cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk factors, outcomes, and clinical manifestations of spinal cord ischemia following thoracic endovascular aortic repair

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and clinical manifestations of spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed for all patients undergoing TEVAR at a single academic institution between July 2002 and June 2010. Preoperative demographics, procedure-related variables, and clinical details related to SCI were examined. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for the development of SCI. Results Of the 424 patients who underwent TEVAR during the study period, 12 patients (2.8%) developed SCI. Mean age of this cohort with SCI was 69.6 years (range, 44-84 years), and 7 were women. One-half of these patients had prior open or endovascular aortic repair. Indication for surgery was either degenerative aneurysm (n = 8) or dissection (n = 4). Six TEVARs were performed electively, with the remaining done either urgently or emergently due to contained rupture (n = 2), dissection with malperfusion (n = 2), or severe back pain (n = 2). All 12 patients underwent extent C endovascular coverage. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated chronic renal insufficiency to be independently associated with SCI (odds ratio [OR], 4.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-16.6; P = .029). Onset of SCI occurred at a median of 10.6 hours (range, 0-229 hours) postprocedure and was delayed in 83% (n = 10) of patients. Clinical manifestations of SCI included lower extremity paraparesis in 9 patients and paraplegia in 3 patients. At SCI onset, average mean arterial pressure (MAP) and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was 77 mm Hg and 10 mm Hg, respectively. Therapeutic interventions increased blood pressure to a significantly higher average MAP of 99 mm Hg (P = .001) and decreased lumbar CSF pressure to a mean of 7 mm Hg (P = .30) at the time of neurologic recovery. Thirty-day mortality was 8% (1 of 12 patients). The single patient who expired, never recovered any lower extremity neurologic function. All patients surviving to discharge experienced either complete (n = 9) or incomplete (n = 2) neurologic recovery. At mean follow-up of 49 months, 7 of 9 patients currently alive continued to exhibit complete, sustained neurologic recovery. Conclusion Spinal cord ischemia after TEVAR is an uncommon, but important complication. Preoperative renal insufficiency was identified as a risk factor for the development of SCI. Early detection and treatment of SCI with blood pressure augmentation alone or in combination with CSF drainage was effective in most patients, with the majority achieving complete, long-term neurologic recovery.
A transmural gradient in the cardiac Na/K pump generates a transmural gradient in Na/Ca exchange.

We previously demonstrated a transmural gradient in Na/K pump current (IP) and [Na+]i, with the highest maximum IP and lowest [Na+]i in epicardium. The present study examines the relationship between the transmural gradient in IP and Na/Ca exchange (NCX). Myocytes were isolated from canine left ventricle. Whole-cell patch clamp was used to measure current generated by NCX (INCX) and inward background calcium current (IibCa), defined as inward current through Ca2+ channels less outward current through Ca2+-ATPase. When resting myocytes from endocardium (Endo), midmyocardium (Mid) or epicardium (Epi) were studied in the same conditions, INCX was the same and IibCa was zero. Moreover, Western blots were consistent with NCX protein being uniform across the wall. However, the gradient in [Na+]i, with IibCa = 0, should create a gradient in [Ca2+]i. To test this hypothesis, we measured resting [Ca2+]i using two methods, based on either transport or the Ca2+-sensitive dye Fura2. Both methods demonstrated a significant transmural gradient in resting [Ca2+]i, with Endo > Mid > Epi. This gradient was eliminated by exposing Epi to sufficient ouabain to partially inhibit Na/K pumps, thus increasing [Na+]i to values similar to those in Endo. These data support the existence of a transmural gradient for Ca2+ removal by NCX. This gradient is not due to differences in expression of NCX; rather, it is generated by a transmural gradient in [Na+]i, which is due to a transmural gradient in plasma membrane expression of the Na/K pump.
Three-Dimensional Simulations of Blood Flow With Systemic Arterial Baroreflex

The systemic arterial baroreflex controls the systemic arterial pressure to maintain homeostasis. The carotid sinus and aortic arch are the major systemic arterial baroreceptors, and they respond to distention of the carotid and aortic walls causing compensatory mechanisms, which regulate heart rate, cardiac contractility, peripheral arterial resistance, venous compliance, and venous unstressed volume [1]. In this study, we connect a feedback control loop, which represents the systemic arterial baroreflex, to the closed loop system we developed in a previous study [2]. The three-dimensional finite element model of the aorta and the closed loop system enable us to obtain not only the physiologic flow rate and pressure fields of the finite element model but also the global characteristics of the cardiovascular system from the closed loop model. We study the autoregulatory mechanisms occurring due to the systemic arterial baroreflex by considering the interactions between the heart and the systemic and pulmonary circulations.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Education and Depression

Primary care clinicians, including pediatricians, are often the first and only clinicians who have the opportunity to assess, diagnose, prevent, and treat child and adolescent mental health issues. They are the gatekeepers to mental health evaluations and treatment. Unfortunately, studies have shown that they warrant improvements in training around adequately evaluating depression (eg, using diagnostic criteria and ruling out medical causes), effectively recognizing suicide risk, assessing for psychiatric comorbidities, practicing evidence-based treatment with regard to depression (eg, starting antidepressant without fully meeting diagnostic criteria for major depression), and being able to establish effective relationships with mental health clinicians. 1– 6 “The identification, initial assessment, and care of mental health problems ideally take place in the child’s ‘medical home,’ where he or she will benefit from the strengths and skills of the primary care clinician in establishing rapport with the child and family, using the primary care clinician’s unique opportunities to engage children and families in mental health care without stigma,” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics. 7 ELLA Approach: Screening and Diagnostic Tools Case: Ella is a 14-year-old Hispanic female with a strong family history of depression who seemed sad when she presented with her mother for her annual physical examination. During the examination her pediatrician asked her how she was doing, and Ella stated that she was “fine.” Although concerned, her pediatrician still had to complete her examination, and she was already backed up with patients waiting.
Relationship of 133Xe Cerebral Blood Flow to Middle Cerebral Arterial Flow Velocity in Men at Rest

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by 133Xe clearance simultaneously with the velocity of blood flow through the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) over a wide range of arterial PCO2 in eight normal men. Average arterial PCO2, which was varied by giving 4% and 6% CO2 in O2 and by controlled hyperventilation on O2, ranged from 25.3 to 49.9 mm Hg. Corresponding average values of global CBF15 were 27.2 and 65.0 ml 100 g min-1, respectively, whereas MCA blood-flow velocity ranged from 42.8 to 94.2 cm/s. The relationship of CBF to MCA blood-flow velocity over the imposed range of arterial PCO2 was described analytically by a parabola with the equation: CBF = 22.8 - 0.17 x velocity + 0.006 x velocity2 The observed data indicate that MCA blood-flow velocity is a useful index of CBF response to change in arterial PCO2 during O2 breathing at rest. With respect to baseline values measured while breathing 100% O2 spontaneously, percent changes in velocity were significantly smaller than corresponding percent changes in CBF at increased levels of arterial PCO2 and larger than CBF changes at the lower arterial PCO2. These observed relative changes are consistent with MCA vasodilation at the site of measurement during exposure to progressive hypercapnia and also during extreme hyperventilation hypocapnia.
Large-angle articulated beam truss design methodology considering offset joint modeling

Adaptive space structures (deployable trusses, large space antennas) can use actuated members to vary their geometry. In particular, variable geometry trusses can use the same set of actuators for both deployment and subsequent articulation. Such articulating trusses can be applied in space crane orbital construction applications. Previous structural analyses have used idealized truss models; members connect at a point at each node. Further analysis of practical truss models in articulated geometries will show the difference in structural behavior compared to ideal trusses and the need to include realistic geometric modeling, such as including the hinge offsets to give the correct packaged truss geometry. An analytic example truss verifies the finite element modeling technique used. Stiffness sensitivity trends for a range of articulated geometries reveal two causes of stiffness reduction: decreased truss effective bending inertia because of shortened actuators and batten bending caused by asymmetric geometry and hinge offsets. The analyses lead to a structural design methodology, including an initially curved geometry, to alleviate the stiffness reduction for improved structural performance. The initially curved articulating truss allows the location of maximum stiffness to be designed and provides compact packaging, self-deployment, and geometric articulation. c d[ E F
Approximate treatment of particle collisions in the time-dependent mean-field theory

In order to study the gross effects of particle collisions, we formulate a model to include particle collisions in the time-dependent mean-field theory. The model consists of the time-dependent Hartree-Fock equation for the single-particle states and a linearized but truncated equation for the occupation numbers, with the $H$-theorem and the conservation laws properly satisfied. Numerical calculations are performed with a "conventional" set of basis states in which the occupied and the unoccupied static Hartree-Fock states are boosted in the same way. They are carried out for the head-on collisions of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ on $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ and $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ on $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ at 100 MeV per nucleon. It is found that the dynamics of the reaction is affected in only a minor way when particle collisions are included. The projectile and the target nuclear matter appear to interpenetrate each other, with only a 20% reduction in the center-of-mass kinetic energies, just as in mean-field calculations with no particle collisions. This result reinforces the idea that the conventional basis states do not include some important degrees of freedom. It is suggested that in future work one should modify the basis in order to allow for ample wave propagation in the direction normal to the collision axis.
Effects of electrical stimulation of medial olivocochlear neurons on ipsilateral and contralateral cochlear responses.

Abstract Recent anatomical evidence has cast doubt on the interpretation of the neural elements involved in past experiments in which efferents were electrically stimulated. To separate effects produced by medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferents from effects produced by lateral olivocochlear (LOC) efferents, MOC efferents were selectively stimulated by an electrode in the region of the MOC cell bodies in cats. For comparison, efferents were also stimulated with an electrode in the fourth ventricle (OCB stimulation, previously called COCB stimulation). MOC stimulation and fourth-ventricle OCB stimulation both produced qualitatively similar results bilaterally in that auditory-nerve compound action potential (N1) and endocochlear potential were reduced, and cochlear microphonic (CM) was increased. Both efferent-induced changes were affected in similar ways by changes in shock parameters, and were blocked by strychnine. At low sound levels, the decrease in N1 amplitude was approximately equivalent to a shift (decrease) in sound level but the change in N1 latency was not. The ratio of the CM increase to the N1 sound-level shift was independent of shock level or location. MOC stimulation typically produced an N1 sound-level shift of 11–16 dB in the contralateral ear and 4–7 dB in the ipsilateral ear. The ratio of these shifts almost equals the ratio of MOC neurons with crossed and uncrossed projections. These ratios, and results after control lesions, are consistent with the interpretation that our MOC shocks selectively stimulated MOC neurons which had cell bodies on the stimulating-electrode side. Previous results reported by others with ‘UOCB stimulation’ now seem attributable to excitation of uncrossed MOC efferents rather than to excitation of uncrossed LOC efferents as previously thought. There is no effect reported in the literature or seen by us which can definitely be attributed to LOC neurons. Fourth-ventricle OCB stimulation typically produced an N1 sound-level shift in both ears of 19–22 dB which is approximately the sum of the crossed and uncrossed MOC shifts. Considering also that many uncrossed-MOC fibers course close to the midline (i.e. near the stimulating electrode), it seems likely that fourth-ventricle OCB stimulation excites both crossed and uncrossed MOC efferents. Referring to such stimulation in the cat as ‘COCB stimulation’ is therefore inaccurate and may lead to wrong conclusions about the functional role of various components of the olivocochlear fibers.
Evaluation of the sealing ability of amalgam, Cavit, and glass ionomer cement in the repair of furcation perforations

Perforations created in the pulpal floors of 30 extracted molars were repaired with amalgam, Cavit, and light cured glass ionomer cement. After the pulp chambers and access openings were filled with composite resin, the teeth were then immersed in 2% Erythrocin B solution for 1 week. After longitudinal sectioning of the teeth, dye penetration was measured. The results indicated significant differences between the three materials. Light cured glass ionomer exhibited the least dye penetration followed by Cavit and amalgam.
SU‐GG‐T‐337: A Method of Effective Attenuation That Preserves Detailed MLC Characteristics and Replicates Spectral Effects of Deliberate Transport

Purpose: To develop a fast, accurate method of incorporating spectral effects of photon transport through a Multileaf Collimator while maintaining detailed representation of MLC geometry in a virtual source model. Method and Materials: A virtual source model for a 6MV Novalis LINAC with micro‐Multileaf Collimator (mMLC) has been developed for use with the MCNPXMonte Carlo engine. This source model uses a comprehensive ray‐tracing algorithm to determine pathlengths through a detailed representation of mMLC geometry in order to clearly represent leaf edge and rounded leaf tip effects on the virtual source grid. To ensure sufficient resolution, the virtual source grid elements are only 0.5 × 0.5mm2 when projected to the isocenter plane. In addition to representing open‐field energy spectra and effective mMLC attenuation of open beam fluence, a sub‐source has been developed to simulate the energy spectra of mMLC leakage. For a given mMLC configuration, pathlength and effective attenuation maps are determined at the start of a simulation. For each particle simulated, transport through the mMLC is determined by comparing one random number generation to an effective attenuation value. Subsequent sampling from the leakage sub‐source is triggered by comparing the sampled photon's pathlength through the current mMLC configuration against the pathlength at that location if the mMLC were completely closed. Results: The virtual source model accurately represents leaf edge and rounded leaf tip effects as demonstrated by comparison with coronal film measurements. Simultaneously, the spectral effects of photon transport through the mMLC are effectively reproduced without any deliberate or abridged transport. Simulation results demonstrate these principles and are shown to agree with axial and coronal film measurements. Conclusion: Explicit or pseudo‐explicit transport through MLC leaves may be obviated while preserving mMLC representation by incorporating a more sophisticated ray‐tracing algorithm that triggers the sampling of a leakage sub‐source.
Boltzmann equation description of flows at long mean free paths.

The flow of a gas around a rectangular object is simulated by solving the Boltzmann equation for the gas. The Boltzmann equation is solved by means of a method of characteristics which we refer to as a convective scheme (CS). This paper focuses, first, on two computational issues. We describe how the CS which is presented here is implemented so as to handle reflecting boundary conditions very accurately. Next, a collision operator for the self-collisions of the neutral gas has been developed which conserves momentum and energy ``exactly'' and which also preserves higher moments of the distribution so as to correctly calculate quantities such as viscosity. Finally, the method is illustrated briefly by calculating flow patterns and drag coefficients for a low Mach-number flow around a rectangular obstacle, over a range of Knudsen numbers which spans the transitional regime, and very accurate values of the drag coefficient are obtained across the whole range.
Tubulin sorting during dimerization in vivo.

We demonstrate sorting of β-tubulins during dimerization in theDrosophila male germ line. Different β-tubulin isoforms exhibit distinct affinities for α-tubulin during dimerization. Our data sugges...
Tariffication and Agricultural Trade

This paper considers the effects of tariffication-conversion of a variable import levy, widely used in the European Community, into an equivalent ad valorem tariff on trade and welfare. While tough negotiations lie ahead over the exact rates of tariff reduction, contracting countries in principle agreed to tariffication proposed by the United States. If producers are risk neutral, tariffication has no effect on production and trade, and gains from a GATT agreement in the Uruguay Round depend on the extent of tariff reductions. If domestic producers are risk averse, however, tariffication reduces domestic production of the importable and thus has a trade expansion effect, which causes a shift in the import demand curve. This trade expansion effect may dominate the increased trade effect resulting from a negotiated tariff reduction, which causes a movement along the import demand curve. Consumers benefit from tariffication but domestic producers lose because of an increased risk premium.
Obesity in older adults: a systematic review of the evidence for diagnosis and treatment

Objective: Although obesity is increasing in older U.S. adults, treatment is controversial in this age group. We sought to examine evidence concerning obesity's health-related risks, diagnostic methods, and treatment outcomes in older individuals. Research Methods and Procedures: We searched MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases, consulted with experts, and examined bibliographies for English language studies discussing obesity in older adults (mean age ≥ 60), published between January 1980 and November 2005. Inclusion criteria were met by 32 longitudinal analyses, seven diagnostic studies, and 17 randomized controlled trial articles. At least two authors independently reviewed and abstracted study design, population, results, and quality information. Results: Correlations between body fat and three anthropometric measures (BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio) decrease with age but remain clinically significant. Obesity contributes to risk for several cardiovascular endpoints, some cancers, and impaired mobility but protects against hip fracture. The association between obesity and mortality declines as age increases. Intensive counseling strategies incorporating behavioral, dietary, and exercise components promote a weight loss of 3 to 4 kg over 1 to 3.3 years. The loss is linked with improved glucose tolerance, improved physical functioning, reduced incidence of diabetes and a combined hypertension and cardiovascular endpoint, and reduced bone density. Discussion: In older adults, obesity can be diagnosed with standard clinical measures. Intensive counseling can promote modest sustained weight loss, but data are insufficient to evaluate surgical or pharmacological options. Obesity treatment is most likely to benefit individuals with high cardiovascular risk. Limited data suggest possible functional improvement. Treatment should incorporate measures to avoid bone loss.
Thematic Apperceptive Techniques Inform a Science of Individuality

This special section of Rorschachiana presents eight papers that describe and apply formal, interscorer reliable systems for thematic apperceptive techniques. The great strength of storytelling as a clinical assessment technique has always been the depth and richness of information that stories provide about the storyteller. From the original Thematic Apperception Test (Morgan & Murray, 1935) to the Children’s Apperception Test, Roberts Apperception Test, and Gerontological Apperception Test to the newer Adult Attachment Projective (see book review, Rorschachiana, Issue 2, 2014), Tell Me A Story (TEMAS; see article Rorschachiana, Issue 2, 2014), and the Fairy Tale Test (see article Rorschachiana, Issue 2, 2014), picture stimuli have been created to address both comprehensive and focused clinical questions in a range of age groups. Unfortunately, in this era of concern about “too much information”, this strength has become a liability outside of the consulting room due to the expert labor required for scoring and interpretation and the financial cost of that labor. Therefore, strategies for information management are needed to keep the time required for interpretation within the bounds that can be supported by the systems that pay for patient care. Those systems might require a clear diagnosis, but might not pay for the detailed assessment needed to achieve the necessary clarity. As the range of therapies paid for by government programs and private insurance companies in the U.S. shrinks to a few empirically validated,
Statistical based link insertion for robust clock network design

We present a statistical based non-tree clock distribution construction algorithm that starts with a tree and incrementally insert cross links, such that the skew variation of the final clock network is within a certain confidence interval under variations in wire width. Monte Carlo simulations show that the robustness of the final clock network can be significantly improved with a small increase in wire length.
User-guided symbiotic space-sharing of real workloads

Symbiotic space-sharing is a technique that can improve system throughput by executing parallel applications in combinations and configurations that alleviate pressure on shared resources. We have shown prototype schedulers that leverage such techniques to improve throughput by 20% over conventional space-sharing schedulers when resource bottlenecks are known. Such evaluations have utilized benchmark workloads and proposed that schedulers be informed of resource bottlenecks by users at job submission time; in this work, we investigate the accuracy with which users can actually identify resource bottlenecks in real applications and the implications of these predictions for symbiotic space-sharing of production workloads. Using a large HPC platform, a representative application workload, and a sampling of expert users, we show that user inputs are of value and that for our chosen workload, user-guided symbiotic scheduling can improve throughput over conventional space-sharing by 15-22%.
A Bayesian framework for combining heterogeneous data sources for gene function prediction (in Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

Genomic sequencing is no longer a novelty, but gene function annotation remains a key challenge in modern biology. A variety of functional genomics experimental techniques are available, from classic methods such as affinity precipitation to advanced high-throughput techniques such as gene expression microarrays. In the future, more disparate methods will be developed, further increasing the need for integrated computational analysis of data generated by these studies. We address this problem with MAGIC (Multisource Association of Genes by Integration of Clusters), a general framework that uses formal Bayesian reasoning to integrate heterogeneous types of high-throughput biological data (such as large-scale two-hybrid screens and multiple microarray analyses) for accurate gene function prediction. The system formally incorporates expert knowledge about relative accuracies of data sources to combine them within a normative framework. MAGIC provides a belief level with its output that allows the user to vary the stringency of predictions. We applied MAGIC to Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetic and physical interactions, microarray, and transcription factor binding sites data and assessed the biological relevance of gene groupings using Gene Ontology annotations produced by the Saccharomyces Genome Database. We found that by creating functional groupings based on heterogeneous data types, MAGIC improved accuracy of the groupings compared with microarray analysis alone. We describe several of the biological gene groupings identified.
Booking the Appointment: A Strategy to Reduce Readmissions in Heart Failure Patients

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition that is the cause for many hospitalizations in the United States. Hospital readmission is a common problem in many chronic conditions, especially heart failure. The purpose of this research was to determine if scheduling a follow-up appointment with a primary care provider (PCP) or cardiologist prior to hospital discharge decreases 30-day readmission rates in patients with a primary diagnosis of HF. A quasi-experimental, two-group study was performed at The Miriam Hospital, a 247-bed acute care hospital, with a sample of 60 patients. A retrospective chart audit was performed to determine if 30-day readmission rates were lower in those HF patients who had a follow-up appointment booked prior to hospital discharge than those who did not have the appointment booked. Charts were reviewed for patients discharged during June, July, August and September 2012. Basic descriptive statistics were performed as well as differences between groups. Thirty-day readmission rates were lower for those who had a follow-up appointment booked (22.58%) compared those who did not have an appointment booked (31.03%). The 30-day readmission rate for those who had an appointment with a PCP was higher than those who followed up with a cardiologist (33.33% versus 7.69%). These findings suggest that booking a follow-up appointment for HF patients with a cardiologist prior to hospital discharge may help to decrease 30-day readmission rates. This simple intervention can be performed by nonclinical, administrative staff and could save hospitals money if even one HF readmission were prevented.
Body Perception: Intersensory Origins of Self and Other Perception in Newborns

Self-perception involves integrating changes in visual, tactile, and proprioceptive stimulation from self-motion and discriminating these changes from those of other objects. Recent evidence suggests even newborns discriminate synchronous from asynchronous visual-tactile stimulation to their own body, a foundation for self-perception.
Comparison of the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum in Shifting Attention

The basal ganglia and cerebellum have traditionally been associated with motor performance. Recently, there has been considerable interest regarding the contributions of these subcortical structures to aspects of cognition. In particular, both the basal ganglia and cerebellum have been hypothesized to be involved in the control of attentional set. To date, no neuropsychological studies have directly compared the effects of basal ganglia and cerebellar dysfunction on the same attention shifting tasks. To this end, we employed an alternating attention task that has been used to demonstrate putative attentional control deficits in children with cerebellar pathology, either related to autism or neurological insult. When adult patients with either Parkinson's disease or cerebellar lesions were tested on this task, a similar pattern of deficits was observed for both groups. However, when the motor demands were reduced, cerebellar patients showed a significant improvement on the alternating attention task, whereas the Parkinson patients continued to exhibit an impairment. This dissociation suggests that attentional deficits reported previously as being due to cerebellar dysfunction may be, at least in part, secondary to problems related to coordinating successive responses. In contrast, attention-shifting deficits associated with basal ganglia impairment cannot be explained by recourse to the motor demands of the task.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: A Case Study of an Alternative School for Students with Emotional Disturbance (ED)

When the ‘least restrictive’ educational environment is deemed unsuccessful for students labeled as having emotional disabilities (ED), they are often placed in either self-contained classrooms (when available) or alternative schools. Despite these schools’ growing numbers, little is known about them and their students, who are segregated from the mainstream student population. This qualitative case study focuses on the perspectives of staff (i.e., the principal, school psychologist, teachers, and aids) in one such alternative school for students with ED. Based on interviews, findings revealed staff’s frustration with the: (1) school’s reputation within, and isolation from, the larger school district; (2) lack of follow up and communication with ‘sending schools’; (3) lack of professional development; and (4) lack of oversight from school district administration. The paper also conveys staff’s vision for addressing some of the challenges. These findings may contribute to the largely unsuccessful fulfillment of the school’s original intention—to return its students to their original schools (i.e., the ‘least restrictive’ educational environment). The authors argue that in-depth inquiry into such schools is a social justice issue.
Girl Child Marriage and Its Association With National Rates of HIV, Maternal Health, and Infant Mortality Across 97 Countries

This study was designed to assess associations between national rates of girl child marriage and national rates of HIV and maternal and child health (MCH) concerns, using national indicator data from 2009 United Nations reports. Current analyses were limited to the N = 97 nations (of 188 nations) for which girl child marriage data were available. Regression analyses adjusted for development and world region demonstrate that nations with higher rates of girl child marriage are significantly more likely to contend with higher rates of maternal and infant mortality and nonutilization of maternal health services, but not HIV.
Analog-synergism of several carbamate insecticides.

Combinations of two carbamate insecticides applied jointly were found to increase mortality beyond the expected additive effect on two of the three insect species tested. Dimetilan® (3-methyl-5-pyrazolyl dimethylcarbamate) was found to synergize the more potent in vitro cholinesterase inhibitors Sevin® (1-naphthyl methylcarbamate) and Pyrolan® (5-(3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazolyl) dimethylcarbamate) on German cockroaches ( Blattella germanica (L.)) and house flies ( Musca domestica L.)) It was suggested that those two species possess a detoxifying enzyme "carbamate esterase" which destroys the carbamate insecticides. Partial inhibition of this enzyme by Dimetilan was suggested as an explanation for its synergistic action with other carbamate insecticides that are broken down easily by the detoxifying enzyme. The relative toxicity of the tested carbamates to the large milkweed bug ( Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dall.)) was different from flies and cockroaches and there was no apparent synergism.
Application of system modeling to the development of complex systems

Two examples of system modeling are discussed. The first highlights work performed to develop tools and methods which will allow rapid prototyping of flight deck communication concepts. This example deals with modeling functionality which is either new or substantially enhanced and for which little or no requirement foundation exists. The second highlights a commercially available software product which is currently being used to evaluate dynamic response characteristics of a new system design in advance of hardware/software availability. This example deals with the problem of demonstrating compliance with requirements which may be difficult or impractical to analyze manually or test explicitly. It is pointed out that, combined, requirements modeling and design modeling can help system architects to produce systems which are less costly to develop, test, and maintain. >
Possible evidence for the stabilization of β–carbon nitride by high-energy ball milling

The possibility of stabilizing the theoretically predicted β–C3N4 phase by high-energy ball milling is investigated. Charges of graphitic carbon were milled with and without minor alloying additions under different atmospheric media, namely gas and/or liquid phases of nitrogen, air, or ammonia. Milling was performed at either of two energy levels for periods of up to 48 h. The β–C3N4 phase was found to exist as small crystallites in a matrix of primarily amorphous carbon at volume fractions estimated between 5 and 10 at.%. High-resolution electron diffraction and x-ray diffraction indicate that the crystalline nature of the C3N4 phase corresponds with a hexagonal lattice with a = 6.46 A and c/a = 0.374, which are within 2% of the theoretically calculated lattice parameter values. Analysis of electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra verify the presence of chemically bonded carbon and nitrogen with chemical states reflecting combined sp 2 and sp 3 hybridization. Chemical analysis confirms nitrogen enrichment at levels consistent with the C3N4 stoichiometry and the estimated degree of stabilization. The possible mechanism(s) responsible for the stabilization of the β–C3N4 phase are briefly discussed.
Differential Effects of Estradiol, Arachidonic Acid, and A23187 on Prostaglandin F2α Output by Epithelial and Stromal Cells of Human Endometrium

Primary monolayer cultures of glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells derived from human endometrial curettings release similar amounts of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) to the incubation medium, but PGF2α output is significantly increased by estradiol (E2; 10-8 M) only in epithelial cells. The differential responsiveness to estrogens of these two cell types was further demonstrated in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid (AA), a PG precursor that markedly elevated PGF2α output by both epithelial and stromal cells. In epithelial cell cultures, the increases in PGF2α output obtained with mixtures of E2 and AA were about 2.5-fold greater than the sum of the increases elicited by E2 or AA alone. In contrast, the effects of AA in stromal cell cultures were not enhanced by E2. Addition of the calcium ionophore A23187 to cultures of epithelial cells resulted in a Ca2+-dependent increase in PGF2α output, which could be further augmented by E2 to levels almost twice the sum of those produced by each agonist...
Murine resistance to inhaled Neisseria meningitidis after infection with an encephalomyocarditis virus.

Abstract A reduction in pulmonary anti-bacterial activity due to a preceding viral illness has been suggested as the mechanism responsible for some meningococcal infections of the lung. We investigated this proposed pathogenesis by infecting mice with airborne encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC) and then challenging them 1, 4, and 7 days later with aerosols of Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal clearance was assessed by comparing the numbers of bacteria present immediately after inhaling the aerosols with the numbers present 3 hr later. To insure that EMC virus adequately depressed murine defense mechanisms, we also determined staphylococcal killing rates at 4 hr by using radiophosphorus-labeled staphylococcal aerosols. Viral infection depressed murine pulmonary antimeningococcal activity at 1 and 4 days (P < 0.01) but not at 7 days. Intrapulmonary staphylococcal killing was impaired on day 4 (P < 0.01) but not on days 1 or 7. Pulmonary viral titers decreased rapidly from 107 to 103 plaque-forming units/ml of lung during the experimental period. According to these data viral disease transiently depresses resistance to meningococcal infection. This impairment in host resistance is present while the viral titer is decreasing and follows a relatively similar pattern to the transient decrease noted for staphylococci.
Thromboangiitis obliterans. Simultaneous quadrilateral acute ulcerations in thromboangiitis obliterans. Follow-up studies of a case after 27 years.

Abstract The case of a patient with thromboangiitis obliterans who had quadrilateral gangrene of the digits was reported in 1937. His disease became quiescent after cessation of smoking and intravenous typhoid vaccine. During the interim of 27 years, he has abstained from smoking, and there has been no reactivation of his disease. Clinically, there has been a regression of his vascular lesions during this time. He represents the ideal in terms of treatment and response. In 1937, as part of the preliminary examination, he received at least four intra-arterial injections of thorium dioxide sol for visualization studies, and in 1964, this material was visualized as deposited in the liver and spleen. There was, however, no evidence of liver or spleen dysfunction or disease. Our experience with this patient and many others leads us to the conclusion that thromboangiitis obliterans is a distinct disease, although it is sometimes wrongly diagnosed. The reasons for this conclusion and for the confusion of this disease with atherosclerosis obliterans have been discussed.
Why IEP Teams Assign Low Performers With Mild Disabilities to the Alternate Assessment Based on Alternate Achievement Standards

The purpose of this case study was to determine teachers’ rationales for assigning students with mild disabilities to alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS). In interviews, special educators stated that their primary considerations in making the assignments were low academic performance, student use of extended standard modifications, and the inflexible 1% cap. None of the teachers provided their students with grade-level content or appropriate modifications. Some students were competent in grade-level reading, but were assigned to the 2010 AA-AAS because read-aloud accommodation is not permitted in the reading passages of the general assessment. Findings raised concerns about the susceptibility of eligibility guidelines to lead to subjective decisions. Future research, implications of these findings, and limitations of the study are discussed.
Oscillatory Morphological Instabilities During Rapid Solidification A The Role of Diffusion In The Solid

Recent results by Coriell and Sekerka [J. Crystal Growth, 61, 499 (1983)] on the oscillatory instability of a planar rapidly solidifying binary melt are extended to include diffusion in the solid phase. Under assumptions equivalent to those made by Coriell and Sekerka, it is shown that no matter how small the diffusion coefficient is in the solid, the system is stable to all oscillatory and non-oscillatory disturbance modes if the modified constitutional supercooling criterion is satisfied and if the nonriequilibrium segregation coefficient is zero. Thus, a range of the non-equilibrium segregation parameter exists where these results allow the possibility of instability, whereas Coriell and Sekerka predict that the system will be stable. System stability is increased for both oscillatory and non-oscillatory modes. It is necessary for the diffusivity ratio Ds/D1 to be nearly 0.1 before oscillatory modes are affected. Both the critical wavelength of the disturbance as well as the oscillation frequency are reduced slightly from the case where diffusion in the solid is ignored.
Community driven digital signal processing laboratories in connexions

The conventional textbook is largely inadequate for digital signal processing (DSP) laboratory education due to inherent factors such as a small and fragmented market and rapid hardware obsolescence. Freely available open-content materials that enable and promote both local customization and further development by a community of educators offers a fresh approach to lab text development that can surmount these barriers. In this paper, we overview a joint effort organized by the Connexions Project to develop a large pool of DSP lab modules sufficient to serve as the complete, stand-alone text for several types of DSP lab courses.
The Radon–Nikodym Theorem, Daniell Integration, and Carathéodory’s Extension Theorem

In this concluding chapter I will deal with several matters that are of a rather abstract nature. The first of these is the famous theorem of Radon and Nikodym, which can be viewed as a generalization of the results in § 3.3. The second is the abstraction of Lebesgue’s integration theory that results from thinking about integrals as linear functions.
WHERE Are the Faculty? Fulfilling the Traditional Faculty Role at a Distance

Innovative approaches are needed to retain seasoned nursing faculty. Technology provides opportunities for faculty to fulfill the traditional roles of teaching, research, and service from a site removed from the traditional campus. The purpose of this article is to encourage faculty and administrators in traditional, land-based colleges and universities to thoughtfully consider the advantages and challenges of the remote worksite for faculty based on the experience of one faculty. Some faculty are better suited to a remote work environment than others. Long-term established faculty may be better able to successfully transition to the tripartite faculty roles with greater ease than novice nurse educators as a result of their familiarity with the institutional resources and comfort in the teaching role. Preparation for the remote experience must be diligent and thoughtful, considering equipment needs, connectivity, and support personnel and strategies for ensuring continued engagement within the nursing education program. Institutional policies must also be considered related to fulfillment of the faculty role via distance technology. A pilot experience for one faculty, as described here, may be useful for evaluating the cost–benefit to the individual and the institution.
Patterned, tubular scaffolds mimic longitudinal and radial mechanics of the neonatal trachea

Abstract Tracheal damage, abnormality or absence can result from the growth of tumors or from Congenital High Airway Obstruction Syndrome. No optimal or routine treatment has been established for tracheal repair, despite numerous attempts with natural and artificial prostheses. The fetal trachea is comprised of cartilaginous rings connected by an elastomeric tissue. In an effort to design an engineered trachea replacement, we have synthesized 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate hydrogels with moduli of 67 ± 3.1 kPa (soft) and 13.0 ± 1.8 MPa (hard). Given the criteria for longitudinal extensibility and lateral rigidity applied during respiration, we evaluated a series of patterned hydrogels with different sizes of hard and soft segments to mimic fetal tracheas. A 1:2 ratio of soft:hard segments resulted in a construct capable of 11.0 ± 1% extension within the elastic range. Tubular constructs with this ratio required similar load/length for cyclic compression as ovine trachea samples. Achieving biomimetic mechanical properties in a trachea replacement may be essential for achieving normal respiration in recipient patients. Statement of Significance Fetal abnormalities or tumors can result in tracheal absence or damage. Despite numerous attempts with natural and artificial replacements, there is still no routine treatment for tracheal repair. The literature recognizes the importance of tracheal lateral rigidity and longitudinal extensibility for normal respiration. Achieving closely matched mechanical properties may provide proper function and help decrease implant fibrosis and subsequent occlusion. In this study, we evaluated the mechanics of a series of patterned, tubular hydrogels with different ratios of hard and soft segments to mimic alternating cartilage and ligament sections in fetal tracheas. We compared our results to that of sheep trachea. This is the first report to assess both radial rigidity and longitudinal extensibility in an engineered trachea construct.
Abstract W P169: Association Between Serum Leptin Levels and Stroke: Results from Framingham Heart Study

Background: Leptin is a major adipokine that regulates weight balance and energy homeostasis. There is some inconsistent evidence linking circulating leptin levels to risk of stroke. We tested the hypothesis that leptin levels are associated with risk of first ever stroke in an elderly community-based population. Methods: Serum leptin levels were assayed in 757 stroke-free individuals (mean age 79 [SD, 5 years], 62% women) from the Framingham Original cohort at the 22nd examination cycle (1990-1994). Incidence of all-stroke and ischemic stroke were prospectively ascertained. Results: During a mean follow-up of 10 years, 119 individuals developed stroke, 99 of whom had ischemic stroke. In multivariable Cox regression models, log-leptin levels were not associated with incidence of all-stroke or ischemic stroke (hazard ratios [HR] per SD increment in log-leptin 0.9 [0.73-1.09] and 0.89 [0.72-1.11], respectively). The results were highly suggestive for effect modification by WHR for the association between leptin and ischemic stroke. Analysis in sub-groups stratified by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and adjusting for age, sex and established stroke risk factors revealed a lower incidence of first-ever all-stroke and ischemic stroke associated with higher leptin levels among subjects in the top WHR quartile but not in others (HR, 0.64 [0.43, 0.95] versus 0.98 [0.77, 1.25] for incident all-stroke and 0.61 [0.39, 0.95] versus 0.96 [0.74, 1.26] for ischemic stroke). Conclusions: Our data suggests that leptin may exert protective effects against first ever stroke in obese individuals. Further investigations are required to confirm these findings and explore possible mechanisms for this protective effect.