cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Anti-Factor Xa-Guided Dosing of Enoxaparin With Venous Thromboembolism After Trauma.

Importance The efficacy of anti–factor Xa (anti-Xa)–guided dosing of thromboprophylaxis after trauma remains controversial. Objective To assess whether dosing of enoxaparin sodium based on peak anti-Xa levels is associated with the venous thromboembolism (VTE) rate after trauma. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of 950 consecutive adults admitted to a single level I trauma intensive care unit for more than 48 hours from December 1, 2014, through March 31, 2017. Within 24 hours of admission, these trauma patients were screened with the Greenfield Risk Assessment Profile (RAP) (possible score range, 0-46). Patients younger than 18 years and those with VTE on admission were excluded, resulting in a study population of 792 patients. Exposures The control group received fixed doses of either heparin sodium, 5000 U 3 times a day, or enoxaparin sodium, 30 mg twice a day. The adjustment cohort initially received enoxaparin sodium, 30 mg twice a day. A peak anti-Xa level was drawn 4 hours after the third dose. If the anti-Xa level was 0.2 IU/mL or higher, no adjustment was made. If the anti-Xa level was less than 0.2 IU/mL, each dose was increased by 10 mg. The process was repeated up to a maximum dose of 60 mg twice a day. Main Outcomes and Measures Rates of VTE were measured. Venous duplex ultrasonography and computed tomographic angiography were used for diagnosis. Results The study population comprised 792 patients with a mean (SD) age of 46 (19) years and was composed of 598 men (75.5%). The control group comprised 570 patients, was older, and had a longer time to thromboprophylaxis initiation. The adjustment group consisted of 222 patients, was more severely injured, and had a longer hospital length of stay. The mean (SD) RAP scores were 9 (4) for the control group and 9 (5) for the adjustment group (P = .28). The VTE rates were similar for both groups (34 patients [6.0%] vs 15 [6.8%];P = .68). Prophylactic anti-Xa levels were reached in 119 patients (53.6%) in the adjustment group. No difference in VTE rates was observed between those who became prophylactic and those who did not (7 patients [5.9%] vs 8 [7.8%];P = .58). To control for confounders, 132 patients receiving standard fixed-dose enoxaparin were propensity matched to 84 patients receiving dose-adjusted enoxaparin. The VTE rates remained similar between the control and adjustment groups (3 patients [2.3%] vs 3 [3.6%];P = .57). Conclusions and Relevance Rates of VTE were not reduced with anti-Xa–guided dosing, and almost half of the patients never reached prophylactic anti-Xa levels; achieving those levels did not decrease VTE rates. Thus, other targets, such as platelets, may be necessary to optimize thromboprophylaxis after trauma.
The Second Chapter

[1] Unto the angel of the congregation of Ephesus write: [2] These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: [3] ‘I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, [4] and how thou canst not forbear them which are evil, [5] and examinest them which say they are apostles and are not, [6] and hast found them liars, [7] and hast suffered and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured and hast not fainted. [8] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, for thou hast left the first love. [9] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent, [10] and do the first works, [11] or else I will come unto thee shortly [12] and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. [13] But this thou hast because thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, [14] which deeds I also hate. [15] Let him that hath ears hear what the spirit saith unto the congregation: [16] to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, [17] which is in the midst of the paradise of my God’.
Local genic base composition impacts protein production and cellular fitness

The maintenance of a G + C content that is higher than the mutational input to a genome provides support for the view that selection serves to increase G + C contents in bacteria. Recent experimental evidence from Escherichia coli demonstrated that selection for increasing G + C content operates at the level of translation, but the precise mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. To determine the substrate of selection, we asked whether selection on G + C content acts across all sites within a gene or is confined to particular genic regions or nucleotide positions. We systematically altered the G + C contents of the GFP gene and assayed its effects on the fitness of strains harboring each variant. Fitness differences were attributable to the base compositional variation in the terminal portion of the gene, suggesting a connection to the folding of a specific protein feature. Variants containing sequence features that are thought to result in rapid translation, such as low G + C content and high levels of codon adaptation, displayed highly reduced growth rates. Taken together, our results show that purifying selection acting against A and T mutations most likely results from their tendency to increase the rate of translation, which can perturb the dynamics of protein folding.
A Study of How Opinion Sharing Affects Emergency Evacuation

Several factors like herding amongst evacuees, individual’s impatience with crowded pathways, individual’s familiarity with the building, and presence of credible leaders play a critical role in an emergency evacuation situation. A thorough understanding of how these factors interplay in a given building structure can lead to increased safety through appropriate evacuation planning. Past works have concentrated their efforts on developing an accurate movement model or an accurate decision theoretic model to study emergency evacuation. This work involves a unified modeling of individuals’ movement along with a personalized decision mechanism. Further, to account for herding in the crowd explicitly, a spatially-bounded opinion sharing framework is incorporated. Utilizing this unified model, the interplay of several factors like knowledge about the available exits and presence of leaders with preferred route choice on the evacuation time were investigated in detail. For the given building geometry, we discovered that a crowd consisting of patient individuals with few appropriately informed leaders was able to evacuate the building quicker. Using this unified model, effects of these factors on other building structures can be studied, and it can help with improving the overall safety of the evacuees.
Functional Assessment-Based Intervention Research on Students with or at Risk for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in School Settings:

This article examines the research literature on functional assessment-based interventions for students with or at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) who demonstrate problem behavio...
Space power system automation approaches at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center

This paper discusses the automation approaches employed in various electrical power system breadboards at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Of particular interest is the application of knowledge-based systems to fault management and dynamic payload scheduling. A description of each major breadboard and the automation approach taken for each is given.
Ascending colon cancer in a patient with situs inversus.

Presented during Poster Grand Rounds at the Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course Program, Southeastern Surgical Congress, Savannah, GA, February 10–13, 2007.
Mammalian Cell Death Pathways

Programmed cell death results from a conserved cascade of events essential in the development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. “Extrinsic” cell-death pathways initiate at the cell surface, leading to execution through substrate cleavage, and may involve mitochondrial amplification. Multiple “intrinsic” death pathways converge and require signaling through the mitochondria. Extrinsic cell death is integral to cell-mediated immunity and host immune surveillance/suppression of cancer. Caspase activation is highly regulated and defects at virtually all levels of death regulation are observed in cancer. This chapter focuses on the cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics of programmed cell death.
Enhanced microbial degradation of insecticides in soil

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the enhanced degradation of isofenphos (l-methylethyl-2-[[ethoxy[(l-methylethyl)amino]phosphinothioyl]-oxy] benzoate) in soil and to elucidate the microbiology of this phenomenon. [U ring-'' C]Isofenphos was most rapidly degraded in Iowa cornfield soils that had a history of isofenphos insecticide use. Between 13 and 42 of an applied dose of 5 ppm remained as isofenphos after 4 weeks in soil with isofenphos use history, whereas between 63 and 13% remained in comparable nonhistory soils. Soils with enhanced isofenphos degradation contained an adapted population of soil microorganisms responsible for the degradation observed. Degradation products of isofenphos detected in cultures of adapted soil microorganisms included isopropyl salicylate, '' COg, and polar products. A bacterial strain (Pseudomonas sp.) isolated from soil with enhanced isofenphos degradation proved capable of utilizing isofenphos as a sole carbon source.
Pacific climate influences on ocean conditions and extreme shell growth events in the Northwestern Atlantic (Gulf of Maine)

The Gulf of Maine is undergoing rapid environmental and ecological changes, yet our spatial and temporal understanding of the climatic and hydrographic variability in this region, including extreme events, is limited and biased to recent decades. In this study, we utilize a highly replicated, multi-century master shell growth chronology derived from the annual increments formed in the shells of the long-lived bivalve Arctica islandica collected in 38 m from the central coastal region in the Gulf of Maine. Our results indicate that shell growth is highly synchronous and inversely related to local seawater temperatures. Using composite analyses of extreme shell growth events from CE 1900 to 2013, we extend our understanding of the factors driving oceanic variability and shell growth in the Northwestern Atlantic back to CE 1761. We suggest that extreme shell growth events are primarily controlled by Gulf of Maine sea surface temperature (SST) and stratification conditions, which in turn appear to be largely influenced by SST patterns in the Pacific Ocean through their influence on mid-latitude atmospheric circulation patterns and the location of the eddy-driven jet. The large-scale jet dynamics during these extreme years manifest as precipitation and moisture transport anomalies and regional SST conditions in the Gulf of Maine that either enhance or inhibit shell growth. Pacific climate variability is thus an important, yet understudied, influence on Gulf of Maine ocean conditions.
Physical defenses and herbivory vary more within plants than among plants in the tropical understory shrub Piper polytrichum

There is a growing appreciation that much of the trait variation within plant species is represented within individuals, for example, occurring among leaves within a plant. Subindividual variation ...
Exploring the Lexicon or Lack Thereof in Clinical Teacher Preparation

ABSTRACTRecent policy and scholarly reports, accreditation agencies’ guidelines, and professional association efforts have called for teacher preparation programs to incorporate more frequent and r...
Unusual MRI Appearance of a Well Differentiated Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Mimicking a Cavernous Hemangioma: A Case Report

The typical imaging findings in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are arterial hyperenhancement with washout on portal venous and/or equilibrium phases. Larger HCCs can have atypical imaging findings including fibrous capsule or mosaic appearance. We describe an unusual biopsy proven HCC in a cirrhotic liver with imaging features mimicking cavernous hemangioma which also demonstrated some atypical features such as thick capsule. In addition to knowing the typical imaging findings of HCC, it is important to be familiar with its atypical imaging findings especially in larger lesions.
X-ray characterization of the micromechanical response ahead of a propagating small fatigue crack in a Ni-based superalloy

Abstract The small fatigue crack (SFC) growth regime in polycrystalline alloys is complex due to the heterogeneity in the local micromechanical fields, which result in high variability in crack propagation directions and growth rates. In this study, we employ a suite of techniques, based on high-energy synchrotron-based X-ray experiments that allow us to track a nucleated crack, propagating through the bulk of a Ni-based superalloy specimen during cyclic loading. Absorption contrast tomography is used to resolve the intricate 3D crack morphology and spatial position of the crack front. Initial near-field high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) is used for high-resolution characterization of the grain structure, elucidating grain orientations, shapes, and boundaries. Cyclic loading is periodically interrupted to conduct far-field HEDM to determine the centroid position, average orientation, and average lattice strain tensor for each grain within the volume of interest. Reciprocal space analysis is used to further examine the deformation state of grains that plasticize in the vicinity of the crack. Analysis of the local micromechanical state in the grains ahead of the crack front is used to rationalize the advancing small crack path and growth rate. Specifically, the most active slip system in a grain, determined by the maximum resolved shear stress, aligns with the crack growth direction; and the degree of microplasticity ahead of the crack tip helps to identify directions for potential occurrences of crack arrest or propagation. The findings suggest that both the slip system level stresses and microplasticity events within grains are necessary to get a complete description of the SFC progression. Further, this detailed dataset, produced by a suite of X-ray characterization techniques, can provide the necessary validation, at the appropriate length-scale, for SFC models.
Dynamic Detection of False Data Injection Attack in Smart Grid using Deep Learning

Modern advances in sensor, computing, and communication technologies enable various smart grid applications. The heavy dependence on communication technology has highlighted the vulnerability of the electricity grid to false data injection (FDI) attacks that can bypass bad data detection mechanisms. Existing mitigation in the power system either focus on redundant measurements or protect a set of basic measurements. These methods make specific assumptions about FDI attacks, which are often restrictive and inadequate to deal with modern cyber threats. In the proposed approach, a deep learning based framework is used to detect injected data measurement. Our time-series anomaly detector adopts a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and a Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network. To effectively estimate system variables, our approach observes both data measurements and network level features to jointly learn system states. The proposed system is tested on IEEE 39-bus system. Experimental analysis shows that the deep learning algorithm can identify anomalies which cannot be detected by traditional state estimation bad data detection.
Bromide ion-functionalized nanoprobes for sensitive and reliable pH measurement by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

4-Mercaptopyridine (4-Mpy) is a pH reporter molecule commonly used to functionalize nanoprobes for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based pH measurements. However, nanoprobes functionalized by 4-Mpy alone have low pH sensitivity and are subject to interference by halide ions in sample media. To improve nanoprobe pH sensitivity and reliability, we functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with both 4-Mpy and bromide ion (Br−). Br− electrostatically stabilizes protonated 4-Mpy, thus enabling sensitive SERS detection of the protonation state of 4-Mpy as a function of pH while also reducing variability caused by external halide ions. Through optimization of the functionalization parameters, including suspension pH, [4-Mpy], and [Br−], the developed nanoprobes enable monitoring of pH from 2.1 to 10 with high SERS activity and minimal interference from halide ions within the sample matrix. As a proof of concept, we were able to track nanoprobe location and image the pH distribution inside individual cancer cells. This study provides a novel way to engineer reliable 4-Mpy-functionalized SERS nanoprobes for the sensitive analysis of spatially localized pH features in halide ion-containing microenvironments.
Mutational profiling of myeloid neoplasms, focusing on AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (MRC) in comparison with MDS and AML without MRC

Acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) is a subgroup of AML with poor prognosis. AML-MRC is defined by one of the three criteria based on the current WHO classificatio...
Alcohol-associated Cirrhosis and Alcoholic Hepatitis Hospitalization Trends in the United States

GOALS The goals of this study were to evaluate trends in hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality among US adults with alcohol-associated cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. BACKGROUND Alcohol-associated liver disease contributes to significant liver-related morbidity in the United States, among which inpatient care is a major driver of clinical and economic burden. METHODS Using the 2007-2014 National Inpatient Sample, alcohol-associated cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis hospitalizations were identified. Survey-weighted annual hospitalization trends were stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, and age and compared using χ2 and Student's t-test methods. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression models evaluated predictors of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS Among 159,973 alcohol-associated liver disease hospitalizations, 83.7% had a primary diagnosis of alcohol-associated cirrhosis and 18.4% had a primary diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis. Sex-specific differences in hospitalizations emerged, with significantly higher hospitalization rates seen in males versus females among both alcoholic hepatitis [incidence rate ratio=3.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.47-4.01, P<0.01] and alcohol-associated cirrhosis (incidence rate ratio=2.68, 95% CI: 2.21-3.71, P<0.01). Differences in hospitalization and mortality by ethnicity were observed for both alcohol-associated cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. African Americans with alcohol-associated cirrhosis had significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared with non-Hispanic whites [odds ratio (OR)=1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.24, P<0.01], whereas Native Americans (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.06-3.34, P=0.030) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (OR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.00-4.06, P=0.048) with alcoholic hepatitis had significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared with non-Hispanic whites. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated increasing alcohol-associated cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis hospitalizations in the United States. The highest rates were observed in men and among Native American and Hispanic ethnic minorities. Significant ethnicity-specific disparities in mortality were observed.
Feasibility of text message sleep assessment in African American and Latino patients with type 2 diabetes

Study Objectives:Text messaging (TM) may provide an inexpensive and convenient method for self-reported sleep assessment. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a TM sleep diary among a raci...
Effect of compound 962 capsule on liver lipid peroxidation and indexes of thymus gland and spleen in rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of compound 962 capsule (abbre. as 962) on liver lipid peroxidation and indexes of thymus and spleen in aged rats.Methods: Rats were divided into young control, aged model, Piracetam, 962 middle dose (0.9 g/kg) and high dose (1.8 g/kg) groups. All test drugs were administrated for 1 month by gastrogavage. The liver lipid peroxidation was determined by thiobarbituric (TBA) method. The thymus index and spleen index were determined by weighing method.Results: 962 (middle and high dose) attenuated liver lipid peroxidation, increased the thymus index of aged rats. There was no effect on spleen index in all drug-treated groups.Conclusion: 962 could decrease liver lipid peroxidation and increase thymus index. It suggested that 962 might be beneficial in retarding aging process.
Inflammation and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Atherogenesis is not a process that involves a progressive, passive uptake of lipid into the subendothelial space eventually resulting in the development of obstructive plaque and tissue ischemia. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a manifestation of chronic inflammation in the arterial wall. Inflammation is a highly orchestrated and synchronized physiological state that is activated when the endothelium becomes dysfunctional in the face of such risk factors as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and smoking, among others. Endothelial dysfunction results in reduced nitric oxide production and an upregulation of a variety of adhesion molecules which promote the binding, rolling, and transmigration of inflammatory white blood cells into the subendothelial space. The white blood cells include monocytes, neutrophils, mast cells, and T helper cells. Chronic inflammation gives rise to a pro-oxidative, prothrombotic, and pro-growth (clonal expansion) state. Monocytes are converted to resident macrophages which scavenge oxidatively modified lipoprotein particles; with progressive lipid uptake and formation of lipid inclusion bodies, macrophages become macrophage-derived foam cells. Foam cells can coalesce to form fatty streaks. Fatty streaks can become atheromatous plaques as foam cells and necrotic debris accumulate in the setting of impaired efferocytosis. Chronically inflamed atheromatous plaque can undergo architectural changes that predispose to rupture as metalloproteinases thin the fibrous cap, with cholesterol crystal formation, hemorrhage into the base of the plaque from adventitial vasa vasora, and sudden torsional influences like vasospasm. Ruptured plaques activate platelets and thrombosis secondary to the sudden availability of tissue factor, exposed collagen, calcium, and adenosine-5′-diphosphate (ADP). The thrombus can lead to luminal occlusion and tissue ischemia. Inflammation can be turned on by prostaglandins, leukotrienes, cytokines, and interleukins. Inflammation can also be resolved via the activity of such interleukins as interleukin-4 and interleukin-10, as well as lipoxins, resolvins, and protectins. Atherosclerosis represents a maladaptive physiological response since inflammation is allowed to persist, ultimately resulting in acute vascular events within myocardium, the brain, and other tissues.
Prematurity blunts the insulin- and amino acid-induced stimulation of translation initiation and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs

Extrauterine growth faltering is a major complication of premature birth, but the underlying cause is poorly understood. Our results demonstrate that preterm birth blunts both the insulin-and amino...
Spiritual well-being and its association with health-related quality of life in primary brain tumor patients.

Background Spirituality can impact patients' attitudes and decisions about treatment and end-of-life care when coping with cancer. Previous studies documented health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and spiritual well-being (SWB) as positively correlated within a general cancer patient population, but little is known about their association in the primary brain tumor population. We sought to measure SWB in primary brain tumor patients and evaluate whether it was associated with HRQoL. Methods Six-hundred and six patients treated at The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke between December 16, 2013 and February 28, 2014 with data in the PRoGREss registry are included in this retrospective analysis. Each patient completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being 12 (FACIT-Sp-12) and -Fatigue (FACIT-F), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General and -Brain (FACT-G and FACT-Br). Results Mean age was 49.1 years (SD = 13.5 years), male (N = 328, 54.1%), married (N = 404, 66.7%), at least college-educated (N = 381, 62.9%), and diagnosed with a high-grade glioma (N = 412, 68.0%). Multiple regression analyses were performed on both the FACT-G and the FACT-Br using the FACIT-Sp-12 sub-scales of Meaning/Peace and Faith, FACIT-F, belief in God or a higher power, prayer, gender, tumor grade, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) as predictors. We found that greater SWB (measured by FACIT-Sp-12) was associated with better HRQoL (measured by FACT-G and FACT-Br; p < .0001). Conclusion The association between reported SWB and reported improved HRQoL emphasizes the importance of spirituality in primary brain tumor patients, suggesting SWB must be considered in strategies to improve HRQoL.
Religion, and the Rise of Secularism

This chapter explains how secularism has emerged and has become an influential worldview in modern democratic nations. Its presence in society makes the problem of worldview pluralism much worse, and necessitates a rethinking of the relationship between religion and secularism, and democracy and politics. The chapter provides an overview of the Christian worldview and of the secularist worldview, in terms of their main beliefs on central topics, such as human nature, as well as making several significant observations about the nature of secularism. The distinction between biblical Christianity and philosophical Christianity is also introduced as part of the pluralism of worldviews we find today. The last section considers a sophisticated, serious example of the philosophical case for the worldview of secularism in the work of philosopher of science, Philip Kitcher.
73-year-old Female with Syncope and Motor Vehicle Collision.

Author(s): Flanagan, Kevin; Dezman, Zachary; Dachroeden, Karl; Bontempo, Laura | Abstract: Introduction: Patients with traumatic injuries can be difficult to assess, and their evaluation often evolves in the emergency department (ED). We describe how an ED attending physician member developed a differential diagnosis for this presentation, arrived at a suspected diagnosis, and what test he proposed to prove his hypothesis.Case Presentation: This clinicopathological case presentation details the initial assessment and management of a 73-year-old female who presented to the ED following a motor vehicle collision precipitated by a syncopal episode.Conclusion: The final surprising diagnosis is then revealed.
Uptake and Incorporation of Glucose and Mannose by Whole Cells of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron

Glucose uptake by whole-cell suspensions of the obligate anaerobe Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron was two- to fourfold higher under aerobic conditions than during incubation under atmospheres of N(2) or H(2) gas. The O(2)-stimulated uptake activity was lost rapidly (>70% in 5 h) when cell suspensions were incubated aerobically, but this loss was prevented by the addition of crude catalase. Catalase had no apparent effect on cell viability during these incubations. Glucose uptake activity was strongly inhibited by a 10-fold excess of mannose or galactose but not by methyl-alpha-d-glucoside, fructose, or lactose. Both glucose and mannose were rapidly incorporated into polyglucose after uptake. The O(2)-stimulated glucose uptake was not inhibited by cyanide, azide, 2,4-dinitrophenol, or 2-N-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide. However, p-chloromercuribenzoate, menadione, and sodium fluoride inhibited uptake by 88, 67, and 55%, respectively. All attempts to detect phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase activity for glucose, methyl-alpha-d-glucoside, and 2-deoxyglucose were negative. The bacteria contained hexokinase activity and a complete glycolytic Embden-Meyerhof pathway.
Design of a turbojet engine controller via eigenvalue/eigenvector assignment - A new sensitivity formulation

This brief paper summarizes the approach the authors will take in designing a feedback controller for the F-100 turbofan engine. The technique to be utilized simultaneously realizes dominant closed-loop eigenvalues, approximates specified modal behavior, and achieves low eigensystem sensitivity with respect to certain plant parameter variations.
StellarSim: A Plug-In Architecture for Scientific Visualizations in Virtual Worlds

More and more researchers in a variety of fields are turning to virtual worlds for 3D simulations and scientific modeling. The use of virtual worlds in this manner offers many benefits. However, the critical task of creating 3D objects for a simulation model is still a manual process, which can be time consuming. Our research concentrates on creating a process that allows for the automatic population of 3D objects in virtual worlds for researchers.
Comparison of measures of functioning for use with treatment-seeking adolescents experiencing attenuated symptoms of psychosis.

Aim A growing body of research documents a relation between psychosis risk and functional impairment. Although a general picture of psychosis risk and impaired functioning is emerging, less is known about how different functional measures relate to specific psychosis-risk symptoms. Methods The current study examines the relative contribution of psychosis-risk symptoms across multiple measures of functioning in a sample of treatment-seeking adolescents and young adults. Results Results indicate that different domains of psychosis-risk symptoms (negative and positive psychotic symptoms, related affective symptoms) contribute differentially to measures of different types of functioning. Conclusion Study of the relation between psychosis-risk symptoms and different measures of functional impairment can potentially contribute towards a more efficient use of measures of functioning and help inform individualized treatment considerations.
The dialectic ecology of the newspaper

Mass communication history and theory cannot explain the decline of the newspaper and its displacement by newly evolving communication media. The field of mass communication remains without an historically‐grounded theory. This essay argues that dialectic ecology offers an appropriate theoretical history of mass communication. As a synthetic macrohistorical model, dialectic ecology traces the newspaper industry through an ecological life cycle of variation, selection and retention stages, punctuated by internal contradictions that rupture into life‐threatening crises.
A HIERARCHICAL THEORY OF THE FIRM

Summary This paper provides a mathematically coherent and concise formulation of the Williamson market-failure approach and, hence, develops models for single-level and multilevel firms and organizations. These models optimally determine the extent of integration for each viable link on every hierarchical level, When the models are reformulated in terms of four operational parameters that determine integration, applied benefit-cost methods can be utilized, in practice, to model a firm. Both static and dynamiclmodels-are presented.
Design and operation of a variable temperature accessory for Q-band ESR

Abstract A Q-band (35 GHz) ESR cryostat has been constructed that permits irradiation with X rays or light at temperatures between 2 and 300 K. Samples in the form of crystals, pellets, powders, or liquids can be inserted and removed with the system at liquid-helium temperatures and samples can be warmed inside the system and rapidly returned to 2 K.
Lateral condylar fracture of the humerus following posttraumatic cubitus varus

Posttraumatic cubitus varus is widely regarded as just a cosmetic deformity. Six cases of lateral condylar fracture of the humerus in children with preexisting cubitus varus due to prior elbow fracture are presented. Five occurred following malunited extension-type supracondylar fractures of the humerus; the other occurred following a lateral condylar fracture complicated by lateral overgrowth. All cases were treated by anatomic reduction (two closed, four open) and percutaneous pinning of the lateral condylar fracture. Three of the six cases subsequently underwent supracondylar osteotomy of the distal humerus to correct the underlying varus malalignment. Biomechanical analysis suggests that both the torsional moment and the shear force generated across the capitellar physis by a routine fall are increased by varus malalignment. Posttraumatic cubitus varus may predispose a child to subsequent lateral condylar fracture and should be viewed as more than just a cosmetic deformity.
Differential Parenting of African American Adolescents as an Explanation for Gender Disparities in Achievement

Differential parenting based on gender and birth order status was examined as an explanation for the achievement differences between African American males and females. In a sample of 796 African American adolescents from the MADICS study, girls were found to have much higher GPAs and test scores compared with boys. Girls reported receiving more monitoring, communication, and rule enforcement, but less autonomy in decision making than later-born boys. Mothers also reported higher expectations for girls than boys. A significant percent of the GPA and test score gap was accounted for by the parenting differences in both married and single mother–headed households. It was concluded that reducing differential parenting could help narrow gender differences in achievement among African American adolescents.
Fokker action principles with self-action. II. Applications of the general theory to a single particle in uniform circular motion; modified Maxwell-Lorentz interaction; a model of the electron

Fokker action principles with self-action are studied. A program is outlined that offers long-odds hope for the construction of classical models of some elementary particles. Part I [31] gave an outline of the general theory, its possibilities, and its difficulties. Part II gives applications of the theory to circular motions of a single particle interacting with itself under modified Maxwell-Lorentz interaction. A specific, but ugly, model that arose in a thus-far unsuccessful attempt at a theory of the electron is discussed. Part III, which will be published shortly, will extend the results of Part II to a general interaction function Λ.
The quantification of fetomaternal hemorrhage by an enzyme-linked antibody test with glutaraldehyde fixation.

A modified enzyme-linked antiglobulin test (ELAT) for quantifying D-posi-tive red blood cells in the circulation of D-negative pregnant women is described. The antibody-antigen bond was stabilized and the problem of hemolysis eliminated by the use of 0.05% glutaraldehyde. The r value for the standardization curves for measuring cord RBC in mixtures was 0.98; coefficient of variation 5.8%. Reproducible quantitation of 0.125% D-positive cord RBC mixed with D-negative RBC was demonstrated. In comparative studies of artificial mixtures, Kleihauer-Betke results for more than 1% cord RBC were 50–100% greater than the true values. In several examples of large fetomaternal hemorrhages, the ELAT results matched the clinical data more closely than the Kleihauer-Betke based estimates. 2 ml of fetal RBC in a 1,600-ml red cell mass can be quantified using the modified ELAT.
FDA's proposed rule for pregnancy and lactation labeling: improving maternal child health through well-informed medicine use.

For the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the May 29, 2008 publication of the Proposed Rule for Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling for Human Prescription Drug and Biological Products heralded both an end and a beginning. It marked an end to the labeling initiative process that produced the Proposed Rule and the beginning of FDA’s second-generation approach to labeling drugs and biologics for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the childbearing years. These proposed changes reflect the extensive input and feedback FDA collected from clinicians and experts, and are designed to facilitate informed counseling about and prescribing of medicines for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or of childbearing potential. The prescription drug label is FDA’s communication tool—it is the place to clearly convey what is known about the safe and effective use of a drug in various populations. With development and implementation of the Physician Labeling Rule (PLR), FDA transformed the prescription drug label into a better communication tool in which information is better organized, clearly presented, and more easily located. The Proposed Rule for Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling is the final piece of PLR, creating a detailed and defined framework in which to present what is and is not known about the use of drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
A Systems Approach to Morbidity and Mortality Conference

A Systems Approach to Morbidity and Mortality Conference Jason H. Szostek, MD, Mark L. Wieland, MD, MPH, Laura L. Loertscher, MD, MPH, Darlene R. Nelson, MD, Christopher M. Wittich, MD, PharmD, Furman S. McDonald, MD, MPH, Joseph C. Kolars, MD, Darcy A. Reed, MD, MPH From the Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn; Department of Medicine, Providence St Vincent Medical Center, Portland, Ore; Internal Medicine Residency Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn; Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
ACTIVATION, INHIBITION AND AGGREGATION OF CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE (EC 2.3.1.6)

—Mercuric chloride, silver acetate and cupric sulphate (0·1 mm) completely inhibited purified choline acetyltransferase from bovine caudate nuclei. At the same concentration cadmium chloride and zinc acetate gave a 50 per cent inhibition. Potassium and sodium salts more than doubled the enzymatic activity while creatinine hydrochloride more than tripled it. Guanidine hydrochloride was less effective than creatinine hydrochloride but more effective than KCl and NaCl. Sodium chloride and creatinine hydrochloride had a synergistic effect on the enzyme. When ammonium sulphate was used to fractionate the choline acetyltransferase that had been extracted from bovine caudate nuclei, the enzyme aggregated into different molecular sizes as determined by exclusion chromatography on Bio-gel A-1·5 m. The molecular weight of the largest aggregate was at least 106 daltons. The initial tissue extract contained only one molecular species of ChAc as did a partially purified preparation in which ammonium sulphate was not used in the purification.
The effects of shock intensity on fear incubation (enhancement): a preliminary investigation of Eysenck's theory.

Abstract Rats were presented with three levels of shock intensity during acquisition followed by three levels of nonreinforced CS exposure during extinction (3 × 3) in the context of a one-way avoidance situation. Extinction effects were directly dependent upon the differential shock-intensity levels which were delivered during acquisition. Avoidance behavior was sustained and, in fact, increased (incubation) for high-shock groups despite increased duration of nonreinforced CS exposure. These results were interpreted as support for Eysenck's (1968) theory of fear incubation.
Why the first provider takes it all: the consequences of a low trust culture on pricing and ratings in online sourcing markets

Electronic markets are ruled by price and reputation, and, at least in the case of Online Sourcing Markets (OSM), also by preference for providers the buyer already contracted with. OSM are online markets for software development. Adding Fukuyama's notion of a low trust culture, an argument is advanced why buyers in OSM may give absolute preference to providers with whom they had previous contracts, presenting a special case of neoclassical contracting. Examining all the transactions in one calendar year at a leading OSM supports this proposition. All it took to be given the tender was to be the only bidding provider with at least one successful previous contract with the buyer, rendering pricing and ratings immaterial to bid choice. Only when none of the bidding providers had previous successful projects with the buyer did pricing and rating affect bid choice. The proposition is also consistent with the buyers’ comments about their providers. Implications are discussed about how a low trust culture affects OSM behavior.
The Coulomb problem in nonrelativistic scattering theory

Abstract Selected papers in the nonrelativistic quantum scattering theory of charged particles are reviewed. The emphasis is on the numerical results of the past few years and the fundamental theoretical issues they raise.
Patent Foramen Ovale in Cryptogenic Stroke: Not to Close

A quick PubMed search reveals an abundance of editorials, reviews, and opinion pieces on the subject of patent foramen ovale (PFO) management, and this is now the fourth published article on this topic that has adapted William Shakespeare’s classic words from Hamlet to describe the conundrum that faces neurologists, cardiologists, and their patients.1–3 The degree to which this title has been overused reflects the tremendous uncertainty that clinicians feel about patients who have had a stroke and are found to have a PFO. The reason for this confusion is that high-level, unbiased data do not yet exist to guide our clinical decisions with these challenging patients. The Food and Drug Administration rescinded the prior Humanitarian Device Exemption for percutaneous PFO closure devices to spur research into this clinical question.4 Unfortunately, although the National Inpatient Sample demonstrated a 50-fold increase in the number of percutaneous PFO/atrial septal defect closure procedures over a 6-year period ending in 2004, enrollment in clinical trials has continued to be slow, suggesting that many patients are receiving percutaneous PFO closure with the use of off-label atrial septal defect devices.5 The rampant off-label closure of PFOs is both hindering the progress of randomized controlled trials and undermining their validity. So, to answer the titular question: do NOT close the PFO, EXCEPT in the setting of a randomized trial. Response by Windecker and Meier p 2004 Leonardo Botallo, an Italian surgeon, is credited with the discovery of the foramen ovale in 1564.6 He noted a communication between the left and right atria in the fossa ovalis, formed by an overlap between the septum primum and secundum. In 1877, Julius Cohnheim, a German pathologist, described a case of a fatal cerebral embolism that he believed had passed through a PFO.7 Thus, he was the …
Reduction-oxidation potential of blood determined by oxygen releasing factor in thyroid disorders.

THERE is a nearly linear relationship1 between the reduction–oxidation potential of blood and the partial pressure of blood oxygen : the greater the partial pressure of oxygen, the greater the redox potential of the blood.
River incision, circulation, and wind regime of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville, USA

Abstract Pleistocene Lake Bonneville of the western U.S. and its associated alluvial systems present a unique opportunity to understand the relationship between prevailing winds of the time, lake circulation, and river incision. The lake underwent a catastrophic flooding event ∼ 18,300 yr B.P. resulting in the incision of streams entering the lake along its eastern border. Incision patterns of twelve streams and rivers suggest that they were influenced by the prevailing circulation in the lake at the time. In order to match patterns of river incisions, simulations of lake circulation were performed with a state-of-the-art numerical model for the maximum transgressive (Bonneville) lake elevation. Simulations were conducted using the forcing of westerly and easterly prevailing winds. Simulated circulation can be described in terms of simple geostrophic balances in which the currents are generally cyclonic (counter clockwise) for westerly winds and anti-cyclonic (clockwise) for easterly winds. Irregularities in lake shorelines and bathymetry cause localized variation of this general pattern. Comparison of model output with the deflected stream incision patterns suggest that prevailing winds during the Pleistocene in the Great Basin of North America were westerly and that, unlike the interior of North America, the continental ice sheet did not exert significant influence on the climatological wind patterns of the Great Basin.
Numerical optimization of deep diffractive optical elements

First order perturbation theory is used to extend Kirchhoff's approximation of thin diffraction screens and to describe surface relief structures with large modulations. The range of validity is investigated for both, the thin element approximation as well as the perturbation approach. The perturbation description is applied to the design of diffractive optical elements. Our results also illustrate the relation between the tolerance of the design against changes in the incident field and the modulation depth of the diffractive surface relief.
Chiral semiconductor frameworks from cadmium sulfide clusters

Four helical semiconductor framework materials assembled from chalcogenide II−VI nanoclusters have been synthesized and characterized. These cadmium sulfide clusters form intertwined helical assemblies from helices of either the same handedness or the opposite handedness, resulting in the crystallization of cluster-decorated chiral quartz net and achiral moganite net. The UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and the simultaneous TG-DSC analysis show that these helical materials are wide-gap semiconductors with band gap between 3.0 and 3.4 eV and are thermally stable up to about 300 °C.
A model for traffic simulation and a simulation language for the general transportation problem

Widespread interest in better traffic control techniques has resulted in the past few years because of the rapidly increasing numbers of vehicles in American cities. This paper describes a modeling technique which promises to be useful for traffic simulation and, thereby, aiding development of more advanced on-line signal control systems. For this method, simulation is accomplished by stepping individual vehicles through a traffic network system in accordance with driver responses to changing traffic and environmental conditions. During each time increment, a driver's response such as speed up, slow down, etc., is computed from various input conditions normally available to a driver. These inputs might include "is vehicle ahead slowing down," "is vehicle ahead stopped," etc. The vehicle's new positions, velocities, etc., are then computed and the next vehicle considered. Thus, the driver's responses to various input conditions are preprogrammed for the various driver types and intersection conditions. Vehicle arrival rates, driver characteristics, and vehicle flow paths may be functions of various statistical distributions. However, by also allowing preprogrammed driver actions, a desirable mixture between statistical and heuristic operations is obtained. Since the simulation can be used to predict traffic conditions, on-line simulation can then possibly be used as criteria for the selections of traffic signal control patterns or other control techniques.