cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No-fault compensation for neurologically impaired infants: the Virginia experience

Abstract In 1987 Virginia enacted the first birth-related neurological injury compensation program in the United States. This article reviews the background behind its enactment and the current state of this law.
An exploratory study of an experiential change program's impact on participants' affective outcomes

Purpose – This exploratory study seeks to examine the impact of an organization's experiential change program (ECP) on participants' affective outcomes. Considering the design and learning objectives of the research organization's ECP, it aims to examine five affective outcomes: organizational alignment, organizational engagement, organizational identification, motivation to change, and job motivation.Design/methodology/approach – Pre‐ and post‐assessments were completed by mid‐level managers at the research organization. Scores were examined to measure any significant differences between their affective outcomes before and after participating in the ECP.Findings – Results revealed significant increases across all five affective outcomes with organizational alignment demonstrating the largest change. The theoretical and practical significance behind these findings is discussed.Originality/value – This study extends the landscape of literature on divergent types of implementation methods used to bring abou...
Chromatographic studies on the composition of commercial samples of triolein-I131 and oleic acid-I131, and the distribution of the label in human serum lipids following oral administration of these lipids.

Abstract “Triolein”-I 131 and oleic acid-I 131 (“Raolein” and “Raoleic acid,” Abbott) were chromatographed on a standardized silicic acid column to determine their elution patterns. Triolein-I 131 was found to contain methyl esters and tri-, di-, and monoglycerides of labeled oleic acid. Gas chromatographic, infrared spectrographic, and chemical analyses confirmed the presence of these components. The radioactivity distribution showed a lower proportion of triglycerides than did chemical analysis. Following oral administration of triolein-I 131 or oleic acid-I 131 to normal individuals, the chromatographic fractionation of the serum lipids showed that about 90% of the radioactivity was in the triglyceride fraction and the remainder was mostly in the diglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid fractions.
Single-mode chirally-coupled-core fibers with larger than 50µm diameter cores

In this paper, we report an advance in increasing core size of effective single-mode chirally-coupled-core (CCC) Ge-doped and Yb-doped double-clad fibers into 55µm to 60µm range, and experimentally demonstrate their robust single-mode performance. Theoretical and numerical description of CCC fibers structures with multiple side cores and polygon-shaped central core is consistent with experimental results. Detailed experimental characterization of 55µm-core CCC fibers based on spatially and spectrally resolved broadband measurements (S2 technique) shows that modal performance of these large core fibers well exceeds that of standard 20μm core step-index large mode area fibers.
The World Marrow Donor Association: 20 years of international collaboration for the support of unrelated donor and cord blood hematopoietic cell transplantation

The transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells from unrelated volunteer donors and cord blood units is made possible through an international collaboration of registries and cord blood banks. The World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) is a non-profit association based in Leiden, the Netherlands, whose mission is to assure that high-quality stem cell products are available for all patients in need, while maintaining the health and safety of the volunteer donors. This goal is accomplished through the work of six working groups and six board committees, in which issues of global significance to the clinical hematopoietic cell transplantation community are identified and guidelines are established. In this special issue of Bone Marrow Transplantation, the activities of the WMDA and a vision for future directions in the field are presented.
The δ Subunit of DNA Polymerase III Holoenzyme Serves as a Sliding Clamp Unloader in Escherichia coli

Abstract In Escherichia coli, the circular β sliding clamp facilitates processive DNA replication by tethering the polymerase to primer-template DNA. When synthesis is complete, polymerase dissociates from β and DNA and cycles to a new start site, a primed template loaded with β. DNA polymerase cycles frequently during lagging strand replication while synthesizing 1–2-kilobase Okazaki fragments. The clamps left behind remain stable on DNA (t ∼ 115 min) and must be removed rapidly for reuse at numerous primed sites on the lagging strand. Here we show that δ, a single subunit of DNA polymerase III holoenzyme, opens β and slips it off DNA (k unloading = 0.011 s− 1) at a rate similar to that of the multisubunit γ complex clamp loader by itself (0.015 s− 1) or within polymerase (pol) III* (0.0065 s− 1). Moreover, unlike γ complex and pol III*, δ does not require ATP to catalyze clamp unloading. Quantitation of γ complex subunits (γ, δ, δ′, χ, ψ) inE. coli cells reveals an excess of δ, free from γ complex and pol III*. Since pol III* and γ complex occur in much lower quantities and perform several DNA metabolic functions in replication and repair, the δ subunit probably aids β clamp recycling during DNA replication.
Accuracy of the Holladay 2 intraocular lens formula for pediatric eyes in the absence of preoperative refraction

Purpose To evaluate the prediction error in pediatric eyes using the Holladay 2 formula in the absence of preoperative refraction and to compare it with the prediction error using the Holladay 1, Hoffer Q, and SRK/T formulas. Setting Storm Eye Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Design Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology. Methods Eyes having pediatric cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were analyzed. One eye of bilateral cases was randomly selected for inclusion. Prediction error was calculated using the predicted postoperative refraction minus the actual postoperative refraction. Results Forty-five eyes were included. The median age at surgery was 3.56 years and the median follow-up, 28 days. Using the Holladay 2, Holladay 1, Hoffer Q, and SRK/T formulas, the mean prediction error was 0.02 diopter (D) ± 0.91 (SD), −0.21 ± 0.90 D, 0.07 ± 1.01 D, and −0.47 ± 0.98 D, respectively. The mean absolute prediction error was 0.68 ± 0.61 D, 0.71 ± 0.58 D, 0.72 ±0.71 D, and 0.84 ± 0.69 D, respectively. The Holladay 2 formula had the least prediction error for shorter eyes ( Conclusion The Holladay 2 formula had the least prediction error and absolute prediction error even in the absence of preoperative refraction. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Theory of allosteric effects in serine proteases

The classical Botts-Morales theory for the action of a modifier on the catalytic properties of an enzyme has been extended to deal with allosteric effects in serine proteases. The exact analytical solution derived for the linkage scheme at steady state provides a rigorous framework for the study of many biologically relevant systems, including enzymes activated by monovalent cations and cofactor-controlled protease-zymogen interactions in blood coagulation. When the enzyme obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics, the exact solution of the kinetic linkage scheme simplifies considerably. Of particular importance for practical applications is a simple equation expressing the dependence of the specificity constant of the enzyme, kcat/Km, on the concentration of the modifier, from which the equilibrium binding constant for the formation of the enzyme-modifier complex can be estimated. Analysis of the allosteric changes in thrombin activity induced by thrombomodulin and Na+ in terms of this equation yields accurate determinations of the equilibrium binding constants for both effectors.
Role of hepatic flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 in drug and chemical metabolism in adult humans.

In conjunction with asymmetric chemical syntheses and spectral, chiroptical, Chromatographic and stereochemical correlation methods, we have developed procedures for the quantification of sulfoxide enantiomers and tertiary amine N-oxide diastereomer metabolites arising from the action of the adult human liver and other flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs). The parallel nature of the metabolic in vitro-in vivo studies and the use of chemical model oxidation systems allowed us to identify the FMO isoform involved. We investigated the enantioselective S-monooxygenation of cimetidine and the diastereoselective tertiary amine N-1′-oxygenation of (S)-nicotine as stereoselective functional probes of adult human liver FMO action. In both cases, the majority of evidence points to adult human liver FMO3 as the principal enzyme responsible for cimetidine S-oxygenation and (S)-nicotine N-1′-oxygenation in vitro and in vivo. The excellent agreement between the absolute configuration of the major cimetidine S-oxide and (S)-nicotine N-1′-oxide metabolites isolated from human urine and the major metabolite formed in the presence of adult human liver microsomes suggests that in vitro hepatic preparations may serve as a useful model for the in vivo condition. Further, that adult human liver cDNA-expressed FMO3 in Escherichia coli also gave the same absolute stereoselectivity (i.e. for (S)-nicotine N-1′-oxygenation) confirms the identity of the monooxygenase in vivo. Although we cannot rule out the involvement of minor contributions of cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases in cimetidine and (S)-nicotine oxidation, the majority of the data support the fact that cimetidine S-oxygenation and (S)-nicotine N-1′-oxygenation are stereoselective functional probes of adult human liver FMO3 activity. Finally, because the stereochemistry of the principal metabolite of cimetidine and (S)-nicotine in small experimental animals is distinct from that observed in humans, it is likely that species variation in predominant FMO isoforms exist and this may have important consequences for the choice of experimental animals in human preclinical drug design and development programs.
Reading Smoke and Mirrors: The Rhetoric of Corporate Annual Reports.

L'evaluation de l'efficacite rhetorique des rapports d'une entreprise est discutee, ainsi que les problemes ethiques de l'utilisation de strategies rhetoriques pour la promotion de l'image de marque d'une entreprise
Widowhood and Depression: New Light on Gender Differences, Selection, and Psychological Adjustment

Objectives. To document short- and long-term trajectories of depressive symptoms following widowhood and to test whether these trajectories vary by gender and anticipatory spousal loss. Method. Eight waves of prospective panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, over a 14-year period, are used to evaluate gender differences in depressive symptoms following widowhood in late midlife. Short-term trajecto ries are modeled using a linear regression of change in Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) score on duration of widowhood. Long-term trajectories are modeled using a mixed-effects hierarchical linear model of CES-D scores over time. Results. We find no gender differences in bereavement effects on depressive symptoms in either short or long term, net of widowhood duration. When spousal death is anticipated, both men and women return to their prewidowhood levels of depressive symptoms within 24 months of becoming widowed. Across marital groups, the continuously married are better off compared with the widowed even prior to spousal loss, whereas early, long-term widowhood is associated with worse outcomes compared with late widowhood.
The value of the stochastic solution in stochastic linear programs with fixed recourse

Stochastic linear programs have been rarely used in practical situations largely because of their complexity. In evaluating these problems without finding the exact solution, a common method has been to find bounds on the expected value of perfect information. In this paper, we consider a different method. We present bounds on the value of the stochastic solution, that is, the potential benefit from solving the stochastic program over solving a deterministic program in which expected values have replaced random parameters. These bounds are calculated by solving smaller programs related to the stochastic recourse problem.
Electrophoretic Characterization of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus-Specific Ribonucleic Acid

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV)-specific ribonucleic acid (RNA) was analyzed by electrophoresis on 0.5% agarose gels. Four classes of RNA were resolved as a function of mobility in agarose: two classes of slowly migrating multistranded RNA, the infectious viral RNA with intermediate mobility, and a minor fast-moving class of lower-molecular-weight single-stranded RNA. The major RNA species were infectious viral RNA and the slowest migrating class of multistranded RNA. The latter RNA was polydisperse when analyzed by sucrose gradient centrifugation, it was partially ribonuclease resistant, and it was the predominant RNA species labeled during the initial period of 3 H-uridine triphosphate incorporation in the cell-free system. Heat treatment studies indicated that part of the slowest-moving RNA was degraded at 60 C and almost complete degradation was detected at 100 C. It was concluded that this RNA is the replicative intermediate in viral RNA synthesis. The second class of multistranded RNA contained both a ribonuclease-resistant RNA and a second RNA peak which was detected only after heat treatment at temperatures above 75 C. Fractions of FMDV-specific RNA isolated by sucrose gradient centrifugation were analyzed by agarose-gel electrophoresis. Infectious viral RNA was detected only in the 37 S zone and was the major species of RNA in this part of the gradient. The ribonuclease-resistant RNA (the 20 S zone) contained about equal amounts of multistranded RNA (both classes) and the low-molecular-weight single-stranded RNA. All sucrose gradient fractions between 20 and 40 S were found to contain the replicative intermediate, although the major portion was detected in the 20 to 25 S region.
Predicting Service Mashup Candidates Using Enhanced Syntactical Message Management

The descriptiveness of capabilities advertised on service-oriented architectures provides a promising platform for crafting new knowledge. Service mashup has been introduced as an approach for integrating the information provided from multiple Web services into one common operational picture. In the future, scale will be a barrier to these types of approaches. With the entry and exit of large numbers of services on the Internet, it will be difficult to find and suggest the most relevant service candidates for new mashups. In this work, we present an efficient syntactical approach for actively discovering Web service candidates for service mashups. This approach leverages the message naming characteristics of the developers and of the target service repository to inform search algorithms. Favorable precision results are described based on experimentation executed on an open repository of Web service from the Internet.
Psoralen-crosslinked secondary structure map of single-stranded virus DNA.

Abstract The photochemical crosslinking of DNA by 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (trioxsalen) has been used to freeze the secondary structures of single-stranded DNA molecules of bacteriophage fd at different ionic strengths. These secondary structures (hairpins or looped hairpins) have been visualized in the electron microscope. Most of the single-stranded circular fd DNA molecules show only one hairpin after irradiation at 15 degrees in 20 mM NaCl in the presence of trioxsalen. As the ionic strength is increased, more hairpins appear on the DNA molecules. To map these secondary structures, double-stranded supercoiled fd DNA (RFI) was cleaved with the restriction enzyme HindII, which makes only one cut on each RFI molecule. After denaturation and crosslinking of the linear single-stranded fd DNA (a mixture of viral and complementary strands), all the hairpins have been mapped on the DNA molecule with respect to this HindII site. The results show that these hairpins occur at specific sites. The most stable hairpin has been assigned to the position where the initiation site for the conversion of single-stranded fd DNA to the double-stranded covalently closed form has been mapped. The remaining hairpins map in or near regions corresponding to in vitro promoter sites on the fd DNA.
Patterns in Movement, Captures, and Phenology of Sharp-shinned Hawks in Central Coastal California

Abstract Between 1979 and 2006, we captured 452 Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) at the Palomarin Field Station in the Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, central coastal California. Of all captures, the majority, 83%, were young males. We recaptured 46 individuals; 42 were originally banded at our site, and four were originally banded at a site 24 km southeast of our banding site, suggesting that our site may be a point on migration or a wintering destination for some Sharp-shinned Hawks. We captured Sharp-shinned Hawks during every month of the year, with peak captures occurring in the fall from late September to mid-November. Capture rate significantly increased over the course of our study, consistent with results from some other monitoring programs.
Molecular Genetics of Axis Formation in Zebrafish

The basic vertebrate body plan of the zebrafish embryo is established in the first 10 hours of development. This period is characterized by the formation of the anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral axes, the development of the three germ layers, the specification of organ progenitors, and the complex morphogenetic movements of cells. During the past 10 years a combination of genetic, embryological, and molecular analyses has provided detailed insights into the mechanisms underlying this process. Maternal determinants control the expression of transcription factors and the location of signaling centers that pattern the blastula and gastrula. Bmp, Nodal, FGF, canonical Wnt, and retinoic acid signals generate positional information that leads to the restricted expression of transcription factors that control cell type specification. Noncanonical Wnt signaling is required for the morphogenetic movements during gastrulation. We review how the coordinated interplay of these molecules determines the fate and movement of embryonic cells.
The brushless doubly-fed motor as a limited-speed-range pump drive

The paper describes a project to replace the drive of a pump in a waste water treatment facility. The existing drive has a peak output of 45 kW and is required to operate between 600 and 850 r/min which is obtained from a slip-ring wound-rotor induction motor using rotor resistive control. Of several possible electronically controlled drive configurations, the brushless doubly-fed machine has been selected for trial installation because of the advantages it appears to offer in this application. >
Advancement through interactive radio

This paper describes the rationale, design and implementation of a system for increasing the status women in developing communities. AIR (Advancement through Interactive Radio) gives female community radio listeners a voice with which to respond to programming and to create programming content. We first describe the cost of excluding women from Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for development, and explore how community radio represents an opportunity for inclusion. We draw upon feasibility studies and site visits in Southeast Kenya to support the introduction of a mechanism that enables women to "talk back" to the community radio station. Using the principles of Participatory Action Research (PAR), we argue that women will be more likely to benefit from technology-mediated opportunities for development if they themselves produce information that contributes to their advancement, rather than simply consuming information provided by others. Finally, we describe the design and implementation of simple communications device that supports this model for use in communities that are, and will remain for some time, off the electrical and cellular grid. This hand-held device enables women to record voice feedback and news for community radio. This feedback is then routed asynchronously back to the radio station through a probabilistic, delay-tolerant network, where the feedback can inform subsequent broadcasts and facilitate additional discussion. We conclude with a technical summary of the AIR prototype.
Sampling errors in the vertical fluxes of potential temperature and moisture measured by aircraft during FIFE

This paper contributes to understanding the particular problems encountered during FIFE 87 as a result of utilizing relatively short (15 km) averaging lengths for the flux estimates. The implications of employing data that had been high-pass filtered with a five-km cutoff wavelength for flux estimates are also investigated. It is found that a 15-km run length is just adequate for low-level flux estimates as long as the runs are crosswind.
Model reduction for chemical kinetics: an optimization approach

The kinetics of a detailed chemically reacting system can potentially be very complex. Although the chemist may be interested in only a few species, the reaction model almost always involves a much larger number of species. Some of those species are radicals, which are very reactive species and can be important intermediaries in the reaction scheme. A large number of elementary reactions can occur among the species; some of these reactions are fast and some are slow. The aim of simplified kinetics modeling is to derive the simplest reaction system which retains the essential features of the full system. An optimization-based method for reduction of the number of species and reactions in chemical kinetics models is described. Numerical results for several reaction mechanisms illustrate the potential of this approach.
A Cost Function Analysis to Estimate the Effects of Fertilizer Policy on the Supply of Wheat and Corn

Cost functions by crop (U.S. and French wheat and corn, and English wheat) are estimated and marginal costs derived. Fertilizer input demand and output supply elasticities, estimated via marginal cost, are computed capturing the effect of fertilizer-reducing policies (a tax and a quota). Supply and fertilizer demand effects are compared within and across countries. The results generally support the hypothesis that fertilizer-reducing policies have a greater effect on crop supplies that use fertilizer more intensively, and that fertilizer policy multilaterally imposed will give U.S. producers a relative competitive advantage vis-a-vis French and English producers.
Effects of Interleaves on Fracture of Laminated Composites: Part I—Analysis

The influence of placing interleaves between fiber-reinforced plies in multilayered composite laminates is investigated. The geometry of the composite is idealized as a two-dimensional, isotropic, linearly ealstic media consisting of a damaged layer bonded between two half-planes and separated by thin interleaves of low extensional and shear moduli. Fourier integral transform techniques are used to develop the solutions in terms of singular integral equations
The Impact of Using Personal Computers on the Lives of Nursing Home Residents

The results of a study of the implementation and use of computerized tools with residents of a home for the aged and a day-care center in Israel are presented. The goals of the project were to study the willingness and ability of nursing-home residents to use personal computers, their preferences in software, and the influence that the use of computers might have on the quality of their lives. Participating residents were divided into a research group and control group. The results of the study indicate that the computer was used by residents, that men used the computer for longer periods than did women, and that, self-esteem and life satisfaction improved in the research group because of the project. The characteristics of computerized tools and their relative use are considered. Guidelines are laid down for planning and application of computerized tools for elderly people in other settings.
Structural Framework of Continental Margin in South China Sea

A 16,000-km series of seismic and geomagnetic traverses in the Gulf of Thailand, northern Sunda Shelf, and the adjacent deep-sea floor was completed during 1969. The results show the presence of three large sediment-filled basins separated by swells or ridges. Westernmost is the Gulf of Thailand basin that extends almost from Bangkok to Singapore. A buried ridge separates this basin from two other basins on the northeast, the Mekong and the Brunei-Saigon. Both of the latter basins reach the adjacent land areas, and the Brunei-Saigon basin appears to be the main part of the Northwest Borneo geosyncline. The Mekong and Brunei-Saigon basins are limited on their northeastern sides by a narrow ridge that lies beneath the outer continental shelf and the upper continental slope, a feature termed the "Peripheral Ridge." Sediments in all three basins are thicker than 2 km and they may be thicker than 4 km. They contain tectonic folds, unconformities, faults, and at least a dozen structures believed to be diapiric intrusions. The deep-sea floor in the northeast beyond the continental slope contains an abyssal plain and also a broad comparatively level plateau that is dotted with seamounts, some of which are capped with coral atolls. Sediments in this deep region, the China basin, are of two distinct ages separated by a widespread unconformity. Inferences from geologic studies on land suggest that the basin in the Gulf of Thailand was formed during Late Cretaceous time, and the present form of the ones beneath the Sunda Shelf was acquired subsequently. Sediments have accumulated in them ever since, with interruption by tectonic activity and erosion. Prospects for oil and gas appear to be favorable, as also is indicated by the intense exploration and test drilling off Borneo and in the southern part of the Gulf of Thailand by international companies. Other parts of the sediment-filled basins deserve attention as well.
Significance analysis of groups of genes in expression profiling studies

Motivation: Gene class testing (GCT) is a statistical approach to determine whether some functionally predefined classes of genes express differently under two experimental conditions. GCT computes the P-value of each gene class based on the null distribution and the gene classes are ranked for importance in accordance with their P-values. Currently, two null hypotheses have been considered: the Q1 hypothesis tests the relative strength of association with the phenotypes among the gene classes, and the Q2 hypothesis assesses the statistical significance. These two hypotheses are related but not equivalent. Method: We investigate three one-sided and two two-sided test statistics under Q1 and Q2. The null distributions of gene classes under Q1 are generated by permuting gene labels and the null distributions under Q2 are generated by permuting samples. Results: We applied the five statistics to a diabetes dataset with 143 gene classes and to a breast cancer dataset with 508 GO (Gene Ontology) terms. In each statistic, the null distributions of the gene classes under Q1 are different from those under Q2 in both datasets, and their rankings can be different too. We clarify the one-sided and two-sided hypotheses, and discuss some issues regarding the Q1 and Q2 hypotheses for gene class ranking in the GCT. Because Q1 does not deal with correlations among genes, we prefer test based on Q2. Contact: jchen@nctr.fda.gov Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Mapping design for general multidimensional communication systems

In communication systems, the mapping between the data space and the signal constellation needs to be carefully designed. The mapping based on the "Gray" code (or the Karnaugh map) is a well known scheme for constellations with uniformly-distributed points. However, for some systems with an irregular constellation, like the permutation modulation system and the parallel combinatory DS/SS communication system which, essentially, are multidimensional systems, the common method of mapping is invalid. In this paper, we propose a practical algorithm to find a suboptimal mapping for a general constellation. For a constellation with M points, there are a total of M! different mappings. To achieve computational efficiency, the algorithm is designed based on an incomplete search. A comparison of several mappings shows that very good mappings can be found by this systematic method.
Structure/Activity Relationships in Lysophosphatidic Acid: The 2-Hydroxyl Moiety

Although lipid phosphoric acid mediators such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) are now recognized widely as intercellular signaling molecules, the medicinal chemistry of these mediators is poorly developed. With the goal of achieving a better understanding of the structure activity relationships in LPA, we have synthesized and tested a series of LPA analogs that lack the 2-hydroxyl moiety. Our series consisted of compounds with 2, 3, or 4 carbon diol or amino alcohol backbones and oleoyl or palmitoleoyl acyl groups. These molecules cannot be acylated further to form phosphatidic acids, nor do they have chiral centers. The rank order potency of these compounds in mobilization of calcium in MDA MB-231 cells suggested a maximum optimal chain length of 24-25 atoms. However, high potency for the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in these cells was achieved only by one compound that also contained a dissociable proton five bond lengths from the phosphorus atom. That compound, N-oleoyl-2-hydroxyethyl-1-phosphate, was nearly equipotent to 1-oleoyl LPA in both assays. The striking mimicry of LPA by the ethanolamine-based compound and the presence of fatty acid amides in tissue prompts us to propose that phosphorylated N-acyl ethanolamides occur naturally.
Understanding the Experience of Age-Related Vestibular Loss in Older Individuals: A Qualitative Study

Background Inner ear balance (or vestibular) function declines with age and is associated with decreased mobility and an increased risk of falls in older individuals. We sought to understand the lived experience of older adults with vestibular loss in order to improve care in this population.
Pharmacogenetics of antiepileptic drugs: A brief review

The goal of pharmacogenetic research is to assist clinicians in predicting patient response to medications when genetic variations are identified. The pharmacogenetic variation of antiepileptic drug response and side effects has yielded findings that have been included in drug labeling and guidelines. The goal of this review is to provide a brief overview of the pharmacogenetic research on antiepileptic drugs. It will focus on findings that have been included in drug labeling, guidelines, and candidate pharmacogenetic variation. Overall, several genes have been included in guidelines by national and international organizations; however, much work is needed to implement and evaluate their use in clinical settings.
How Much Should You Pay for a Derivative

(1998). How Much Should You Pay for a Derivative? The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 412-414.
CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF 125 NEONATAL SHOCK CASES

To study the clinical features of neonatal shock, improving the early recognition, treatment and the prognosis of the disease, 125 cases of neonatal shock during 1997 and 2002 were analyzed by retrospece-tive study. Results showed: of all the 125 cases, 99(79. 2%) occurred within 3 days after birth, 13 (10.4%) occurred during 3-7 days, and 13 (10. 4%) developed during 7-28 days 88, cases (70.4%) belonged to cardiogenic shock, and 67 cases were hypovolemic shock, while 46(34.4%) cases developed with both types occurred. Only 13(10.25%)cases were septic shock. 85.6% of all the shock cases presented with respiratory symptoms and 117(93.6%) were treated by respiratory support. Totally, there were 93(74.4%)cases cured, only 8(6.4%)died. The most common complications were gastrointestinal dysfunction (58.4%), ARDS (23.2 %), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (3.2%), and renal dysfunction(1.6% ). Obviously, most neonatal shocks occurrs in early neonatal period. Cardiogenic shock is the most common shock, others as hyporolemic sock, as especial attention should be paid to those cases with both types presented. Effective therapy, especially the early respiratory support leads to a good prognosis.
Composition of gamma-chains in the hemolysates of an umbilical cord blood and erythropoietic bursts from carriers for hemoglobin-F Malta-I (G gamma 117, His replaced by Arg).

Abstract By using a globin isoelectric focusing technique, we measured the levels of Gγ, Malta-1 Gγ, and Aγ globin chains in the hemolysates of an umbilical cord blood of a carrier for hemoglobin F Malta-1 (γ117 His→Arg), a Gγ variant. Malta-I Gγ focused slightly cathodal to β-chains. Malta-I Gγ, normal Gγ, and Aγ chains comprised 21.8%, 57.5%, and 20.7% of the total γ-chains, respectively. Thus, we documented for the first time the reduced level of mutant Gγ chain relative to normal Gγ chain in a hemoglobinopathy of fetal hemoglobin. We then analyzed the levels of the biosynthetic rates of the γ-chains in the erythropoietic bursts derived from an adult carrier of the same family using a methylcellulose clonal cell culture method. The relative proportions of Malta-I Gγ, normal Gγ, and Aγ chains in the total γ-chains were 22.1%, 28.5%, and 49.4%, respectively. The ratio (0.78) of Malta-I Gγ/normal Gγ in the synthesized γ-chains of the adult carrier was significantly higher than that (0.38) in the hemolysate of the cord blood. This difference may be due to shortened lifespan of F cells containing Malta-I Gγ or to some intrinsic differences in the regulation of γ-globin gene expression between a normal newborn and cell culture milieu. Finally, we observed significant variations in the ratios of normal Gγ:Aγ, Malta-I Gγ:Aγ, and Malta-I Gγ:normal Gγ in individual bursts in culture. Coefficients of variations for each ratio were 0.38, 0.28, and 0.14, respectively. These values were significantly higher than the coefficients of variations in the clonal expression of allelic β-globin genes. This observation may suggest instability of γ-gene expression in culture. Alternatively, it may suggest that determination of the composition of γ-chains in F cells takes place continuously during burst formation, which is analogous to the commitment to become F cells in culture.
Six-Group Decomposition of Composite Delayed Neutron Spectra from 235U Fission

In this paper, a constrained least-squares method is developed for deducing six-group delayed neutron energy spectra from composite spectra measured at six or more delay time intervals following fission. The constraining condition is chosen to yield stable solutions that also provide good fits to the measured spectra. The method is applied to previously measured composite spectra of {sup 235}U to obtain six-group delayed neutron energy spectra. The solutions are unique for a large range of constraint spectra. The dependence of the solutions on the choice of six-group parameters {beta} {lambda} is also examined.
Abstract P149: Distinct Profiles of Brain Medullary Metabolites Detected by 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Correlate with Indices of Autonomic Function and Visceral Fat in Healthy Adults

Higher forebrain myoinositol (mIns), a marker of glial inflammation/proliferation as detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), correlates with systemic inflammation. Elevated circulating markers of inflammation are associated with lower baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) and heart rate variability (HRV) as well as visceral fat or central obesity. To determine whether transmitters/metabolites in a cardiovascularly (CV) relevant brain region correlate with age-related declines in BRS and HRV and markers of abdominal fat, autonomic profiles were determined by spectral and sequence analysis from continuous blood pressure and HR values in the supine position of healthy subjects 22 - 76 yrs old (12F, 4M); subjects later underwent a single voxel (10 x 7 x 20mm) proton MRS scan of dorsal medulla on a 3T magnet (n = 11; 9F, 2M) and measures of abdominal fat by computerized tomography (CT) (n = 9; 7F,2M). The mean arterial pressure was 88 ± 3 mm Hg, HR 64 ± 3 beats/min and BMI 27 ± 1 kg/m2. Glutamate (Glu) correlated directly with vagal (HFRRI r = 0.72, p < 0.02) and inversely with sympathetic (LFRRI r = -0.72, p < 0.02) control of HR. Markers of Glu metabolism and neuronal integrity/activity, N-acetyl-aspartate acid (NAA) + N-acetyl aspartyl glutamate (NAAG), did not correlate with age, but did correlate inversely with BRS (Seq ALL: r = -0.69, P < 0.02), HRV (rMSSD: r = -0.76, p < 0.008) and directly with HR (r = 0.68, p < 0.03). Total visceral fat had a negative correlation with BRS (Seq Up: r = -0.70, p < 0.02). mIns and markers of demyelination and reduced axonal integrity such as Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and total choline containing compounds (GPC+PCh) exhibited striking positive correlations with percent visceral fat (r = 0.97, 0.81 and 0.82, P < 0.02). BMI and GPC correlated with HR (r = 0.55, 0.72, p < 0.04), but neither these nor mIns or choline compounds correlated with autonomic function. Thus, in healthy adults, Glu concentration in dorsal medulla directly correlates with cardiac vagal function, whereas markers of Glu metabolism inversely correlate with BRS and HRV. In contrast, markers of glial inflammation directly associate with increases in visceral adiposity, but not autonomic dysfunction. P30-AG21332, Farley Hudson, Hypertension & Vasc Res Ctr
Improved lossless intra coding for next generation video coding

Recently, there have been efforts by the ITU-T VCEG and ISO/IEC MPEG to further improve the compression performance of the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard for developing a potential next generation video coding standard. The exploratory codec software of this potential standard includes new coding tools for inter and intra coding. In this paper, we present a new intra prediction mode for lossless intra coding. Our new intra mode derives a prediction filter for each input pixel using its neighboring reconstructed pixels, and applies this filter to the nearest neighboring reconstructed pixels to generate a prediction pixel. The proposed intra mode is demonstrated to improve the performance of the exploratory software for lossless intra coding, yielding a maximum and average bitrate savings of 4.4% and 2.11%, respectively.
Nitrate and chloride formation in chloramination

The formation of nitrate and chloride as end-products of chloramination (combined chlorination) was investigated at pH ranging between 6.9 and 9.6 at 25°C. The experimental results comprised concentration-time profiles of combined chlorine residuals along with nitrate and chloride. Nitrite, if present, was always below the detectibility limit of the analytical method used (25 ppb). Mass balances on chlorine species depicted that chloride formed during the slow decay of combined chlorine residuals does not account for all the chlorine lost. This substantiates the formation of other reaction end-products which are yet to be identified. A kinetic model for chloramination is proposed based on the kinetic data obtained in this study.
Reaching the Unreachable: Novel Approaches to Telemedicine Screening of Underserved Populations for Vitreoretinal Disease

Telemedicine involves electronic communication between a physician in one location and a patient in another location to provide remote medical care. Ophthalmologists are increasingly employing telemedicine, particularly in retinal disease screening and monitoring. Telemedicine has been utilized to decrease barriers to care and yield greater patient satisfaction and lower costs, while maintaining high sensitivity and specificity. This review discusses common patient barriers to eye care, innovative approaches to retinal disease screening and monitoring using telemedicine, and eye care policy initiatives needed to enact large-scale telemedicine eye disease screening programs.
Frontal dynamics at the edge of the Columbia River plume

Abstract In the tidal ebb-cycle at the Mouth of the Columbia River, strong density and velocity fronts sometimes form perpendicular to the coast at the edges of the freshwater plume. They are distinct from previously analyzed fronts at the offshore western edge of the plume that evolve as a gravity-wave bore. We present simulation results to demonstrate their occurrence and investigate the mechanisms behind their frontogenesis and evolution. Tidal velocities on average ranged between 1.5 m s − 1 in flood and 2.5 m s − 1 in ebb during the brief hindcast period. The tidal fronts exhibit strong horizontal velocity and buoyancy gradients on a scale ∼ 100 m in width with normalized relative vorticity (ζz/f) values reaching up to 50. We specifically focus on the front on the northern edge of the plume and examine the evolution in plume characteristics such as its water mass gradients, horizontal and vertical velocity structure, vertical velocity, turbulent vertical mixing, horizontal propagation, cross-front momentum balance, and Lagrangian frontogenetic tendencies in both buoyancy and velocity gradients. Advective frontogenesis leads to a very sharp front where lateral mixing near the grid-resolution limit arrests its further contraction. The negative vorticity within the front is initiated by the positive bottom drag curl on the north side of the Columbia estuary and against the north jetty. Because of the large negative vorticity and horizontal vorticity gradient, centrifugal and lateral shear instability begins to develop along the front, but frontal fragmentation and decay set in only after the turn of the tide because of the briefness of the ebb interval.
Cooperation, clustering, and assortative mixing in dynamic networks

Humans’ propensity to cooperate is driven by our embeddedness in social networks. A key mechanism through which networks promote cooperation is clustering. Within clusters, conditional cooperators are insulated from exploitation by noncooperators, allowing them to reap the benefits of cooperation. Dynamic networks, where ties can be shed and new ties formed, allow for the endogenous emergence of clusters of cooperators. Although past work suggests that either reputation processes or network dynamics can increase clustering and cooperation, existing work on network dynamics conflates reputations and dynamics. Here we report results from a large-scale experiment (total n = 2,675) that embedded participants in clustered or random networks that were static or dynamic, with varying levels of reputational information. Results show that initial network clustering predicts cooperation in static networks, but not in dynamic ones. Further, our experiment shows that while reputations are important for partner choice, cooperation levels are driven purely by dynamics. Supplemental conditions confirmed this lack of a reputation effect. Importantly, we find that when participants make individual choices to cooperate or defect with each partner, as opposed to a single decision that applies to all partners (as is standard in the literature on cooperation in networks), cooperation rates in static networks are as high as cooperation rates in dynamic networks. This finding highlights the importance of structured relations for sustained cooperation, and shows how giving experimental participants more realistic choices has important consequences for whether dynamic networks promote higher levels of cooperation than static networks.
Assessing energy intensity and retrofit opportunities for the aluminum industry: Lessons from Vietnam

Abstract • This study provides a novel analysis of energy and technology use in Vietnam’s aluminum industry. Vietnam has the world’s fourth largest bauxite reserves, and is developing a full aluminum supply chain, from bauxite mining to aluminum smelting. Aluminum production is one of the most energy-intensive industrial processes, yet Vietnam has relatively few domestic energy resources, and no data on energy use in its aluminum industry. This paper quantifies energy intensity in each phase of aluminum production in Vietnam in comparison to global estimates. The paper finds that Vietnam’s aluminum production is more energy intensive than the global average, driven by high energy intensity in the alumina production phase. The paper identifies broad barriers to industrial energy efficiency in Vietnam and similar countries, and how these challenges can be incorporated in future research. Potential retrofit technologies are identified for Vietnam’s alumina plants, including cost and energy saving potential for each technology. Analysis of net present value, including policy scenario analysis, indicates that some of these retrofit technologies are promising investments in the near term, with simple payback periods of less than ten years for four out of the five technologies identified. The energy footprint of Vietnam’s aluminum industry is an important consideration for policymakers in Vietnam, given Vietnam’s need for energy resources, and promoting efficient operation of Vietnam’s aluminum industry will require additional technology and policy changes. This research demonstrates a mixed-methods approach that can be applied to address the challenges data-constrained planners face in developing energy-intensive industries worldwide.