cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-Modal Intervention for Inpatient Management of Sickle Cell Pain Significantly decreases the rate of Acute Chest Syndrome.

Abstract Painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOE) account for the majority of hospitalizations and nearly all morbidity in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Frequently, VOE progresses into acute chest syndrome (ACS), a leading cause of mortality in SCD. Few strategies exist to prevent this potentially fatal complication. We present the results of a multi-modal intervention to improve the inpatient management of SCD. We performed a before-and-after prospective multi-modal intervention. All children with SCD admitted for uncomplicated VOE during the two-year study period were eligible. The multi-modal intervention included standardized VOE admission orders, monthly house staff education, and one-on-one patient and caregiver education. ACS was defined as a new radiologic density on chest radiograph. A total of 332 admissions for uncomplicated VOE occurred during the study period; 159 before the intervention and 173 during the intervention. The ACS rate declined by 50% during the intervention period (25%, 39/159 to 12%, 21/173; p=0.003). No significant difference was found in patient demographics, amount of intravenous fluid administered, frequency of normal saline bolus administration, or cumulative opioid amount delivered in first 24-hours. Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) use was more common after the intervention (52%, 82/159 vs 73%, 126/173; p=0.0001) and fewer patients required changes in analgesic dosing within the first 24-hours after admission (26%, 42/159 vs 16%, 28/173; p=0.015). PCA-use protected against progression to ACS (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.3–0.0.94) while patients needing escalation of pain medications in the first 24-hours were more likely to develop ACS (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.3–4.6). A multi-modal intervention to change physician behavior successfully improved patient outcomes by reducing the ACS rate.
Lactic acid bacteria as antifungal agents

Because microorganisms coexist in the environment, they may influence one another. Molds are no different, and can have their growth and mycotoxin production influenced by other molds, yeasts, or bacteria. A prominent group of bacteria with antifungal activity are the lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The biocontrol imposed by LAB over molds may result from competition for space and nutrients, production of antifungal compounds, and other metabolites that may also influence the production of mycotoxins. All these are discussed in this chapter, along with examples of potential applications of LAB in food systems. In addition, a section discussing the effect of LAB on mycotoxin removal from liquid systems is also presented.
A 55-Year-Old Male Presenting With Altered Mental Status: A Complicated Case of Intracranial Aneurysm

A 55-year-old African American male was in good health 5 months back when he underwent colonoscopy as part of a routine colon cancer screening. After the procedure, he developed colitis and was treated with antibiotics for 5 days with resolution of his symptoms. 1 month after this episode he was admitted at an outside hospital for constellation of fever, bilateral ankle swelling and petechial pruritic rash on his lower extremities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Fast simulations of shear waves generated by an acoustic radiation force: Comparisons with measurements in shear wave phantoms

We recently developed a fast approach for simulating shear waves generated by an acoustic radiation force. The input for these simulations is generated in FOCUS, the “Fast object-oriented C + + simulator” (www.egr.msu.edu/~fultras-web), which rapidly models the three-dimensional (3D) pressure, intensity, and acoustic radiation force on a desktop computer. The shear waves generated by the acoustic radiation force are then quickly simulated with Green's functions for viscoelastic media in a two-dimensional (2D) plane on a high-performance graphics processing unit (GPU). For these simulations, an L7-4 linear array is electronically focused at a depth of 25 mm to generate an acoustic radiation force “push” for 200 microseconds. The simulation results are compared to shear wave data measured in three viscoelastic shear wave phantoms with low, medium, and high values of the shear viscosity using a Verasonics Vantage ultrasound system. The measured and simulated shear wave data are compared for several different combinations of the simulation parameters, where these comparisons are enabled by the rapid acoustic radiation force and shear wave simulations. The results show that the shear waves simulated in 2D planes achieve good agreement with the measured shear wave data. [Work supported in part by NIH Grants EB023051 and DK092255.]We recently developed a fast approach for simulating shear waves generated by an acoustic radiation force. The input for these simulations is generated in FOCUS, the “Fast object-oriented C + + simulator” (www.egr.msu.edu/~fultras-web), which rapidly models the three-dimensional (3D) pressure, intensity, and acoustic radiation force on a desktop computer. The shear waves generated by the acoustic radiation force are then quickly simulated with Green's functions for viscoelastic media in a two-dimensional (2D) plane on a high-performance graphics processing unit (GPU). For these simulations, an L7-4 linear array is electronically focused at a depth of 25 mm to generate an acoustic radiation force “push” for 200 microseconds. The simulation results are compared to shear wave data measured in three viscoelastic shear wave phantoms with low, medium, and high values of the shear viscosity using a Verasonics Vantage ultrasound system. The measured and simulated shear wave data are compared for several different...
Electrochemical Synthesis of Metal Oxides for Energy Applications

The development of a sustainable global energy policy requires the availability of efficient, reliable and inexpensive energy conversion and storage technologies using renewable, carbon free energy sources. The ability to synthesize functional materials that are both cost effective and highly efficient is a critical step towards this goal. In particular, the electrodeposition of metal oxides is an attractive option for the production of materials for energy applications due to its low cost, high scalability, and versatility. This chapter reviews the fundamentals of the electrochemical formation and growth of oxide materials and describes possible methods to control their composition, morphology, and crystal structure towards performance optimization. Examples of metal oxides systems and specifically how the synthesis process influences their performance will be discussed. The materials examined include ZnO for solar cells, Cu2O for photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical systems, α-Fe2O3 for photoelectrochemical water splitting, and MnO2 for supercapacitor energy storage. Techniques to enhance device performance common to these materials system include varying electrochemical deposition parameters to fine tune morphology, nanostructuring to better control and enhance relevant device properties, and the integration of materials with complementary functions to systematically maximize efficiency through a system approach.
I rate you. you rate me. should we do so publicly

We find that ratings are not absolute, but rather depend on whether they are given anonymously or under one's own name and whether they are displayed publicly or held confidentially. The potential to reciprocate produces higher and more correlated ratings than when individuals are unable to see how others rated them. Ratings further depend on the gender and nationalities of the raters and ratees. All of these findings indicate that ratings should not be taken at face value without considering social nuances.
Impact of Circuit Size on Coagulation and Hemolysis Complications in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit volume, patient size, and blood flow may influence coagulation and hemolysis complications. We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of ECMO patients over a 6.5 year period. In 299 ECMO runs, 13% required coagulation-associated circuit changes. Respiratory ECMO was associated with coagulation-associated circuit changes [odds ratio (O/R) 2.8, p 100 mg/dl) hemolysis (O/R 2.3, p 2.5 more than doubled time to circuit change (3-8 days, p 3 increased bleeding risks and hospital mortality (O/R 1.8; p 50% (p < 0.1).Our data suggest that pediatric respiratory ECMO patients are more likely to develop coagulation and hemolysis complications, which are associated with increased mortality. This may result from higher inflammatory processes, which affect coagulation and red cell fragility. Minimizing circuit volume, inflammation, and red cell stress may help to reduce these two complications and their associated mortality.
Did Immigrant Incorporation Overcome Structural Discrimination in Federal Place-based Antipoverty Implementation?

Most antipoverty programs target people. In the 1990s, the Federal government launched place-based initiatives to direct resources to places with high poverty to address decades of structural discr...
Leadership Perceptions and Practices of Hospitality in Senior Care.

Senior care providers are increasingly focused on hospitality to distinguish themselves from competitors. A mixed-methods approach was used to examine perceptions of hospitality from leadership (i....
Improved targeting of the globus pallidus interna using quantitative susceptibility mapping prior to MR-guided focused ultrasound ablation in Parkinson's disease

Abstract Purpose Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) of the globus pallidus interna (GPi) has shown promise in the treatment of drug-resistant Parkinson's disease, though direct visualization of the GPi remains challenging with MRI. The purpose of this study was to compare various preoperative MR imaging techniques and to evaluate the utility of quantitative susceptibility imaging (QSM) in the depiction of the GPi prior to MRgFUS ablation. Materials and methods Six patients with medication refractory advanced idiopathic Parkinson's disease were referred for preoperative MR imaging prior to MRgFUS pallidotomy. Axial T1WI and T2WI, Fast Gray Matter Acquisition T1 Inversion Recovery (FGATIR), and QSM sequences were acquired. DTI tractography was performed to delineate the corticospinal tracts. Qualitative visualization scores and contrast to noise ratios (CNR) were recorded and measured on all images. Results QSM had significantly higher median qualitative visualization scores (3.00) compared with the T1WI (1.00), T2WI (1.50), and FGATIR sequences (1.50) (p Conclusion QSM offers improved visualization of the GPi compared with the traditional and currently recommended MR sequences prior to MRgFUS ablation in patients with Parkinson's disease. These results suggest that QSM should be considered as part of all preoperative imaging protocols prior to MRgFUS pallidotomy.
Impacts of off-road vehicle tracks on runoff, erosion and sediment delivery – A combined field and modeling approach

Abstract Assessing the effects of land disturbance on sediment yield requires quantification of erosion and sediment connectivity. Off-road vehicle (ORV) tracks represent sources of sediment pollution to coral reefs and coastal wetlands in a dry tropical setting of Southwestern Puerto Rico. This study assesses their contribution through a combined empirical and modeling approach. Rainfall simulation experiments and sediment accumulation in detention ponds indicate that ORV track erosion rates are 31–83 Mg ha−1 yr−1 and these are one to two orders of magnitude greater than background erosion rates. A new sediment connectivity model predicted a watershed-scale sediment yield of 2.7 Mg ha−1 yr−1 from a 11.9 km km−2 of ORV track network, and this exceeds those from comparable watersheds in the Caribbean. The spatially explicit nature of the model outputs allows for site-specific quantification of sediment contributions and for an evaluation of the effectiveness of mitigation methods such as detention ponds.
Right atrial volume index to left atrial volume index ratio is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in cardiogenic shock

Structural remodeling in chronic systolic heart failure (HF) is associated with neurohormonal and hemodynamic perturbations among HF patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS) and HF. Our objective was to test the hypothesis was that atrial remodeling marked by an increased right atrial volume index (RAVI) to left atrial volume index (LAVI) ratio is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in CS. Patients in this cohort were admitted to the intensive care unit with evidence of congestion (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure > 15) and cardiogenic shock (cardiac index < 2.2, systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg, and clinical evidence supporting CS) and had an echocardiogram at the time of admission. RAVI was measured using Simpson’s method in the apical four-chamber view, while LAVI was measured using the biplane disc summation method in the four and two-chamber views by two independent observers. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the association of RAVI-LAVI with the combined outcome of death or left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Among 113 patients (mean age 59 ± 14.9 years, 29.2% female), median RAVI/LAVI was 0.84. During a median follow-up of 12 months, 43 patients died, and 65 patients had the combined outcomes of death or LVAD. Patients with RAVI/LAVI ratio above the median had a greater incidence of death or LVAD (Log-rank p ≤ 0.001), and increasing RAVI/LAVI was significantly associated with the outcomes of death or LVAD (HR 1.71 95% CI 1.11–2.64, chi square 5.91, p = 0.010) even after adjustment for patient characteristics, echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables. RAVI/LAVI is an easily assessed novel echocardiographic parameter strongly associated with the survival and or the need for mechanical circulatory support in patients with CS.
Anticompetitive Litigation and Antitrust Liability

The U.S. Supreme Court held that litigation for anticompetitive ends (“sham litigation”) must be “baseless” in order to face antitrust liability. The filing of such suits continues apace, as does the legal commentators’ debate, but economic analysis has lagged. Here, a game theoretic model is constructed in which plaintiffs file suit to achieve collateral gains and defendants may countersue for damages under the Sherman Act. In equilibrium, settlement fails and all suits are litigated, but the threat of countersuit deters low-expected-value plaintiffs. As the legal standard for sham litigation approaches “baselessness,” this deterrence effect is weakened and litigation may increase.
Applications of composite materials in space vehicle structures

Filamentary composite materials reviewed for potential applications in spacecraft structures
An in vivo approach to the discovery and characterization of cellular mechanisms regulating microRNA-mediated gene silencing (744.3)

Our goal is to determine the cellular mechanisms that regulate microRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene silencing. MiRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules that interact with target-gene messenger RNA transcripts...
Conserving and Enhancing Biological Control of Nematodes.

Conservation biological control is the modification of the environment or existing practices to protect and enhance antagonistic organisms to reduce damage from pests. This approach to biological control has received insufficient attention com- pared with inundative applications of microbial antagonists to control nematodes. This review provides examples of how production practices can enhance or diminish biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes and other soilborne pests. Antagonists of nem- atodes can be enhanced by providing supplementary food sources such as occurs when organic amendments are applied to soil. However, some organic amendments (e.g., manures and plants containing allelopathic compounds) can also be detrimental to nematode antagonists. Plant species and genotype can strongly influence the outcome of biological control. For instance, the susceptibility of the plant to the nematode can determine the effectiveness of control; good hosts will require greater levels of suppression than poor hosts. Plant genotype can also influence the degree of rhizosphere colonization and antibiotic production by antagonists, as well the expression of induced resistance by plants. Production practices such as crop rotation, fallow periods, tillage, and pesticide applications can directly disrupt populations of antagonistic organisms. These practices can also indirectly affect antagonists by reducing their primary nematode host. One of the challenges of conservation biological control is that practices intended to protect or enhance suppression of nematodes may not be effective in all field sites because they are dependent on indigenous antagonists. Ultimately, indicators will need to be identified, such as the presence of particular antagonists, which can guide decisions on where it is practical to use conservation biological control. Antagonists can also be applied to field sites in conjunction with conservation practices to improve the consistency, efficacy, and duration of biological control. In future research, greater use should be made of bioassays that measure nematode suppression because changes in abundance of particular antagonists may not affect biological control of plant parasites.
Stream phosphorus transport in the Lake Tahoe basin, 1989-1996.

Lake Tahoe is undergoing the initial stages of culturaleutrophication due to human alteration of the airshed andwatershed. The lake's switch from nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P)limitation has been attributed primarily to atmospheric Nloading. This places an increased importance on controllingwatershed movement of P to the lake. A stream water qualitymonitoring data set consisting of nine streams in the Lake Tahoebasin has been analyzed to characterize the spatiotemporalvariation of P delivery to the lake. This data is from the LakeTahoe Interagency Monitoring Program (LTIMP), which providesscientific data for planning and regulatory agencies to addressenvironmental problems in the Lake Tahoe basin. Results indicatethat P delivery (concentrations, loads) varies greatly atinterannual, seasonal, and spatial scales. Annual and seasonaltotal P (TP) concentrations can vary up to three orders ofmagnitude in a given stream and are strongly associated withsuspended sediment. Particulate P is the major form of Ptransported by Tahoe streams and was strongly correlated withpercent surficial geologic deposits, which are primarily locatednear streams. Tahoe streams with the highest annualP concentrations often had the lowest annual P loads, and visaversa. P loading is greatest during the spring snowmelt (75% ofannual average). Potential watershed parameters influencing Pdelivery to Lake Tahoe have been identified as precipitation,basin area, basin steepness, and road and human developmentcoverage. Results also suggest that human development impacts onstream P loads are most prevalent during high precipitationyears. Identification and quantification of stream sediment andP sources such as streambanks and impervious surface isnecessary to aid in watershed restoration efforts.
Interactions of pH-sensitive peptides and polymers with lipid bilayers: Binding and membrane stability

Abstract The controlled release of content from liposomes is critical for their successful use as drug delivery systems. The most commonly used triggering mechanisms for content release are changes in the environment, such as a change in temperature or pH. In this case, the structure of the liposome membrane changes either by itself or by the presence of environmentally sensitive molecules, which leads to a change of membrane permeability. In this chapter we discuss the interaction of pH-sensitive molecules, such as the influenza fusion peptide mutant AcE4K and the polymer poly(2-ethylacrylic acid), with 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine membranes. We emphasize the ability of these molecules to rearrange the structure of the membrane. This ability is derived from the strength of molecular binding to the membrane interface as well as from the cohesiveness of the membrane itself. The binding of molecules to the membrane has been studied extensively; however, the coupling between binding and membrane cohesiveness is a relatively uncharted area. The binding of pH-sensitive molecules to the membrane is coupled with their protonation, whereas membrane cohesiveness depends on membrane composition. A simple model is introduced where the binding to the membrane and the work for displacing the membrane lipids and creating a vacancy for the binding molecules determine the outcome of the event. The work for creating a vacancy is dependent on membrane cohesiveness, and can be increased by adding cholesterol. The model predicts that the addition of cholesterol will increase the threshold pH for content release. The experimental data fit very well to the predictions of the model. This effect provides an opportunity for designing systems to release drugs in environments of unique pH, such as tumor tissues and endosome interiors.
The presence of the FRA12E/SMRT fragile site in the genome of prostate cancer patients is a predictor of metastatic development

A60 Background: The Silencing Mediator of Retinoic Acid and Thyroid Hormone Receptor (SMRT) gene that maps at chromosome 12q24 is a transcriptional co-repressor. Based on previous experiments in our Laboratory, we determined that prostate cancer cell lines and samples from prostate cancer patients with advanced disease have altered SMRT expression. We mapped a fragile site (FRA12E) within the SMRT gene. We hypothesized that patients with metastatic CaP have a higher incidence of FRA12E in their genome.Material and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 14 healthy men, 14 prostate cancer patients with no evidence of disease >5 years from diagnosis, and 14 men with metastatic CaP. Each sample was set in culture in the presence of aphidicoline (an inducer of fragile sites); chromosomes were harvested and fixed using classical cytogenetic techniques. SMRT-specific BAC clones were used in fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) experiments using the patient9s metaphase chromosomes. Images were collected, scored, and analyzed for a disrupted FISH signal indicative of FRA12E presence. Clinical data were also recorded.Results: The results of this pilot study showed that 1/14 healthy individual was carrier of the FRA12E fragile site, none of the patients with no evidence of disease >5 years from their primary diagnostic were carrier of the fragile site whereas all the patients with spread disease studied were carrier.Discussion: This pilot study examines the incidence of FRA12E in the genome of prostate cancer patients and suggests that the presence of FRA12E may be a useful predictor for the development of metastatic disease. Larger studies are underway to validate this potentially powerful metastatic predictor.
New representations of Ramanujan’s tau function

Several formulas for Ramanujan's function r, defined by 00 00 xHI(, = EZr(n)xn (lxI < 1), 1 1 are presented. We also present a congruence modulo 3 for some of the function values.
An isotonic regression problem for infinite-dimensional parameters

We consider an infinite-dimensional isotonic regression problem which is an extension of the suitably revised classical isotonic regression problem. Given p-summable data, for p finite and at least one, there exists an optimal estimator to our problem. For p greater than one, this estimator is unique and is the limit in the p-norm of the sequence of unique estimators in canonical finite-dimensional truncations of our problem. However, for p equal to one, our problem, as well as the finite-dimensional truncations, admit multiple optimal estimators in general. In this case, the sequence of optimal estimator sets to the truncations converges to the optimal estimator set of the infinite problem in the sense of Kuratowski. Moreover, the selection of natural best optimal estimators to the truncations converges in the 1-norm to an optimal estimator of the infinite problem.
Hering's law and vergence: equal signals produce unequal responses

Vergence eye movements have long been thought to be the result of a single control signal which is equally distributed to the two eyes. Yet a detailed study of the responses of each eye shows that left and right eye movements can be quite different. A model is developed which provides excellent simulation results well matched to the experimental data. The model uses a single controller for both eyes, but achieves substantial asymmetry through the use of different time constants in the neuromuscular plants of the left and right eye. >
Short-range order in disordered carbons: where does the Li go?

Disordered carbons offer promise of performance gains relative to graphite as the anode host material in Li ion batteries. They also present major challenges in determining structure-property relationships, in particular the location, density and properties of the site (or sites) at which reversible Li uptake occurs. Our understanding of graphite anodes is built on 35 years of research on the crystal compound LiC6. Here we review our efforts to obtain similar understanding of disordered carbons, using local structure determination via radial distribution function analysis, quantum chemical simulations and neutron vibrational spectroscopy. The ultimate goals are to understand the origin of the very high capacity for Li uptake exhibited by some of these materials, and to establish a scientific basis for optimizing their performance in real batteries. Two illustrative examples will be discussed in detail: the effect of residual hydrogen and ‘edge sites’ on Li binding, and the detailed evolution from long-range to short-range order in ball-milled graphite.
TCDD, endrin and lindane induced oxidative stress in fetal and placental tissues of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice.

Abstract The abilities of TCDD, endrin and lindane to induce oxidative stress in fetal and placental tissues have been studied after the oral administration of these xenobiotics to pregnant C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice. Production of Superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation and DNA-single strand breaks (SSB) was determined in live fetal and placental tissues 48 hr after administration of single teratogenic doses of the compounds on day 12 of gestation. Oxidative stress and its biomarkers were also determined in livers of day 18 fetuses after administration on day 12 of gestation. TCDD given at doses of 30 and 60 μg/kg body weight to the C57BL/6J and DBA/ 2J mice, respectively, produced increases of 1.3–2.7-fold in Superoxide anion production, 1.6–1.9-fold in lipid peroxidation and 2.1–4.4-fold in DNA-SSB. Endrin, given at a dose of 4.5 mg/kg body weight to C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, produced increases of 1.3–2.8-fold in Superoxide production, 1.4–1.8-fold in lipid peroxidation and 1.4–4.7-fold in DNA-SSB. Lindane when given at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight to C57BL/6J and DBA/ 2J mice produced increases of 1.6–3.0-fold in Superoxide production, 1.3–2.1-fold in lipid peroxidation and 1.4–5.0-fold in DNA-SSB. The results suggest that Superoxide production, lipid peroxidation and DNA-SSB in fetal and placental tissues may participate in the fetotoxic effects of TCDD and other polyhalogenated cyclic hydrocarbons, and that TCDD-induced oxidative damage in fetal and placental tissues is mediated at least in part by the Ah-receptor. The results also indicate that TCDD as an inducer of oxidative tissue damage in the embryos and placentas is approximately 150 and 1000 times more potent than endrin and lindane, respectively, in C57BL/6J mice, and 75 and 500 times more potent than endrin and lindane, respectively, in the DBA/2J mouse strain.
Cytotoxic effects of two organotin compounds and their mode of inflicting cell death on four mammalian cancer cells

In this report, we have tested the cytotoxicity of two organotin (OT) compounds by flow cytometry on a panel of immortalized cancer cell lines of human and murine origin. Although the OT compounds exhibited varying levels of cytotoxicity, diphenylmethyltin chloride was more toxic than 1,4-bis (diphenylchlorostannyl)p-xylene on all cell lines tested. The OT compounds were found to be highly cytotoxic to lymphoma cell lines with lower toxicity toward the HeLa cervical cancer cell line. In order to discern the mechanism by which cell death was induced, additional experiments were conducted to monitor characteristic changes consistent with apoptosis and/or necrosis. Cell lines treated with the experimental compounds indicated that there was no consistent mode of cell death induction. However, both compounds induced apoptosis in the pro-B lymphocyte cell line, NFS-70. The work presented here also demonstrates that the two OT compounds possess selective cytotoxicity against distinct transformed cell lines.
Realizing Orthogonal Motions With Wire Flexures Connected in Parallel

In this paper, we study the synthesis of wire flexures to achieve orthogonal motion by using a recently developed screw theory based approach. For a given desired mobility pattern, our goal is to find a system of wire flexures that are simply connected in parallel between the functional stage and the ground. It has been shown that a wire flexure is essentially a pure force or a line screw. An n dof motion space (allowable motion) is realizable if its reciprocal constraint space can be spanned by 6 – n line screws or forces. We first enumerate all possible one to five degree of motion spaces that are formed by motions along the coordinate axes attached on the functional stage. For each of these 34 motion spaces, we apply the screw theory approach to find its reciprocal force space as well as its rank. We conclude that 18 of them are realizable, 4 are realizable only when their pitches have opposite signs and 12 are not realizable. For each of these 34 cases, we provide an example showing the maximum number of independent wire flexures.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Findings before the diagnosis of asthma in young adults

Abstract Background: Asthma is a poorly understood disease. Risk factors are not established, and the natural history of the disease is unknown. Objective: Using subjects of a community-based study, we have prospectively compared young adults destined to develop asthma with control subjects to determine differences between them before diagnosis. Methods: Subjects were participants of the Tucson Epidemiologic Study of Airways Obstructive Disease. They were studied between the ages of 15 and 19 and subsequently every 1 to 2 years until they were at least 21 years old with questionnaires, spirometry, allergy skin testing, and serum IgE testing. Results: Logistic regression showed that “wheeze” and “attacks of shortness of breath with wheeze” were independently predictive of asthma. Positive allergy skin test results occurred more frequently among subjects who later received a diagnosis of asthma, and initially these subjects had higher serum IgE levels than control subjects (geometric mean IgE = 173.8 IU/ml vs 52.5 IU/ml for control subjects; p Conclusions: These data suggest that symptoms and findings suggestive of asthma may be present for many years before diagnosis.
Image transport through a disordered optical fibre mediated by transverse Anderson localization

Anderson localization allows the transport of light through a transversely disordered medium. Here, Karbasi and colleagues demonstrate that this effect even allows the transmission of images through a disordered optical fibre.
Comparison of the Safety of Early Enteral vs Parenteral Nutrition in Mild Acute Pancreatitis

Background: This prospective study was designed to compare the safety, efficacy, cost, and impact on patient outcome of early total enteral nutrition (TEN) vs total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in acute pancreatitis. Methods: Patients admitted with acute pancreatitis or an acute flare of chronic pancreatitis, characterized by abdominal pain and elevated serum amylase and lipase, were randomized to receive either isocaloric and isonitrogenous TEN (via a nasojejunal feeding tube placed endoscopically) or TPN (via a central or peripheral line) started within 48 hours of admission. Results: Thirty patients were studied over 32 admissions (TEN given on 16 and TPN on 16) for acute pancreatitis. There were no differences on admission in mean age, Ranson criteria, multiple organ failure score (MOF), or APACHE III score between TEN and TPN groups. Although slower to approach goal feeding over the first 72 hours of admission, TEN patients received 71.3% goal calories by day 4 vs 85.2% for TPN patients (not significan...
Do Our Students Want Values Programs

Values programs are easier to justify if students actually want to participate in them. We analyzed data from the 2001 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) survey administered at Oakland University. About a third of the students thought that developing a meaningful philosophy of life was important. These students were somewhat more socially active, focused on individual intellectual pursuits, politically liberal, and spiritual than other students. They thought that individuals can change society. Students interested in philosophy of life don’t appear to be more religious than other students. On average, black students were more interested in developing a meaningful philosophy of life than white students.
Initial fetal cardiovascular profile score predicts recipient twin outcome in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Background The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cardiomyopathy and recipient twin (RT) outcome in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Methods Fetal echocardiography and outcomes data in 62 consecutive pregnancies with TTTS were reviewed. The primary outcome was neonatal RT survival. The severity of RT cardiomyopathy at presentation was assessed by the cardiovascular profile score (CVPS). RT outcomes and odds of survival were compared between groups stratified by CVPS. Results Overall neonatal survival for all fetuses was 61% (76 of 124). RT survival was 58% (36 of 62). Grouped by CVPS, RT survival was greater (50%) for those with CVPS ≥ 9 and even higher (74%) for CVPS of 10. Among the components of the CVPS, atrioventricular valve regurgitation was associated with negative RT outcome. Other factors at presentation were not predictive of RT outcome. Conclusions A normal CVPS in the RT in TTTS is predictive of improved survival compared with an abnormal CVPS, even in RTs with minor deductions. Standard clinical staging did not predict outcome. Cardiac assessment by CVPS may improve clinical decision making and the timing of fetal interventions.
Temporal integration in amplitude modulation detection

Thresholds for detecting sinusoidal amplitude modulation (AM) of a wideband noise carrier were measured as a function of the duration of the modulating signal. The carrier was either: (a) gated with a duration that exceeded the duration of modulation by the combined stimulus rise and fall times; (b) presented with a fixed duration that included a 500‐ms carrier fringe preceding the onset of modulation; or (c) on continuously. In condition (a), the gated‐carrier temporal modulation transfer functions (TMTFs) exhibited a bandpass characteristic. For AM frequencies above the individual subject’s TMTF high‐pass segment, the mean slope of the integration functions was −7.46 dB per log unit duration. For the fringe and continuous‐carrier conditions [(b) and (c)], the mean slopes of the integration functions were, respectively, −9.30 and −9.36 dB per log unit duration. Simulations based on integration of the output of an envelope detector approximate the results from the gated‐carrier conditions. The more rapid rates of integration obtained in the fringe and continuous‐carrier conditions may be due to ‘‘overintegration’’ where, at brief modulation durations, portions of the unmodulated carrier envelope are included in the integration of modulating signal energy.
Synthesis and reactions of 11-azaartemisinin and derivatives

Abstract 11-Azaartemisinin was prepared in 45% yield in a one pot, two-step sequence from the reaction of artemisinin with excess ammonia followed by acid treatment. Analogous reactions of artemisinin with primary alkylamines gave N-alkylazaartemisinins in similar yields.
Hierarchical performance measurement and modeling of the linux file system

File systems are very important components in a computer system. File system simulation can help to predict the performance of new system designs. It offers the advantages of the flexibility of modeling and the cost and time savings when utilizing simulation instead of full implementation. Being able to predict end-to-end file system performance against a pre-defined workload can help system designers to make decisions that could affect their entire product line, affecting several million dollars of investment. This paper presents a detailed simulation-based performance model of the Linux ext3 file system. The model is developed using Colored Petri Nets. A performance study using the model shows that the obtained results are close to the expected behavior of the real file system. The model shows that file system parameters have significant impact on the performance of the I/O when compared to the parameters of the disk subsystem.
Computational steering in the problem solving environment WBCSim

Purpose – This paper describes a practical approach to implement computational steering for problem solving environments (PSEs) by using WBCSim as an example. WBCSim is a Web based simulation system designed to increase the productivity of wood scientists conducting research on wood‐based composites manufacturing processes. WBCSim serves as a prototypical example for the design, construction, and evaluation of small‐scale PSEs.Design/methodology/approach – Various changes have been made to support computational steering across the three layers – client, server, developer – comprising the WBCSim system. A detailed description of the WBCSim system architecture is presented, along with a typical scenario of computational steering usage.Findings – The set of changes and components are: design and add a very simple steering module at the legacy simulation code level, provide a way to monitor simulation execution (alert users when it is time to steer), add an interface to access and visualize simulation results...
The impact of AACSB accreditation on the autonomy and costs of limited resource institutions whose missions are primarily teaching

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of AACSB accreditation on the autonomy and costs of limited resource institutions whose missions are primarily teaching. Design/methodology/approach – To evaluate the research questions, a content analysis of all publications in the EBSCO Business Source Premier Database for the period January 1, 1990 through December 15, 2012 was conducted. Findings – The findings indicate that in the process of becoming AACSB accredited, faculty members of the subject institutions shift their focus more toward research and less toward teaching activities, and that the institutions become less autonomous and more like their benchmark AACSB institutions. In addition, the costs of AACSB accreditation are likely to be significant for the subject institutions. Research limitations/implications – The findings of the study point to the need for additional theoretical and empirical research related to the research questions. First, there is a need to formulate a conc...
Thermal boundary resistance differences between carbon resistors in contact with helium liquid and vapour

Abstract Studies of the power dependence of R L /R v , have been made where R L is the resistance of a carbon resistor in contact with liquid helium and R v is the resistance in the vapour at 4.2 K. The results yield a criterion for maximizing this ratio. This criterion is applied to the design of a novel level indicator.
Electronic health records and technical assistance to improve quality of primary care: Lessons for regional extension centers.

Abstract Background In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act apportioned $643 million for a Health Information Technology Extension Program, which established Regional Extension Centers (RECs) to support the implementation and use of electronic health records (EHRs). Problem Little is known, however, about how RECs should assist in EHR implementation and how they should structure ongoing support. Goals The purpose of this paper is to describe physicians' experiences with the Primary Care Information Project (PCIP), an REC run by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Strategy We interviewed 17 physicians enrolled in PCIP to understand the role of the EHRon quality of care and their experience with technical assistance from PCIP. Results All physicians stated that they felt that the EHR improved the quality of care they delivered to their patients particularly because it helped them track patients. All the physicians found technical assistance helpful but most wanted ongoing assistance months or years after they adopted the EHR. Implications • Physicians believe that both the EHR and ongoing technical assistance are important determinants of quality improvement. • RECs should consider models that provide ongoing technical assistance at regular intervals.
The Business Impact of Event Processing: Why Mainstream Companies Will Soon Use A Lot More EDA

Summary form only given. The basic principles of events have been understood for decades, but corporate developers still largely overlook the potential benefits of applying event processing design concepts to business applications. This presentation will examine why events are second class citizens in today's commercial application development and how this is likely to change during 2007 to 2011
Toward single-molecule electromechanical actuators

Herein we report the design, synthesis, and properties of a novel electromechanical actuator, poly(cyclooctatetrathiophene). This system integrates both a conducting polymer and a (4n)annulene repeat unit. The ability of (4n)annulenes to undergo a conformational change as a function of redox state is well known, and allows poly(cyclooctatetrathiophene) to, in principle, expand and contract via redox-induced changes in the length of the repeating unit. Thus, electromechanical actuation in this system is an intrinsic property of the individual chains, not a bulk property of the material. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate single-molecule electromechanical actuation.
Do Dynamic Facial Expressions Convey Emotions to Children Better Than Do Static Ones

Past research has shown that children recognize emotions from facial expressions poorly and improve only gradually with age, but the stimuli in such studies have been static faces. Because dynamic faces include more information, it may well be that children more readily recognize emotions from dynamic facial expressions. The current study of children (N = 64, aged 5–10 years old) who freely labeled the emotion conveyed by static and dynamic facial expressions found no advantage of dynamic over static expressions; in fact, reliable differences favored static expressions. An alternative explanation of gradual improvement with age is that children's emotional categories change during development from a small number of broad emotion categories to a larger number of narrower categories—a pattern found here with both static and dynamic expressions.
Histological and electron microscopic stereological study of the myocardium of newborn genetically cardiomyopathic hamsters.

It has been suggested from qualitative ultrastructural studies that the ventricular myocardium of genetically cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters is developmentally retarded at birth, possessing an abundance of lighter-staining cells with poorly organized myofibrils (so-called “cardiomyoblasts”). We performed a histological, SEM, and TEM analysis on hearts from randomly bred, normal, and inbred (strain UM-X7.1) cardiomyopathic newborns. Myocardial water content was determined from wet and dry weights. Myocardial tissue organization and cellular makeup was analyzed from low-magnification electron micrographs. The cytoplasmic content of myofibrils and mitochondria was determined for left ventricular myocytes in outer (subepicardial), middle, and inner (subendocardial) zones by an electron microscopic stereological point-counting analysis. About 25% of the CM hearts displayed ventricular abnormalities, most being thin-walled and a few thick-walled. CM hearts also had a lower water content, and contained as few lighter-staining “clear” cells (probably dividing myocytes) as did the normal myocardium. In tissue organization and cellular makeup the CM myocardium seemed normal. Within statistical limits, myocytes from all three zones of the cardiomyopathic myocardium certainly did not contain less myofibrils and mitochondria, but did not clearly contain more than normal. These findings show that, from its ultrastructure at least, the ventricular myocardium of this highly reliable genetically cardiomyopathic strain is certainly not retarded developmentally, and argue against any connection between developmental retardation and the predilection of a myocardium for cardiomyopathy.
Multi-zonal air flow rates in residences in Boston, Massachusetts

Abstract In spite of the importance of interzonal air flow for indoor air quality assessment, few studies have characterized these flows. As part of the Boston Exposure Assessment in Microenvironments (BEAM) Study, air flow rates were estimated within 45 residences in the Boston area, most over two seasons. Thirty-five residences had basements, 11 of which also had attached garages, and 10 other residences had common apartment hallways. Air flow rates between zones were calculated using tracer gases (PFTs and SF6) and mass-balance models. Mean air flow rates from the basement to the occupied zone were significantly higher in the winter (174 m3 h−1) than in the summer (67 m3 h−1). The mean percent of the total air flow within the occupied zone of the residence from the basement was 26% (SD=34%) in the summer and 47% (SD=26%) in the winter while the mean percent from apartment hallways was 22% (SD=33%). Residences with garages attached to the basement had higher air flow rates to the adjacent zone (means from 50 to 887 m3 h−1) than those with garages attached directly to the occupied zone (means from 1 to 65 m3 h−1). These data provide a basis for modeling the contribution of indoor sources to concentrations in occupied zones.
Useful Aspects of Acting Out: Repetition, Enactment, and Actualization

In his seminal paper on acting out, Freud (1914) wrote: “We render the compulsion [to repeat] harmless, and indeed useful, by giving it the right to assert itself in a definite field. We admit it i...
Investigation of the binding of Cr3+ to polysiloxane structures with semi-empirical molecular orbital models

The geometry and electronic spectra of small clusters comprised of hydrated Cr3+ interacting or binding with siloxane structures have been calculated with a semi-empirical molecular orbital method. The atomic parameters for silicon, oxygen, and chromium were first optimized using crystallographic and gas phase geometries. The electronic spectrum of the chromium hexa-aqua species was computed and matched the experimental spectrum within a few 100 cm-1 of the UV and visible absorption maximums. The theoretical models reproduced the experimental peak shifting of the 4A2g yields 4T2g and 4A2g yields 4T1g transitions and elucidate the changes in the environment that the chromium ion might experience within the sol-gel porous network.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.