cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Achieving fast and exact hazard-free logic minimization of extended burst-mode gC finite state machines

This paper presents a new approach to two-level hazard-free logic minimization in the context of extended burst-mode finite state machine synthesis targeting generalized C-elements (gC). No currently available minimizers for literal-exact two-level hazard-free logic minimization of extended burst-mode gC controllers can handle large circuits without synthesis times ranging up over thousands of seconds. Even existing heuristic approaches take too much time when iterative exploration over a large design space is required and do not yield minimum results. The logic minimization approach presented in this paper is based on state graph exploration in conjunction with single-cube cover algorithms, an approach that has not been considered for minimization of extended burst-mode finite state machines previously. Our algorithm achieves very fast logic minimization by introducing compacted state graphs and cover tables and an efficient single-cube cover algorithm for single-output minimization. Our exact logic minimizer finds minimal number of literal solutions to all currently available benchmarks, in less than one second on a 333 MHz microprocessor -- more than three orders of magnitude faster than existing literal exact methods, and over an order of magnitude faster than existing heuristic methods for the largest benchmarks. This includes a benchmark that has never been possible to solve exactly in number of literals before.
Prevascularization of self-organizing engineered heart tissue by human umbilical vein endothelial cells abrogates contractile performance

Establishing vascularization is a critical obstacle to the generation of engineered heart tissue (EHT) of sub- stantial thickness. Addition of endothelial cells to the for- mative stages of EHT has been demonstrated to result in prevascularization, or the formation of capillary-like struc- tures. The detailed study of the effects of prevascularization on EHT contractile function is lacking. Here, we evaluated the functional impact of prevascularization by human um- bilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in self-organizing EHT. EHT fibers were generated by the self-organization of neonatal rat cardiac cells on a fibrin hydrogel scaffold with or without HUVECs. Contractile function was measured and force-length relationship and rate of force production were assessed. Immunofluorescent studies were used to evaluate arrangement and distribution of HUVECs within the EHT fibers. RT-PCR was used to assess the transcript levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1a (Hif-1α). EHT with HUVECs manifested tubule-like structures at the periphery during fiber formation. After fiber formation, HUVECs were heterogeneously located throughout the EHT fiber and human CD31+ tubule-like structures were identified. The expression level of Hif-1α did not change with the addition of HUVECs. However, maximal force and rate of force generation were not improved in HUVECs containing EHT as compared to control EHT fibers. The addition of HUVECs may result in sparse microvascularization of EHT. However, this perceived benefit is overshadowed by a sig- nificant decrease in contractile function and highlights the need for perfused vascularization strategies in order to gen- erate EHT that approaches clinically relevant dimensions.
Theory of boundary spreading in velocity ultracentrifugation of polydisperse solutes

Under the assumptions that the rectangular approximation to the sector-shaped cell is valid and that both the sedimentation coefficient s and the diffusion coefficient D are independent of concentration, asymptotic solutions to the boundary spreading equation for velocity ultracentrifugation of polydisperse solutes have been derived for three cases: case A, D = constant for all s; case B, sD = constant; case C, . Case A is the situation treated by all of the previous authors but supposed to be unrealistic for ordinary macromolecular solutes. Cases B and C may be associated with synthetic polymers under theta conditions and globular proteins in aqueous media, respectively. The solutions obtained have been used to explore the theoretical background of the empirical Gralen method for evaluating the distribution of s from sedimentation boundary curves, with special interest in the behavior of a plot for Sversus 1/t. Here S is the value of s for a fixed value of the apparent integral distribution of s and t is the time of centrifugation. It was found that when the distribution of s is Gaussian-like and fairly narrow, this plot becomes linear over a more extended range of t in the order case B > case C > case A.
Age and Modified European LeukemiaNet Classification to Predict Transplant Outcomes: An Integrated Approach for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract We evaluated the prognostic significance of a modified European LeukemiaNet (ELN) classification for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) while in first complete remission (CR1). We analyzed 464 AML patients with matched related (n = 211, 45.5%), matched unrelated (n = 176, 37.9%), and mismatched donors (n = 77, 16.6%). Patients were classified into 4 modified ELN risk groups (favorable, intermediate-I, intermediate-II, and adverse) separately for 354 patients age
Finding the Delicate Balance: Serials Assessment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

In the spring of 2003 the University Libraries at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), conducted a Serials Assessment Project which combined technology with effective communication between library users and subject librarians to successfully identify journals that could be cancelled, should cancellations be necessary due to budgetary constraints. Although the library had conducted similar assessments in 1998 and 2000, a fresh look at past assessments resulted in an innovative approach. The project and experience proved to be tremendously positive for both the library and its users. This article describes the planning and process by which the UNLV libraries designed and conducted the 2003 review of UNLV's serials collection, comparing it to methods used in the two previous assessments.
Social distance reactions to black and white communicators: A replication of an investigation in support of belieft congruence theory

The present investigation is a partial replication of a previous study which demonstrated that race is given negligible weight for the determination of a social reaction (adjective generation) to a communicator when communicator-reactor belief congruence is at a high level. The present study demonstrated that, even when communicator-reactor belief congruence is at a high level, race is a much more important criterion for social reaction than belief congruence when the highly personally involving social distance reaction is employed.
Parallelization of a Large Scale Hydrocarbon Pool Fire in the Uintah PSE

Realistic simulation of complicated systems such as large-scale pool fires requires the representation of relevant physical processes such as turbulent reacting flows, convective and radiative heat transfer, and fundamental gas-phase chemistry. Resolution of the length and time scales responsible for controlling the dynamic features of fire are also required to capture important fire physics. Resolving these length and time scales, however, requires massively parallel computations. To achieve coupling of these complicated processes in a massively parallel environment, software components that reuse physics-based, legacy fire codes (written in Fortran) are developed and integrated with Uintah, a component-based, visual Problem Solving Environment (PSE) [1]. Uintah provides the framework for large-scale parallelization for different applications. The integration of the new fire code in Uintah is built on three principles: 1) Develop different, reusable, physics-based components that can be used interchangeably and interact with other components, 2) reuse the legacy fire code as much as possible, and 3) use components developed by third parties, specifically non-linear and linear solvers designed for solving complex-flow problems. The simulation of a 10-m heptane pool fire illustrates the parallel scalability obtained with the integrated fire code. Linear scalability to 1000 processors is obtained on the SGI Origin 2000 at Los Alamos National Laboratory.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Modeling viable mammal populations in gap analyses

Gap analysis is an approach to conserving biological diversity that maps species richness and identifies sites that ought to be protected but are not in conservation networks. Gap analyses based on species richness may have high error rates when species models are based solely on species-habitat associations, because patches too small to support populations are still considered to be potential habitat. We incorporated information on the home range and dispersal distances of the mammals of Florida to estimate minimum critical areas (MCA) to support minimum viable populations for each mammal species. Incorporating MCA decreases the area occupied by the highest levels of species richness, and alters the mapped spatial distribution of potential species richness. For example, in St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties, Florida, the total area occupied by 15 or more species was 30,448 ha under simple mammal-habitat association models, but only 7820 ha under model conditions incorporating MCA. This reflects the fragmented condition of many landscapes, where most patches are too small to support viable populations of larger species. Incorporating minimum area requirements into maps of potential species richness produces more conservative and defensible maps.
A general quantitative theory of personality development: Fundamentals of a self-organizing psychobiological complex

A general theory of personality and its development is described in terms of four quantitative dimensions of temperament and three quantitative dimensions of character. The four temperament dimensions (harm avoidance, novelty seeking, reward dependence, and persistence) are moderately heritable, moderately stable throughout life, and invariant despite sociocultural influences. The three character dimensions (self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence) mature in a stepwise manner from early childhood throughout adulthood. Transitions between levels of maturity are nonlinear functions of temperament, specific genetic influences, social learning, and random life events. Personality development is quantitatively formulated in terms of nonlinear dynamics of a complex adaptive system. The psychosocial interpretation of personality as a fitness-optimizing process is described and illustrated in terms of available data about the development of different personality configurations. Several quantitative predictions of this theory of personality development are tested, including the sequence of emergence of the different character dimensions, individual differences in the development of stable temperament configurations, and the effects of sociocultural influences. The theoretical predictions agree with available empirical data and suggest many hypotheses for future developmental research, including etiological, dynamic, and therapeutic studies.
Brief report: the burden of diabetes therapy: implications for the design of effective patient-centered treatment regimens.

BACKGROUND: Management of diabetes, and in particular blood glucose, can be complex and burdensome.
A generalized description of Wenckebach behavior with analysis of determinants of ventricular cycle-length variation during ambulatory electrocardiography

Abstract Although variation in ventricular cycle length during Wenckebach-type second-degree atrioventricular block traditionally has been explained by the direction of incremental change in PR lengthening preceding the blocked complex, changing PP intervals can also affect Wenckebach periodicity. A generalized algebraic solution was derived to define changing ventricular cycle length as a function of both changing PP and changing incremental PR interval behavior in Wenckebach block. Based on this solution, the determinants of cycle-length variation were examined for 65 episodes of Wenckebach block detected by ambulatory electrocardiography in 51 patients. As previously demonstrated, only 20% (13 of 65) of Wenckebach episodes were characterized by the “classic” shortening of RR intervals; in contrast, ventricular cycle length increased in 57% (37 of 65) and remained constant in 23% (15 of 65) of cases. Algebraic analysis of these episodes revealed that the direction of ventricular cycle-length change preceding the blocked complex was primarily determined by the direction of change of incremental PR intervals in only 35% (23 of 65) of Wenckebach episodes; RR change was governed by the direction of change of preceding PP intervals in 34% (22 of 65) and by equal change of PP and incremental PR intervals in 31% (20 of 65) of these episodes. Both inverse and concordant relationships between changing RP and PR intervals were primarily determined by the direction of PP variation during in vivo Wenckebach block. These data confirm that classic Wenckebach block is less common than “atypical” Wenckebach periodicity and demonstrate that RR variation in Wenckebach block is governed by the changing PP interval as often as by the changing incremental PR interval.
Contribution of different food supplements to growth and production of red swamp crayfish

Abstract The relative contribution to red swamp crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii ) growth and production from different feed supplements, including rice straw, rough rice seed (hull on), whole raw soybeans, and a commercial 25% crude protein formulated crustacean feed, was evaluated in three trials. For trials 1 and 2, 38-L tanks were utilized as microcosms, and for trial 3, 10.3 m 2 outdoor mesocosms (pools) were used to simulate crayfish pond culture environments. Rice was cultivated as forage in the tanks and pools (rice forage control) and allowed to fragment naturally. In trials 1 and 2, an individual hatchling crayfish ( 2 ) and grown for 12 weeks. Juvenile crayfish were stocked at 10/m 2 and 20/m 2 in trial 3 and harvested after 27 to 30 weeks. The supplemental feeds were provided 3 days/week (M, W, F). For trials 1 and 2, feeding rate was 28 kg/ha/day and adjusted at 4-week intervals to a maximum of 112 kg/ha/day. In trial 3, feed was provided, beginning 4 months post-stocking, at 25 kg/ha/day and 50 kg/ha/day in the low density and high density treatments, respectively, for 1 month and then doubled. In trials 1 and 2, crayfish in the rice forage control were significantly smaller after 12 weeks than those receiving feed supplements. Rice straw supplementation increased mean final weight only 19%, while rice seed, soybeans, and the formulated feed increased crayfish weight by 104 to 148%, 173%, and 187 to 221%, respectively. In trial 3, overall mean individual weight was increased by 6%, 12%, 30% and 27% for supplementations of rice seed, a 1:1 mixture of rice seed and soybean, soybeans, and formulated feed, respectively, compared with the forage control. Weight gain and percentage of crayfish exceeding 20 g and 30 g were reduced at the higher density, regardless of feed supplementation. These results demonstrate the potential limitation of rice forage as the sole nutritional resource for maximum growth and suggest that raw soybeans and, to a lesser extent, rough rice seed, may be more cost effective feed supplements than formulated feeds in crayfish culture.
Growth kinetics of the omnivorous oligotrich ciliate Strombidium sp

The marine ciliate Strombidium sp. can bc raised through multiple generations on a monoxenic diet of the bacterium Vibrio natriegens, but Strombidium specific growth rates and yields are 3-4 times higher when a heterotrophic microllagellate is included as prey. In contrast to earlier studies we found that Strombidium grew inefficiently when feeding as a bacterivore, with gross growth efficiencies (K,) of 1 l-20% (determined on a nitrogen-, carbon-, and protein-specific basis). On the same bacterial diet K, of the scuticociliate Uronema sp. was 49-70%. Bacterivorous Uronema attained a 9-fold higher specific growth rate and 30-fold higher cell yield than Strombidium. Thus, the species composition of a ciliate assemblage can markedly influence the fate of microbial loop production. Cell volume of live Strombidium sp. varied > 3-fold during a growth cycle. Cell organic composition also varied: the C: N (mass) ratio decreased from 7.7 in stationary phase cells to 4.5 in exponentially growing cells, reflecting the ingestion of N-rich prey. In addition to these natural variations in cell volume, preservatives can shrink cells to half of their live volume, resulting in spurious values of ciliate growth efficiency if computed on a volume-specific basis.
Protoplasmic astrocytoma with multifocal involvement: case report and radiological findings

Protoplasmic astrocytomas are a poorly characterized and extremely rare subtype of astrocytoma. We describe the CT, MR and 18F-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) findings of a multifocal protoplasmic astrocytoma in a 29-year-old male with neurological deficits. He was initially diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis based on imaging. MRI demonstrated intraparenchymal lesions involving the right temporal lobe and cerebellum. These appeared as extremely hyperintense signals on T2 weighted imaging and as homogeneous enhancements with a small non-enhancing cystic component on contrast-enhanced MR. Diffuse post-contrast enhancement of the craniospinal meninges was also noted. Post-radiation therapy PET-CT demonstrated a highly FDG-avid tumour in the right temporal lobe and left cerebellum. To our knowledge, a multifocal form of protoplasmic astrocytoma in an adult patient has not been previously described.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Military Family Medicine Patients in Hawaii

ABSTRACTComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a growing component of medicine within the U.S. civilian and military populations. Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) Family Medicine Clinic represents an overseas medical facility stationed among a diverse ethnic population. The impact that local cultures have on CAM utilization in the military population in overseas medical facilities is unknown. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. The authors surveyed all volunteer soldiers, family members, and retirees 18 years old or greater enrolled at TAMC Family Medicine Clinic with appointments between September 1 and September 25, 2008. Results: 503 volunteers were surveyed with a response rate of 73% (n = 369). A total of 50.7% reported using at least one CAM therapy within the last year. CAM use was significantly higher among women, Caucasians, and a college level education or greater. Conclusion: Prevalence of CAM use is higher within a military family medicine clinic in Hawaii than the prevalence among mai...
Signal to Noise Ratio for Spectral Sensors with Overlapping Bands

Significant advances have been made in developing normal-incidence sensitive quantum-dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) that can exhibit spectral responses tunable through the bias voltages applied. This tunability makes it possible to build spectral imaging system in IR range based on single QDIP, without any spectral dispersive device upfront. To achieve such adaptivity, algorithms must be developed to find the optimized operation bias voltages set which maximizes the spectral context inside the output data while reducing the data redundancy. In this paper, we create a new, general defination of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in spectral space, based on a geometrical spectral imaging model recently developed. With the new SNR definition, a scene-independent set of bias voltages is selected to maximize the average SNR of the sensor. Then, some bias voltages can be added or removed. This dynamic optimization process is performed throughout the imaging process so that the balance between data information and data volume is always achieved.
Eating and Feeding at the Margins of the State: Barriers to Health Care for Undocumented Migrant Women and the “Clinical” Aspects of Food Assistance

In this article, I examine the various meanings of Mexican and Central American migrant women's utilization of private food assistance programs. I present findings from 20 months of ethnographic fieldwork conducted between 2008 and 2011 with migrant women, public health workers, and staff and volunteers of food assistance programs in Santa Barbara County, California. I discuss the barriers undocumented women face in accessing formal health care and the social and moral obligations that underpin these women's role in feeding others. I also document the ways in which private food assistance programs are orienting toward a focus on health in service delivery, and how women depend on provisions from these programs to support feeding practices at home. I argue that these findings are significant for current engagement by critical medical anthropologists in studying framings of “the clinic” and cultural beliefs about “deservingness.”
Utopian Problem-Solving: ‘The Great Divorce’ and the Secession Question

A central project of many feminist utopias is the "Great Divorce," that is, the attempt to eliminate men from the ideal society through androcide, exile, or chemical alterations. By applying the problems, as well as benefits, entailed in the "Great Divorce" to those of secession, one can measure costs and benefits in the founding of new states and evaluate traditional arguments for and against secession. It may also be possible to use the clarified secessionist positions to reevaluate the "Great Divorce" as a solution.
Joint manipulation management in collaborative virtual environments

Some international standards have been developed that are very likely to make a major impact on CVE (Collaborative Virtual Environment) technology: the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) (IEEE Standard 1278.1) and the High Level Architecture (HLA) (IEEE Standard 1516). Deriving from military-purpose simulations, DIS and HLA, however, have limitations on building large-scale general-purpose CVE applications. For instance, HLA object-attribute based ownership management only allows joint manipulation in a constraint-based solution. The purpose of this research effort is to realize joint manipulation management in CVE. This paper begins with a discussion of interaction requests and interaction model and proceeds to describe three generic approaches for joint manipulation management: Constraint-based, Synchronized and Non Synchronized.
Rigorous electromagnetic modeling of chip-to-package (first-level) interconnections

A methodology is presented for the rigorous electromagnetic analysis of pulse transmission through first-level interconnects. The methodology combines a full-wave, vectorial, time-dependent Maxwell's equations solver with SPICE circuit models for the nonlinear drivers, to facilitate the accurate modeling of the electromagnetic phenomena occurring at the chip-to-package interface. Comparisons of the results obtained using this method with others calculated using SPICE simulations are used to validate the method and demonstrate its application in the electromagnetic modeling of high-speed packaging structures. >
Contracting with Disagreement on Performance Evaluation and Compensation

I examine robust incentive provision in a dynamic agency model where the agent disagrees with the principal on how he should be evaluated and paid. I use reference points to capture the incentive payment that the agent thinks he deserves and let him inict a disagreement cost on the principal whenever the incentive payment based on the actual output falls short of its counterpart based on the reference point. Results show that many seemingly rigid personnel policies such as eciency wage contract and seniority-based promotion are indeed robust tools for achieving incentive provision and disagreement management simultaneously when the employment relationship is reasonably long.
A Review of Most Relevant Complications of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged for treating aortic stenosis in patients who are poor candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement. Currently, the balloon-expandable Edwards Sapien valve—which is usually implanted via a transfemoral or transapical approach—and the self-expanding CoreValve ReValving system—which is designed for retrograde application—are the most widely implanted valves worldwide. Although a promising approach for high-risk patients, the indication may be expanded to intermediate- and eventually low-risk patients in the future; however, doing so will require a better understanding of potential complications, risk factors for these complications, and strategies to individualize each patient to a different access route and a specific valve. This paper reviews the most relevant complications that may occur in patients who undergo catheter-based aortic valve implantation.
Magical Thinking in Narratives of Adolescent Cutters.

Adolescents sometimes cut themselves to relieve distress; however, the mechanism is unknown. Previous studies have linked self-injury to deficits in processing emotions symbolically through language. To investigate expressive language of adolescent cutters, the authors analyzed 100 narratives posted on the Internet. Most narratives (n = 66) displayed idiosyncratic use of language indicating poor differentiation between the real and the symbolic, such as blood substituting for negative emotions, which can then be released from the self; or emotional pain magically transforming into physical pain, which can then be managed. This kind of magical thinking correlated with cutting to relieve distress, to see blood, and to feel pain, but negatively correlated with complex representation of people, understanding social causality, and self-esteem. The results suggest that magical thinking represents a pre-symbolic mental state that processes and organizes distressing emotions through body schema. Magical thinking thus provides a plausible mechanism for why cutting works.
Using the World Wide Web for teaching improvement

Abstract The World Wide Web has impacted the educational model in a fundamental way and forced educators to think of ways that this technology can be used to improve teaching effectiveness. This paper describes an implementation of the continuous improvement philosophy in a graduate level Operations Analysis class by using the web to obtain immediate and systematic feedback from students on lecture and other course activities. The feedback obtained is analyzed to determine how the delivery and content of the course can be improved. In the short-term the response is to address immediate problems or difficulties encountered by students. In the long-term a fully searchable web site with references to readings, audio/visual modules of class lectures, problem solutions and frequently asked questions (FAQ) materials is to be developed. Technology issues and the lessons learned from the experiment are discussed.
Design review: A critical evaluation

Abstract The article examines the process of design review, particularly in the USA. It is argued that the process is often essentially negative, aimed at the maintenance of existing architectural and cultural norms. The article contrasts the uniform, historical appearance aimed at by the design review process with the improvised, pluralistic development of the ‘jazz city’.
Power Doppler sonography in tenosynovitis : Significance of the peritendinous hypoechoic rim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of power Doppler sonography to distinguish between hypoechoic fluid and synovium in patients with suspected tenosynovitis. Gray scale sonography and power Doppler sonography were performed on 26 tendons in 24 patients with tenosynovitis and 30 tendons in five asymptomatic volunteers. Peritendinous blood flow was graded on a scale of 0 to 3 and the percentage of the hypoechoic rim that contained blood flow was also noted. In the symptomatic group, flow was demonstrated in more than 50% of the peritendinous hypoechoic rim in 17 of 26 tendons. A positive correlation was found between the power Doppler sonographic grade and the percentage of the rim that had flow. These results suggest that a significant proportion of the hypoechoic rim probably represents vascularized synovium rather than complex fluid.
Evolving random fractal Cantor superlattices for the infrared using a genetic algorithm

Ordered and chaotic superlattices have been identified in Nature that give rise to a variety of colours reflected by the skin of various organisms. In particular, organisms such as silvery fish possess superlattices that reflect a broad range of light from the visible to the UV. Such superlattices have previously been identified as ‘chaotic’, but we propose that apparent ‘chaotic’ natural structures, which have been previously modelled as completely random structures, should have an underlying fractal geometry. Fractal geometry, often described as the geometry of Nature, can be used to mimic structures found in Nature, but deterministic fractals produce structures that are too ‘perfect’ to appear natural. Introducing variability into fractals produces structures that appear more natural. We suggest that the ‘chaotic’ (purely random) superlattices identified in Nature are more accurately modelled by multi-generator fractals. Furthermore, we introduce fractal random Cantor bars as a candidate for generating both ordered and ‘chaotic’ superlattices, such as the ones found in silvery fish. A genetic algorithm is used to evolve optimal fractal random Cantor bars with multiple generators targeting several desired optical functions in the mid-infrared and the near-infrared. We present optimized superlattices demonstrating broadband reflection as well as single and multiple pass bands in the near-infrared regime.
Analysis of risk factors contributing to morbidity from gastrojejunostomy feeding tubes in children.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to define morbidity from gastrojejunostomy tube (GJT) placement in children. Methods A retrospective single-center 5-year review of GJT placement in children was performed. Age, weight, prior surgery, indication, type of GJT, and complications (GJT replacement, wound complications, and perforation) were recorded. Logistic regression for morbidity was performed. Results 142 children underwent 394 GJT placements at a median age of 2.7years (range 5 weeks–18years). The most common indications were failure to thrive (62%) and reflux (25%). Among the 296 GJT replacements, the most common reason was tube dislodgement (30%). Risk factors for replacement, which occurred at a median interval of 12 weeks (range 2days–2.4years), were peristomal complaint (OR=5.4, p=0.02) and prior GJT replacement (OR=1.8, p=0.03). In all, 7 (5%) jejunal perforations occurred at a median of 3 days (range 0–21 days) from GJT placement. Patients with perforation had a median weight of 4.6kg (range 3–11.2kg) and age of 3.9months (range 8 weeks–2.1years). Lower weight (p Conclusions GJT placement has a significant risk of recurrent dislodgement and the highest risk of perforation in children weighing less than 6kg or younger than 6months. Alternate feeding options should be strongly considered in this vulnerable population.
A Method for the Rapid Determination of Salicylates

ConclusionThis method enables one to analyze rapidly for salicylates in biological fluids in which there are no suspended solids to occlude the apparatus. The time required is short-one hour for the hydrolysis, the time necessary for the actual analysis depending upon the skill developed by the operator of the Van Slyke apparatus. The accuracy of this method was found to exceed that of other existing methods and does not depend upon one's ability to match colors in a colorimeter.
Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome

Twenty patients with myopathic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion syndrome (MDS) were screened for mutations in thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) and deoxyguanosine kinase (dGK) genes at Columbia University, New York, NY.
101 GLYCEMIC, LIPID, AND ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES IN ELDERLY SOUTH ASIAN INDIAN IMMIGRANTS

We obtained data in a population of South Asian Indian immigrants with male predominance, as compared to South Asian Indians in the US census 2000 New Jersey data. The table displays glucose, lipid and body mass measures of age matched males (n = 63) and females (n = 44) older than 58 years old. Due to this population9s high mean FSG, the cohort was further stratified into glycemic groups: N = (FSG Triglycerides correlated to HDL (r = -.35, r = -.57), p
Primer Design for PCR Reactions in Forensic Biology

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a popular method to copy DNA in vitro. Its invention revolutionized fields ranging from clinical medicine to anthropology, molecular biology, and forensic biology. The method employs one of many available heat-stable DNA polymerases in a reaction that is repeated many times in situ. The DNA polymerase reads a template DNA strand and using the components of the reaction mix, catalyzes the addition of free 2'-deoxynucleotide triphosphate nitrogenous bases to short segment of DNA that forms a complement with the template via Watson-Crick base pairing. This short segment of DNA is referred to as a PCR primer and it is essential to the success of the reaction. The most widely used application of PCR in forensic labs is the amplification of short tandem repeat (STR) loci used in DNA typing. The STRs are routinely evaluated in concert with 16 or more reactions, a multiplex, run in one test tube simultaneously. In a multiplex, it is essential that the primers work specifically and accurately on the intended reactions without hindering the other reactions. The primers, which are very specific, also can be used to probe single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a DNA sequence of interest by single base extension. Primers are often designed using one of many available automated software packages. Here the process of manually designing PCR primers for forensic biology using no-cost software is described.
Quantitative electroencephalographic analysis of naturally occurring (schizophrenic) and drug-induced psychotic states in human males

Analysis of the quantified electroencephalogram of the left occipital lead (Drohocki's integrative method) of 21 normal male subjects revealed an average coefficient of variation in electrical energy of 15.4 per cent. In 25 male chronic schizophrenic patients, the mean coefficient of variation was 8 per cent. Placebo administration did not produce any significant change in either group. In the normal men, oral dosage with 0.3 p.g per kilogram of D-N, N diethyllysergamide (lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD-25) produced a 33 per cent decrease in variability without significant change in the mean energy content of the electroencephalogram. When the dose of lysergic acid diethylamide was increased to 1 p.g per kilogram, a 25 per cent decrease in variability and 23 per cent reduction of the energy content of the electroencephalogram followed. In schizophrenic patients, lysergic acid diethylamide at 1 μg per kilogram orally did not affect the mean energy content but produced a 47 per cent increase in variability. The findings indicate that the electroencephalogram of male institutionalized chronic schizophrenics tends to be hyperregulated. Similar hyperregulation is produced in normal volunteers by threshold and larger doses of lysergic acid diethylamide.
The Role of Youth Sports in Promoting Children's Physical Activity and Preventing Pediatric Obesity: A Systematic Review

Youth sport participation plays an important role in promoting physical activity among children and may be a possible venue for the prevention of pediatric obesity. To design effective physical activity interventions, it is imperative to understand how different aspects of sport participation influence physical activity (PA). The purpose of this article is to present a comprehensive review of the impact of youth sport participation on children's PA and obesity status. A total of 44 studies published up to January 2014 concerning youth sport participation, PA, and obesity status were identified. Inclusion criteria were studies comparing PA levels of sport participants to nonparticipants or those comparing PA levels in different sport types and settings. Studies with the outcome variables of obesity status (e.g., body mass index, fat percentage, waist circumference) were also included. Participation in youth sport was positively associated with children's PA levels, and youth participating in sports were more likely to persist in their PA. However, the relationship between youth sport participation and obesity status was inconclusive. Educators and sports professionals should find ways to involve children in various sports settings and policies and help obese children engage more in sports.
Glutamate Neurotransmission in Rodent Models of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in people younger than 45 and is a significant public health concern. In addition to primary mechanical damage to cells and tissue, TBI involves additional molecular mechanisms of injury, termed secondary injury, that continue to evolve over hours, days, weeks, and beyond. The trajectory of recovery after TBI is highly unpredictable and in many cases results in chronic cognitive and behavioral changes. Acutely after TBI, there is an unregulated release of glutamate that cannot be buffered or cleared effectively, resulting in damaging levels of glutamate in the extracellular space. This initial loss of glutamate homeostasis may initiate additional changes in glutamate regulation. The excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are expressed on both neurons and glia and are the principal mechanism for maintaining extracellular glutamate levels. Diffusion of glutamate outside the synapse due to impaired uptake may lead to increased extrasynaptic glutamate signaling, secondary injury through activation of cell death pathways, and loss of fidelity and specificity of synaptic transmission. Coordination of glutamate release and uptake is critical to regulating synaptic strength, long-term potentiation and depression, and cognitive processes. In this review, we will discuss dysregulation of extracellular glutamate and glutamate uptake in the acute stage of TBI and how failure to resolve acute disruptions in glutamate homeostatic mechanisms may play a causal role in chronic cognitive symptoms after TBI.
Intramedullary Fixation of Metacarpal Fractures Using Headless Compression Screws.

Introduction The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical results of retrograde intramedullary headless screw (IMHS) fixation for metacarpal fractures. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 16 patients with 18 metacarpal fractures who underwent IMHS fixation at a single institution. The average age was 32 years. The indications for surgery included rotational malalignment (five patients), multiple metacarpal fractures (five patients), angular deformity (four patients), and shortening greater than 5 mm (two patients). The average length of follow-up was 19.4 weeks (median 10.2 weeks). Results Functional outcome was considered excellent in all patients with total active motion in excess of 240 degrees. Active motion was initiated within 1 week of surgery. No secondary surgeries were performed related to a complication of IMHS fixation. Conclusion IMHS fixation of metacarpal fractures is an efficacious treatment modality for patients with comminution, multiple fractures, malrotation, and those who require rapid mobilization. It obviates the need for immobilization or more extensive plate and screw fixation techniques with excellent clinical results.
Atomate: A high-level interface to generate, execute, and analyze computational materials science workflows

We introduce atomate, an open-source Python framework for computational materials science simulation, analysis, and design with an emphasis on automation and extensibility. Built on top of open source Python packages already in use by the materials community such as pymatgen, FireWorks, and custodian, atomate provides well-tested workflow templates to compute various materials properties such as electronic bandstructure, elastic properties, and piezoelectric, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties. Atomate also enables the computational characterization of materials by providing workflows that calculate X-ray absorption (XAS), Electron energy loss (EELS) and Raman spectra. One of the major features of atomate is that it provides both fully functional workflows as well as reusable components that enable one to compose complex materials science workflows that use a diverse set of computational tools. Additionally, atomate creates output databases that organize the results from individual calculations and contains a builder framework that creates summary reports for each computed material based on multiple simulations.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as an inconspicuous primary lesion with extensive cavernous sinus involvement and temporal lobe extension: a case report and review of literature.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck cancer arising out of the epithelium of the nasopharynx. There is an annual incidence of 0.5–2.0 cases per 100,000 in the US and Europe, although numbers as high as 25 per 100,000 may be seen in endemic countries such as China 1. Males are at an increased risk and while there has been evidence of a link to dietary practices in endemic areas, the vast majority of data suggest Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) as the predominant pathogenic factor in NPC 2, 3. Given the association with EBV, the histology and natural history of NPC differ from most other cancers of the head and neck. Treatment of early and locally advanced disease is typically nonsurgical because of the proximity of nearby vital structures. Thus, there is a strong role for noninvasive therapy in the form of radiation ± chemotherapy, which is considered standard of care for this disease 4. Detection of nodal metastasis in the neck or spread to adjacent structures including the skull base, nasal cavity, sphenoid bones, pterygoids, prevertebral muscles, and oropharynx with occult or frank primary disease is relatively common in NPC 5, 6. In contrast, intracranial extension of NPC is not as common especially in the absence of an obvious primary lesion 7. In this case report, we discuss a patient with a diagnosis of NPC that presented with extensive skull base disease and metastasis to the right temporal lobe with subtle findings in the nasopharynx.
Databases: E-Utilities and UCSC Genome Browser

Bioinformatics projects depend heavily on the use of multiple databases to access information, and utilize public data for such information. The Wolfram Language offers multiple tools to be able to access such kind of information. In this chapter we give an extensive description of accessing the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) databases, and the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) Genome Browser for data retrieval.
Defending Family Unity as an Immigration Policy Priority

In this article, I make a policy argument in defense of family and relationship-based immigration preferences in U.S. immigration law that accounts for economic objections and calls for solidarity among socioeconomically disadvantaged U.S. residents on this issue. I begin with a historical account of policy arguments for limiting family-based immigration. I challenge the view that family-based immigration is a fiscal burden on the nation as a whole and acts against the interests of disadvantaged native-born workers. Then, I present and respond to perception-based objections to family-based immigration by disadvantaged citizens who believe that they are suffering from competition with mixed-skilled immigrants, including those sponsored by family members. Advocates of family unity in immigration policy are fighting the perception of zero-sum competition between immigrants and disadvantaged citizens by organizing together for improvements in wages and working conditions, leveraging arguments from the U.S. civil rights struggle to advocate for inclusive immigration policies.
The impact of increased cooling setpoint temperature during demand response events on occupant thermal comfort in commercial buildings: A review

Abstract This paper provides a review of the literature concerning the impact of temporarily increased cooling setpoint temperature on occupant thermal comfort during demand response (DR) events in commercial, air-conditioned buildings. We address concerns regarding thermal comfort as it relates to zone temperature modifications that may be implemented as a part of DR measures. Increased zone setpoint temperatures during the cooling season can adversely affect building occupants physically and psychologically, and impair their perceived indoor air quality and self-estimated performance. In some cases, however, improved occupant thermal comfort due to warmer zone setpoint temperatures during DR events has also been reported. In order to reduce the negative impacts on building occupants, DR must be implemented with careful control and monitoring. There are significant differences in assumptions made about the way people would respond to a thermal environment between the static heat balance model and the adaptive approach, with the adaptive approach offering a wider range of acceptable indoor temperatures. Therefore, application of the adaptive approach could be one option to improve building energy performance by taking advantage of occupant adaptive behaviors during DR events. Depending on the building services and systems available, expectations of the occupants, and the control options they are given to adjust to their thermal environment, occupants could potentially adapt to temperatures higher than what are currently being practiced in buildings. However, an upper limit threshold for temperature modifications, even if temporary ones, must be recognized to minimize adverse impacts on building occupants prior to DR implementation. Therefore, the ideal goal would be to develop menthods that would identify an optimum balance between energy consumption and the building occupant thermal comfort before applying DR strategies. Prior review papers relevant to DR have generally concentrated on the energy saving potential alone, or where energy savings have been prioritized over occupant thermal comfort. This paper reviews implementation of DR from the perspective of occupant thermal comfort and presents a summary of the most relevant experimental and field studies regarding occupant thermal comfort during DR events in commercial, air-conditioned buildings.