cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do seizures compromise correction maintenance after spinal fusion in cerebral palsy scoliosis

Seizure disorder in cerebral palsy (CP) has been described as a risk factor for postoperative complications after posterior spinal fusion. However, the effect of seizures on the maintenance of curve correction has not been reported. The aim of this study is to investigate associations between seizure history and maintenance of curve correction after posterior spinal fusion in children with CP. We analyzed records of 201 children with CP who underwent posterior spinal fusion with two-year follow-up. Patients were classified as having no seizures (31%); controlled seizures (54%); or poorly controlled seizures (PCS, 15%). Perioperative data, radiographic measurements, and complications were compared between groups. Groups were similar in operative time, estimated blood loss, and rates of deep wound infection and implant-related complications. The PCS group had a higher rate of respiratory complications (27%) than the no seizures (10%; P = 0.03) and controlled seizures (12%; P = 0.04) groups. Controlled seizures and PCS groups had longer ICU stays than the no seizures group (P= 0.02 and P= 0.04). Major coronal curve and pelvic obliquity were corrected significantly in all groups, and correction was maintained at 2 years. Loss of correction during follow-up was similar between groups. Although seizures were associated with longer ICU stays and more respiratory complications, there was no association between seizure history and loss of curve correction at two years of follow-up after CP scoliosis surgery.
Opioid Prescribing with Take-Home Naloxone: Rationale and Recommendations

Although take-home naloxone is available for prescribing, recommended for certain high-risk patients, and can prevent overdose-related deaths, access to naloxone remains a challenge. This review describes the high-risk population on opioids that benefit from naloxone co-prescription, guidelines, and the current trends in naloxone prescribing, and the barriers faced by all the stakeholders. Opioid-related overdoses and deaths still occur at critically high numbers. Short-acting opioid antagonists like naloxone can reverse the effect of an overdose in a few minutes. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved naloxone nasal spray, and auto-injectable kits are both effective and easy to administer. An increasing number of states in the USA mandate the co-prescription of naloxone for patients on chronic opioid therapy, irrespective of the presence of other underlying risk factors. The lack of provider education is one of the significant barriers for co-prescribing naloxone with opioids. Naloxone can be lifesaving in patients experiencing an opioid overdose. Providers are encouraged to co-prescribe take-home naloxone for high-risk patients on chronic opioid therapy. Understanding the barriers, creating awareness, and providing education can increase the prescription of take-home naloxone and help prevent opioid overdose-related deaths.
4D Printing of shape-memory polymeric scaffolds for adaptive biomedical implantation

Abstract 4D printing has shown great potential in a variety of biomedical applications due to the adaptability and minimal invasiveness of fabricated devices. However, commonly employed shape memory polymers (SMPs) possess undesirable transition temperatures (Ttranss), leading to complications in implantation operations. Herein, we demonstrate 4D printing of a new SMP named poly(glycerol dodecanoate) acrylate (PGDA) with a Ttrans in a range of 20 °C - 37 °C making it appropriate for shape programming at room temperature and then shape deployment within the human body. In addition, the material possesses suitable rheological properties to allow for the fabrication of a variety of delicate 3D structures such as “triangular star”, “six-petal flower”, “honeycomb”, “tube”, tilted “truncated hollow cones”, as well as overhanging “bridge”, “cage”, and “mesh”. The printed 3D structures show shape memory properties including a large fixity ratio of 100% at 20 °C, a large recovery ratio of 98% at 37 °C, a stable cyclability of > 100 times, and a fast recovery speed of 0.4 s at 37 °C. Moreover, the Young's moduli of the printed structures can be decreased by 5 times due to the phase transition of PGDA, which is compatible with biological tissues. Finally, in vitro stenting and in vivo vascular grafting demonstrated the geometrical and mechanical adaptivity of the printed constructs for biomedical implantation. This newly developed PGDA SMP based 4D printing technology has the potential to pave a new route to the fabrication of shape memory scaffolds for personalized biomedical applications.
Reconfigurable hybrid plasmonic-dielectric metasurfaces

We present a dynamic metasurface platform by incorporating the phase-change alloy Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) into metal-dielectric meta-atoms for active and non-volatile tuning of the optical response. We systematically design a unit cell, which selectively controls the fundamental plasmonic-photonic resonances of the metasurface via the dynamic change of the GST crystalline state. As a proof-of-concept, we experimentally demonstrate miniaturized tunable metasurfaces that globally manipulate amplitude and phase of incident light necessary for near-perfect absorption and anomalous/specular beam deflection, respectively. Our findings further substantiate reconfigurable hybrid metasurfaces as promising candidates for the development of miniaturized energy harvesting and optical signal processing devices.
Do patients' characteristics influence their healthcare concerns?-A hospital care survey.

Background Hospital performance is often monitored by surveys that assess patient experiences with hospital care. Certain patient characteristics may shape how some aspects of hospital care are viewed and reported on surveys. Objective The aim of the study was to examine factors considered important to patients and determine whether there were differences in answers based on age, gender, or educational level. Methods Cross-sectional study based on a hospital survey developed via literature review and specialist recommendations. This study included randomly selected patients 18 years or older who were recently admitted to the hospital or admitted more than 50 days before the survey was being applied. Survey domains included age, gender, educational level, factors considered important for the health care in a hospital setting and sources of information about hospital quality used by each subject. Answers description and statistical analysis using Fisher exact test were performed. Results The survey was applied to 262 patients who were admitted under different services. The most important concern reported was the risk of getting a hospital-acquired infection (67.18%), followed by understanding explanation from the doctors’ plans (64.12%) and doctors’ ability to listen carefully (58.78%). Women are more concerned about their risk of falling (p = 0.03). Patients older than 65 years find important that the doctors explain everything in a way they can easily understand (p = 0.02), while lower educated patients consider most if the doctor treats them with courtesy and respect (p = 0.0027). Conclusion Patient characteristics have an effect on how hospital care is perceived. Regardless of the characteristics of the population, the risk of getting an infection was the main concern overall, so it is important that hospitals promote actions to prevent it and share them with patients.
Bioaccessibility and Risk of Exposure to Metals and SVOCs in Artificial Turf Field Fill Materials and Fibers

To reduce maintenance costs, municipalities and schools are starting to replace natural grass fields with a new generation synthetic turf. Unlike Astro-Turf, which was first introduced in the 1960s, synthetic field turf provides more cushioning to athletes. Part of this cushioning comes from materials like crumb rubber infill, which is manufactured from recycled tires and may contain a variety of chemicals. The goal of this study was to evaluate potential exposures from playing on artificial turf fields and associated risks to trace metals, semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by examining typical artificial turf fibers (n = 8), different types of infill (n = 8), and samples from actual fields (n = 7). Three artificial biofluids were prepared, which included: lung, sweat, and digestive fluids. Artificial biofluids were hypothesized to yield a more representative estimation of dose than the levels obtained from total extraction methods. PAHs were routinely below the limit of detection across all three biofluids, precluding completion of a meaningful risk assessment. No SVOCs were identified at quantifiable levels in any extracts based on a match of their mass spectrum to compounds that are regulated in soil. The metals were measurable but at concentrations for which human health risk was estimated to be low. The study demonstrated that for the products and fields we tested, exposure to infill and artificial turf was generally considered de minimus, with the possible exception of lead for some fields and materials.
Patents Are Property: A Fundamental but Important Concept

Patents have historically been viewed as property and patent owners have traditionally been entitled to property remedies for patent infringement. This essay argues that a shift to liability remedies in lieu of property remedies for patent infringement is unjustified despite the 2006 Supreme Court decision in eBay v. MercExchange.
LIMIT ANALYSIS OF STABILITY OF SLOPES

THE UPPER BOUND THEOREM OF LIMIT ANALYSIS IS APPLIED TO OBTAIN COMPLETE NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE CRITICAL HEIGHT OF SLOPES. A LOGARITHMIC SPIRAL MECHANISM WHERE THE FAILURE SURFACE MAY PASS BELOW THE TOE IS ASSUMED IN THE ANALYSIS. THE ANALYSIS INCLUDES THE EXISTING LIMIT EQUILIBRIUM SOLUTIONS AS WELL AS THE PREVIOUSLY OBTAINED LIMIT ANALYSIS SOLUTIONS AS A SPECIAL CASE, SO THAT IT MAY BE CONSIDERED A GENERALIZATION OF ALL THESE PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS. THE RESULTS FOUND ARE PRACTICALLY IDENTICAL TO THOSE OBTAINED BY THE EXISTING LIMIT EQUILIBRIUM PROCEDURES. /AUTHOR/
A scalable and self-adapting notification framework

There has been a great interest in publish/subscribe systems in recent years. This interest, coupled with the pervasiveness of light-weight electronic devices, such as cellular phones and PDAs, has opened a new arena in publish/ subscribe networks. Currently, many broker overlay networks are static and rarely change in structure. Often, a network overlay structure is predefined or manually modified. We present a dynamic broker network for disseminating XML data. Our work builds upon previous network optimization research on ad-hoc publish/subscribe networks. Our framework utilizes user-defined cost functions to satisfy quality of service (QoS) constraints. We reduce the broker network optimization problem to an incremental search problem to generate low cost network configurations with respect to the provide cost functions. We also address certain reliability issues by providing a scheduling algorithm to selectively retransmit information and handle broker connectivity failures.
Perfluorinated Polymers, Perfluorinated Ethylene–Propylene Copolymers

Perfluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP). It retains most of the desirable characteristics of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) but with a melt viscosity low enough for conventional melt processing. The introduction of hexafluoropropylene lowers the melting point of PTFE from 327°C to about 260°C. The lower melt viscosity allows melt extrusion of wire insulation of longer continuous lengths than the batchwise paste extrusion of PTFE and allows the injection molding of intricate shaped parts. This polymer has a combination of properties that make it useful in applications that require chemical inertness, excellent dielectric properties, good weatherability, antistick properties, low coefficient of friction and performance in temperature extremes. As a thermoplastic, it can be processed by extrusion and compression, injection and blow molding. Films can be heat bonded and sealed, vacuum formed, and laminated to various substrates. Aqueous and nonaqueous dispersion polymerizations are the most convenient routes to produce these copolymers. The polymerization conditions are similar to those of TFE homopolymer dispersion polymerization. The optimal composition of the copolymer is such that the mechanical properties are retained in the useable range and the melt viscosity is low enough for easy melt processing. Keywords: perfluorinated polymers; FEP; modified FEP; TFE/HFP copolymer; perfluorinated ethylene-propylene; aqueous FEP dispersion
Calcium Sparks in Vascular Smooth Muscle—Relaxation Regulators

Calcium “sparks” are small, intense bursts of calcium that occur in cells from cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and, as shown in a paper in this issue of Science by Nelson et al . (p. 633), smooth muscle. As discussed by F. Fay, these sparks are of particular interest because in smooth muscle they have a unique and unexpected function: They control vasodilation in small arteries of the brain.
From low-mass X-ray binaries to binary and millisecond pulsars

We review the origin of millisecond pulsars and low-mass binary pulsars from low-mass X-ray binaries. Observations of such pulsars suggest that the existing evolutionary picture of low-mass X-ray binaries need major modifications. In particular, careful account has to be taken of the effect of the irradiation of the secondary star by high-energy radiation during the accretion phase, and by the radiation and particle wind from the pulsar after accretion ceases. Another element that has to be incorporated into this picture is the influence of accretion onto the neutron star and its spin evolution on its magnetic field strength.
3-(4-(Tetrahydropyridin-1-yl)butyl)oxindoles as 5-HT7 receptor ligands

On the basis of specific criteria, serotonin (5-HT) receptors are categorised into seven major families (5-HT1 – 5-HT7), of which 5-HT7 receptors represent one of the newest populations. Although evidence suggests that 5-HT7 receptors, which are found both centrally and peripherally, might be involved in various central disorders, such as depression, psychosis and cognitive impairment, as well as in circadian rhythm, sleep physiology and cardiovascular function, only recently have selective agents been identified to better assess their role. 5-HT7 receptors are certainly viable targets for drug development. Egis Pharmaceuticals identified a series of oxindole analogues that bind at 5-HT7 receptors and are claimed to be of possible benefit in the treatment of central disorders.
Parkin-deficient mice are not more sensitive to 6-hydroxydopamine or methamphetamine neurotoxicity.

Background Autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP) is caused by mutations in the parkin gene which encodes an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. Parkin is thought to be critical for protecting dopaminergic neurons from toxic insults by targeting misfolded or oxidatively damaged proteins for proteasomal degradation. Surprisingly, mice with targeted deletions of parkin do not recapitulate robust behavioral or pathological signs of parkinsonism. Since Parkin is thought to protect against neurotoxic insults, we hypothesized that the reason Parkin-deficient mice do not develop parkinsonism is because they are not exposed to appropriate environmental triggers. To test this possibility, we challenged Parkin-deficient mice with neurotoxic regimens of either methamphetamine (METH) or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Because Parkin function has been linked to many of the pathways involved in METH and 6-OHDA toxicity, we predicted that Parkin-deficient mice would be more sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of these agents.
I want my FTP: bits on demand

A look under the hood of the IETF's file transfer protocol, including a summary of the commands in the FTP standard. Today, FTP is used primarily for maintaining archives of public files, and is losing ground to HTTP even there. FTP simply doesn't maintain as much metadata: not creation date, not original location, not application data type. Its addressing structure is an opaque pathname at a host. Consider that in the context of mirroring or relocating information: FTP mirrors are an ad hoc, user driven abstraction; HTTP can send automatable redirection messages. Per-site metadata is also provided manually as OOindex files, compared to automatable Web spiders.
Synthesis, structure determination, and magnetic properties of pentakis[ bis (hexafluoroacetylacetonato)1,2,4-triazinecopper(II)]

Reaction of bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)copper(II) hydrate with 1,2,4-triazine (tz) in dichloromethane yields pentakis[bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)triazinecopper(II)] [Cu(hfac)2(tz)]5 (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) (1). The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1, with cell parameters a = 11.4124(5), b = 13.3405(5), c = 16.1794(7) A, α = 93.360(2)°, β = 108.700(2)°, γ = 100.293(2)° at 120(1) K. In the complex, the copper(II) ions show three types of coordination polyhedra: square planar, square pyramidal, and octahedral (4 + 2). The tz ligand also shows different coordination modes (bridging and monodentate). In addition, disorder is observed in the triazine molecule, either through non-crystallographic two-fold rotation about the longitudinal N,N-axis, or with respect to a crystallographic center of symmetry. The crystal structure of 1 consists of alternating trimers and dimers. The weak coordination of the tz molecules results in negligible magnetic exchange through the ring.
Predictors of medication adherence postdischarge: the impact of patient age, insurance status, and prior adherence.

BACKGROUND: Optimizing postdischarge medication adherence is a target for avoiding adverse events. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on predictors of postdischarge medication adherence. METHODS: The Pharmacist Intervention for Low Literacy in Cardiovascular Disease (PILL-CVD) study used counseling and follow-up to improve postdischarge medication safety. In this secondary data analysis, we analyzed predictors of self-reported medication adherence after discharge. Based on an interview at 30-days postdischarge, an adherence score was calculated as the mean adherence in the previous week of all regularly scheduled medications. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine the independent predictors of postdischarge adherence. RESULTS: The mean age of the 646 included patients was 61.2 years, and they were prescribed an average of 8 daily medications. The mean postdischarge adherence score was 95% (standard deviation [SD] = 10.2%). For every 10-year increase in age, there was a 1% absolute increase in postdischarge adherence (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4% to 2.0%). Compared to patients with private insurance, patients with Medicaid were 4.5% less adherent (95% CI −7.6% to −1.4%). For every 1-point increase in baseline medication adherence score, as measured by the 4-item Morisky score, there was a 1.6% absolute increase in postdischarge medication adherence (95% CI 0.8% to 2.4%). Surprisingly, health literacy was not an independent predictor of postdischarge adherence. CONCLUSIONS: In patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease, predictors of lower medication adherence postdischarge included younger age, Medicaid insurance, and baseline nonadherence. These factors can help predict patients who may benefit from further interventions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012;. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Sequence of plasmin proteolysis at the NH2-terminus of the Bβ-chain of human fibrinogen

Abstract Employing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we have isolated and quantified the peptides that are released from the NH2-terminus of human fibrinogen Bβ-chains by plasmin proteolysis. The peptides were identified by amino acid composition and by a radioimmunoassay developed for fibrinopeptide B detection. Bβ1–42 was the earliest fragment released during limited plasmin proteolysis. The level of this peptide reached a maximum and then began to decline during the course of the digestion. In addition, increasing levels of Bβ1–21 and of FPB followed the production of Bβ1–42. Using purified Bβ1–42 as a substrate, preferential cleavage was shown to occur at the 21–22 bond, with a minor cleavage at the 14–15 bond. Exhaustive digestion yielded two major components which were separated by HPLC: Bβ1–14 (FPB) and β22–42. The rate of cleavage at the 14–15 bond, which is the customary site of thrombin proteolysis, was not affected by the addition of hirudin indicating that this was not the result of trace contamination with thrombin. We have also examined plasmin proteolysis at the NH2-terminal region of the Bβ-chains of a variety of fibrinogen derivatives and have found similar patterns of Bβ1–42 release. Using HPLC data, we have estimated the Km for plasmic cleavage of the β21–22 bond to be 1.8 × 10−5 m and of the β14–15 bond to be 2.8 × 10−5 m . In another report (A. Hurlet-Jensen, J. A. Koehn, and H. L. Nossel, Thromb. Res.29, 609–617 (1983)), we estimated the Km for plasmic cleavage of the β42–43 bond in fibrinogen to be 7.0 × 10−7 m . Taken together, these data indicate a sequence of events in which Bβ1–42 was initially cleaved from fibrinogen during plasmin digestion. Once released from its parent molecule, Bβ1–42 can undergo further plasmin attack preferentially at the 21–22 bond to yield Bβ1–21 and β22–42. Plasmin can then attack Bβ1–21 at the 14–15 bond to release FPB. The kinetic data presented here indicate that these secondary cleavages are likely to be very limited in vivo.
Preparations and properties of sodium alginate formed‐in‐place membranes

Sodium alginate formed-in-place membranes were formed on a macroporous titanium dioxide membrane substrate at pH 3.3, 6.5, and 10.5. To investigate the rate and the mechanism of the membrane formation, the dependence of the pressure-to-flux ratio, P/J, on time, t, during the formation was evaluated using diagnostic graphs ; (P/J) 2 , (P/J) 1/2 and -ln(P/J) vs. t. The microfiltration properties of the membranes were investigated by determining the permeability, J/P, and the rejection of a protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), in 1 g/L solutions as a function of the concentration of added KCl. The stability of the membranes was evaluated by comparing the ratio of the resistances of the membranes at the end of the formation, R, after crossflow rinsing, R m , and after crossflow rinsing following the BSA microfiltration experiment, R α . The linearity of the graphs of (P/J) 2 vs. t of the membranes formed in neutral or basic conditions indicated that the membranes were formed by deposition of a layer, or cake, of the polyelectrolyte on the substrate, while the membrane formed at lower pH was initially deposited as a layer followed by a more complex mechanism. Only the membranes formed pH 3.3 were stable to the crossflow water rinse and retained high BSA rejection at high ionic strength. Their permeabilities were about 50% lower than the permeabilities obtained with the membranes formed at higher pH. The BSA rejection results imply that a continuous sodium alginate membrane is present for the membranes formed at pH 3.3 and that membranes retaining a macroporous structure are present for the membranes formed at pH 6.5 and 10.5.
Screening and confirmatory testing for extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella oxytoca clinical isolates☆

Abstract Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. were screened for ESBL based on routine susceptibility testing results. Isolates with intermediate or resistant susceptibilities for extended spectrum cephalosporins or aztreonam were reported as probable ESBL producers. By using the NCCLS proposed ESBL confirmatory method, we tested 61 screen-positive isolates from 42 patients, 30 randomly selected susceptible isolates, and 12 isolates with previously characterized β-lactamases. Ceftazidime contributed to 97% of screen-positive isolates, whereas aztreonam added a single patient isolate. An ESBL was confirmed in 86% of K. pneumoniae, 100% of K. oxytoca, and 20% of E. coli screen-positive single patient isolates. None of the susceptible isolates were shown to produce ESBL. Based on these findings a comment regarding the presence of ESBL seems sufficient for Klebsiella spp. but confirmatory testing is indicated for E. coli. There was 85% agreement between the type of β-lactamase and the result of the ESBL confirmatory test. When a cefotaxime MIC > 0.25 μg/mL was used to indicate the presence of ESBL, the specificity of the assay increased to 100%. The NCCLS ESBL phenotypic confirmatory method was reproducible and accurate enough to be used in the clinical laboratory.
Influence of Harbor construction on downcoast morphological evolution: Santa Barbara, California

Sand impoundment caused by construction of the Santa Barbara Harbor in the 1920s, created an erosion wave that impacted downcoast Carpinteria Beach. Historic beach and shoreline changes were analyzed to understand continuing erosion using a combination of historic air photos, lidar, and physical measurements. The long-term analyses show a clockwise rotation with erosion of –0.35 m/yr at the updrift end and accretion downdrift of 0.3 m/yr. Storm impacts measured before and after the 1982–83 and 1997–98 El Nino events show similar rotation patterns, providing evidence that El Ninos may be driving coastal evolution. Differences in shoreline responses between El Nino events show that the erosion hotspot migrated downdrift following construction of a revetment after the 1982–83 storms. Seasonal field measurements in the winter show beach narrowing while sediment coarsen variably alongshore. The coarsest materials and erosion hotspot are co-located at the end of the revetment on the city beach.
Thin-film CdS formed with pulsed-laser deposition towards optical and hybrid device applications

The paper shows various optical and optoelectronic experiments carried out on thin-film CdS on glass. The films have been prepared with nanosecond pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) on glass by using ultraviolet and infrared Nd:YAG laser emissions. The discussed topics contain the successful realization of green light emitting lasers, the properties of ultrafast two-photon excited emission, PLD controlled CdS dichroism, and organic/inorganic hybrid devices. Based on the presented results several future investigations are proposed.
Nanoscale variation in electric potential at oxide bicrystal and polycrystal interfaces

Abstract Scanning surface potential microscopy (SSPM), has been used to measure spatial variations in grain boundary properties in SrTiO3 and ZnO. Experimental measurements of a Fe-doped SrTiO3 Σ3 bicrystal are compared to finite element calculations to quantify the effects of tip geometry and sample-tip separation. Experimental and numerical treatments include realistic tip interactions and lateral inhomogeneity in sample properties. A procedure for extracting actual interface potentials from separation dependence is proposed. Both the sign and magnitude of the grain boundary potential barrier measured with SSPM agree with macroscopic measurements. For experimentally available tips, the effect of tip geometry was found not to contribute to uncertainty. In application to polycrystalline materials, the voltage dependence of individual interface properties has been determined in micropatterned, ZnO-based, polycrystalline varistor devices.
Food and Wing Determination in Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphidae)

Myzus persicae larvae were fed from birth on either synthetic diet or radish cotyledons, in both cases through a parafilm membrane. The proportion of larvae developing into winged adults was thereby shown to be strongly affected by the food available to the larvae during their development, as distinct from the microenvironment at the feeding site. Subsequent experiments in which larvae were deposited and reared on pairs of synthetic diets, identical except for single amino acids, showed that single chemical differences in the food could bring about changes in the proportions of alatae to develop.
Measure-Valued Processes in the Control of Partially-Observable Stochastic Systems.

This paper is concerned with the optimal control of continuous-time Markov processes. The admissible control laws are based on white-noise corrupted observations of a function on the state processes. A “separated” control problem is introduced, whose states are probability measures on the original state space. The original and separated control problems are related via the nonlinear filter equation. The existence of a minimum for the separated problem is established. Under more restrictive assumptions it is shown that the minimum expected cost for the separated problem equals the infimum of expected costs for the original problem with partially observed states.
Is hypertension more severe among U.S. blacks, or is severe hypertension more common?

It is frequently stated that the risk of sequelae from hypertension at a given level of severity is higher among blacks than whites, although little empirical evidence supports that supposition. In this work we examined the basis for accepting the existence of a black: white differential in hypertension outcomes in a representative biracial sample of the U.S. population followed in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-1) Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. As well recognized, the risk associated with increasing blood pressure is not dichotomous but varies across the entire distribution in a curvilinear fashion. The rightward skew of the blood pressure distribution with increasing mean levels affects comparisons between populations, since the change in shape results in a change in the mix of case severity. These considerations can influence estimates of the relative population-attributable risk from hypertension, considered as a dichotomous classification in blacks and whites. Although the relative risk of death associated with a systolic blood pressure of > or = 140 mmHg in this study was higher for blacks than for whites (1.7 and 1.5, respectively), with all-cause mortality as the outcome, the logistic coefficient for systolic blood pressure was not significantly different among white as compared with black men (beta = 0.016 vs. 0.010; p = 0.320 for race interaction term) and was slightly greater among white vs. black women (beta = 0.013 vs. 0.010; P = 0.05). After strata-specific blood pressure adjustment, the principal determinant of increased population risk for both black men and women was the higher prevalence of hypertension, not differential severity. The population-attributable risk for hypertension was at least two times higher among blacks because of the higher prevalence among them; moreover, the increased prevalence accounted for 10% of the interethnic difference in mortality. Data from this study indicate that hypertension was not more severe among individual blacks, simply more common in the population.
Correlation of maximum breast carcinoma dimension on needle core biopsy and subsequent excisional biopsy: a retrospective study of 50 non-palpable imaging-detected cases.

Abstract Aims There are scant data on the correlation of maximum tumor dimension (MTD) in needle core biopsy (NCB) and in subsequent excisional biopsy (EXB) with various pre-NCB imaging studies (VIS)-especially in the context of screen-detected invasive carcinoma (SIC). Methods and results Retrospectively studied were consecutive (2012–2013) non-palpable, SIC diagnosed on NCB with subsequent EXB. Data on MTD on VIS (either mammogram, or ultrasound, or MRI), NCB and EXC were analyzed. Mean MTD on VIS was 12.5 mm (range: 0–45 mm). Mean MTD on NCB was 6.7 mm (range: 1–15 mm). Mean residual MTD on EXB was 12.9 mm (range: 0–40 mm). Mean number of NCB performed per SIC was 5 (range: 1–13). Overall, 81% of all NCB were involved by SIC. The difference between MTD at EXC and VIS was statistically not significant ( p > 0.05). Spearman correlation coefficient for MTD on VIS and EXC was r = 0.8718 ( p 3 (range: 4.3–887.5 mm 3 , median: 23 mm 3 ). A Bland–Altman plot showed that MTD of ≥7 mm on EXB is a useful cut-off point predictive of (any) increase in MTD at EXB. Six of the 13 patients with MTD r : 4–6} showed decrease in MTD at EXB. Conclusions In this pilot study of SIC, (i) MTD on VIS was predictive of MTD on EXB, (ii) MTD of ≥7 mm on NCB was predictive of an increased MTD on EXB in most cases, with potential for “upstaging” tumors, and (iii) MTD of
The Evaluation Process and Assessment Choice of Pediatric Practitioners in the Northeast United States

Evaluation in occupational therapy practice is a complex and important process, yet relatively little is known about how therapists conduct evaluations in practice. This study explored the assessment methods used by pediatric occupational therapists and the clinical reasoning employed. A survey was completed by 370 therapists; 10 therapists were interviewed. The survey results indicated that therapists most frequently use assessments that focus on body structure and function and relatively few client- and occupation-centered assessments. Qualitative analysis revealed that therapists were generally satisfied with the evaluation process though significant constraints existed. Results are discussed in relationship to clinical practice and education.
Affinity labeling of catechol-O-methyltransferase with N-iodoacetyl-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethylamine

Abstract Catechol-O-methyltransferase is inactivated rapidly by incubation with N-iodoacetyl-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylamine; not by the N-acetyl analogue. Iodoacetate or iodoacetamide produce slight inactivation. Inactivation is first order with respect to enzyme activity. A kinetic analysis suggests the formation of a dissociable enzyme-inhibitor complex prior to inactivation. Substrate, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, protects the enzyme from alkylation and loss of activity.
SURVEY OF PATTERN RECOGNITION

One of the important uses of computers in clinical medicine is for the classification or screening of data. Examples abound where high speed and inexpensive but reliable automatic classification is desired. Electrocardiographs must be classified as healthy or abnormal. Differential white blood cell counts require the ability to discriminate between the various types of cells. Cancerdetecting smears must be sorted as normal or abnormal. It has become commonplace to speak of these kinds of sorting tasks as pattern-recognition problems and to advocate the application of pattern-recognition techniques for their solution. A wide range of such techniques exists. Some of them have been used by statisticians for years; others have been developed only recently as a result of the availability of high-speed computers. In this paper I shall describe some of the more common pattern-recognition methods. Although I shall cite some clinical applications of pattern recognition as illustrative examples, it is not my purpose to report on these in detail. An extensive literature'" already exists that provides numerous examples of the successful use of these methods. Indeed, many of the papers in this monograph will report the results of automatic classification experiments. I only hope that I can explain in this paper some of the unifying ideas that underlie many of the pattern-recognition methods already being applied. (See also a very good introductory article by Rosen.*) In order to apply pattern-recognition techniques, the phenomenon to be classified must be represented in some "computer-acceptable" form. Furthermore, the representation method used depends critically on the type of phenomenon. Thus, for photomicrographs of chromosomes, we might use complex picture-processing methods to represent the picture as a list of numbers, whereas, for a medical history record, it may only be possible to represent the data on the form as a list of nonnumerical symbols. The phenomenon to be classified is called the event and its representation is called the data in order to distinguish between them. In this paper, I shall be primarily concerned with those pattern-recognition techniques for sorting numerical data, that is, representations that are in the form of a list of numbers. First, I shall describe several data-classifying methods (assuming that the event
Relative levels of hope and their relationship with academic and psychological indicators among adolescents.

Abstract The major goals of this study were to (a) investigate the relationships among adolescent students' levels of hope and various academic and psychological indicators of school adjustment, and (b) determine critical levels of hope associated with these indicators. Using the Children's Hope Scale (Snyder, Hoza et al., 1997), results from a hierarchical cluster analysis placed youth into a low, average, and high hope group. Youth in the high hope group differed from students with low hope on all independent measures. Further, youth reporting high hope also differed from students reporting average levels of hope on personal adjustment, global life satisfaction, and self-reported grade point average. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
A pose graph based visual SLAM algorithm for robot pose estimation

This paper presents a pose graph based visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) method for 6-DOF robot pose estimation. The method uses a fast ICP (Iterative Closest Point) algorithm to enhance a visual odometry for estimating the pose change of a 3D camera in a feature-sparse environment. It then constructs a graph using the pose changes computed by the improved visual odometry and employ a pose optimization process to obtain the optimal estimates of the camera poses. The proposed method is compared with an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) based pose estimation method in both feature-rich environments and feature-sparse environments. The experimental results show that the graph based SLAM method has a more consistent performance than the EKF based method in visual feature-rich environments and it outperforms the EKF counterpart in feature-sparse environments.
Multiple-scattering suppression by cross correlation

We describe a new method for characterizing particles in turbid media by cross correlating the scattered intensity fluctuations at two nearby points in the far field. The cross-correlation function selectively emphasizes single scattering over multiple scattering. The usual dynamic light-scattering capability of inferring particle size from decay rate is thus extended to samples that are so turbid as to be visually opaque. The method relies on single-scattering speckle being physically larger than multiple-scattering speckle. With a suitable optical geometry to select nearby points in the far field or equivalently slightly different scattering wave vectors (of the same magnitude), the multiple-scattering contribution to the cross-correlation function may be reduced and in some cases rendered insignificant. Experimental results demonstrating the feasibility of this approach are presented.
Interaction Between Sulindac and Warfarin: Different Results in Normal Subjects and in an Unusual Patient with a Potassium‐Losing Renal Tubular Defect

While sulindac failed to affect significantly warfarin-induced hypoprothrombinemia in normal male volunteers, it markedly prolonged prothrombin time in a patient with a renal tubular defect who had been anticoagulated with warfarin. This difference in individual response with respect to a drug interaction illustrates the need to adjust information on drug interactions to the particular clinical circumstances and conditions under which drugs are coadministered.
Topical 0.5% fluorouracil treatment following Mohs’ surgery for squamous cell carcinoma for the prevention of future squamous cell carcinoma1

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) occurs most commonly in patients with extensive actinic damage and often occurs in sun-exposed skin areas. This form of skin cancer typically follows a spectrum of events beginning with the development of sun-damaged keratinocytes that have the potential to develop into actinic keratoses (AKs), which are commonly referred to as precursor lesions to SCC. With continued sun damage and acquired mutations, some of these actinic keratosis lesions may progress to SCC. Topical 0.5% fluorouracil is commonly used for the treatment of patients with actinic keratosis. It is highly likely that actinic keratoses and sun-damaged keratinocytes are present in the skin surrounding a SCC. Histological evidence of AKs and solar elastosis are often apparent at the margins of frozen tissue sections obtained during Mohs’ surgery for SCC. Therefore, it is proposed that treatment with topical 0.5% fluorouracil following Mohs’ surgery may diminish the future development of SCC in the same area by eradicating both clinical and subclinical actinic keratosis lesions. The objective of this pilot study is to determine if administration of topical 0.5% fluorouracil cream following Mohs’ surgery for SCC diminishes the occurrence of future SCC cases in the same area. A total of 5-10 patients undergoing Moh’s surgery for SCC will be enrolled and treated. After complete excision with frozen microscopic control, patients will apply topical 0.5% fluorouracil once daily for 3 weeks. Clinical improvement of the surrounding skin will be evaluated following treatment. Adverse events will be followed continuously through self-reporting and active questioning during all visits. Final data will be presented.
Transient alterations in neurotransmitter levels during a critical period of neural development in coho salmon (Oncorhyncus kisutch)

Abstract The time of parr-smolt transformation (PST) in salmon is a critical period of brain development during which the olfactory imprinting on the natal stream takes place. PST is associated with a surge of plasma thyroxine. We report here similar surges in the brain content of serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and glutamine (Gln). Other putative neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and aspartate show no such change which gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) shows a minor elevation.
PROSTITUTION IN NEVADA

ABSTRACT Thirty-three brothels in rural and small-town Nevada, which contain between 225 and 250 prostitutes, are legal or openly tolerated and strictly controlled by state statute, city and county ordinances, and local rules. Twenty-two of the brothels are in places with populations between 500 and 8,000, and the remaining eleven are in rural areas. The legal and quasi-legal restrictions placed on prostitutes severely limit their activities outside brothels. These restrictions in conjunction with historical inertia, perceived benefits of crime and venereal disease control, and the good image of madams contribute to widespread positive local attitudes toward brothel prostitution. Interactions between clients and prostitutes in brothel parlors are also restricted and limited to a few basic types which are largely determined by entrepreneurial philosophy.
Features of the ASM-220 end station

Abstract The wafer handling and mechanical scanning mechanisms of the ASM-220 end station are described, together with a discussion of paniculate performance.
Forward genetics identifies Kdf1/1810019J16Rik as an essential regulator of the proliferation-differentiation decision in epidermal progenitor cells.

Abstract Cell fate decisions during embryogenesis and adult life govern tissue formation, homeostasis and repair. Two key decisions that must be tightly coordinated are proliferation and differentiation. Overproliferation can lead to hyperplasia or tumor formation while premature differentiation can result in a depletion of proliferating cells and organ failure. Maintaining this balance is especially important in tissues that undergo rapid turnover like skin however, despite recent advances, the genetic mechanisms that balance cell differentiation and proliferation are still unclear. In an unbiased genetic screen to identify genes affecting early development, we identified an essential regulator of the proliferation–differentiation balance in epidermal progenitor cells, the Keratinocyte differentiation factor 1 (Kdf1; 1810019J16Rik) gene. Kdf1 is expressed in epidermal cells from early stages of epidermis formation through adulthood. Specifically, Kdf1 is expressed both in epidermal progenitor cells where it acts to curb the rate of proliferation as well as in their progeny where it is required to block proliferation and promote differentiation. Consequently, Kdf1 mutants display both uncontrolled cell proliferation in the epidermis and failure to develop terminal fates. Our findings reveal a dual role for the novel gene Kdf1 both as a repressive signal for progenitor cell proliferation through its inhibition of p63 and a strong inductive signal for terminal differentiation through its interaction with the cell cycle regulator Stratifin.
Use of increased transistor gate length for leakage reduction in caches

Leakage is a growing issue with the advancements of technologies. It is a predominant problem of on chip caches of microprocessors. The cache is a major portion of the microprocessor area. Further, the SRAM cell is a significant contributor of transistor leakage power. This paper analyses leakage-delay trade-off for increase of the transistor gate length in the on chip cache at 22nm, 32nm and 45nm technology nodes. In 45nm technology node a gain in leakage reduction of over 13.7% can be achieved with a penalty of 0.3% increase in delay by increasing the gate length by 1nm. Similarly leakage reduction of over 38% can be achieved with additional delay of 27.2% in 22nm technology.
Weigle reactivation of diploid M13 phage

The limited ability of ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated E. coli cells to W-reactivate UV-irradiated, single-stranded DNA phages fd and M13 was investigated. The kinetics of induction for W-reactivation of UV-irradiated fd phage are different from that for other SOS functions. W-reactivation of UV-irradiated M13 phage was studied using phage particles that contain at least two single-stranded DNA genomes. No effect on the extent of W-reactivation of diploid phage was observed, compared to that of normal haploid phage, indicating that the mechanism of W-reactivation of single-stranded DNA phages does not involve recombination between partially replicated genomes.
The upper mantle transition region - Eclogite

The upper mantle transition region is usually considered to be peridotite which undergoes a series of phase changes involving spinel and post-spinel assemblages. There are difficulties associated with attempts to explain the 220, 400 and 670 km discontinuities in terms of phase changes in a peridotitic mantle. Moreover, in a differentiated earth there should be large quantities of eclogite in the upper mantle. Eclogite is denser than Al2O3-poor mantle to depths of 670 km, but it stays in the garnet stability field to pressures in excess of those required to transform depleted mantle to denser phases such as ilmenite and perovskite. Eclogite, therefore, remains above 670 km. The seismic properties of the transition region are more consistent with eclogite than peridotite. Most of the mantle's inventory of incompatible trace elements may be in this layer, which is a potential source region for some basalt magmas. The radioactivity in this layer is the main source of mantle heat flow, 0.7 microcalorie/sq cm-sec, and drives upper mantle convection.