cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of severe injuries between powered and nonpowered scooters among children aged 2 to 12 in the United States

OBJECTIVE: A substantial increase in the number of nonpowered and powered scooter injuries since 2000 has occurred in the United States. Because of differences in weight and operational speed between scooter types, it is possible that the type and severity of injuries may differ. The purpose of the current study is to compare demographics and injury characteristics between scooter types, focusing on differences in injury severity. METHODS: The 2002-2006 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System provided information about individuals aged 2 to 12 years who sought treatment at an emergency department due to powered or nonpowered scooter-related injury in the United States. We defined severe injury as an injury resulting in the hospitalization, staying in the hospital for observation, or transfer of the injured patient. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex, age, and geographic location in which the injury occurred, estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between scooter type and severe injury. RESULTS: There were an estimated 15 752 and 185 007 injuries related to powered and nonpowered scooters, respectively. Powered scooter-related injuries were over 3 times as likely to be severe (OR 3.57, 95% CI, 1.91-6.65). This association was more prominent among females (OR 5.80, 95% CI, 2.02-16.63) than males (OR 2.90, 95% CI, 1.44-5.82). CONCLUSION: Data suggest that, compared with nonpowered scooter-related injuries, powered scooter-related injuries are more often severe. This association is stronger among females than males. The higher risk of severe injury due to powered scooter use could result from increases in concussions and hip and lower extremity injuries. Language: en
Relationship Between Prereferral Periodontal Care and Periodontal Status at Time of Referral

Background: According to a recent study, the severity of periodontal disease of individuals referred for periodontal care is greater now than in 1980. Variability in the standard of periodontal care in general dental practices may result in less than desirable outcomes and consequences of poorer periodontal health.Methods: A sample of 100 newly referred dental patients from three separate periodontal practices in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area participated in this study. Data were collected from three sources: 1) a clinical chart audit, 2) current periodontal disease status as determined by clinical examination, and 3) a patient response questionnaire on past professional care and personal oral care habits. Bivariate analyses were performed using a statistical package.Results: Of the 100 subjects, 74 were diagnosed as periodontal case type IV at the point of referral, of which 29.8% were treatment planned by the periodontist for two or more extractions. Teeth treatment planned for extraction were ...
Feeding behaviors of low-income mothers: directive control relates to a lower BMI in children, and a nondirective control relates to a healthier diet in preschoolers

BACKGROUND A topic of interest in the etiology of child obesity is whether and how parental feeding behaviors are associated with the food intake and weight status of children. OBJECTIVE The objective was to explore whether and how directive (overt) and nondirective (covert and food environmental structure) types of parental feeding control were associated with children's food intake and weight status. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional exploratory study using structural equation modeling to determine directional associations between maternal feeding practices and children's food intake and weight status. Researchers collected data from 330 dyads of children aged 3-5 y and mothers participating in a federal preschool program for low-income families (Head Start) in Michigan. The mothers' feeding practices (directive and nondirective control), the children's food intakes, and the height and weight of both the mothers and children were measured. Structural equation models tested the relations between maternal feeding practices, the children's food intake, and weight status. RESULTS The structural equation model confirmed that children's weight status was inversely associated with mothers' directive control, and mothers' nondirective control was associated with children's intakes of more nutrient-dense foods and less energy-dense foods. No association was found between the mothers' directive control and the children's food intakes. CONCLUSIONS Mothers' use of nondirective feeding practices was associated with children's intakes of more nutrient-dense foods. However, use of more directive feeding control was associated with lower weight status in preschoolers of low-income mothers. These findings need to be examined in longitudinal studies. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01525186.
Effect of storage media on human periodontal ligament cell apoptosis.

– The ability of storage media to preserve periodontal ligament (PDL) cell vitality has been previously evaluated. However, the mechanisms by which different storage conditions alter the functional status of PDL cells have not been determined. The purpose of the present study was to investigate, in vitro, the level of programed cell death or apoptosis in a population of PDL cells following storage under different conditions. Primary human PDL cells were plated into 24-well-culture plates and allowed to attach for 24 h. Cells were then exposed for 1 h to milk, Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS), Soft Wear contact lens solution or Gatorade at room temperature or on ice. Culture medium was used as a negative control. Apoptosis was evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment on quadruplicate samples by using the ST 160 ApopTag Fluorescein Direct In Situ Detection Kit. The total number of cells and the total number of apoptotic cells were counted. The results indicated that at 24 and 72 h, PDL treated with Gatorade and the contact lens solution displayed the highest percentages of apoptotic cells when compared with the other treatment groups at room temperature. Overall, cells treated on ice showed significantly lower levels of apoptosis when compared with treatments at room temperature. In conclusion, the results indicated that apoptosis plays a major role in cell death in cells treated with Gatorade and contact lens solutions in comparison to other storage solutions and that storage on ice can inhibit programed cell death.
Non-coding RNAs and cancer: microRNAs and beyond

Non-coding RNAs were previously thought to have little importance because they are not directly translated into a protein like their coding counterparts. However, it was recently found that non-coding RNAs do in fact have a much bigger role than previously thought. They are involved in cancer predisposition, development and progression. MicroRNAs, very short non-coding RNAs, are abnormally expressed in cancer and some harbor mutations that affect expression levels. MicroRNA alterations have been observed in all forms of cancer that have been researched to the current date. MicroRNAs are also located in cancer- associated genomic regions, which have been previously shown to affect gene expression leading to the activation or inhibition of cancer growth. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms within microRNAs can predispose someone to cancer. MicroRNAs have been shown to target both tumor suppressors, inhibiting cancer development, as well as oncogenes, stimulating cancer development. Some microRNAs can switch between these two functions and behave as a tumor suppressor at one time and an oncogene at another time. MicroRNAs can be used for diagnostic purposes as well as prognostic evaluations. Outside of microRNAs, ultraconserved genes, another group of non-coding RNAs, also express differently in cancer patients. Large intervening non-coding RNAs, specifically one termed HOTAIR, have been quantified in very high levels in cancer cells and have been implicated in metastasis. Further research into noncoding RNAs may allow for the development of therapies that will target non-coding RNAs creating better treatment options for cancer patients, improving their prognosis. This review discusses the most current discoveries about non-coding RNAs, revealing their associations with cancer.
Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin analog RC-160 inhibit the growth of the OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line xenografted into nude mice.

The effects of antagonists of GHRH and the somatostatin analog RC-160 on the growth of OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancer cells xenografted into nude mice were investigated. Treatment with 20μ g/day of the GHRH antagonist JV-1-36 or MZ-5-156 and 60 μg/day of the somatostatin analog RC-160 for 25 days decreased tumor volume by 70.9% (P < 0.01), 58.3% (P< 0.05), and 60.6% (P < 0.01), respectively, vs. the control value. The levels of GH in serum were decreased in all of the treated groups, but only RC-160 significantly reduced serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The levels of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for IGF-I and -II and for their receptors in OV-1063 tumors were investigated by multiplex RT-PCR. No expression of mRNA for IGF-I was detected, but treatment with JV-1-136 caused a 51.8% decrease (P < 0.05) in the level of mRNA for IGF-II in tumors. Exposure of OV-1063 cells cultured in vitro to GHRH, IGF-I, or IGF-II significantly (P < 0.05) stimulated cell growth, but 10−5 mol/L JV-1-36...
Toward a critical framework for understanding MNE operations: Revisiting Coca-Cola’s exit from India

The exit of Coca-Cola from India in the 1970s has been extensively used in IB textbooks as illustrating the challenges faced by MNEs in difficult political/regulatory environments. In this article, we use critical hermeneutics to challenge the conventional understanding and interpretation of the event. Instead, an understanding of the macro-economic and historical context suggests that the company had other options available to it and may have lost a valuable opportunity due to inflexible policies. IB textbooks should be wary of falling prey to naive managerialism and instead provide a critical understanding of the operations within a larger context to their readers.
Injuries: An Underrecognized Lifestyle Problem

This article introduces the field of injury prevention and control and its relationship to lifestyle medicine. A review of injury epidemiology, definitions, intervention approaches, and the importance of injury as a public health problem are discussed. Injuries are a large, predictable, and preventable national and international problem affecting individuals, families, and communities. Behavioral, environmental, and technological solutions are necessary to reduce or eliminate injuries. Reductions in injuries and their costs to patients and their families are possible but will need support, collaboration, and partnering from policy makers, clinicians, and health care practitioners. Lifestyle medicine and primary care family practitioners are important allies in encouraging lifestyle choices that reduce injuries and in advocating for medical and public health policies related to injury prevention. Injuries should be added to the broad range of conditions resulting from lifestyle choices, and primary caregiv...
Hepatic Free Fatty Acids in Alcoholic Liver Disease and Morbid Obesity

Alcoholic liver disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat and inflammatory changes in the liver. Because free fatty acids, the precursors of triglycerides, can damage biological membranes, accumulation of free fatty acids in the liver might be in part responsible for the functional and morphological changes seen in alcoholic liver disease. We, therefore, determined the hepatic lipid composition in biopsies from 31 patients with alcoholic liver disease, 18 patients with morbid obesity, and 5 patients without evidence of liver disease. Free fatty acids were found in all liver biopsies. Patients with morbid obesity or alcoholic liver disease had significantly higher fatty acid and triglyceride levels than did controls (p less than 0.01). Patients with alcoholic liver disease had significantly higher fatty acid levels than did patients with morbid obesity (p less than 0.05), while there was no difference in the triglyceride concentrations between these two groups. The distribution of the fatty acids in the free fatty acid fraction differed significantly from that in the triglyceride fraction indicating a preferential incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids into triglycerides. This difference in the distribution pattern was lost in patients with the most severe forms of alcoholic liver disease. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that accumulation of free fatty acids in patients with alcoholic liver disease may be responsible for or contribute to the observed functional and morphological damages.
Establishing Final Infarct Volume Stroke Lesion Evolution Past 30 Days Is Insignificant

Background and Purpose— Lesion volume measured on MRI has been used as an objective surrogate marker for outcome in clinical trials. However, lesion volumes vary over time because of edema and tissue loss. This study aims to determine if lesion volumes measured at 30 and 90 days after ictus significantly differ. Methods— We performed a retrospective study of 18 patients who had acute (<24 hours) DWI and follow-up fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging at 5, 30, and 90 days. Two expert readers segmented lesions and the mean volumes of both reads were used in all statistical analyses. Results— Patient age was 65.8 (SD, 13.7) years and median NIHSS at baseline was 11.5. Inter-rater variability for lesion volume measurements was 3.7 (5.8) mL. Acute DWI volume was 19.3 (17.3) mL. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery volumes for 5, 30, and 90 days were 34.3 (23.5), 18.6 (14.0), and 15.9 (13.8) mL, respectively. These volumes differed significantly (P<0.001). Linear regression revealed a strong correlation (...
Electrostriction enhancement of solid-state capacitance sensing

This paper analyzes the performance of a solid-state capacitance sensor that extends classical modeling to incorporate an electrostriction model of isotropic linear elastic dielectrics. A capacitance sensor which incorporates an elastic dielectric layer between the electrodes exhibits higher sensitivity and is more robust than its air-gap or vacuum-gap counterparts. Sensors with polyester and urethane polymer dielectric layers are tested for the response to normal loads and are compared with air-gap setups of same geometry. Experimental data suggest that the solid-state sensor has linear response in loads range up to six orders of magnitude and demonstrates a two to three times stronger output signal than air-gap designs. Potential for future development and application of solid capacitance sensors is discussed.
Calcium phosphate decontamination of stainless steel surfaces

A primary constituent in high-temperature (120–140°C) milk fouling residues is calcium phosphate in the form of calcium phosphate dihydrate (brushite, CaHPO4 · 2H2O) and hydroxyapatite [Ca5(PO4)3OH]. The removal of these mineral-rich deposits from stainless steel occurs by dissolution and mechanical cleaning. This research uses a novel solid scintillation technique to noninvasively and continuously investigate the removal of P32-labeled mixtures of calcium phosphate from inner surface of stainless steel tubes. The proposed mass-transfer model suggests that the film is initialy removed by dissolution, when compared to the experimental results. An alternative first-order model presented includes the effects of the solvent flow rate and solvent pH on decontamination rates. This model agrees with the experimental cleaning data over the range of pH and flow rates studied.
Designing logic circuits for probabilistic computation in the presence of noise

As Si CMOS devices are scaled down into the nanoscale regime, current computer architecture approaches are reaching their practical limits. Future nano-architectures confront devices and interconnections with a large number of inherent defects, which motivates the search for new architectural paradigms. In this paper, we examine probabilistic-based design methodologies for nanoscale computer architectures based on Markov random fields (MRF). The MRF approach can express arbitrary logic circuits and the logic operation is achieved by maximizing the probability of correct state configurations in the logic network depending on the interaction of neighboring circuit nodes. The computation proceeds via probabilistic propagation of states through the circuit. Crucially, the MRF logic can be implemented in modified CMOS-based circuitry that trades off circuit area and operation speed for the crucial fault tolerance and noise immunity. This paper builds on the recent demonstration that significant immunity to faulty individual devices or dynamically occurring signal errors can be achieved by the propagation of state probabilities over an MRF network. In particular, we are interested in CMOS-based circuits that work reliably at very low supply voltages (V/sup DD/ = 0.1-0.2 V), where standard CMOS would fail due to thermal and crosstalk noise, and transistor threshold variation. In this paper, we present results for simulated probabilistic test circuits for elementary logic components and well as small circuits taken from the MCNC91 benchmark suite and we show greatly improved noise immunity operating at very low V/sup DD/. The MRF framework extends to all levels of a design, where formally optimum probabilistic computation can be implemented as a natural element of the processing structure.
The Reading Wars

This article’s fundamental argument is that the reading instruction and reading research have been shaped by political forces desiring to privilege particular approaches to instruction or particular combinations of methodological and epistemological perspectives on research. The swings in both dominant pedagogies and dominant research paradigms are analyzed in terms of these determining forces. The article concludes by championing balance and compatibility across both instructional approaches and research methods in the hope of arresting the pendulum swings that have characterized the field for too many decades.
Collective control of the timing and type of comb construction by honey bees (Apis mellifera)

This review considers how a honey bee colony optimally controls the timing and type of new comb construction. Optimal timing requires bees to balance the energy costs of construction with the opportunity costs of lacking storage space during nectar flows. They do so by conditioning the start of building on (1) the attainment of a fullness threshold, and (2) the availability of nectar. A dynamic optimization model has suggested that this rule is slightly suboptimal, but may compensate for this by its simplicity and generality. The emergence of this collective strategy from the decisions of individual bees is poorly understood, but recent experiments have cast doubt on the long-standing idea that building is triggered by increased distension of the crops of nest bees. Bees also regulate the relative amounts of drone and worker comb in their nests, with important consequences for their sex investment strategy. Regulation depends on the inhibitory effect of drone comb on further drone comb construction, mediated through a decentralized process requiring that workers have direct contact with the comb. Contact by the queen is not required, nor is the presence of drone brood, although the latter may enhance the strength of inhibition. honey bee / comb / drone / decentralized control / life history / self-organization
Blogging and Environmental Advocacy: A New Way to Engage the Public?

While there is a growing literature on weblogs (or “blogs”), most studies focus on a few high profile blogs, or on blogs written by individuals. This study assesses the little-researched area of organizational blogging through a content analysis of blogs by 40 national-level environmental organizations. I examine the general purposes that these blogs serve and the extent to which organizational blogs differ from traditional websites. Additionally, I explore two blog features—interactivity and personalized content—that offer the potential to strengthen the connections between group leaders and their supporters. I find that groups use their blogs primarily to inform readers about policy developments and news headlines, but that the level of interactivity between blog authors and readers is low. Thus, while the potential exists for blogs to enhance grassroots support for environmental groups, that potential is far from being realized.
H=C 3 (The three C's of Global Harmonization)

In order to ensure the proper harmonization of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) with other systems and air traffic modernization efforts around the world, we must: Collaborate with our global peers and partners, pooling our intellectual talents to develop globally viable standards; Cooperate within and across the regions of the world to ensure synchronized investments and operational improvements; and Coordinate our efforts with any and all stakeholders to implement a truly global Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Organization (ATO) International Office is working on the following five key activities to collaborate, cooperate, and coordinate with the global community to harmonize NextGen with other efforts being developed around the world. This paper will elaborate on each and provide insight into the ATO International Strategy document that captures the associated work.
Meso-scale study of non-linear tensile response and fiber trellising mechanisms in woven composites:

The non-linear deformation response of plain woven carbon fiber-reinforced composites is experimentally studied at meso-scales. Stereovision digital image correlation is utilized to capture the full-field strain distribution over a 10 × 10 mm2 area of interest located at the center of the specimens. The evolution of local strains on the fiber bundles and matrix-rich regions as a function of loading is extracted. The effect of fiber orientation angle on fiber bundles stretch ratio and their angle of rotation (fiber trellising) and the related underlying failure mechanisms are analyzed using the measured full-field displacement data. The results indicate that the local load-bearing mechanisms are different in on-axis and off-axis loading conditions, whereas the larger global failure strain noticed in off-axis conditions is attributed to the occurrence of fiber rotation. The fiber trellising is also shown to promote high local shear strain and consequently leads to the protrusion of the matrix material on th...
A metabolica and anatomic study of a case of Noonan's syndrome with intestinal lymphangiectasia

A metabolica and anatomic study of a case of Noonan's syndrome with intestinal lymphangiectasia
The Right Profile? An Examination of Race-based Pharmacological Treatment of Hypertension

Racial profiling has been increasingly cited in the clinical and social science literatures to describe race-based differences in medical diagnoses and treatment. However, the extent to which racia...
Flow Field Structures behind a 3D Wing in an Oscillating Freestream

Vortical structures in the separated flow and near-wake regions behind a threedimensional wing in an oscillating freestream and a pitching two-dimensional flat plate are documented using particle image velocimetry. The phase-averaged vorticity field is used to compute the circulation around the wing. Three different angles of attack were studied corresponding to fully attached, partially attached and fully separated flows. The effect of the freestream oscillation frequency on the circulation around the semi-circular wing is compared to measurements of the fluctuating lift. In a separate experiment the flow field on the suction surface of the two-dimensional flat plate was documented during a pitch-up, hold, then pitch-down maneuver in a steady flow. The spanwise variation in the flow structure over the wing was documented.
Effect of hydrocortisone and insulin on uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid by isolated perfused rat liver.

In this study both hydrocortisone and insulin were shown to increase the uptake of a nonmetabolizable amino acid, α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), by the isolated perfused rat liver. DNA-dependent RNA synthesis was inhibited by actinomycin D to determine whether the effects of these hormones on transport were independent of their actions on the transcription of genetic information. Actinomycin D inhibited enzyme induction by hydrocortisone approximately 90% without affecting the increase in AIB transport. However, approximately half of the insulin effect on AIB transport was blocked by actinomycin D. The effect of hydrocortisone on the uptake of AIB was completely inhibited by phenoxybenzamine (PBZ), an adrenergic blocking agent. The action of insulin on AIB uptake was not affected by PBZ. Hydrocortisone and insulin together exerted an additive effect on the hepatic uptake of AIB. Both hormones act directly (but apparently at different sites) to increase the AIB uptake by the liver. Most of the steroid action and approximately half of the insulin action appears to be independent of any effect these hormones have on DNA-dependent RNA synthesis in the liver.
Irreversible Wash Aid Additive for Cesium Mitigation. Small-Scale Demonstration and Lessons Learned

The Irreversible Wash Aid Additive process has been under development by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne). This process for radioactive cesium mitigation consists of a solution to wash down contaminated structures, roadways, and vehicles and a sequestering agent to bind the radionuclides from the wash water and render them environmentally immobile. The purpose of this process is to restore functionality to basic services and immediately reduce the consequences of a radiologically-contaminated urban environment. Research and development have resulted in a down-selection of technologies for integration and demonstration at the pilot-scale level as part of the Wide Area Recovery and Resiliency Program (WARRP) under the Department of Homeland Security and the Denver Urban Area Security Initiative. As part of developing the methods for performing a pilot-scale demonstration at the WARRP conference in Denver in 2012, Argonne conducted small-scale field experiments at Separmatic Systems. The main purpose of these experiments was to refine the wash water collection and separations systems and demonstrate key unit operations to help in planning for the large scale demonstration in Denver. Since the purpose of these tests was to demonstrate the operations of the system, we used no radioactive materials. Aftermore » a brief set of experiments with the LAKOS unit to familiarize ourselves with its operation, two experiments were completed on two separate dates with the Separmatic systems.« less
Direct Structural Identification of Gas Induced Gate-Opening Coupled with Commensurate Adsorption in a Microporous Metal–Organic Framework

Gate-opening is a unique and interesting phenomenon commonly observed in flexible porous frameworks, where the pore characteristics and/or crystal structures change in response to external stimuli such as adding or removing guest molecules. For gate-opening that is induced by gas adsorption, the pore-opening pressure often varies for different adsorbate molecules and, thus, can be applied to selectively separate a gas mixture. The detailed understanding of this phenomenon is of fundamental importance to the design of industrially applicable gas-selective sorbents, which remains under investigated due to the lack of direct structural evidence for such systems. We report a mechanistic study of gas-induced gate-opening process of a microporous metal–organic framework, [Mn(ina)2] (ina=isonicotinate) associated with commensurate adsorption, by a combination of several analytical techniques including single crystal X-ray diffraction, in situ powder X-ray diffraction coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (XRD-DSC), and gas adsorption–desorption methods. Our study reveals that the pronounced and reversible gate opening/closing phenomena observed in [Mn(ina)2] are coupled with a structural transition that involves rotation of the organic linker molecules as a result of interaction of the framework with adsorbed gas molecules including carbon dioxide and propane. The onset pressure to open the gate correlates with the extent of such interaction.
Religion and Politics in a Southwestern City: The Case of Exeter

Exeter, like Bedford, favoured men with local connexions. James Wentworth Buller (1798–1865), the sitting liberal member since 1830, belonged to a prominent political family in the southwest: indeed, no fewer than 16 Bullers (as well as a Buller-Elphinstone and a BullerYarde-Buller) sat for constituencies in Cornwall, West Looe, East Looe, North Devon, South Devon, Devonport, Totnes, Launceston, Liskeard, or Exeter in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and one more Buller stood unsuccessfully for Helston.1 In the last decade of the eighteenth century, the family had also furnished the cathedral city one bishop.2 The two other candidates for Exeter were local men, as well: Edward Divett (1797–1864) and William Webb Follett (1798–1845), a county magistrate and a successful attorney,3 respectively, stood for the borough’s liberal and conservative interests.
Product Redesign for Improved Value Recovery via Disassembly Bottleneck Identification and Removal

Abstract Making progress towards a circular economy requires the reuse of material/components to realize their maximum utility. Integrating end-of-life (EOL) considerations into the design of products will greatly facilitate the recovery of material/components at EOL, and enable their reintroduction into new product life cycles. Past research has largely employed qualitative or single objective oriented approaches for environmental product design. This paper presents a quantitative method for value recovery, in which disassembly bottlenecks are identified and removed by improving upon an existing design. The approach determines the value that can be recovered from EOL products through different EOL options. For a given EOL scenario, major bottlenecks are generally associated with joints, material incompatibility, and product architecture. Once the bottlenecks to rapid, cost effective dismantling of EOL products are identified, different design changes are considered to reduce the time/cost required to recover components/materials. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, a hard disk drive is used as a case study.
A Qualitative Analysis of Adventurous Activities Among OEF/OIF Veterans

Semistructured interviews qualitatively explored Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans' experience of activities that provide a rush or thrill, reasons for/against engaging in...
Impact of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Admission on Family Financial Status and Productivity: A Pilot Study

Objective:A child’s pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission may have wide-ranging family implications. We assessed nonmedical out-of-pocket expenses (NMOOPEs) and disruptions in work and normal life for parents with a child admitted to the PICU for at least 2 days with acute, new onset, or exacerbation of a critical condition.Design:We conducted a prospective, single-center study; administered a daily verbal response survey on NMOOPEs; stratified families by annual income ( $100 000); and calculated daily expenditures (DEs), estimated daily budgets (DBs), and percentage of NMOOPEs (%DE/DB). We used a modified caregiver version of the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Scale to assess the impact of PICU admission on work-related and normal life activities.Setting:The PICU in an academic, tertiary medical center in the United States.Patients:Patients admitted to PICU.Interventions:None.Measurements and Main Results:The study included 38 families, with median length of PIC...
Strabismus in Thyroid Eye Disease

Strabismus in thyroid eye disease and the resulting diplopia represent one of the most functionally disabling aspects of the condition. It may occur from inflammation and subsequent fibrosis of the extraocular muscles (EOM), decompensation of underlying phorias due to orbital changes, or from mechanical factors after orbital decompression. The efficacy of early nonsurgical treatment in preventing strabismus from developing is being explored, but no standard regimen has proven, reliable efficacy. Because the EOM become abnormal, strabismus surgery is more challenging than in other types of adult-onset strabismus, and multiple operations are not uncommon. A number of methods for improving surgical results have been proposed, but an optimal strategy does not exist and results remain somewhat unpredictable.
Synthesis and Characterization of Electron-Deficient Asymmetrically Substituted Diarylindenotetracenes

Electron-deficient asymmetrically substituted diarylindenotetracenes were prepared via a series of Friedel-Crafts acylations, aryl-aryl cross-couplings, and an intramolecular oxidative cyclization to form the indene ring. Single-crystal X-ray experiments showed good π-π overlap with π-π distances ranging from 3.26 to 3.76 A. Both thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry indicated that asymmetrically substituted indenotetracenes (ASIs) are stable at elevated temperatures. From cyclic voltammetry experiments, HOMO/LUMO energy levels of ASI derivatives were determined to be near -5.4/-4.0 eV. UV/visible absorption spectra showed strong absorption of light between 400 and 650 nm with molar attenuation coefficients from 104 to 105 M-1 cm-1. ASIs were also found to have very low fluorescence quantum yields, less than 4%. Using the solid-state packing determined from the single-crystal X-ray experiments, computational modeling indicated that ASI molecules should favor electron transport.
Higher Education and Plato’s Academy in Classical Greece

Plato led a school of his own, the Academy. This chapter explores the Academy and compares it to the school of Isocrates, the other most important Athenian experiment in higher education in Plato’s lifetime. In the schools of Plato and Isocrates, the two most influential, if competing, purposes of Western higher education were developed and practiced.
Lung mass density analysis using deep neural network and lung ultrasound surface wave elastography.

Abstract Lung mass density is directly associated with lung pathology. Computed Tomography (CT) evaluates lung pathology using the Hounsfield unit (HU) but not lung density directly. We have developed a lung ultrasound surface wave elastography (LUSWE) technique to measure the surface wave speed of superficial lung tissue. The objective of this study was to develop a method for analyzing lung mass density of superficial lung tissue using a deep neural network (DNN) and synthetic data of wave speed measurements with LUSWE. The synthetic training dataset of surface wave speed, excitation frequency, lung mass density, and viscoelasticity from LUSWE (788,000 in total) was used to train the DNN model. The DNN was composed of 3 hidden layers of 1024 neurons for each layer and trained for 10 epochs with a batch size of 4096 and a learning rate of 0.001 with three types of optimizers. The test dataset (4000) of wave speeds at three excitation frequencies (100, 150, and 200 Hz) and shear elasticity of superficial lung tissue was used to predict the lung density and evaluate its accuracy compared with predefined lung mass densities. This technique was then validated on a sponge phantom experiment. The obtained results showed that predictions matched well with test dataset (validation accuracy is 0.992) and experimental data in the sponge phantom experiment. This method may be useful to analyze lung mass density by using the DNN model together with the surface wave speed and lung stiffness measurements.
The Influence of Local Distortions on Proton Mobility in Acceptor Doped Perovskites

Optimizing proton conduction in solids remains the most promising solution for achieving intermediate temperature (∼750–1000 K) solid oxide fuel cell devices, and enabling selective membranes for H2 separation. Proton conduction, a thermally activated process, exhibits its highest rates in yttrium (Y) acceptor doped BaZrO3 at an optimal doping level of 20% Y. The presence of extended defects such as grain boundaries has typically generated a wide variability in reported conductivity values. This has hindered a fundamental mechanistic understanding of how (acceptor) doping levels correlate with the activation energy of protons to produce an optimal doping level for fast proton transport. While isolated dopants have been suggested as the primary source of proton trapping, our results indicate that it is the local dopant-density that matters. Here, we show that increasing the local dopant density promotes localized lattice distortions in the presence of point defects such as oxygen-vacancies or proton inters...
Milk Proteins and Tissue Nitrogen Equilibrium

The period of life immediately after birth is marked by a rapidity of growth that, in terms of weight specific rates, is exceeded only in late fetal life. During this time, the infant also is maturing physiologically and metabolically. Postnatal development involves important changes in the chemical composition of the body, the distribution of the mass of the body between cellular and extracellular components, and the contributions of the various tissues to body protein mass. The assessment of growth during this period can be complex and we should recognize that the assessment of the adequacy of a given diet should include the degree to which it supports development as well as macromolecular accretion.
The emission of corrosive vapours by wood. Sweet-chestnut (Castanea sativa) and wychelm (Ulmus glabrau) O-acetyl-4-O-methylglucuronoxylans extracted with dimethyl sulphoxide

1. O-Acetylated 4-O-methylglucuronoxylans were isolated from sweet chestnut and wych elm, either green or incubated at 48 degrees and 100% relative humidity for 36 weeks. 2. The chlorine-ethanolamine method of delignification resulted in a 50% loss of O-acetyl groups from green wych elm compared with an 18% loss from green sweet chestnut. 3. The acid-chlorite method gave an acceptable loss of O-acetyl groups in three cases, but incubated sweet chestnut showed a 44.6% loss. However, it is believed that this is due to the loss of simple O-acetylated xylose sugars resulting from glycosidic hydrolysis, rather than removal of O-acetyl groups by direct hydrolysis. Assuming that this occurs in a random manner, it is unlikely to have much structural significance. 4. Dimethyl sulphoxide extraction of chestnut holocellulose and elm holocellulose, green and incubated, yielded O-acetyl glucuronoxylans containing 10.2, 3.8, 13.1 and 7.7% O-acetyl groups respectively. 5. The location of these O-acetyl groups was determined by Bouveng's method in which phenyl isocyanate is used as a blocking group.
Protective immunity against group A rotavirus infection and illness in infants.

Understanding of the protective effect provided by natural rotavirus infections against subsequent rotavirus infections is required for evaluating vaccine development programs. Prior studies of the protective efficacy of natural infections and correlates of natural protection are reviewed and results from several studies presented only in abstract form are summarized to provide a current assessment of knowledge in this area. Six cohort studies have reported rates for the protective efficacy of a natural rotavirus infection against subsequent infection, diarrhea, or severe diarrhea. These efficacy estimates ranged from 0 to 100% and are not directly comparable because of differences in methodology and population monitored. Results from other study designs also have been confusing, until recently. Recent studies have identified immunologic correlates of protection and studies from a cohort of intensely monitored. Mexican children promise to provide a comprehensive assessment of the strength of the protective effect of natural rotavirus infection.
Quantitative Immunological Comparison of Bird Lysozymes

Rabbit antisera were prepared against crystalline chicken lysozyme and characterized by immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis, inhibition of enzyme activity, and quantitative micro-complement fixation. Lysozyme was purified by Sephadex G-75 chromatography from the egg whites of 17 species of birds in the order Galliformes and was tested for reactivity with anti-chicken lysozyme. The chicken and its closest relative, the jungle fowl, have lysozymes that appear to be indistinguishable from each other. The lysozymes of all the other species tested (e.g. partridges, quails, and pheasants) could be distinguished from the chicken enzyme by quantitative micro-complement fixation. Immunodiffusion failed to detect most of these differences in antigenic structure. A particularly close relationship was observed between the lysozymes of the chicken, partridges, and American quails. This suggests that these lysozymes may show very small sequence differences. This finding may also have taxonomic significance.
Role of Oxidative Stress in Aging

The question of why we age has given rise to many different theories over the last decades. One of the most popular and long-lasting hypothesis is the free radical theory of aging. It postulates that endogenously generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate over time, causing damage to cellular macromolecules and eventually leading to physiological decline, disease, aging, and death. Over the years, a multitude of correlative evidence has been collected in favor of this aging theory, including the discovery that aging and many age-related diseases are accompanied by substantial cellular oxidative damage. However, genetic manipulation of components of cellular antioxidant defense systems in model organisms, like Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster or mice have generated conflicting results and suggested a more complex interplay between endogenous oxidants, antioxidants, and lifespan. The fact that ROS play important roles as second messengers in signaling processes, in hormesis, and during the oxidative burst in innate immune cells, likely contributes to the complexity of this issue. In this chapter, we present an overview of the most crucial experiments conducted to address the free radical theory of aging. Our conclusion is that ROS are major players involved in lifespan and aging but likely not (only) in their role as cytotoxic agents but as regulators of essential physiological processes in the cell.
Grid-connected Kinetic Hydro Energy Conversion System

ABSTRACT A two-year study and experimental program has been conducted to determine and optimize an economical energy conversion system for use in sources of flowing water, either unidirectional or tidal, without impoundment or civil structure. A survey of New York State was conducted which indicated a potentially sizable kinetic hydro energy resource. An evaluation of possible devices indicated greatest immediate potential for an unducted axial flow turbine, and a 20 kW preliminary design was costed and found to be below $1700 per peak kW. Model rotors following Glauert design were tested and found effective. A 30 kW prototype is currently being designed and built for testing in New York City's tidal East River. It will provide power directly to the utility electric grid.
Friction microdynamics in the time and frequency domains: Tutorial on frictional hysteresis and resonance in precision motion systems

Abstract This paper provides an overview and tutorial on the key behaviors of mechanical friction in both the time and frequency domains to understand friction effects on precision motion control systems, and presents implications of this behavior for high-precision applications. Friction behaves differently depending on the operating regime. In the steady sliding regime, friction is a function of the relative velocity of two objects sliding against each other, and characterized by static, Coulomb and viscous terms. We observe more complex frictional behaviors as the velocity and displacement are near zero, which is the pre-sliding regime. Friction in this regime depends on the displacement of objects in contact, acting as a nonlinear hysteretic spring. In this paper, we focus on the time- and frequency-domain phenomena caused by the nonlinear hysteretic elasticity of such pre-sliding friction. Frictional microdynamic behaviors in each domain are experimentally studied with a servomotor system testbed and using the Generalized Maxwell-Slip (GMS) friction model. Friction model identification methods based on experimental observations are also discussed in both the time- and frequency-domains. We also present structures for accurate time-domain simulation of friction.
Impact of a Team-Based Learning Drug Misuse Education Training Program on Student Pharmacists’ Confidence

Abstract Background and purpose With increasing deaths related to prescription medications, it is important to educate adolescents on the dangers of drug misuse. Pharmacists possess the knowledge and are accessible to provide education to patients on this topic; therefore, the objectives were to improve student pharmacist confidence in prescription drug misuse knowledge and engaging patients. Educational activity and setting As part of a co-curricular activity, pharmacy, and pre-pharmacy students participated in an informational session to establish a common foundation of drug misuse concepts using a team-based learning pedagogy. Students developed a curriculum and taught middle school children about drug and alcohol misuse. Participants’ motivations for participation and confidence in drug misuse education were assessed through a 19 item pre-post survey. Findings Out of the 19 confidence items, seven had significant improvement. Students were more confident after the intervention that they could share their knowledge on drug misuse with colleagues (p = 0.012) and implement prevention strategies in their area (p = 0.020). They were also more confident in their ability to explain the definition (p = 0.001) and consequences (p = 0.003) of drug misuse. Summary A training session combined with the opportunity to apply learned concepts may be an effective way to improve the confidence of future pharmacists in educating their communities.
Review of 'Modulation of working memory load distinguishes individuals with and without balance impairments following mild traumatic brain injury'.

Dear Editors,Authors of the article entitled ‘Modulation of working memory load distinguishes individuals with and without balance impairments following mild traumatic brain injury’ (1) utilized ne...
Explaining Excessive Weight Gain during Early Recovery from Addiction.

Background: Many people receiving treatment for addiction gain an excessive amount of weight during early recovery. We outline two hypothesized mechanisms that might explain weight gain: The Addict...
Building on the inherent strengths of green space environments: Promoting trust, democracy, and resilience among ethnically diverse groups.

This quasi-experimental study examines the psychosocial and ecological impact of community service activities that utilize green space environments (i.e., community gardens, labyrinths, and urban f...
Glucono-Delta-Lactone Mitigates the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate of Human Blood

The clumping of circulating blood cells in many diseases gives rise to serious complications. The sed-rate has been used to monitor blood for these changes. The protective low molecular weight agent used in this study was found to suppress the elevated sed-rate values.
Relationship between Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Findings, Tonsil Size, and Polysomnographic Outcomes of Adenotonsillectomy in Children:

Objective(1) Determine the correlation of awake tonsil scores and preadenotonsillectomy (pre-AT) sleep endoscopy findings. (2) Assess the relationship between polysomnographic AT outcomes with awak...