cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life is a balancing act: Deviation from a balanced time perspective mediates the relationship between lifetime trauma exposure and optimism

Most individuals experience traumatic events at some point in their lifetime, such as accidents, unexpected death of a loved one or violent crime. This study assessed direct and mediated associations between lifetime trauma exposure and less optimism, with deviation from a balanced time perspective (individuals’ perception of time that emphasizes the past, present, and future), as a potential mediator. Participants were 133 undergraduates (mean age = 23.76; 84% females) who completed online surveys assessing lifetime trauma exposure, optimism, and time perspectives. Regression analyses indicated that deviation from a balanced time perspective partially mediated the path from more trauma exposure to less optimism. Overall, more lifetime trauma exposure was related to greater deviation from a balanced time perspective, which likely resulted in less optimism. Discussion centers on implications for research and practice, with an emphasis on the importance of balanced time perspectives, particularly for those adjusting to traumatic events.
Barriers to and Facilitators of Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Utilization in a High-Risk Population.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is among the leading causes of vision loss in the USA, yet an estimated 50% of patients with diabetes do not receive recommended annual screening eye exams. Patients with diabetes and low socioeconomic status or who are racial/ethnic minorities are at increased risk for vision loss. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 patients with diabetes at a federally qualified community health center in an urban area regarding factors influencing their use of screening. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed line by line to identify themes. The themes were organized in a theoretical framework of factors influencing receipt of screening. The median age of participants was 57.5 (range 44–73). Ten participants identified as female and 14 as male. Participants identified as Black (14), White (4), Hispanic (3), and other/no answer (3). Twenty-three had health insurance. Twenty-three had received an eye exam within in the past year, and 17 reported that they receive eye exams at least yearly. Four hundred fifteen comments were analyzed, and 22 concepts were identified under 7 broader themes and two overarching categories of individual and structural factors. Themes included vision status, competing concerns, emotional context, resource availability, in-clinic experience, cues to action, and knowledge about diabetes. The factors that influence diabetic retinopathy screening utilization are complex. Visual symptoms and the need for glasses are important facilitators of screening. Many patients lack knowledge about diabetic retinopathy and the utility of preventative eye care. New strategies for engaging high-risk populations are necessary.
Stimulated Raman and Self Focusing in Liquids using Complex Vortex Vector Beams

Stimulated Raman signals in methanol are produced for complex vortex vector beams with OAM values of 1,2,3, and 4. The observed intensities and filaments are compared to beams with homogeneous polarization fields.
Bridging the gap in mobile interaction design for children with disabilities: Perspectives from a pediatric speech language pathologist

Abstract Speech language pathologists (SLPs) work with children with diverse types of disabilities. Their clinical knowledge and experience using mobile technology can inform child–computer researchers novel design techniques to facilitate communication and learning for children with disabilities. This paper presents perspectives from an SLP through an overview of design challenges and opportunities for children with communication impairments across disciplines such as instructional design, game design, and therapy design. By illustrating two clinical decision-making models and implementing a design-based research framework, designers and researchers may benefit from collaborating with SLPs for clinically-informed participatory design practices. Preliminary results from an ongoing case study and future research agenda is also described.
CT-guided discitis-osteomyelitis biopsies with negative microbiology: how many days should we wait before repeating the biopsy?

To determine the number of days to positive CT-guided biopsy sample culture in patients with discitis-osteomyelitis. Our study was IRB approved and HIPAA compliant. All CT-guided biopsies performed for acute discitis-osteomyelitis with positive microbiology between 2002 and 2018 were reviewed. Microbiological organism and days to positive biopsy were documented. Mean, median, skew, and standard deviation were calculated. The proportion of positive cultures that become positive after each day has elapsed was also calculated. There were 96 true positive cultures, with 64 (67%) male and 32 (33%) female, ages 57 ± 18 (range 19–87) years. Overall, including all culture results, the mean number of days to positive culture was 2.9 ± 3.5 days. The median number of days was 2, with a positive skew of 2.9. At days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 48%, 68%, 78%, 85%, and 89%, respectively, of biopsy samples had a positive microbiology culture. Approximately three-quarters of discitis-osteomyelitis pathogens will be identified by biopsy sample culture by 3 days after CT-guided biopsy. This finding should be considered if planning for a repeat biopsy in the setting of a negative microbiology culture.
Experimental Characterization of Thermal-Hydraulic Performance of a Microchannel Heat Exchanger for Waste Heat Recovery

Abstract Given size and performance advantages, microchannel heat exchangers are becoming increasingly important for various energy recovery and conversion processes. In this study, detailed experimental measurements were conducted to characterize flow and heat transfer performance of a microchannel heat recovery unit (HRU) manufactured using standard photochemical etching and diffusion bonding processes. According to the global flow and temperature measurement, the HRU has delivered the predicted thermal performance under various oil and air flow rates. As expected, the heat transfer effectiveness varies between 88% and 98% for a given air and oil flow rates while it increases with air inlet temperature due to the improved thermal conductivity. However, significant flow mal distribution is identified among the air channels according to the in-depth flow distribution measurement using hot wire. The flow measurement also indicates visible misalignment of the air channels caused by the manufacturing processes. In addition, the excessive pressure drops occurred for both air and oil channels indicating reduced flow areas due to the photochemical etching process. The results of this experimental study can hopefully provide insights in improving designs of microchannel heat exchangers using the same manufacturing processes.
The role of CT perfusion in the evaluation of seizures, the post-ictal state, and status epilepticus

Rapid identification of stroke mimics, such as seizures, is a critical part of the evaluation of patients presenting with acute focal neurological deficits. The primary role of CT perfusion is in identification of patients with acute ischemic stroke who may be candidates for reperfusion therapy, but also holds promise as a modality for identifying a seizure etiology. We review the literature on this topic and attempt to define characteristic CT perfusion findings at various points along the ictal-interictal (epileptic) continuum. We suggest an approach for using CT perfusion to differentiate stroke from seizure in patients with acute onset focal neurological deficits.
Of farms and forests: farm-level land-use decisions, socio-environmental systems, and regional development in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest

Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) studies emphasize the importance of identifying the local and regional drivers of deforestation. This study, based on a cross-sectional survey of over 2,000 s...
Real time monitoring of electron emissions during electron beam powder bed fusion for arbitrary geometries and toolpaths

Abstract Real-time monitoring of electron emissions during the operable processing steps of electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF), which typically include preheating, melting, and post-heating, provides a wealth of in-process data across multiple length scales. In this paper, we present a methodology for collecting both real-time beam positional data and electron emissions as a function of time for arbitrary component geometries and complex toolpaths. To demonstrate this, we collected these data during the melting steps of EB-PBF of pure copper and quantitatively compared electron images generated with this approach to both x-ray micro computed tomography (μCT) data and optical micrographs of the same specimens. These results show a strong mathematical correlation between the location of loss of signal events observed in electron images and observed defects in μCT. At the same time, the collection of beam positional information facilitates the calculation of beam velocities, and hence local energy inputs. We also demonstrate a to methodology visualize process data from a wide variety of sources and map these over the 3D geometries as a function of time and position and to link these spatiotemporal data to structure observed in the electron imaging and energy input maps. Ultimately, we have leveraged this new electron imaging approach to defect detection into a rudimentary control strategy to eliminate porosity in a copper sample.
COVID-19 in patients with lung cancer

Background Patients with lung cancers may have disproportionately severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Understanding the patient-specific and cancer-specific features that impact the severity of COVID-19 may inform optimal cancer care during this pandemic. Patients and methods We examined consecutive patients with lung cancer and confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (n = 102) at a single center from 12 March 2020 to 6 May 2020. Thresholds of severity were defined a priori as hospitalization, intensive care unit/intubation/do not intubate ([ICU/intubation/DNI] a composite metric of severe disease), or death. Recovery was defined as >14 days from COVID-19 test and >3 days since symptom resolution. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles were inferred from MSK-IMPACT (n = 46) and compared with controls with lung cancer and no known non-COVID-19 (n = 5166). Results COVID-19 was severe in patients with lung cancer (62% hospitalized, 25% died). Although severe, COVID-19 accounted for a minority of overall lung cancer deaths during the pandemic (11% overall). Determinants of COVID-19 severity were largely patient-specific features, including smoking status and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [odds ratio for severe COVID-19 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.07–9.44 comparing the median (23.5 pack-years) to never-smoker and 3.87, 95% confidence interval 1.35–9.68, respectively]. Cancer-specific features, including prior thoracic surgery/radiation and recent systemic therapies did not impact severity. Human leukocyte antigen supertypes were generally similar in mild or severe cases of COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 controls. Most patients recovered from COVID-19, including 25% patients initially requiring intubation. Among hospitalized patients, hydroxychloroquine did not improve COVID-19 outcomes. Conclusion COVID-19 is associated with high burden of severity in patients with lung cancer. Patient-specific features, rather than cancer-specific features or treatments, are the greatest determinants of severity.
Fexit: The effect of political and promotional communication from friends and family on Facebook exiting intentions

Abstract Facebook enjoys worldwide popularity, but public trust in the site is waning. Some users are exiting Facebook while others are decreasing the intensity and frequency in which they engage with the site. Many brands rely on social media, but consumers’ changing behaviors, coupled with Facebook’s algorithm changes, may force brands to switch social media marketing strategies. This research uses exiting behavior, social capital, and closeness as theoretical lenses to explore why Facebook users decrease or eliminate their use of the site in the “post-trust era” of Facebook. A mixed-methods approach is used across three studies. Findings suggest that Facebook users feel freer to express themselves and are less likely to leave Facebook over their interactions with non-family than with family. While brand-focused and political posts negatively affect future Facebook use, there are important differences regarding aligned versus opposing political content from family and non-family. Theoretical and managerial implications are offered.
The costs and benefits of long-short investing: A perspective on the market efficiency literature

We highlight key assumptions implicit in the models used by academics conducting research on market efficiency. Most notably, many academics assume that investors can borrow unlimited amounts and construct long-short portfolios at zero cost. We relax these assumptions and examine the attractiveness of long-short strategies as stand-alone investments and as a part of a diversified portfolio. Our analysis illustrates that the key benefit of long-short investing is adding diversification to a portfolio beyond what the market provides. We show that as stand-alone investments, nontrivial risk remains in the “hedge” strategies and that the returns generally do not beat the market in a head-to-head contest. Our findings raise questions about the degree of inefficiency in anomaly studies because plausible measures of costs generally offset strategy returns. The ability to achieve greater diversification may be, but is not necessarily, due to market inefficiency. We also highlight the key role of the generally ignored but critically important short interest rebate and show that absent this rebate, the long-short strategies we examine generally yield insignificant returns.
Improving and Maintaining Responses in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Therapy.

ABSTRACT Chimeric antigen receptor T therapy has heralded a new era in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and other hematologic malignancies. In this autologous immunotherapy, patient-derived T cells are genetically engineered and then infused back to kill the leukemia cells. The observed response rates in ALL are a testament to the success of this therapy. However, there have been instances where the patients either did not respond or relapsed after initial response. Emergence of resistance due to antigen loss and T-cell exhaustion has been observed. This poses a challenge in making this therapy successful for every ALL patient and warrants deeper understanding of emergence of resistance and potential approaches to overcome them. Here we discuss current perspectives and advances in this area.
Power Curve Analytic for Wind Turbine Performance Monitoring and Prognostics

The manufacturer-provided power curve for a wind turbine indicates the expected power output for a given wind speed and air density. This work presents a performance analytic that uses the measured power and the power curve to compute a residual power. Because the power curve is not site-specific, the residual is masked by it and other external factors as well as by degradation in performance of worn or failing components. We delineate operational regimes and develop statistical condition indicators to adaptively trend turbine performance and isolate failing components. The approach is extended to include legacy wind turbines for which we may not have a manufacturer‘s power curve. In such cases, an empirical approach is used to establish a baseline for the power curve. The approach is demonstrated using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system data from two wind turbines owned by different operators.
Face identity selectivity in the deep neural network and human brain

A central challenge in face perception research is to understand how neurons encode various face identities. However, this challenge has not been met largely due to the lack of simultaneous access to the activity of the entire face processing neural network as well as the lack of a comprehensive multifaceted model that is able to characterize a large number of facial features. In this study, we address this challenge by conducting in silico experiments using a deep neural network (DNN) capable of face recognition with a diverse array of stimuli. We identified a subset of DNN neurons selective to face identities, and these identity-selective neurons demonstrated generalized discriminability to novel faces not involved in the training and in many different styles. Visualization of the network explained the response of the DNN neurons and manipulation of the network confirmed the importance of identity-selective neurons in face recognition. Importantly, using our human single-neuron recordings, we directly compared the response of artificial neurons with 490 real human neurons to the same stimuli and found that artificial neurons did share a similar representation of facial features as human neurons. We also observed a novel region-based feature coding mechanism in DNN neurons as in human neurons, which may explain how the DNN performs face recognition. Together, by directly linking between artificial and human neurons, our results shed light on how human neurons encode face identities.
Utilization of Rituximab for Refractory Rowell Syndrome.

Rowell syndrome describes the occurrence of erythema multiforme-like lesions in patients with cutaneous lesions of lupus erythematosus. The clinical picture of atypical erythema multiforme-like lesions, presence of chilblains, speckled ANA pattern, anti-Ro/SSA, or anti-La/SSB antibodies, and absence of infectious or pharmacologic triggers in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus are some of the classic clinical and serologic features. Histopathologic and serologic findings can help differentiate this process from erythema multiforme. We present a case of young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, end-stage renal disease due to lupus nephritis, and a remote history of Steven–Johnson syndrome due to sulfa allergy who presented to the hospital with a recurrent, progressive, targetoid erythematous rash involving more than 60% of her body surface area. Our patient had several hospitalizations in the recent past for this erythematous rash and had failed oral therapy with prednisone 1 mg/kg and hydroxychloroquine. In view of the minimal improvement and increasing severity and patient exhibiting early features of mast cell activation syndrome, the patient was treated with pulse intravenous glucocorticoids followed by rituximab with an excellent response. We highlight a unique case report of progressive Rowell syndrome refractory to standard of care with an excellent response to rituximab.
Diversity and Citizenship Education in Multicultural Nations

Migration within and across nation-states is a worldwide phenomenon. The movement of peoples across national boundaries is as old as the nation-state itself. However, never before in the history of the world has the movement of diverse racial, cultural, ethnic, religious, and language groups within and across nation-states been as numerous and rapid or raised such complex and difficult questions about citizenship, human rights, democracy, and education. Many worldwide trends and developments are challenging the notion of educating students to function in one nation-state. These trends include the ways in which people are moving back and forth across national borders, the rights of movement permitted by the European Union, and the rights codified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Phonetic vs. Phonological Lengthening in Affricates

Affricate consonants consist of two portions: stop closure and frication. Can these portions play different roles in phonetic and phonological processes? In this study, I address the question by probing the behavior of Hungarian affricates under lengthening. I measure the duration changes that affricates undergo in two types of lengthening processes: first, a phonetic process of final lengthening and second, a phonological process of gemination. I show that these two processes alter the internal structure of affricates in very different ways. The results suggest that the difference between phonetic and phonological processes is in fact deeper than a mere difference between “gradient” and “categorical” effects.
Iron-sulfur proteins hiding in plain sight.

Recent studies suggest that iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins may be unexpectedly abundant and functionally diverse in mammalian cells, but their identification still remains difficult. The use of informatics along with traditional spectroscopic analyses could be key to discovering new Fe-S proteins and validating their functional roles.
Digital enclosure: the privatization of standards and standardization

The concept of property rights and notions of public and private are social constructions with a long history. In western society, the term "enclosure" dates from 16/sup th/ century Britain, where the enclosure movement was used to describe the political economic process of the privatization of "pubic" or "common" land. This term has been recently appropriated in legal discourse as the 2/sup nd/ enclosure movement to describe the increasing privatization of knowledge and information as "intellectual" property in a new electronic information environment. We further apply this notion of digital enclosure: enclosure in the digital age, to a particular form of knowledge that has an inherently quasipublic nature, technical standards and the standardization process. Standards and the practice of standardization are vital to an industrial and technological society. Standardization practice has been institutionalized on a global basis over the past century and a half, but is undergoing significant challenge and change. It exists in the political economic environment of capitalism and market economics where there is a basic tension between competition and cooperation, resulting in an interweaving of three elements: standardization, intellectual property rights (IPR) and antitrust/competition policy. We explore current trends in standardization from the perspective of digital enclosure, including the rise of the consortia movement, IPR policy, business and commercial strategies, the open source movement, and technical innovation.
Direct injection ignition assisted alcohol engine

An experimental, direct injection (DI), alcohol-fueled, engine combustion system has been developed for application to diesel engines used in medium duty trucks. A single cylinder version of a 6.6L, 6-cylinder DI diesel engine was designed, built and tested. The baseline diesel engine had a helical port with a moderate swirl ratio of 2.74, a 16.3:1 compression ratio, and a multi-spray fuel injection system. The engine was converted to operate on ethanol and methanol fuels with provisions for spark or glow plug ignition assist. Compression ratio was increased to 19.3:1. A higher rate incline fuel injection pump and larger hole area nozzles were installed to accommodate the larger fuel volume flow rates with alcohol fuels. An experimental high energy, multi-strike ignition system was used to directly ignite one of four fuel-spray plumes. Combustion initiated from the first plume ignited the remaining three plumes via a proposed process of flame propagation from the initial ignition site followed by compression ignition of the peripheral regions of the plumes not yet in contract with the flame. Parametric studies were conducted to optimize ignition and injection system variables, and to examine the effect of increasing combustion chamber temperature levels via heated inlet air. The DImore » alcohol engine produced a 9 to 15% increase in full load BMEP, and a 1 to 1.5% reduction in energy consumption based on the EPA 13-mode transient cycle relative to the baseline DI diesel engine.« less
Zebrafish genetics and vertebrate heart formation

Forward-genetic analyses in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans have given us unprecedented insights into many developmental mechanisms. To study the formation of organs that contain cell types and structures not present in invertebrates, a vertebrate model system amenable to forward genetics would be very useful. Recent work shows that a newly initiated genetic approach in zebrafish is already making significant contributions to understanding the development of the vertebrate heart, an organ that contains several vertebrate-specific features. These and other studies point to the utility of the zebrafish system for studying a wide range of vertebrate-specific processes.
Model reduction and dynamic iteration for coupled nonlinear systems

The dynamical behavior of coupled systems is determined by different interconnected subsystems that are usually governed by entirely different physical laws and often act in different time and space scales. We discuss the simulation of coupled nonlinear systems using dynamic iteration combined with model order reduction. We also study the convergence of this approach and derive error estimates for approximate solutions.
Analysis of the Nectar Communication Processor

Nectar is a multicomputer built around a high-bandwidth crosspoint network. Nodes are connected to Nectar using network coprocessors (CABs) that do the protocol processing. The communication coprocessor is based on a general-purpose processor and runs a flexible runtime system. This allows us to offload application on the coprocessor and to experiment with different protocol implementations. An important network parameter for applications is the latency for short messages. In this paper we present an analysis of the CAB-CAB and host-host communication latency over Nectar for a number of communication protocols. We break up the latency and discuss how the components an influenced by the protocol implementation and node architecture.
Benchmark comparison of multiple process control strategies for lithographic CD control

In this paper, we present a study on the robustness comparison of several process feedbacks controllers. The feedbacks include those based on either EWMA or Kalman Filter estimation. In addition, a new multiple dimension feedback controller is introduced, which has a significantly improved robust stability and reduced sensitivity to unknown noise. In the robustness study, we assume model mismatch and unknown disturbances. Two issues of robustness are addressed in this paper, namely the region of model mismatch in which a process feedback is stable; and the H-infinity gain of the controlled process from unknown noise to the system performance. Simulations are shown to compare the performance of the feedbacks under model mismatch, system drifting, and random noise.
An efficient nonlinear relaxation technique for the three-dimensional, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations

An efficient implicit method for the computation of steady, three-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes flowfields is presented. A nonlinear iteration strategy based on planar Gauss-Seidel sweeps is used to drive the solution toward a steady state, with approximate factorization errors within a crossflow plane reduced by the application of a quasi-Newton technique. A hybrid discretization approach is employed, with flux-vector splitting utilized in the streamwise direction and central differences with artificial dissipation used for the transverse fluxes. Convergence histories and comparisons with experimental data are presented for several 3-D shock-boundary layer interactions. Both laminar and turbulent cases are considered, with turbulent closure provided by a modification of the Baldwin-Barth one-equation model. For the problems considered (175,000-325,000 mesh points), the algorithm provides steady-state convergence in 900-2000 CPU seconds on a single processor of a Cray Y-MP.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Chiral Separations with β‐Cyclodextrin Stationary Phase: I. Effect of Mobile Phase Composition

Abstract A series of coumarin‐based solutes, consisting of warfarin, coumachlor, coumafuryl, coumatetralyl, and 4‐hydroxycoumarin, are utilized to elucidate the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of chiral separations. These solutes are separated on a β‐cyclodextrin stationary phase with a polar‐organic mobile phase. Preliminary results demonstrate that the equilibration time is extremely long when the mobile phase consists of acetonitrile, methanol, or mixtures thereof. However, the equilibration time is substantially reduced when acetic acid or triethylamine modifiers are added. Linear isotherms are obtained when acid modifier is present, but nonlinear isotherms are obtained when no modifier or only amine modifier is present. The concentration of each component of the mobile phase is varied individually to observe the effects on the thermodynamic and kinetic behavior, including the retention factor, chiral selectivity, and kinetic mass transfer rate. In general, an increase in methanol or triethylamine c...
Multi-stage onboard inventory management policies for food and beverage items in cruise liner operations

Abstract We examine optimal policies for multi-stage replenishment of an onboard food and beverage (F&B) item for a cruise liner. Typically, in cruise liner operations, F&B items are ordered from suppliers before the final number of bookings is realized so as to take advantage of price discounts due to advanced contracting. Later, based on the realized headcount, F&B consumption distribution is updated, and subsequently, additional purchases can be made from local spot markets at the origin just prior to the departure and/or at an intermediate stop during the voyage. We investigate and identify optimal contracting and inventory replenishment policies that incorporate contracted and expedited purchasing schemes. We show that while optimal stock market replenishments follow base stock policies, optimal contracting decision can be derived from a piecewise cost function. We discuss insights from our results and propose future research opportunities for similar settings with multiple replenishment instants.
I'm Feeling Lucky: The Relationship Between Affect and Risk-Seeking in the Framing Effect

Engagement in risky behavior has traditionally been attributed to an underestimation of the associated risks, but recent perspectives suggest that affective reactions toward a risky option may better explain risk-seeking than risk perception. However, the precise relationship between emotion and risk-seeking remains unclear. The current set of studies elucidates the relationship between emotion and risk-seeking in risky choice framing, using a gambling task. In Study 1, reliance on emotion was related to risk-seeking, but goals to regulate emotion mitigated these effects. In Study 2, positive affect was associated with risk-seeking in loss frames, but unrelated to risk aversion in gain frames. Collectively, these findings indicate a general role for emotion reliance on risk-seeking and a specific role of positive affect on risk-seeking in the loss trials of the framing effect.
Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis

1. Susan Guralnick, MD 1. Stony Brook University Medical Center Stony Brook, NY Biliary Tract Disease in Children. McEvoy CF, Suchy FJ. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1996; 42: 75–98[OpenUrl][1] Cholelithiasis. Friedman JR, Crawford Kennedy M. eMedicine Specialties, Pediatrics: General Medicine, Gastroenterology. 2009. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic381.htm. Accessed June 2009 Cholecystitis. Hebra A, Miller M. eMedicine Specialties, Pediatrics: General Medicine, Gastroenterology. 2008. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/927340-overview. Accessed June 2009 Gallbladder Disease. O'Neill J, Grosfeld J, Fonkalsrud E. In: Principles of Pediatric Surgery. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004 Cholelithiasis is an uncommon occurrence in healthy children, with an incidence ranging from 0.15% to 0.22%. The condition is seen more frequently in children who have certain predisposing conditions. Cholelithiasis can occur at any age, including prenatally, but is most common during puberty. Females are at significantly higher risk, with an overall 4:1 female-to-male predominance that increases to 11 to 22:1 during adolescence. Gallstones form when bile is supersaturated with cholesterol or bilirubin to the point that the substances no longer are soluble. This effect, along with bile stasis, allows the cholesterol or calcium bilirubinate crystals to remain in the gallbladder (or ductal system for brown stones) long enough to … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPediatr%2BClin%2BNorth%2BAm.%26rft.volume%253D42%26rft.spage%253D75%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx
A novel composite film for detection and molecular weight determination of organic vapors

A novel vapor-sensitive composite film comprising cellulose acetate and a representative compound (1-n-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) from a Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts (GUMBOS) has been developed and characterized. The vapor sensing characteristics of the film is investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) transducer. The material exhibited greatly improved performance characteristics toward a number of organic vapors. It is demonstrated that the ratio of the change in resonance frequency (Δf) to the change in motional resistance (ΔR) is a concentration-independent quantity proportional to the molecular weight of the absorbed chemical species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show a direct relationship between Δf/ΔR and the molecular weight of analytes. This unique finding should prove extremely useful for easy identification and molecular weight determination of a broad range of chemical vapors.
The role of callosal connections in speech prosody

A 39-year-old right-handed woman suffered an aneurysmal hemorrhage damaging the anterior four-fifths of the corpus callosum as shown on MRI. Computer-aided acoustical analyses of fundamental frequency (Fo) contours and durational patterns were performed on emotive and nonemotive utterances at 4 weeks, 4 months, and 1 year postsurgery. The patient read sentences in each of five tones (happy, sad, angry, neutral, questioning) or with emphasis on certain words. She showed little Fo distinction with intended mood at 4 weeks, but her performance improved over time. This improvement in speech production was accompanied by an improvement in perceptual judgments of her intended tone by six normal listeners. Fo patterns characteristic of emphatic stress and question forms were found at all test periods, but again improved with time. Durationally, the patient showed appropriate emotive and nonemotive distinctions on most sentences. These results provide acoustic evidence that interhemispheric connections via the corpus callosum are important to proper Fo programming, especially emotive distinctions. The results suggest that the right hemisphere contributes to Fo programming but, following callosal damage, such programming can later be performed by the left hemisphere.
Ultrastructural studies of muscle cells and vascular endothelium immediately after freeze-thaw injury.

Abstract Little is known about the ultrastructural changes which occur in vascular endothelium immediately after an in vivo freezethaw insult, although most investigators will agree that tissue viability relates directly to the degree of vascular damage. In this study an electron microscopic examination of an in vivo model for frostbite injury was initiated. The horseradish peroxidase technique was utilized to follow early alterations in capillary flow and the independent effects of hypoxia, cooling to 2 °C, supercooling, and a single freeze-thaw insult were assessed. No precipitous changes in muscle cell mitochondria or capillary endothelium were detected as a result of brief hypoxia, cooling at 2 °C, or supercooling to −13 °C. Reducing the temperature by 1 °C/min until freezing occurred, continuing to cool for 10 min postheat of fusion, and rapidly rewarming resulted in consistent mitochondrial damage in muscle cells and marked degeneration of associated capillaries. Peroxidase injected iv prior to thawing was rarely localized in the capillaries of previously frozen muscle. Since peroxidase was found in the capillaries of unfrozen legs of the same animals, it is inferred that little or no flow occurred in most capillaries postthaw. Ultrastructural integrity of capillaries immediately after thawing may be a good index for predicting tissue loss. “In conducting the research described in this report, the investigators adhered to the ‘Guide for Laboratory Animal Facilities and Care,’ as promulgated by the Committee on the Guide for Laboratory Animal Facilities and Care of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council.”
Plasmonic external cavity laser refractometric sensor

Combining the high sensitivity properties of surface plasmon resonance refractive index sensing with a tunable external cavity laser, we demonstrate a plasmonic external cavity laser (ECL) for high resolution refractometric sensing. The plasmonic ECL utilizes a plasmonic crystal with extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) as the wavelength-selective element, and achieves single mode lasing at the transmission peak of the EOT resonance. The plasmonic ECL refractometric sensor maintains the high sensitivity of a plasmonic crystal sensor, while simultaneously providing a narrow spectral linewidth through lasing emission, resulting in a record high figure of merit for refractometric sensing with an active or passive optical resonator. We demonstrate single-mode and continuous-wave operation of the electrically-pumped laser system, and show the ability to measure refractive index changes with a 3σ detection limit of 1.79 × 10−6 RIU. The demonstrated approach is a promising path towards label-free optical biosensing with enhanced signal-to-noise ratios for challenging applications in small molecule drug discovery and pathogen sensing.
Gestational Weight Gain and Adverse Neonatal Outcome Among Term Infants

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between gestational weight gain and adverse neonatal outcomes among infants born at term (37 weeks or more). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 20,465 nondiabetic, term, singleton births. We performed univariable and multivariable analyses of the associations between gestational weight gain and neonatal outcomes. We categorized gestational weight gain by the Institute of Medicine guidelines as well as extremes of gestational weight gain (less than 7 kg and more than 18 kg). RESULTS: Gestational weight gain above the Institute of Medicine guidelines was more common than gestational weight gain below (43.3% compared with 20.1%). In multivariable analyses, gestational weight gain above guidelines was associated with a low 5-minute Apgar score (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.76), seizure (AOR 6.50, 95% CI 1.43– 29.65), hypoglycemia (AOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06–2.16), polycythemia (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.06–1.94), meconium aspiration syndrome (AOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.12–2.86), and large for gestational age (AOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.74–2.25) compared with women within weight gain guidelines. Gestational weight gain below guidelines was associated with decreased odds of neonatal intensive care unit admission (AOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.46–0.96) and increased odds of small for gestational age (SGA; AOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.44– 1.92). Gestational weight gain less than 7 kg was associated with increased risk of seizure, hospital stay more than 5 days, and SGA. Gestational weight gain more than 18 kg was associated with assisted ventilation, seizure, hypoglycemia, polycythemia, meconium aspiration syndrome, and large for gestational age. CONCLUSION: Gestational weight gain above guidelines was common and associated with multiple adverse neonatal outcomes, whereas gestational weight gain below guidelines was only associated with SGA status. Public health efforts among similar populations should emphasize prevention of excessive gestational weight gain. (Obstet Gynecol 2006;108:635–43) LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
Unexplained Pulmonary Hypertension in Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders

Abstract Aim To investigate the potential association between the chronic myeloid disorders (CMDs), including the chronic myeloproliferative disorders, and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods Retrospective chart review of patients who had received diagnoses of both CMD and PH. Patients with a known cause of PH were excluded. The diagnosis of a CMD was based on established criteria. The diagnosis of PH was based on echocardiographic data or right heart catheterization data. Results Twenty-six patients satisfied the criteria for both a CMD and PH. Twelve patients had myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis (MMM), 5 patients had essential thrombocythemia (ET), 6 patients had polycythemia vera, 2 patients had a myelodysplastic syndrome, and 1 patient had chronic myeloid leukemia. Twenty-two patients (92%) received treatment for their CMDs, which included therapy with hydroxyurea (18 patients), anagrelide (7 patients), and busulfan (3 patients). PH was diagnosed a median of 8 years after recognition of the CMD (range, 0 to 26 years). The median right ventricular systolic pressure (RVsys) was 71 mm Hg (range, 32 to 105 mm Hg). RVsys correlated with the platelet count in patients with MMM ( r = 0.30) and ET ( r = 0.6) and with the hemoglobin levels in patients with PV ( r = 0.77). Treatment of CMD did not seem to affect the severity of the pulmonary artery pressures as measured by serial echocardiography. With a median survival time of 18 months after the diagnosis of PH, the cause of death in the majority of the patients was cardiopulmonary. Conclusions The current study suggests a higher than expected incidence of PH in patients with MMM, PV, and ET. Prognosis in such a setting is poor and may not be influenced by aggressive treatment of the underlying hematologic disorder.
Synchronous unilateral parotid neoplasms of different histologic types.

Synchronous parotid neoplasms are rare. Unilateral, synchronous neoplasms of two separate and histologically distinct types are extremely unusual. Our review of the literature revealed 31 previously reported cases. We add two additional cases found in 291 parotid neoplasms seen in our institutions over the last 10 years; both including a pleomorphic adenoma and a War-thin's tumor. This combination was found in 15 of 33 cases, while Warthin's tumors were found in association with another tumor in 24 of 33 reported cases (82%).
Insulin Induces Dephosphorylation of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α and Restores Protein Synthesis in Vulnerable Hippocampal Neurons after Transient Brain Ischemia

Brain reperfusion causes prompt, severe, and prolonged protein synthesis suppression and increased phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α [eIF2α(P)] in hippocampal CA1 and hilar neurons, The authors hypothesized that eIF2α(P) dephosphorylation would lead to recovery of protein synthesis. Here the effects of insulin, which activates phosphatases, were examined by immunostaining for eIF2α(P) and autoradiography of in vivo35S amino acid incorporation. Rats resuscitated from a 10-minute cardiac arrest were given 0, 2, 10 or 20U/kg of intravenous insulin, underwent reperfusion for 90 minutes, and were perfusion fixed. Thirty minutes before perfusion fixation, control and resuscitated animals received 500 μCi/kg of 35S methionine/cysteine. Alternate 30-μm brain sections were autoradiographed or immunostained for eIF2α(P). Controls had abundant protein synthesis and no eIF2α(P) in hippocampal neurons. Untreated reperfused neurons in the CA1, hilus, and dentate gyrus had intense staining for eIF2α(P) ...
Formation and structure of epitaxial nickel silicide on Si{111}

A LEED (low-energy electron diffraction) study of the reaction of very thin Ni films on Si{111} suggests the existence of a threshold coverage of Ni for the formation of Ni${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$. If the initial Ni coverage is 6 monolayers or less, high-temperature anneals at 900-1200\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C for times of a few seconds up to a few minutes produce a 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 structure. The LEED spectra from this structure are practically identical to those of the quenched "1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1" phase that can be obtained by quenching from high to room temperature the 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 phase of clean Si{111}. If the initial Ni coverage is higher than 6 monolayers then the above high-temperature anneals produce epitaxial Ni${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$. The top layer of the Ni${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}${111} film contains only Si atoms; the second layer contains only Ni atoms. The first interlayer spacing is contracted approximately 25% with respect to the bulk value.
Evaluation of peritoneal membrane pore models

Pore models of peritoneal fluid and solute transport are reviewed and critiqued. Although several pore models of the peritoneal membrane have been previously formulated, a model containing three distinct pore sizes is required to accurately simulate both the molecular size dependence of solute transport and the time dependence of fluid transport during peritoneal dialysis in man. Nevertheless, certain observations from peritoneal dialysis experiments using animals do not agree with predictions from the three-pore model. These discrepancies suggest that the three-pore model of peritoneal transport based exclusively on capillary physiology is incomplete. Moreover, our inability to accurately estimate peritoneal reflection coefficients for small osmotic solutes questions whether lymph flow rates from the peritoneal cavity calculated using the three-pore model are reliable. Further experimental and theoretical studies are needed to obtain a better understanding of peritoneal transport physiology.
Impact of Nitrogen Implantation on Highly Reliable Sub-Quarter-Micron Metal Oxide Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) with Lightly Doped Drain Structure

We studied the effects of nitrogen implantation in the SiO2 sidewall spacer in detail in order to improve in the reliability of lightly doped drain (LDD) metal oxide field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), since the hot carrier degradation of LDD MOSFETs remains one of major issues even in the sub-quarter-micron region. It was found that nitrogen implantation in the SiO2 sidewall spacer can effectively suppress the hot carrier degradation of the LDD structure because the nitrogen atoms are segregated at the interface between the sidewall SiO2 and the Si substrate. This segregation can reduce the generation of interface states or electron traps in the sidewall spacer without causing gate depletion or an increase in gate resistance. Highly reliable sub-quarter-micron LDD N-MOSFETs can be realized using this nitrogen implantation technique.
Reliability of Video-Tape Interviewing.

12 normal male and 12 female Ss tested twice within approximately 24 hr. on a Standardized Video-tape Interview showed high reliability in temporal speech characteristics (rs = .57 to 99). The potential of the use of such an instrument as a tool in clinical research is discussed.