cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scale Development Using Twitter Data: Applying Contemporary Natural Language Processing Methods in IS Research

The availability of big data sources and developments in computational linguistics present an opportunity for IS researchers to pursue new areas of inquiry and to tackle existing challenges with new methods. In this paper, a novel way of developing measurement scales using big data (i.e., tweets) and associated methods (i.e., natural language processing) is proposed and tested. The development of a new scale, the technology hassles and delights scale (THDS), is used to demonstrate how a syntax aware filtering process can identify relevant information from a large corpus of tweets to improve the content validity of a scale. In comparing themes generated from analyzing 146 million tweets, with themes generated from semi-structured interviews, a reasonable overlap is observed. Further, the potential for identifying even more relevant themes from within subsets of the tweet dataset is uncovered.
What Do We Rate When We Rate Our Health? Decomposing Age-related Contributions to Self-rated Health:

Self-ratings of health (SRH) indicate current health-related quality of life and independently predict mortality. Studies show the SRH of older adults appears less influenced by physical health than the SRH of younger adults. But if physical health accounts less for the SRH of older adults, what factors take its place? To understand the relative contributions of social, emotional, and physical states to SRH by age, we analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey 2006 to 2011 (N = 153,341). In age-stratified regressions, physical health and functional limitations declined as correlates of SRH for older age strata, while social factors, such as gender and race, increased in importance. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition showed that if younger respondents had similar health conditions, they would rate their health more poorly than current cohorts of older adults do. The declining influence of physical health on SRH in old age appears to be due in part to displacement by social factors.
Iatrogenic atrial septal defect with right-to-left shunt following atrial fibrillation ablation in a patient with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Key Teaching Points • Transseptal puncture results in the formation of an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (ASD). In patients with right side–dominant cardiac pathologies (such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy), the transseptal pressure gradient from the right to left atrium promotes the formation of a right-to-left shunt across this ASD. • A right-to-left shunt across an iatrogenic ASD should be considered in these patients who present with dypsnea following their procedure, particularly if hypoxemic and cyanotic. • Potential strategies to minimize the risk of this complication in this population include avoiding “double sheathing” a single transeptal puncture, avoiding the use of larger sheaths, and assessing a right-to-left shunt at the conclusion of the case with echocardiography. • Patients who remain symptomatic of a right-to-left shunt should undergo ASD closure.
Adaptive enhanced sampling by force-biasing using neural networks

A machine learning assisted method is presented for molecular simulation of systems with rugged free energy landscapes. The method is general and can be combined with other advanced sampling techniques. In the particular implementation proposed here, it is illustrated in the context of an adaptive biasing force approach where, rather than relying on discrete force estimates, one can resort to a self-regularizing artificial neural network to generate continuous, estimated generalized forces. By doing so, the proposed approach addresses several shortcomings common to adaptive biasing force and other algorithms. Specifically, the neural network enables (1) smooth estimates of generalized forces in sparsely sampled regions, (2) force estimates in previously unexplored regions, and (3) continuous force estimates with which to bias the simulation, as opposed to biases generated at specific points of a discrete grid. The usefulness of the method is illustrated with three different examples, chosen to highlight the wide range of applicability of the underlying concepts. In all three cases, the new method is found to enhance considerably the underlying traditional adaptive biasing force approach. The method is also found to provide improvements over previous implementations of neural network assisted algorithms.
Nonempirical Meta-Generalized Gradient Approximations for Modeling Chemisorption at Metal Surfaces.

We assess the accuracy of popular nonempirical GGAs (PBE, PBEsol, RPBE) and meta-GGAs (TPSS, revTPSS, and SCAN) for describing chemisorption reactions at metal surfaces. Except for RPBE, all the functionals tend to overbind the adsorbate significantly. We then propose a nonempirical meta-GGA, denoted as RTPSS, that is based on RPBE in the same way that TPSS is based on PBE. The RTPSS functional remedies the overbinding problem and improves the description of chemisorption energies. As an example of an application of RTPSS, we study the adsorption of CO on Cu surfaces (a notably difficult problem for semilocal functionals) and find that RTPSS is the only tested functional that predicts accurate chemisorption energies and the preferred adsorption site of CO. Although RTPSS gives an accurate description of chemisorption, nonlocal correlation may be necessary to describe physisorption if long-range van der Waals interactions are involved (however, this is true for semilocal functionals in general). We suggest...
COMPUTER LITERACY FOR TEACHERS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses computer literacy as applicable to teachers in elementary and secondary schools. “Computer literacy” as a composite term is derived from the general term “literacy,” as applied to being able to read and write in a competent fashion, to do essential arithmetic, and to understand science in a general sense. The implication is that these tools are needed for a reasonable level of survival and participation in modern society. The computer is an excellent learning device and can be used to aid teachers and students in learning. Interactive computer programs, plus access to the computer, can provide a range of problem-solving possibilities not attainable in any other way. Each person can proceed at his or her own pace. The learning experience can be an active one, with the learner a participant rather than a spectator.
Collagen Synthesis, Genetic Diseases, and Scurvy

Collagen synthesis and degradation are central to the well-being of the teeth and periodontium. Section 1 is an overview of collagen synthesis and secretion with special emphasis on the fibrillar collagens. Section 2 describes mutations of fibrillar collagen, the associated diseases, and the effects of these and other stromal protein mutations on tooth structure. Section 3 describes the enzymes and their cofactors that process procollagen in the endoplasmic reticulum. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the role of ascorbate in collagen synthesis, the changes associated with its deficiency (scurvy), and its function as a reducing agent (antioxidant) in plants and animals (Sect. 4).
Using Topic Analysis to Compute Identity Group Attributes

Preliminary experiments are described on modeling social group phenomena that appear to address limitations of social network analysis. Attributes that describe groups independently of any specific members are derived from publication data in a field of science. These attributes appear to explain observed phenomena of group effects on individual behavior without the need for the individual to have a network relationship to any member of the group. The implications of theseresults are discussed.
Ground-Penetrating Radar Signal Modeling to Assess Concrete Structures

In order to better understand reflected ground-penetrating radar (GPR) signals from sound concrete and delaminated concrete structures, 5 bare concrete slabs and 9 slabs with simulated delaminations were built. Five concrete mixtures were used; all were cast at 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.127 m. Delamination was simulated by placing polystyrene plastic pieces inside slabs during casting. A method was developed to determine the complex dielectric constant of the 5 concrete mixtures. The effect of delamination was studied by comparing signals obtained from the bare concrete slabs with those obtained from slabs with embedded polystyrene pieces. It was found that modeling the reflected signals using an average complex dielectric constant over the entire radar frequency range results in waveforms comparable to the measured ones. It was also found that reflections from air voids located at 50 mm from the surface overlap with the surface reflection. The distorted shape of the reflected signal, however, serves as an indication of the void pressure.
Impact of Redox Modification on Global Kinase Substrate Selection

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have recently emerged as critical second messengers in many signaling pathways, including those regulating cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and gene expression. While much progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms by which ROS levels are modulated inside cells, less is known about the molecular signaling events that occur downstream of ROS generation. A growing body of evidence suggests that protein kinases are directly regulated by oxidation. Indeed, the reversible oxidation of specific Cys residues in redox-sensitive kinases has been shown to influence their activity (either positively or negatively), subcellular localization, and protein-protein interactions. Interestingly, in many cases, the redox-sensitive Cys is located in a region involved in substrate recognition, suggesting that oxidation may alter the substrate preference of a given kinase. To investigate this notion further, we used functional protein microarrays to examine the global substrate selection of several kinase family members under oxidized and reduced states. These studies, together with further biochemical analyses using model peptide substrates, suggest that oxidation leads to differential phosphorylation of many substrates such that distinct sets of substrates are targeted by the oxidized and reduced forms of the kinase. Importantly, in many cases, the redox sensitive Cys in the affected kinases is conserved among other members in the same kinase family. This raises the possibility that reversible oxidation may be a general means of regulating kinase function inside cells.
Is Schimmelpenning Syndrome Associated with Intracranial Tumors? A Case Report.

Schimmelpenning syndrome is a rare, well-defined constellation of clinical phenotypes associated with the presence of nevus sebaceous and multisystem abnormalities most commonly manifested as cerebral, ocular, and skeletal defects [ 1 ]. A single nucleotide mutation in the HRAS or KRAS genes resulting in genetic mosaicism is responsible for the clinical manifestations of this syndrome in the majority of cases. We report a case of an adolescent boy with Schimmelpenning syndrome with a multifocal pilocytic astrocytoma. No HRAS or KRAS gene mutations were noted in the tumor on genetic sequencing. However, glial tumors have been associated with genetic mutations of RAS upregulation, which may imply a common pathway.
TRMM Version 7 Level 3 Gridded Monthly Accumulations of GPROF Precipitation Retrievals

In July 2011, improved versions of the retrieval algorithms were approved for TRMM. All data starting with June 2011 are produced only with the version 7 code. At the same time, version 7 reprocessing of all TRMM mission data was started. By the end of August 2011, the 14+ years of the reprocessed mission data became available online to users. This reprocessing provided the opportunity to redo and enhance upon an analysis of V7 impacts on L3 data accumulations that was presented at the 2010 EGU General Assembly. This paper will discuss the impact of algorithm changes made in th GPROF retrieval on the Level 2 swath products. Perhaps the most important change in that retrieval was to replacement of a model based a priori database with one created from Precipitation Radar (PR) and TMI brightness temperature (Tb) data. The radar pays a major role in the V7 GPROF (GPROF2010) in determining existence of rain. The level 2 retrieval algorithm also introduced a field providing the probability of rain. This combined use of the PR has some impact on the retrievals and created areas, particularly over ocean, where many areas of low-probability precipitation are retrieved whereas in version 6, these areas contained zero rain rates. This paper will discuss how these impacts get translated to the space/time averaged monthly products that use the GPROF retrievals. The level 3 products discussed are the gridded text product 3G68 and the standard 3A12 and 3B31 products. The paper provides an overview of the changes and explanation of how the level 3 products dealt with the change in the retrieval approach. Using the .25 deg x .25 degree grid, the paper will show that agreement between the swath product and the level 3 remains very high. It will also present comparisons of V6 and V7 GPROF retrievals as seen both at the swath level and the level 3 time/space gridded accumulations. It will show that the various L3 products based on GPROF level 2 retrievals are in close agreement. The paper concludes by outlining some of the challenges of the TRMM version 7 level 3 products.
Soybeans Grown with Carbonaceous Nanomaterials Maintain Nitrogen Stoichiometry by Assimilating Soil Nitrogen to Offset Impaired Dinitrogen Fixation.

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can enter agroecosystems because of their widespread use and disposal. Within soil, ENMs may affect legumes and their dinitrogen (N2) fixation, which are critical fo...
Phonogram and word decoding patterns in children with developmental language disorders: Evidence for protracted periods of graphophonemic decoding.

Abstract Purpose Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) appear to be challenged with word reading problems in a number of ways, yet few investigations in this area are known. Of interest in this exploratory study was how children with DLD decode and recognize words and word parts (phonograms) with irregular (opaque) graphemic properties. Method Sixty children with DLD and typical language (TLD) in 2nd–5th grade, and 19 college-aged adults, were asked to decode individual phonograms, words and pseudowords, and to identify phonogram forms in a recognition task. Responses were categorized as either reflecting graphophonemic (i.e., a letter-to-sound serial decoding pattern), or target (i.e., irregular graphemic spellings typical of English), or unrelated or incorrect responses (i.e., no apparent adherence to grapheme-phoneme correspondences, or conventional English orthography). Results According to logistic regression analyses, children with DLD at each grade level used higher levels of serial, letter-sound correspondences in their decoded productions of isolated phonograms, real and pseudowords relative to their grade-matched peers with TLD and to adults. DLD2 and TLD1 groups performed similarly across the three production tasks. Results on the phonogram recognition task reflected mixed patterns of responding across child and adult groups. Overall DLD participants made more LS only selections than did TLD participants, although DLD and TLD 4th–5th graders performed similarly to each other in their relative selections of target versus target + LS phonogram forms. Conclusions Children with DLD appear to demonstrate protracted stages of graphophonemic serial decoding. A gradual catching-up trend seems to occur over 2nd–5th grades on certain aspects of decoding. A number of developmental considerations and clinical implications for children with DLD are drawn from this study.
The Impact of Pretrial Juvenile Detention on 12-Month Recidivism: A Matched Comparison Study:

Pretrial detention, the use of detention to ensure youth attend court hearings, makes up 75% of all juvenile detention admissions. Research investigating the impact of detainment on youth outcomes ...
COHORT: Coordination of Heterogeneous Thermostatically Controlled Loads for Demand Flexibility

Demand flexibility is increasingly important for power grids. Careful coordination of thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) can modulate energy demand, decrease operating costs, and increase grid resiliency. We propose a novel distributed control framework for the Coordination Of HeterOgeneous Residential Thermostatically controlled loads (COHORT). COHORT is a practical, scalable, and versatile solution that coordinates a population of TCLs to jointly optimize a grid-level objective, while satisfying each TCL's end-use requirements and operational constraints. To achieve that, we decompose the grid-scale problem into subproblems and coordinate their solutions to find the global optimum using the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). The TCLs' local problems are distributed to and computed in parallel at each TCL, making COHORT highly scalable and privacy-preserving. While each TCL poses combinatorial and non-convex constraints, we characterize these constraints as a convex set through relaxation, thereby making COHORT computationally viable over long planning horizons. After coordination, each TCL is responsible for its own control and tracks the agreed-upon power trajectory with its preferred strategy. In this work, we translate continuous power back to discrete on/off actuation, using pulse width modulation. COHORT is generalizable to a wide range of grid objectives, which we demonstrate through three distinct use cases: generation following, minimizing ramping, and peak load curtailment. In a notable experiment, we validated our approach through a hardware-in-the-loop simulation, including a real-world air conditioner (AC) controlled via a smart thermostat, and simulated instances of ACs modeled after real-world data traces. During the 15-day experimental period, COHORT reduced daily peak loads by an average of 12.5% and maintained comfortable temperatures.
Effects of Probabilistic Risk Situation Awareness Tool (RSAT) on Aeronautical Weather-Hazard Decision Making

We argue that providing cumulative risk as an estimate of the uncertainty in dynamically changing risky environments can help decision-makers meet mission-critical goals. Specifically, we constructed a simplified aviation-like weather decision-making task incorporating Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) images of convective weather. NEXRAD radar images provide information about geographically referenced precipitation. NEXRAD radar images are used by both pilots and laypeople to support decision-making about the level of risk posed by future weather-hazard movements. Using NEXRAD, people and professionals have to infer the uncertainty in the meteorological information to understand current hazards and extrapolate future conditions. Recent advancements in meteorology modeling afford the possibility of providing uncertainty information concerning hazardous weather for the current flight. Although there are systematic biases that plague people's use of uncertainty information, there is evidence that presenting forecast uncertainty can improve weather-related decision-making. The current study augments NEXRAD by providing flight-path risk, referred to as the Risk Situational Awareness Tool (RSAT). RSAT provides the probability that a route will come within 20 NMI radius (FAA recommended safety distance) of hazardous weather within the next 45 min of flight. The study evaluates four NEXRAD displays integrated with RSAT, providing varying levels of support. The "no" support condition has no RSAT (the NEXRAD only condition). The "baseline" support condition employs an RSAT whose accuracy is consistent with current capability in meteorological modeling. The "moderate" support condition applies an RSAT whose accuracy is likely at the top of what is achievable in meteorology in the near future. The "high" support condition provides a level of support that is likely unachievable in an aviation weather decision-making context without considerable technological innovation. The results indicate that the operators relied on the RSAT and improved their performance as a consequence. We discuss the implications of the findings for the safe introduction of probabilistic tools in future general aviation cockpits and other dynamic decision-making contexts. Moreover, we discuss how the results contribute to research in the fields of dynamic risk and uncertainty, risk situation awareness, cumulative risk, and risk communication.
Fast Source-Room-Receiver Acoustics Modeling

Advances in speaker, room, and device acoustic modeling have given rise to large scale simulations of their spatial-frequency responses suitable for tasks such as rapid hardware prototyping, audio front-end algorithm validation, and back-end data-set augmentation for machine learning. Joint modeling of sources, rooms, and receivers is computationally prohibitive due to the large combinatorial space, coupling between models, and overhead cost of data exchange. To address these issues, we introduce the complex spherical harmonics as a separable set of basis functions for representing each of these models and their first-order interactions. We then present a partitioned frequency-dependent image-source model expanded into the spherical harmonics for efficient impulse response synthesis. Results are validated against real-world measurements.
Optimal Reporting When Additional Information Might Arrive

Abstract We study how the potential for discretionary disclosure affects the way a firm designs its reporting system. In our model, the firm's primary but nonexclusive concern is to induce beliefs that exceed a threshold. Such thresholds arise in numerous contexts, including investing decisions, liquidation/continuation choices, covenants, audits, impairments, listing requirements, index inclusion, credit ratings, analyst recommendations, and stress tests. The optimal reporting system is characterized by informative good reports when the threshold is high and, potentially, uninformative reports when the threshold is low. Under an optimal impairment-type reporting system, the likelihood of reported impairments and the information content of non-impairment reports both increase in the probability of the firm observing private information. We provide a novel motivation for the quiet period around an IPO and empirical predictions relating the probability of discretionary disclosure to the properties of financial reports. In extensions, we consider disclosure mandates, report manipulation, endogenous thresholds, and alternative payoff functions.
Soil biological response to multi-species cover crops in the Northern Great Plains

Abstract Farmers in semi-arid regions are experimenting with cover crop mixtures as partial summer fallow replacement, with the goal of increasing soil biological activity. We compared extracellular enzyme activity, microbial biomass, potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) and mycorrhizal colonization levels after growing cover crops comprised of one or four functional groups. We asked whether cover crops can alter those soil processes and components relative to fallow during the cash crop growing season, and whether a cover crop mixture (CCM) will have a greater impact than a single-species legume green manure (LGM) after one and two rotations with wheat. Cover crops were planted at two sites in Montana April 2012 and May 2014, and at two additional sites in May 2013, and April 2015, terminated at each site approximately 60 days after seeding. Wheat was the cash crop for the following growing season. Cover crop treatments included a fallow control, a sole pea LGM, and a FULL mix consisting of eight species, with two species of each of four functional groups. Four additional treatments of single functional groups were compared following the second rotation of cover crops. The geometric mean of soil enzyme activity increased after cover crops relative to fallow (1.1–1.3 fold) at two sites after the first rotation, and by 1.1–1.4 fold after the second rotation at three sites. At the fourth site, the geometric mean of the FULL mix was greater than LGM or fallow by 1.4 and 1.5 fold. The response of individual enzymes was less consistent. Microbial biomass and PMN increased after LGM and/or FULL at three of eight site-years, by 1.2–1.7 for microbial biomass and 1.6–2.1 for PMN. Mycorrhizal colonization of wheat increased in at least one cover crop treatment relative to fallow at four of six site-years, and decreased in cover crops relative to fallow at one site. There were no differences in soil biological traits measured among single-functional-group treatments. Soil biological parameters were correlated with cover crop biomass in 7 of 16 comparisons at two sites after one rotation. After two rotations, 5 of 8 soil parameters were correlated with cover crop biomass at one site, with no correlations for the remaining sites. Precipitation declined 30–50 % from the first rotations at those three sites. Positive effects of cover crops on soil biological parameters in semi-arid systems may be measurable only when environmental conditions do not limit growth.
Single-Center Comparison of Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery in Low Birth Weight and Standard Birth Weight Neonates

Objective To compare outcomes between low birth weight (LBW; Study design A single-center retrospective study of neonates undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass from 2012 to 2018. LBW neonates were 1:2 propensity score–matched to standard birth weight neonates (n = 93 to n = 186) using clinical characteristics. The primary and secondary outcomes were survival to hospital discharge and postoperative complications, respectively. After matching, regression analyses were conducted to compare outcomes. Results The LBW group had a higher proportion of premature neonates than the standard birth weight group (60% vs 8%; P 2 kg. Conclusions LBW is a risk factor for decreased survival. LBW neonates weighing >2 kg have survival comparable to those weighing >2.5 kg.
Macrophages on the margin: choroid plexus immune responses.

The choroid plexus (ChP), an epithelial bilayer containing a network of mesenchymal, immune, and neuronal cells, forms the blood–cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (BCSFB). While best recognized for secreting CSF, the ChP is also a hotbed of immune cell activity and can provide circulating peripheral immune cells with passage into the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we review recent studies on ChP immune cells, with a focus on the ontogeny, development, and behaviors of ChP macrophages, the principal resident immune cells of the ChP. We highlight the implications of immune cells for ChP barrier function, CSF cytokines and volume regulation, and their contribution to neurodevelopmental disorders, with possible age-specific features to be elucidated in the future.
Heat budget model facilitates exploration of thermal ecology on urban shoreline infrastructure

Abstract Ecological engineering approaches have been shown to enhance the abundance and species diversity of intertidal organisms living on urban shoreline infrastructure (i.e., bulkheads and seawalls). Ecological studies have long shown the overarching importance of temperature in driving the physiology and survival of these organisms, yet we often do not fully understand what these temperatures are on engineered surfaces, as they can be very different from air or water temperature. The current study used a heat budget model to estimate surface temperature on bulkheads of different construction materials and surface orientations as a potential factor controlling the abundance and distribution of algal and invertebrate species living on armored shorelines. A Land Surface Model previously adapted for mussel beds was modified to incorporate the physical and thermal properties of three construction materials commonly used in shoreline armoring: concrete, granite and steel. Hourly temperature, tide and solar elevation data for Boston, MA, USA were used to simulate temperatures on a total of twelve model surfaces representing each construction material with north, east, south, and west surface orientations, respectively, over a period of 5 years (2014–2018). A rapid species assessment of intertidal epibiota on bulkheads in Boston Harbor provided baseline data about ecological communities that might be targeted in enhancement efforts, and information on physiological sensitivities of key species was determined from published literature. Comparisons between these sensitivities and exposures estimated from the model showed that simulated surface temperatures can exceed the physiological limits of local species but that this depends on surface orientation and material properties of the structure. Results further highlight the influence of material properties (density, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity) of engineered structures on the incidence and severity of thermal extremes when exposed to direct solar radiation at low tide. Significant differences in the duration and intensity of high temperature values among model surfaces demonstrate that the potential effectiveness of choices in bulkhead construction materials designed to mitigate thermal extremes are likely most effective on south- and west-facing surfaces where incident solar radiation is highest. The ability to predict thermal extremes on existing or planned coastal development projects can improve and further refine ecological enhancement initiatives on shoreline infrastructure. Such collaborations would enable coastal zone managers, shorefront property owners, ecologists, and designers to co-design structures that create physiologically tolerable temperatures as a basis for ecological enhancement.
Prospective evaluation of an evidence-based decision tool to assess pediatric blunt abdominal trauma (BAT).

PURPOSE Computed tomography (CT) is currently the standard for evaluation of intra-abdominal injury (IAI) after BAT. Pediatric patients receiving CT scans based on adult clinical protocols are potentially exposed to unnecessary radiation. The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of CT scans before and after implementation of a pediatric BAT decision tool. METHODS We adapted and implemented an evidence-based decision tool for pediatric BAT based on five clinical variables. We reviewed patient charts 18 months pre- and post-implementation. Demographics and outcomes were compared using Chi-square and Fisher's exact test, accordingly. RESULTS The pre and post-implementation groups were uniform when comparing age, sex, mechanism, and Injury Severity Score. The decision tool was utilized in 85% of patients post-implementation. Fewer CT scans were obtained in the post-implementation group (28 vs. 21%, p = 0.215) with no missed injuries or late diagnoses. CONCLUSION Implementation of a pediatric BAT decision tool decreased CT usage and radiation exposure without an obvious compromise to patient care. This experience supports the utilization of these tools for the assessment of IAI after BAT and have resulted in more selective use of CT during pediatric BAT in our program.
Paediatric acute liver failure: a practical approach

Abstract Acute liver failure (ALF) in the paediatric patient is a multisystem complex disorder, which occurs in the absence of chronic liver disease. Globally, viruses remain a common cause but drugs, metabolic and autoimmune conditions are important triggers. In up to half of cases no specific cause is identified. The definition entails a coagulopathy with a Prothrombin time (PT) ≥ 15seconds or International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≥ 1.5 not corrected by vitamin K in the presence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) or a PT ≥ 20 or INR ≥2 or above regardless of HE. HE can be difficult to recognize in children and is defined differently than HE in adults. Timely recognition of ALF improves outcomes and allows time to undertake investigations, provide supportive therapy and arrange transfer to a specialist paediatric liver centre with transplant capacity. The purpose of this article is to review the aetiologies of ALF in children and outline an approach to investigation, management and treatment.
Design and Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of a Novel Stirred Photo-Bioreactor

Stirred photobioreactors (PBR) have been extensively used for microalgae cultivation due to their good mixing and mass transfer conditions. However, it is difficult to study the hydrodynamics behavior with experimental procedures of these PBRs. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a common method that has been widely used to simulate the performance of PBRs, reduce the design cost and improve work efficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate hydrodynamics and mixing conditions of a novel cactus-like PBR. A hydrodynamic study was conducted on ANSYS FLUENT. The simulation results obtained from the VOF turbulence model showed that the fluid flow exhibit similar behavior in most parts of PBR except around the impellers and the bottom of the reactor. The velocity contours showed efficient mixing performance. In addition, the turbulence kinetic energy having a vital influence on mixing characteristics was found between the values of 1.4 × 10−3 and 7.5 × 10−3 m2/s2 and the lowest values were observed at the bottom of the reactor. Moreover, the area-weighted average of air volume fraction was calculated to be 0.0084. The obtained results could be used to re-design PBR configurations considering the sparger type and size, and the impeller placement.
Chapter 2 – Overview

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of the developmental disorders of the cortex associated with epilepsy. Disturbances of cerebral cortical development have long been recognized as a cause of epilepsy. It is important to recognize that mild disturbances of cortical development can also occur in individuals without epilepsy, the incidence of dysgenesis is significantly higher in patients with epilepsy than controls. Several different types of developmental abnormalities can cause epileptogenic lesions. The disorders include disorders of radial migration, such as polymicrogyria and abnormalities of cell birth, such as microdysgenesis in which there are an increased number of or clustering of neurons in subcortical white matter or the cortical layers. Improved anatomical and functional neuroimaging techniques have greatly aided the ability to detect disorder of cerebral development during life. The identification of these abnormalities has reduced the number of idiopathic causes of epilepsy. It is found that one of the genes for Tuberose Sclerosis, a very common disorder associated cerebral dysgenesis, has been mapped to chromosome 16.
VARIATION IN RUMEN BUTYRIVIBRIO STRAINS

Margherita, S. S. (University of California, Davis), R. E. Hungate, and Hannelore Storz. Variation in rumen Butyrivibrio strains. J. Bacteriol. 87:1304–1308. 1964.—Five strains of Butyrivibrio isolated from the rumen of a single animal on an alfalfa hay ration were tested for serological relationships by agglutination and immunofluorescence. The main finding was a serological monospecificity of the strains. A cross-reaction between two strains was detected by agglutination and a second cross-reaction by immunofluorescence, but the cross-reacting pairs were different. Two years after the strains were isolated, fluorescein-conjugated antisera against three of them were used to test rumen contents of the same animal for homologous cell types. None was found. The findings indicate great variability in the serological characteristics of rumen butyrivibrios.
Power Line Interference Elimination on Telephone Loops

A new method of elimination of power line interference of potentially time-varying frequency on telephone loops is presented. The proposed method is based on adaptive estimation, and subsequent elimination, of the fundamental and individual harmonic components of the induced power signal and tracking their variations over time. The structure of the proposed technique is presented and its performance is demonstrated in a scenario where the frequency of the power line interference undergoes variations over time. Superior performance of the proposed method over existing techniques is observed. The proposed algorithm presents a simple and efficient method of elimination of narrowband interferences of potentially nonstationary nature
The brain connectome as a personalized biomarker of seizure outcomes after temporal lobectomy

Objective: We examined whether individual neuronal architecture obtained from the brain connectome can be used to estimate the surgical success of anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Methods: We retrospectively studied 35 consecutive patients with TLE who underwent ATL. The structural brain connectome was reconstructed from all patients using presurgical diffusion MRI. Network links in patients were standardized as Z scores based on connectomes reconstructed from healthy controls. The topography of abnormalities in linkwise elements of the connectome was assessed on subnetworks linking ipsilateral temporal with extratemporal regions. Predictive models were constructed based on the individual prevalence of linkwise Z scores >2 and based on presurgical clinical data. Results: Patients were more likely to achieve postsurgical seizure freedom if they exhibited fewer abnormalities within a subnetwork composed of the ipsilateral hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, superior frontal region, lateral temporal gyri, insula, orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate, and lateral occipital gyrus. Seizure-free surgical outcome was predicted by neural architecture alone with 90% specificity (83% accuracy), and by neural architecture combined with clinical data with 94% specificity (88% accuracy). Conclusions: Individual variations in connectome topography, combined with presurgical clinical data, may be used as biomarkers to better estimate surgical outcomes in patients with TLE.
Structure and Dynamics of Disulfide Cross-Linked DNA Triple Helices

The design, synthesis, and characterization of two disulfide cross-linked intramolecular pyr·pur−pyr triple helices (IV and V) is presented. Placement of a covalent cross-link from the Hoogsteen st...
Asian Americans and Voting Participation: Comparing Racial and Ethnic Differences in Recent U.S. Elections

This research assesses the significance of race and ethnicity in the participation of Asian Americans in recent U.S. elections. It reviews the major characteristics of the nonwhite, multiethnic pop...
Apamin reduces the late afterhyperpolarization of lamprey spinal neurons, with little effect on fictive swimming

Abstract The role of the late afterhyperpolarization (late AHP) in the firing properties of lamprey spinal neurons was tested by bath application of apamin, a selective blocker of the sk calcium-dependent potassium current. Intracellular recordings of identified motoneurons and interneurons were made with micropipette electrodes in the isolated lamprey spinal cord. Apamin reversibly reduced the amplitude of the late afterhyperpolarization without affecting other aspects of the action potential or the resting potential. The firing frequencies of the neurons were enhanced by apamin over a range of depolarizing current pulse injections. The effect of apamin was also tested on fictive swimming, which was induced in the isolated spinal cord by bath application of an excitatory amino acid ( d -glutamate or N- methyl- d,l -aspartate ). A concentration of apamin (10 μM) sufficient to substantially reduce the late AHP had no significant effect on the ventral root burst rate, intensity, or phase lag during fictive swimming.
Total particulate mass in Enceladus plumes and mass of Saturn’s E ring inferred from Cassini ISS images

The eclipse mosaic (PIA08329) of the Saturn system, taken on September 15, 2006 when Cassini was in Saturn’s shadow, contains numerous color images of the Enceladus plume and the E ring at phase angles ranging from 173° to 179°. These forward-scattering observations sample the diffraction peak for particle radii in the 1–5 μm range. The phase angle dependence and total brightness are sensitive indicators of the total mass of solid material in the plume. We fit the data with a variety of particle shapes and size distributions, and find that the median radius of the equivalent-volume sphere is 3.1 μm, with an uncertainty of ±0.5 μm. The total mass of particles in the plume is (1.45 ± 0.5) × 10^5 kg. We have not considered variations with altitude in the particle size and shape distribution, and we leave that for another paper. We find that the brightness of the E ring varies with position in the orbit, not only because of the viewing geometry, e.g., variations in phase angle, but also because of some unknown intrinsic variability. The total mass of solid material in the E ring is (12 ± 5.5) × 10^8 kg. For the plume, the production rate of particles – the mass per unit time leaving the vents is 51 ± 18 kg s^(−1). We estimate that 9% of these particles are escaping from Enceladus, implying lifetimes of ∼8 years for the E ring particles. Based on three comparisons with vapor amounts from ultraviolet spectroscopy, the ice/vapor ratio is in the range 0.35–0.70. This high ratio poses a problem for theories in which particles form by condensation from the gas phase, and could indicate that particles are formed as spray from a liquid reservoir.
Regulation of T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) alpha-chain expression by TCR beta-chain transcripts.

The TCR is an alpha beta heterodimer, a part of the multimeric structure through which physiological T-cell activation occurs. The expression of TCR alpha chain is greatly diminished in a beta-chain-deficient mutant Jurkat cell line (J.RT3-T3.5). The relationship between the expression of the TCR alpha and beta chains has been examined by stable transfection of a series of TCR beta-chain mutant constructs into this mutant cell line. The level of alpha-chain transcript was dramatically upregulated by the expression of the beta chain and specifically by a transcript of the beta-chain variable region alone, including a transcript in which the ATG start codon was mutated. The downregulation of the endogenous alpha-chain transcripts in mutants cells lacking complete beta-chain transcripts occurred primarily at the posttranscriptional level. This evidence for a regulatory function of the TCR beta-chain gene represents an unusual regulatory pathway in which the transcript of one gene is required for the optimal expression of another gene.
Undifferentiated Cardiac Sarcoma Metastatic to the Maxilla: Report of a Case

Primary cardiac sarcomas represent a group of rare and aggressive malignant mesenchymal neoplasms with a notoriously poor prognosis. They comprise a relatively small percentage of all primary neoplasms of the heart. Presenting clinical signs and symptoms associated with any cardiac sarcoma vary in accordance with the individual tumor’s particular site of origin in the heart (eg, left or right atrium, etc). These tumors typically invade contiguous vital anatomic structures and have a marked propensity for metastasis. Although there are only a limited number of published case reports of primary cardiac sarcomas, none mentions metastasis to the jaws. The following is a report of a case in which a cardiac sarcoma metastasized to the maxilla.
Coarse Superpave Mixture Sensitivity

Asphalt-aggregate mixture sensitivity has long been recognized for its potential negative impact on performance if variables including the asphalt content (AC) and the percent that passes the 0.075-mm sieve (p0.075) are not carefully controlled during construction. Typical production standard deviations for AC and p0.075 are 0.3 and 0.9 percent, respectively. This mixture sensitivity analysis shows that variations of this magnitude can result in significant changes in coarse Superpave mixture volumetrics. Three coarse mixtures designed for the WesTrack project were examined, including the original coarse mixture and the replacement mixture. The coarse mixture was most sensitive to both AC and p0.075, contradicting the relatively worse performance of the replacement mixture. The replacement mixture was relatively insensitive to p0.075, and the third mixture was extremely sensitive to reductions in p0.075. Results also suggest that mixture sensitivity may affect optimum AC by up to 1.0 percent. When measure...
Interleukin-1 stimulates the release of dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid from the hypothalamus in vivo

Abstract Push-pull perfusion technique was used to infuse IL-1s into and collect perfusate from the medial basal hypothalamus of freely moving male rats. Dopamine (DA) and its metabolite, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), were measured in the perfusate using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. In the control group, release rates of DA and DOPAC decreased and were 62% and 40%, respectively, below pretreatment levels after 325 min. In contrast, treatment with 50 ng of IL-1s produced substantial reductions in these decreases, and treatment with 100 ng of IL-1s produced increases of up to 118% and 89% in the release rates of DA and DOPAC, respectively. It is concluded that IL-1s affects the metabolism of catecholamines (and probably other neurotransmitters) in the brain, which, in turn, mediate its central and neuroendocrine actions.
Phonation threshold pressure predictions using viscoelastic properties up to 1,400 Hz of injectables intended for Reinke's space†

Objectives/Hypothesis: Viscoelastic properties of numerous vocal fold injectables have been reported but not at speaking frequencies. For materials intended for Reinke's space, ramifications of property values are of great concern because of their impact on ease of voice onset. Our objectives were: 1) to measure viscoelastic properties of a new nonresorbing carbomer and well-known vocal fold injectables at vocalization frequencies using established and new instrumentation, and 2) to predict phonation threshold pressures using a computer model with intended placement in Reinke's space. Study Design: Rheology and phonation threshold pressure calculations. Methods: Injectables were evaluated with a traditional rotational rheometer and a new piezo-rotary vibrator. Using these data at vocalization frequencies, phonation threshold pressures (PTP) were calculated for each biomaterial, assuming a low dimensional model with supraglottic coupling and adjusted vocal fold length and thickness at each frequency. Results were normalized to a nominal PTP value. Results: Viscoelastic data were acquired at vocalization frequencies as high as 363 to 1,400 Hz for six new carbomer hydrogels, Hylan B, and Extracel intended for vocal fold Reinke's space injection and for Cymetra (lateral injection). Reliability was confirmed with good data overlap when measuring with either rheometer. PTP predictions ranged from 0.001 to 16 times the nominal PTP value of 0.283 kPa. Conclusions: Accurate viscoelastic measurements of vocal fold injectables are now possible at physiologic frequencies. Hylan B, Extracel, and the new carbomer hydrogels should generate easy vocal onset and sustainable vocalization based on their rheologic properties if injected into Reinke's space. Applications may vary depending on desired longevity of implant. Laryngoscope, 2010
Refolding and release of tubulins by a functional immobilized groEL column

Abstract Denatured tubulins form stable complexes with gro EL upon dilution into refolding buffer. These complexes are retained on an immunoaffmity column which contains chemically immobilized antibodies to gro EL. Tubulin remains bound to the immobilized gro EL colunm after extensive washing and is released upon incubation with gro ES and ATP. Similar results were obtained with glutamine synthetase. These data suggest that gro EL can function while it is attached to a solid support system.