cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postoperative pain and analgesic requirements after septoplasty and rhinoplasty.

Objectives/hypothesis To assess and define the level of pain after rhinoplasty and septoplasty and to better define the strength and quantity of postoperative opioids needed. Study design Prospective outcomes research. Methods Two groups of patients were enrolled. One group underwent septoplasty with/without turbinate reduction and the other group underwent functional and/or cosmetic rhinoplasty (with/without septoplasty). Patients completed a 15-day log (daily, beginning on the day of surgery) to record the analgesics used and the daily maximal level of pain using a visual analog scale. Level of pain, number of days of moderate or severe pain, total number of opioid pills used, and total morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) of opioid used were assessed. Results Pain after septoplasty and rhinoplasty was generally mild. Average pain was moderate through postoperative day (POD) 2 after rhinoplasty and only on POD 0 after septoplasty. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of number of opioid tablets consumed or total MMEs used. Patients undergoing rhinoplasty consumed more acetaminophen than septoplasty-only patients (7471 ± 1009 vs. 2781 ± 585, P = .0112). Ninety percent of patients would have received adequate analgesia with as few as 11 opioid tablets. All patients had excess opioid at the end of the study period. Conclusions Both septoplasty and rhinoplasty are associated with mostly mild pain, and postoperative opioid requirements are quite low. Surgeons can reliably reduce opioid prescription after septoplasty and rhinoplasty to as few as 11 tablets. Reducing opioid prescribing will not adversely affect the patient but will reduce the availability of opioids for misuse or diversion. Level of evidence 2c Laryngoscope, 129:2020-2025, 2019.
Do menstrual cups increase risk of IUD expulsion? A survey of self-reported IUD and menstrual hygiene product use in the United States

Purpose: To gather preliminary data about menstrual hygiene product use and associated risk of intrauterine device (IUD) expulsion. Materials and methods: We conducted an Internet-based survey using the Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform and Researchmatch.org. Eligible participants were women at least 18 years old and self-identified as current or previous IUD users. Results: Of 902 survey responses, 71% reported current or previous IUD use and 19.7% reported menstrual cup use. IUD users were significantly more likely than non-IUD users to use a menstrual cup or tampons. Among all IUD users, 56 individuals reported experiencing at least one expulsion (8.8%). We found a positive association between concurrent menstrual cup use and IUD expulsion (OR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.40-5.42, p = .002), but no association with concurrent tampon or pad use. Of concurrent IUD and cup users who experienced an expulsion, one reported it occurring 'while using a menstrual cup', with others reporting the expulsion during other events. Conclusions: Menstrual cup use may be higher than previously reported, particularly in IUD users. Concurrent menstrual cup use may increase the risk of IUD expulsion. Prospective research is necessary to fully explore the relationship between menstrual hygiene product use and IUD expulsions.
Architecting Programmable Data Plane Defenses into the Network with FastFlex

This paper is motivated by the ever increasing scale and diversity of attacks that are best handled by the network infrastructure. FastFlex builds upon recent progress, which has developed a variety of network defenses in programmable data planes, and takes this trend one step further: it aims to develop architectural support for these defenses as a first-class citizen. We envision that the network architecture would support these defenses as naturally as it does routing---as the network routes traffic end-to-end, it also turns the defenses on and off as needed for attack mitigation. We propose a key abstraction: the multimode data plane. Normally, it operates under optimal configurations computed by centralized control, but upon attacks, it performs distributed mode changes entirely in data plane for mitigation. Mixed-vector attacks would trigger co-existing modes at different regions of the network, and attacks that rapidly change would be met with equally fast mode adaptations. We sketch this vision, discuss the opportunities and challenges it involves, and present a use case on link-flooding defense.
Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Associated with High Procalcitonin, Hypercalcemia, Polycythemia and Leukocytosis

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas or bile duct cancers comprise approximately 10-20% of all cholangiocarcinomas and may present with right upper quadrant pain, weight loss, liver enzyme abnormalities or they may be completely asymptomatic and be picked incidentally on routine abdominal imaging. Typically, hepatocellular carcinomas have been associated with various paraneoplastic syndromes such as hypercalcemia, erythrocytosis, hypoglycemia, diarrhea and skin changes though paraneoplastic syndromes in the setting of cholangiocarcinoma do occur as well. Cholangiocarcinomas are usually associated with dermal paraneoplastic syndromes (Sweet syndrome, porphyria cutanea tarda, acanthosis nigricans, necrotic migratory erythema, erythema multiforme, bullous pemphigoid), hypercalcemia, leukocytosis and limbic encephalitis. We present a case of an 80-year-old man with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma associated with high procalcitonin levels in the absence of infection, paraneoplastic syndromes of hypercalcemia, polycythemia and leukocytosis in the same individual. This constellation of symptoms, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported in the scientific literature.
Integrated Implantable Electrode Array and Amplifier Design for Single-chip Wireless Neural Recordings

A four-channel micro-electrode array (MEA) and a low noise amplifier are integrated in a standard CMOS process as part of a single-chip wireless neural recording and stimulation system. The design is tested for acquiring action potential and local field potential of live neurons. The neural amplifier uses capacitive feedback structure to avoid dc baseline drifting. Fabricated using GlobalFoundries' 45RFSOI CMOS technology and post-processed to form the integrated MEA, measured neural probe output impedance is between $3.5\ \mathrm{k}\Omega$ to $250\ \mathrm{k}\Omega$ across 20 Hz to 102 kHz with phase shift between −70° to −10°. The amplifier can achieve 35 dB voltage gain across 1 Hz to 10 kHz, and its input referred noise is $4.9\ \mu \mathrm{Vrms}$ over 10 Hz to 10 kHz bandwidth.
A Retrospective Analysis of the Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Metastatic Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

Although checkpoint inhibitors have been approved in multiple cancers, they are still under investigation in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). We conducted a retrospective review to report the safety, efficacy, and prognostic factors related to checkpoint inhibitors in STS. A sequential cohort of metastatic STS patients from four institutions treated with checkpoint inhibitors was assembled. Logistic and Cox regression models were applied to determine the effect of patient characteristics, prior treatment, and baseline factors on achieving the best overall response of complete response (CR), partial response (PR), or stable disease (SD) as determined by the treating physician. Eighty-eight patients with two median prior therapies received checkpoint inhibitors. Treatments included pembrolizumab in 47, nivolumab in 6, ipilimumab in 1, combination ipilimumab/nivolumab in 27, and other combination immunotherapies in 7 patients. Immunotherapy was discontinued in 54 patients-72.2% for progression, 16.7% for toxicity, and 11.1% for other reasons. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.1 months and median overall survival was 19.1 months. One patient with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) achieved a CR, while 20 patients had a PR, including 7 UPS, 9 leiomyosarcoma (LMS), and 1 each with alveolar soft part sarcoma, fibroblastic sarcoma, sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma, and myxofibrosarcoma. Forty-five percent (9 of 20) of LMS patients achieved a PR. Twenty-eight patients had SD. Our results confirm the activity and safety of anti-PD-1 therapy in metastatic STS. A notable response rate was observed in UPS and LMS subtypes. This study expands the knowledge base beyond what is currently available from clinical trials involving checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic STS.
Autopsy Findings in 32 Patients with COVID-19: A Single-Institution Experience.

Background A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019. This virus rapidly spread around the world causing disease ranging from minimal symptoms to severe pneumonia, which was termed coronavirus disease (i.e., COVID). Postmortem examination is a valuable tool for studying the pathobiology of this new infection. Methods We report the clinicopathologic findings from 32 autopsy studies conducted on patients who died of COVID-19 including routine gross and microscopic examination with applicable special and immunohistochemical staining techniques. Results SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by nasopharyngeal RT-PCR in 31 cases (97%) and by immunohistochemical staining for SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein in the lung in the remaining 1 case (3%). The ethnically diverse cohort consisted of 22 males and 10 females with a mean age of 68 years (range: 30-100). Patients most commonly presented with cough (17 [55%]), shortness of breath (26 [81%]), and a low-grade fever (17 [55%]). Thirty-one (97%) of the patients had at least 1 comorbidity (mean = 4). Twenty-eight patients (88%) had widespread thromboembolic disease, as well as diffuse alveolar damage (30 [94%]), diabetic nephropathy (17 [57%]) and acute tubular injury. Patterns of liver injury were heterogeneous, featuring 10 (36%) with frequent large basophilic structures in sinusoidal endothelium, and increased immunoblast-like cells in lymph nodes. Conclusion This series of autopsies from patients with COVID-19 confirms the observation that the majority of severely affected patients have significant pulmonary pathology. However, many patients also have widespread microscopic thromboses, as well as characteristic findings in the liver and lymph nodes.
Using Drosophila to drive the diagnosis and understand the mechanisms of rare human diseases

Next-generation sequencing has greatly accelerated the discovery of rare human genetic diseases. Nearly 45% of patients have variants associated with known diseases but the unsolved cases remain a conundrum. Moreover, causative mutations can be difficult to pinpoint because variants frequently map to genes with no previous disease associations and, often, only one or a few patients with variants in the same gene are identified. Model organisms, such as Drosophila, can help to identify and characterize these new disease-causing genes. Importantly, Drosophila allow quick and sophisticated genetic manipulations, permit functional testing of human variants, enable the characterization of pathogenic mechanisms and are amenable to drug tests. In this Spotlight, focusing on microcephaly as a case study, we highlight how studies of human genes in Drosophila have aided our understanding of human genetic disorders, allowing the identification of new genes in well-established signaling pathways.
Grief and Loss Among Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose The objective of this study was to understand veteran perspectives of grief/loss associated with their spinal cord injury (SCI). Design/methods Qualitative descriptive design using semistructured interviews with veterans with SCI (n = 15) was performed using interview questions informed by the literature. Analysis was conducted using a deductive/inductive approach. Results The 15 participants' mean age was 64 years; six had paraplegia, eight had tetraplegia, one had unknown level of injury, six were ambulatory, and nine were not ambulatory. The grief/loss experience was individual and constant, consisting of seven phases: experiencing shock, releasing emotion, withdrawing, focusing on losses, problem solving, realizing strength and motivation, and accepting a new life. Veteran coping strategies used in each phase of the grief experience were also identified, as well as triggers that increased or decreased the grief/loss experience. Conclusions/clinical relevance A better understanding of veterans' living with SCI grief experience, coping strategies, and triggering events can help healthcare providers support veterans with SCI.
451. Evaluation of Exposure History in Healthcare Personnel with Coronavirus 2019 Disease

Background: During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many healthcare personnel (HCP) have developed COVID-19 However, there is uncertainty regarding whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was acquired at work versus in the community Methods: We conducted a cohort study to examine exposure history of personnel with COVID-19 infection or asymptomatic carriage in a VA healthcare system High-risk exposures were classified based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria Results: Of 578 personnel tested, 49 (8%) had nasopharyngeal swabs with positive PCR results, including 45 (92%) with and 4 (8%) without COVID-19 symptoms Of the 49 cases, 21 (43%) had a documented high-risk exposure at work, including 14 exposures to COVID-19 patients and 7 exposures to colonized or infected personnel Exposures to infected patients most often were a result of delays in recognition of COVID-19 due to atypical presentations Exposures to personnel with COVID-19 most often involved activities such as meals when facemasks were not worn Most cases occurred among nurses (26, 53%) and administrative personnel (10, 20%);only 3 physicians developed COVID-19 No cases occurred in personnel working on COVID-19 wards All personnel had mild or moderate disease Conclusion: Forty-three percent of healthcare personnel with COVID-19 had prior high-risk exposures at work Improved detection of patients with atypical presentations and efforts to reduce high-risk contacts among personnel may reduce the risk for acquisition of SARS-CoV-2
Low-dose colchicine reduced risk for cardiovascular events in chronic coronary disease.

SOURCE CITATION Nidorf SM, Fiolet ATL, Mosterd A, et al. Colchicine in patients with chronic coronary disease. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:1838-47. 32865380.
Metabolic measures before surgery and long-term diabetes outcomes in recipients of total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation

In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we aimed to elucidate simple metabolic markers or surrogate indices of β-cell function that best predict long-term insulin independence and goal glycemic HbA1c control (HbA1c ≤ 6.5%) after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT). Patients who underwent TP-IAT (n = 371) were reviewed for metabolic measures before TP-IAT and for insulin independence and glycemic control at 1, 3, and 5 years after TP-IAT. Insulin independence and goal glycemic control were achieved in 33% and 68% at 1 year, respectively. Although the groups who were insulin independent and dependent overlap substantially on baseline measures, an individual who has abnormal glycemia (prediabetes HbA1c or fasting glucose) or estimated IEQs/kg < 2500 has a very high likelihood of remaining insulin dependent after surgery. In multivariate logistic regression modelling, metabolic measures correctly predicted insulin independence in about 70% of patients at 1, 3, and 5 years after TP-IAT. In conclusion, metabolic testing measures before surgery are highly associated with diabetes outcomes after TP-IAT at a population level and correctly predict outcomes in approximately two out of three patients. These findings may aid in prognostic counseling for chronic pancreatitis patients who are likely to eventually need TP-IAT.
Malpractice in Aesthetic Surgery and Procedures

Surgical and non-surgical procedures are performed for both cosmetic and reconstructive situations in order to optimize the form and function of the face, head, and neck. In modern times, the facial plastic surgeon has become a target of both the patient and attorney, both of whom are hoping for financial gain secondary to a real or perceived fault with the actions of the practitioner. Despite extensive five-year training in Otolaryngology and, in many instances, additional specialized training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, the threat of medical malpractice looms significantly for facial plastic surgeons. Lack of proper informed consent and poor cosmetic outcome are cited most frequently as the reasons litigation are enacted. Familiarizing oneself with the details and scenarios of medical malpractice and litigation in facial plastic surgery is extremely important for those who practice in the United States today.
Federated Myopic Community Detection with One-shot Communication.

In this paper, we study the problem of recovering the community structure of a network under federated myopic learning. Under this paradigm, we have several clients, each of them having a myopic view, i.e., observing a small subgraph of the network. Each client sends a censored evidence graph to a central server. We provide an efficient algorithm, which computes a consensus signed weighted graph from clients evidence, and recovers the underlying network structure in the central server. We analyze the topological structure conditions of the network, as well as the signal and noise levels of the clients that allow for recovery of the network structure. Our analysis shows that exact recovery is possible and can be achieved in polynomial time. We also provide information-theoretic limits for the central server to recover the network structure from any single client evidence. Finally, as a byproduct of our analysis, we provide a novel Cheeger-type inequality for general signed weighted graphs.
FireMaster® 550 (FM 550) exposure during the perinatal period impacts partner preference behavior and nucleus accumbens core medium spiny neuron electrophysiology in adult male and female prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster.

Abstract One of the most widely used flame retardant (FR) mixtures in household products is Firemaster 550 (FM 550). FM 550 leaches from items such as foam-based furniture and infant products, resulting in contamination of the household environment and biota. Previous studies indicate sex-specific behavioral deficits in rodents and zebrafish in response to developmental FM 550 exposure. These deficits include impacts on social and attachment behaviors in a prosocial rodent: the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). The prairie vole is a laboratory-acclimated rodent that exhibits spontaneous attachment behaviors including pair bonding. Here we extend previous work by addressing how developmental exposure to FM 550 impacts pair bonding strength via an extended-time partner preference test, as well as neuron electrophysiological properties in a region implicated in pair bond behavior, the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) core. Dams were exposed to vehicle or 1000 μg of FM 550 via subcutaneous injections throughout gestation, and female and male pups were directly exposed beginning the day after birth until weaning. Pair bond behavior of adult female and male offspring was assessed using a three hour-long partner preference test. Afterwards, acute brain slices of the NAcc core were produced and medium spiny neuron electrophysiological attributes recorded via whole cell patch-clamp. Behavioral impacts were sex-specific. Partner preference behavior was increased in exposed females but decreased in exposed males. Electrophysiological impacts were similar between sexes and specific to attributes related to input resistance. Input resistance was decreased in neurons recorded from both sexes exposed to FM 550 compared to vehicle. This study supports the hypothesis that developmental exposure to FM 550 impacts attachment behaviors and demonstrates a novel FM 550 effect on neural electrophysiology.
Age Significantly Affects Response Rate to Outcomes Questionnaires Using Mobile Messaging Software.

Purpose To investigate the demographic factors that influence time to respond (TTR), time to completion (TTC), and response rate when using a text messaging-based system and to determine the feasibility and applicability of mobile messaging-based services for collection of patient-reported outcomes among orthopaedic sports medicine patients. Methods On the day of surgery, patient mobile phone number was collected and the automated mobile messaging service (MOSIO, Seattle, WA) messaged patients for 10 ``days postoperatively. Patient visual analog scale (VAS) scores were collected 3 times daily, side effects were asked each evening, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference (PI) Short Form was collected on postoperative day 3 and 7. Results A total of 177 patients were enrolled in the study. The overall response rate to the survey questions was 75.0%. For all patients, the average TTR of questions was 35.09 ± 12.57 minutes. The TTC was 2.75 ± 3.56 minutes for PROMIS-PI, 3.51 ± 1.26 minutes for VAS, and 3.80 ± 6.87 for side-effect questions. When patients were stratified into age groups, the youngest group, 16 to 32 years, had the greatest response rate of 85.2% and patients in the 49 to 59 years group had the lowest response rate of 68.4% and 69.1%, respectively (P .05). Conclusions Collectively, all age groups successfully achieved a mean response rate of 75%; however, significantly lower response rates were observed for patients >49 years old. Differences in age and sex did not impact the overall TTR or TTC for VAS, PROMIS-PI, or side-effect questions. Mobile-based applications present as an emerging opportunity to track postoperative outcome scores and reduce clinic survey load. Level of Evidence Case series, level of evidence IV.
Digital Twin Enabled Methane Emission Abatement Using Networked Mobile Sensing and Mobile Actuation

Digital Twin is a revolutionary concept from Industry 4.0 for solving physical experiments that cannot frequently repeat due to high cost and safety concerns. It is well known that increasing methane emissions have caused potential global warming, which doesn't satisfy carbon neutralized statement. We proposed a Digital Twin enabled methane emission abatement framework using drones to update real-time data to measure methane emissions to address these issues. We validated our Digital Twin by separated subsystems of targeting in methane emissions mapping and prediction. The preliminary results demonstrate that Digital Twin is an efficient tool in abating methane emissions and contributes efforts to global climate change.
MAPK pathway activation selectively inhibits ASCL1-driven small cell lung cancer.

Activation of mitogenic signaling pathways is a common oncogenic driver of many solid tumors including lung cancer. Although activating mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway are prevalent in non-small cell lung cancers, MAPK pathway activity, counterintuitively, is relatively suppressed in the more aggressively proliferative small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Here, we elucidate the role of the MAPK pathway and how it interacts with other signaling pathways in SCLC. We find that the most common SCLC subtype, SCLC-A associated with high expression of ASCL1, is selectively sensitive to MAPK activation in vitro and in vivo through induction of cell-cycle arrest and senescence. We show strong upregulation of ERK negative feedback regulators and STAT signaling upon MAPK activation in SCLC-A lines. These findings provide insight into the complexity of signaling networks in SCLC and suggest subtype-specific mitogenic vulnerabilities.
Stress Related Thermal Emission

Thermal nondestructive testing and evaluation of materials has attracted increased attention in recent years with the appearance of commercially available, real-time infrared scanning devices. Previous work in our laboratory and others has indicated that material damage can be studied in situ, as well as in initiation and growth stages during the application of load. To develop the thermal techniques quantitatively, appropriate physical and mathematical models which will delineate the interdependence of damaged regions and the observed thermal patterns need to be found. This paper investigates some of the current physical models which have been discussed in the literature for such phenomena as internal friction, viscoelasticity, thermoelasticity, etc., in relation to their possible utility in explaining “Stress Related Thermal Emission.” The parametric dependence of stress related thermal emission on variables such as wavelength, size of the damage zone, thermal conductivity, material inhomogeneity, and others are discussed along with factors affecting the possible observed heat patterns.
Time series in m-dimensions definition, problems and prospects

We define time series in m dimensions x, as follows: the observed variable z depends on and similarly n time series in m variables where f(x,t) and x are vectors. This is the discrete case. The continuous case is similar. Distinction is made between m time series in zero dimension, at a particular point x, and one time series in m dimensions.
THE LEUCOCYTE-LIKE CELLS OF THE OVIDUCTS DURING THE NORMAL ESTROUS CYCLE AND THEIR MODIFICATION BY PROGESTIN AND ESTROGEN TREATMENT.

During specific phases of the luteal stage of the estrous cycle, and during early pregnancy, or following progestational administration, there is a marked mobilization of lymphoblast-like cells in the connective tissue of the plica. These cells readily penetrate the basment membrane, and assume an intercalary position in their migration between the epithelial cells to the lumen. Progestational treatment intensifies this migration during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle in the normal animal, or induces this migration in the oviducts of the ovariectomized animal. Estrogenic treatment alone, in the ovariectomized animal, will not maintain the migration of lymphoblast-like cells in the connective tissue of the oviduct, nor their penetration between the epithelial cells and extrusion into the lumen of the tissue. Estrogenic treatment induces a marked modification of the lymphoblast-like cells mobilized by progestational treatment, resulting in morphological reorganization and destruction of the cells in the oviductal tissues. The morphological reorganization of the cell is noted in eosinophilic granulation of the cytoplasm, followed by fragmentation of the nuclear chromatin within the cell. The eosinophilic granulation is lost, followed by dissolution of the nuclear and cytoplasmic membranes and scattering of the chromatin material into the tissue.
Children's Color Vocabulary

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of color terms by male and female elementary school children. Thirty-six children were asked to label colors. A significant difference was found between younger females and older females, tentatively indicating a developmental trend that may explain the differences in color term production between adult females and adult males. No significant differences were found between males and females, or between younger males and older males.
Reduction of Palmitoyl Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate by Mitochondria

Abstract NADPH is oxidized in the presence of guinea pig liver mitochondria upon the addition of palmitoyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate. A lipid is formed which has been identified as lysophosphatidate.
Composites – design, manufacturing, and other issues: a view towards the future

In this paper we take an overall view of composites, and try to identify the key factors that will affect their growth and competitiveness in the next decade. The paper has been written to discuss provocative issues, and, it is hoped, stimulate discussion in areas critical to the future of composites, rather than to provide answers to specifics. We examine composites from the vantage points of the following critical issues: design, manufacturing, materials characterization and data standards, environmental issues, and education and information needs. Clearly, the full benefits of composite materials have yet to be realized. The next 25 years hold the promise of new fibres and matrix materials with improved stiffness and strength, lower cost and improved processability. Prospects for expanded integration of engineering design and manufacturing will enhance the quality of composite structures and lead to reductions in acquisition and life cycle costs. The challenge facing composites technology is to expand the use of composite materials not only in primary aerospace vehicle structures, but also to non–aerospace applications, and to develop improved materials, design concepts, processing, and manufacturing technology to achieve the full potential of advanced composite materials.
Moderating Effects of Gender on Outcomes Associated with Stressful Life Events Among Elementary School-Age Youth

Stressful life events have been associated with child and adolescent maladjustment, including elevated levels of aggression and anxiety (Attar et al. in J Clin Child Psychol 23:391-400, 1994; Fox et al. in J Adolesc 33:43-54, 2010). However, gender specific outcomes associated with stressful life events among elementary school-age youth are less known. Accordingly, the current study examined the role of gender in the associations between stressful life events and anxiety and proactive and reactive aggression. Participants included 294 elementary school-age children (M = 8.71, SD = 1.17, 50.7 % male). Regression analyses indicated that stressful life events were positively associated with anxiety and reactive, but not proactive, aggression. There were no gender differences with regard to the associations with anxiety symptoms or proactive aggression. However, gender moderated the association between stressful life events and reactive aggression, such that stressful life events were only positively associated with reactive aggression for boys. Future directions and implications of this research are presented.
Were Ediacaran siliciclastics of South Australia coastal or deep marine

The Late Neoproterozoic Ediacara Member of the Rawnsley Quartzite in South Australia has been considered aeolian, fluvial, intertidal and deep marine by various authors. Palaeosols would not be expected for the deep marine interpretation, but some palaeosols should be evident for the aeolian–fluvial–intertidal interpretations, and this is the first study to examine the Ediacara Member at a petrographic and geochemical scale appropriate to recognize potential palaeosols. Recognition of palaeosols and floodplain facies in Neoproterozoic rocks is a challenge because such rocks are too ancient for diagnostic non-marine fossils such as root traces. The varied thickness of Ediacara Member red siltstones and white sandstones is distinct from laterally persistent overlying and underlying grey shales and limestones with acritarchs, stromatolites and other marine fossils. The sandstones are trough cross-bedded and fill palaeovalleys. The red siltstones have poorly sorted, highly angular, silt-size grains characteristic of loess. Particular sandy and silty beds were sampled for detailed petrographic and geochemical studies, because they include desiccation cracks, sand crystals, ice cracks, carbonate nodules and soft-sediment deformation like those of palaeosols. Chemical and grain-size variations within these beds reveal surficial clay formation and oxidation from feldspar as in soils. Petrographic studies also revealed surficial disruption of these palaeosols by filamentous structures comparable with microbial ropes of biological soil crusts. This array of palaeosol features may be of use for recognizing palaeosols in other Neoproterozoic siliciclastic sequences.
Comparison of rate constants determined by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy with rate constants determined by other NMR techniques

Rate constants for the interconversion of N-trifluoroacetyl-N-methylbenzylamine between its conformers were measured over a temperature range by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. These rate constants were compared with those obtained by line shape analysis, saturation transfer and selective pulse transfer. The rate constants measured by the two-dimensional method were, over the temperature range of the experiments, about 40% higher than those from line shape analysis. At lower temperatures, the agreement between the two-dimensional data and the rate constants obtained by saturation transfer and selective pulse transfer studies were much closer. The two-dimensional NMR method for measuring rate constants gives good agreement with rate constants obtained by other NMR methods, particularly in the slow rate region.
A Review of Hydraulic Fracture Modeling—Part I: General Concepts, 2D Models, Motivation for 3D Modeling

This is Part I of a two-part paper which reviews in depth the literature on the modeling of the propagation of large hydraulic fractures in underground rock formations. Part I presents a general formulation of the problem, its geometry and only the most fundamental and unrestrictive physical assumptions. The two basic two-dimensional models of constant height (rectangular) fractures which formed the core of modeling efforts from 1960 through the late 1970's are discussed in detail followed by a brief review of the effects of fluid diffusion in the fractured medium on crack propagation. The recent field and laboratory observations which have shown that nonrectangular fractures can occur quite often are discussed, as are their impact on the modeling effort, specifically the need for three-dimensional models of crack propagation in layered environments. Part II of the paper deals with the three-dimensional modeling efforts and some fundamental crack and fracture mechanics problems related to the vertical growth of a hydraulic fracture.
Blood feeding and autogeny in the peridomestic mosquito Aedes bahamensis (Diptera: Culicidae)

Under laboratory conditions, most colony and field-collected Aedes bahamensis Berlin females developed eggs autogenously when they had access to sugar. However, significantly fewer starved females were autogenous, and they produced smaller egg clutches. Autogenous fecundity covaried with wing length, and smaller females generally failed to express autogeny. Mating had no effect on the maturation of the initial egg clutch. Most starved, nulliparous females blood fed from a restrained host. At a south Florida field site, both parous and nulliparous Ae. bahamensis were captured with a power aspirator, but concurrent sampling with dry ice-baited, light traps collected only parous females. Host-seeking females, taken either in chicken-baited traps or as they attempted to blood feed on humans, were also parous, with a single exception. Thus, at this field site, Ae. bahamensis females normally delayed blood feeding until after their first oviposition. Whether or not Ae. bahamensis females in other south Florida populations show a similar gonotrophic pattern probably will depend upon the availability of sugar sources and conditions in the mosquito's aquatic habitat that affect adult size.
Innervation of forebrain regions by medullary noradrenaline neurons, a biochemical study in cats with central tegmental tract lesions

Abstract In order to determine quantitatively the relative contribution of medullary noradrenaline neurons to the noradrenaline terminal innervation of forebrain regions in the cat, bilateral lesions of the central tegmental tract were performed at the level of the caudal pons in adult cats. The results indicate that the medullary neurons provide approximately 75% of the total noradrenaline innervation to the hypothalamus, only 20–25% of that of the thalamus and midbrain and no measurable contribution to the noradrenaline innervation of the cerebral cortex or hippocampus. These results are comparable to previous ones of bilateral locus coeruleus lesions in the cat which showed that the locus coeruleus neurons provide approx. 15% of the total noradrenaline innervation to the hypothalamus, 60% of that to the thalamus and midbrain and the entire innervation to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
The polarization effect of SO(6) in the fermion dynamical symmetry model

Abstract The quadropole interaction between an SO(6) system and another system is considered. The hamiltonian expressed in terms of the parameter γ is given and the γ-potential is studied. Some results are compared with the geometrical model.
Hypertensive patients with false-positive thallium-201 scintigraphic results in the infero-posterior wall are in high risk for coronary artery disease development.

Abstract Background It has been previously postulated that Thallium-201 (Tl 201 ) scintigraphy is characterized by relatively low specificity in hypertensive patients. This study was undertaken to assess any possible influence of false-positive scintigraphic results on the prognosis of hypertensive patients. Methods The study group comprised 179 consecutive hypertensive patients (128 men and 51 women), aged 50±7 years, who underwent exercise Tl 201 scintigraphy and coronary angiography (patients with normal scintigraphic results underwent coronary angiography due to persistent angina-like symptoms). All patients with normal coronary arteries underwent a second Tl 201 scintigraphy within 36±6 months. Patients with reversible ischemia in the second scintigraphy underwent also a second coronary angiography. Results Coronary artery disease (CAD) was detected in 78 (44%) patients, while the rest 101 (56%) patients had normal coronary arteries. Abnormal scintigraphic results were revealed in 66 (85%) patients with CAD and in 38 (38%) patients without CAD. Twenty-two (58%) of the 38 hypertensive patients with false-positive scintigraphic results presented reversible ischemia of the infero-posterior wall of the left ventricle. Coronary artery disease was detected in 7 (32%) of these patients during the follow-up period. Conclusions Hypertensive patients with normal coronary arteries and false-positive scintigraphic results usually present with reversible ischemia of the infero-posterior wall of the left ventricle. This group of patients seems to be at increased risk of developing CAD in a long-term follow-up period.
Automatic control system for optimizing diesel engine performance

Abstract This paper describes the development of a microprocessor-based automatic control system for minimizing the fuel consumption of tractor engines. Engine performance tests were conducted to obtain the fuel consumption data under varying load and speed conditions. From these data, a minimum specific fuel consumption (SFC) curve is derived using regression analysis. A control system developed based on this minimum SFC curve is used to control the enegine speed at optimum so that the specific fuel consumption under a given torque is minimum. The system was designed to control engine speed by adjusting the throttle position. Laboratory test results show that the control maintains the engine speed close to the optimum, enhances the engine power usage, and reduces the fuel consumption.
Market power of large cities and policy differences in metropolitan areas

Abstract When a single city, the ‘central city’, has a large share of the metropolis population, it will influence housing prices in other, smaller cities, the ‘suburbs’. This market power leads to differences in government policy and property values between the central city and suburbs even when residents and amenities in the two regions are identical. When the central city's government is controlled by property-owning residents, its property tax rate exceeds the rate in the suburbs. The central city will also have lower property values than suburbs.
Dynamics Simulation of a Six-DOF Tunnel Segment Erector for Tunnel Boring Machine Based on Virtual Prototype

In this paper, we present the modeling and dynamics simulation of a six-DOF tunnel segment erector for tunnel boring machine (TBM), which is performed in the virtual prototype platform. The 3D virtual assembling model of a tunnel segment erector is built based on Pro/E software according to its design parameters such as structure and size. After the interference inspection, the model is imported into ADAMS through the interface module of Mech/Pro. The model is simplified and optimized reasonably and various constraints are applied under variety working conditions. The results of simulation show that the design has six degrees of freedom movement capacity which meets the design requirements. At the same time the dynamics characteristics of drives and the forces of each part are obtained and they will provide a boundary condition for strength check and basis for the power system design which is important for the further optimal design.
Noninvasive metrics for identification of brain injury deficits in piglets.

Balance and bispectral index metrics were evaluated in piglets following focal and diffuse brain injury. A significant decrease in bispectral index existed at 24 hours after diffuse brain injury, but not after focal injury. Postural sway increased at 1–6 hours after both focal and diffuse injuries.
Radioiodination of aryl-alkyl cyclic sulfates.

Among the currently available positron emitters suitable for Positron Emission Tomography (PET), 124I has the longest physical half-life (4.2 days). The long half-life and well-investigated behavior of iodine in vivo makes 124I very attractive for pharmacological studies. In this communication, we describe a simple yet effective method for the synthesis of novel 124I labeled compounds intended for PET imaging of arylsulfatase activity in vivo. Arylsulfatases have important biological functions, and genetic deficiencies of such functions require pharmacological replacement, the efficacy of which must be properly and non-invasively evaluated. These enzymes, even though their natural substrates are mostly of aliphatic nature, hydrolyze phenolic sulfates to phenol and sulfuric acid. The availability of [124I]iodinated substrates is expected to provide a PET-based method for measuring their activity in vivo. The currently available methods of synthesis of iodinated arylsulfates usually require either introducing of a protected sulfate ester early in the synthesis or introduction of sulfate group at the end of synthesis in a separate step. The described method gives the desired product in one step from an aryl-alkyl cyclic sulfate. When treated with iodide, the source cyclic sulfate opens with substitution of iodide at the alkyl center and gives the desired arylsulfate monoester.
Expression of Toll-like receptors in the kidney: their potential role beyond infection

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize both exogenous microbial components and endogenous molecules to promote immune activation. Both immune and nonimmune renal cells express TLRs, which are involved in the pathogenesis of a number of kidney diseases, including pyelonephritis, Leptospira nephritis, immune-complex glomerulonephritis, ischemic/reperfusion injury, and rejection of kidney transplant.
Highly Conductive Bilayer Transparent Conducting Oxide Thin Films for Large-Area Organic Photovoltaic Cells

Highly conductive In-doped CdO/Sn-doped In2O3 (CIO/ITO) bilayer transparent conducting oxide (TCO) thin films were prepared by combining, in sequence, metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and ion-assisted deposition (IAD) techniques. The bilayer substrates, with a low In content of ∼19 atom % and a low sheet resistance of only ∼4.9 Ω/◻, were investigated as anodes in the bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices using poly(2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MDMO-PPV):[6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as the active layer. The bilayer anode OPVs of the current laboratory size (∼0.06 cm2) exhibit performance comparable to those of commercial ITO-based control devices. The effect of TCO conductivity on OPV performance in larger area devices is analyzed through a simulation model. The results reveal significant advantages of using the highly conductive bilayer TCO anodes for large-area OPV cells.
Cascading effects of feedbacks, disease, and climate change on alpine treeline dynamics

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is important for tree island development in some alpine treeline ecosystems in western North America; therefore the effects of an exotic disease on whitebark pine may cascade to other species and affect how treeline responds to climate change. We developed an agent-based model to examine the interactive impacts of blister rust and climate change on treeline dynamics. Our model includes positive and negative feedback effects for population processes and infection in a neighborhood. We simulated a present-day-like whitebark pine treeline community in the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains under stable conditions, and then conditions of disease, climate amelioration, and their combination. The loss of pine to disease was only partly compensated by the effect of climate change, and resulted in less facilitation for other species-reversing the positive effects of climate amelioration. Spatially explicit simulation captured the cascading effects of neighborhood facilitation on treeline populations and patterns. Facilitation, particularly from whitebark pine, drives tree island development.Positive and negative feedbacks influence whitebark pine treeline dynamics.Climate amelioration reduces facilitation benefits, causing dispersed tree pattern.Blister rust disease-killed pine impacts all species, despite climate improvement.Treeline responded negatively with disease introduction, even when climate improved.
Clinical Use of Self-Reports to Measure CBT Program Outcomes

In this paper, we explore the treatment effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a group therapy environment with 11 adults between the ages of 20 and 70 years old. We used the Clinic...
Drug-induced lipidoses of the cornea and conjunctiva.

A variety of lysosomal disorders affect the human cornea and conjunctiva. These disorders may result from inborn abnormalities of a specific intralysosomal enzyme such as the deficit of ceramide trihexosidase in Fabry's disease. Alternately, lysosomal dysfunction may be the result of drug administration with subsequent drug-induced lipidosis. Chloroquine, amiodarone, amodiaquine, benoquin, tilorone, and gentamicin are lipidosis-inducing drugs with proven involvement of the human cornea and conjunctiva. Similarities between Fabry's disease and the drug-induced lipidoses include intraepithelial corneal deposits frequently arranged in a verticillate or vortex pattern, and the presence of abnormal inclusions of intralysosomal lipid in corneal and conjunctival tissue when examined by transmission electron microscopy. These striking parallels invite consideration of lysosomal dysfunction as a factor in the recognized or potential toxicity of drugs inducing lipidosis.