increased expression of PA28-α in diabetic VSMC, but did not differentially affect proteasomal activity or protein deubiquitination in vitro. These data indicate a strong relationship between protein ubiquitination and degradation and the development of neointimal hyperplasia in diabetic rat models and may lead to a novel mechanism to prevent restenosis in diabetic patients.
Surgical Margins in Nephron-Sparing Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma

The oncologic impact of positive surgical margins after nephron-sparing surgery is controversial. Herein, we discuss current data surrounding surgical margins in the operative management of renal cell carcinoma. The prevalence, risk factors, outcomes, and subsequent management of positive surgical margins will be reviewed. Literature suggests that the prevalence of positive surgical margins following kidney surgery varies by practice setting, tumor characteristics, and operation type. For patients undergoing nephron-sparing surgery, it is not necessary to remove a margin of healthy tissue. Tumor enucleation may be appropriate and is associated with comparable outcomes. Reflexive intraoperative frozen section use does not provide beneficial information and many patients with positive margins can be monitored closely with serial imaging. The impact of positive surgical margins on recurrence and survival remains conflicting. Though every effort must be performed to obtain negative margins, a positive surgical margin appears to have a marginal impact on recurrence and survival.
Amicus Brief in Bristol-Myers Squibb v. Superior Court

The decision of the California Supreme Court in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court, 1 Cal.5th 783 (2016), is fully consistent with the due process standards recognized by this Court in International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310 (1945), as well as with recent doctrinal developments applying and elaborating those standards. The state high court’s substantial connection standard bridges the jurisdictional lacuna between specific and general jurisdiction and operates in a manner that is fully consistent with the federal common law doctrine of pendent personal jurisdiction. We, therefore, urge this Court to affirm the decision of the California Supreme Court.
N′-mono- and N, N′-diacyl derivatives of benzyl and arylhydrazines as contact insecticides against adult Anopheles gambiae

New public health insecticides are urgently required to prevent the spread of vector-borne disease. With the goal of identifying new K+-channel-directed mosquitocides, analogs of the RH-5849 family of diacyl t-butylhydrazines were synthesized and tested for topical toxicity against adult Anopheles gambiae, the African vector of malaria. In total, 80N'-monoacyl and N, N'-diacyl derivatives of benzyl- and arylhydrazines were prepared. Three compounds (2bo, 2kb, 3ab) were identified that were more toxic than RH-5849 and RH-1266. The potencies of these compounds to block K+ currents in An. gambiae and human Kv2.1 channels were assessed to address their possible mechanism of mosquitocidal action. Selectivity for inhibition of An. gambiae Kv2.1 vs human Kv2.1 did not exceed 3-fold. Furthermore, no correlation was seen between the potency of insecticidal action and K+ channel blocking potency. These observations, combined with the minimal knockdown seen with 2bo near its LD50 value, suggests a mode of action outside of the nervous system.
Minimally Invasive Adrenalectomy for Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Five-Year Trends and Predictors of Conversion

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is rare but often fatal. Surgery offers the only chance of cure. As minimally invasive (MI) procedures for cancer become common, their role for ACC is still debated. We reviewed usage of MI approaches for ACC over time and risk factors for conversion using a large national database. ACC patients with localized disease were identified in the National Cancer Data Base from 2010 to 2014. A retrospective review examined trends in the surgical approach over time. Patient demographics, surgical approach, and tumor characteristics between MI, open, and converted procedures were compared. 588 patients underwent adrenalectomy for ACC, of which 200 were minimally invasive. From 2010 to 2014, MI operations increased from 26 to 44% with robotic procedures increasing from 5 to 16%. The use of MI operations compared to open was not different based on facility type (p = 0.40) or location (p = 0.63). MI tumors were more likely to be confined to the adrenal (p 5 cm was the only significant predictor of conversion (p = 0.04). No patients with pathologic stage I disease required conversion (0/19). The frequency of MI approaches for ACC is increasing. In the final year of the study, 44% of adrenalectomies were MI. Size > 5 cm was the only significant predictor of conversion.