cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurologic Complications of Neuraxial Anesthesia

Proper technique with neuraxial procedures minimizes the risk of complications such as dural puncture, pneumocephalus, meningitis, direct spinal cord injury, and arachnoiditis. Serious complications are truly rare, but need to be diagnosed and managed in a timely manner. If postdural puncture headache is suspected, immediate conservative treatment should be initiated and invasive treatment considered if headache persists; further neurologic evaluation should be pursued for refractory cases. 20% Intralipid emulsion should be available for the treatment of local anesthetic toxicity syndrome in any location where epidural anesthesia is performed. Patients with bleeding/coagulation concerns are at highest risk of developing an epidural hematoma. Cord ischemia, epidural abscess, and arachnoiditis are rare but potentially catastrophic complications of neuraxial procedures; neurosurgery consultation should be made immediately. Nonspecific back pain may develop in 44% of the pregnant population, regardless of the use of neuraxial analgesia/anesthesia. Peripheral nerve injuries are common complications of childbirth trauma that are frequently and erroneously attributed to the use of neuraxial techniques.
The price of certainty: iterative decoding from a total power perspective

The classical problem of reliable point-to-point digital communication is to achieve a low probability of error while keeping the rate high and the power consumption small. Traditionally, explicit power-dependent (idealized) models for the communication channel are used to study the transmit power required. The resulting dasiawaterfallpsila curves convey the revolutionary idea that unboundedly low probabilities of bit-error are attainable using only finite transmit power. However, it has long been observed that the decoder complexity, and hence the total power consumption, goes up when attempting to use codes that operate close to the waterfall curve. This paper explores this theme by using explicit models for computation and power consumption at the decoder. To get a lower bound, an ASIC-oriented model is given that allows for extreme parallelism in implementation. The decoder architecture is in the spirit of iterative decoding for sparse-graph codes, but is further idealized in that it allows for more computational power than is currently known to be implementable. Generalized sphere-packing arguments are used to derive bounds on the number of decoding iterations needed for any possible code given only the rate and the desired probability of error. The lower bound is plotted to show an unavoidable tradeoff between the average bit-error probability and the total power used in transmission and decoding. In the spirit of conventional waterfall curves, we call these ldquowatersliderdquo curves.
Posthumous assisted reproduction: a survey of attitudes of couples seeking fertility treatment and the degree of agreement between intimate partners

Objective To study attitudes about posthumous assisted reproduction (PAR) in individuals presenting for assisted reproduction, to examine the degree of concordance of attitudes within couples, and to determine whether individuals can accurately predict the attitudes of their intimate partners. Design Cross sectional survey. Setting University-based fertility center. Patient(s) One hundred six couples presenting for an initial fertility evaluation. Intervention(s) Anonymous survey completed independently by each partner. Main Outcome Measure(s) 1) individual attitudes about PAR, 2) the rate of concordance in attitudes within couples, and 3) the ability of individuals to predict their partner's attitudes. Result(s) Approximately 78% of individuals stated they would permit PAR. Couples expressed concordant attitudes about 75% of the time. Statistically, women and men were equivalent in correctly predicting their partner's attitudes (79% vs. 71%). Conclusion(s) Although most individuals presenting for fertility treatment would agree to PAR, there was also a notable portion that stated that they would not consent with the process. Although most couples had concordant attitudes, discordance was also prevalent. Individuals often, but not always, were able to predict their partner's attitudes about PAR.
Evidence for specificity of transmission of alcohol and nicotine dependence in an offspring of twins design

Alcohol dependence (AD) and nicotine dependence (ND) have been shown to co-occur. Results from twin studies implicate the role of genetics in the etiology of both ND and AD with substantial, yet incomplete, overlap. To test for specificity of transmission of AD and ND in an offspring of twins sample we analyzed data from a study of adolescent and adult offspring of twin fathers ascertained from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. This sample consists of 1213 twin fathers, 862 biologic or rearing mothers, and 1270 offspring. Offspring were allocated to one of four risk groups for AD based on twin fathers' zygosity and father's and cotwins AD history. Offspring DSM-IV AD and ND were measured by structured diagnostic interview. Paternal AD and ND were significantly associated with offspring AD and ND, respectively. Bivariate probit regression results suggest specificity for transmission of AD and ND. This remained constant after controlling for offspring demographics and psychopathology and maternal AD and ND. Despite the substantial genetic overlap between the two disorders, there is evidence for genetic effects specific for AD and ND.
A Twin Study of Lifetime Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in Older Adults: Genetic and Environmental Influences Shared by Neuroticism and GAD

The nature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and worry across the lifespan remains incompletely understood. We investigated genetic and environmental influences on GAD and the proportion of genetic and environmental variation in GAD that is shared with neuroticism in older adult twins. Participants included 1618 monozygotic and 2291 same-sexed dizygotic twin pairs from the Swedish Twin Registry aged 55 to 74. Participants provided personality information in 1973 and also participated in a telephone screening between 1998 and 2002 that included an assessment for lifetime GAD. Univariate biometric models indicated that both GAD and neuroticism were moderately heritable (.27 and .47, respectively), while the balance of variation reflected environmental factors unique to the individual. Bivariate analyses indicated that approximately one third of the genetic influences on GAD were in common with genetic influences on neuroticism, while individual specific environmental influences were virtually unshared between GAD and neuroticism. Analyses of sex effects suggested that men and women differed in the frequency of lifetime GAD and level of neuroticism; however, no sex differences for genetic and environmental influences for either trait were identified.
Impairment of GABAA receptor function by N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated calcium influx in isolated CA1 pyramidal cells.

Abstract Mechanisms of regulation of GABAA receptor function by intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) were examined in cell somata and apical dendrites of pyramidal cells, acutely dissociated from the CA1 hippocampal subfield of adult guinea-pigs. GABAA receptor-mediated currents were measured by whole-cell clamp recordings.N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor-mediated currents were used as conditioning source of calcium influx. Peak amplitudes of somatic GABAA whole-cell currents were reduced to about 15% of control values when net inward charge accumulation byN-methyl- d -aspartate currents reached 1.85 nC. A similar decline of GABAA currents was observed in dendritic recordings. TheN-methyl- d -as partate-mediated reduction of somatic and dendritic GABAA currents was accompanied by a well correlated decrease in peak and chord conductances. Pharmacological blockade ofN-methyl- d -aspartate currents by 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid prevented theN-methyl- d -aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA responses. TheN-methyl- d -aspartate effect was mediated by the calcium component ofN-methyl- d -aspartate receptor-mediated currents as demonstrated by a lack of effect in the absence of extracellular calcium and fasterN-methyl- d -aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA responses in lower intracellular1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N″-tetra-acetate.N-methyl- d -aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA currents was significantly less expressed when intracellular ATP was replaced by its analog adenosine5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and when the specific phosphatase 2B inhibitor cypermethrin was added intracellularly. The reduction of GABAA responses persisted after cessation ofN-methyl- d -aspartate-mediated calcium influx, indicating a long-term action ofN-methyl- d -aspartate on GABAA responses. Voltage-activated calcium currents did not affect GABAA responses under the experimental conditions applied. In conclusion, the data presented show that calcium influxes throughN-methyl- d -aspartate receptor channels result in long-term suppression of GABAA receptor function in CA1 pyramidal cells. Intracellular mechanisms ofN-methyl- d -aspartate-mediated reduction of GABAA conductances involve activation of phosphatase 2B and consecutive dephosphorylation of the GABAA receptor or a closely associated GABAA receptor-regulating enzyme. Possible mechanisms of such a distinctN-methyl- d -aspartate-dependent calcium signalling pathway in the dephosphorylation-dependent suppression or GABAA receptor function are discussed.
Mechanistic Insights into Cu-Catalyzed Asymmetric Aldol Reactions: Chemical and Spectroscopic Evidence for a Metalloenolate Intermediate

In situ IR spectroscopy and transmetalation experiments confirm a postulated catalytic cycle. The metalloenolate 1 describes the active intermediate in the aldol reaction catalyzed by [CuF2 {(S)-tol-binap}] (see reaction scheme). (S)-tol-binap=(S)-(-)-2,2'-bis(di-p-tolylphosphanyl)-1,1'-binaphthyl.
A novel gene involved in zinc transport is deficient in the lethal milk mouse

We have identified the gene responsible for the inherited zinc deficiency in the lethal milk (lm) mouse. The gene, here designated Znt4, encodes a 430-amino-acid protein that is homologous to two proteins, ZnT2 and ZnT3, responsible for sequestration of zinc into endosomal/lysosomal compartments and synaptic vesicles, respectively. We show that the Znt4 gene confers zinc resistance to a zinc-sensitive yeast strain and that it is abundantly expressed in the mammary epithelia and brain. The lethal milk mutant has a nonsense mutation at arginine codon 297 in the Znt4 gene.
Eddy viscosity distributions in a Mach 20 turbulent boundary layer

Shear stress and eddy viscosity distribution in Mach 20 compressible turbulent boundary layer, using mixing length flow theory
Stimulated Smith-Purcell semiconductor THz sources

We propose a novel room-temperature semiconductor source of narrowband coherent THz radiation that radiates via the Smith-Purcell effect and uses the Gunn effect to increase the radiated power (Figure 1). The radiation frequency of the device depends only on the grating period and the velocity of the Gunn domain, reaching low THz range with submicron grating. The Smith-Purcell effect is well-known in vacuum electronics and accelerator physics: a DC electron beam focused parallel to a metallic grating generates weak, incoherent electromagnetic radiation called spontaneous Smith-Purcell radiation (SPR). A bunched electron beam instead generates coherent stimulated SPR, with radiated power many orders of magnitude stronger than spontaneous SPR. Spontaneous SPR has been observed in semiconductors, but only at low temperature. The Gunn effect naturally provides space-charge bunching in semiconductors, and Gunn domains generate stimulated SPR at room temperature in the proposed devices. We develop a simple analytic model to describe the radiation which agrees well with device simulations. The small size of the radiative portion of the device suggests the use of an integrated antenna which significantly boosts the power of simulated devices. Our results indicate that the effect should be observable from a InP device, with power density of 30nW/μm of device width at 0.27 THz and 6nW/μm at 0.44THz. Results based on InN parameters look very promising for this approach with calculated power densities of 3.5μW/μm at 0.25THz, 20nW/μm at 1.0THz, and 3nW/μm at 2.0THz. We conclude that experimental investigation is warranted.
Experimental Aerobic-Anaerobic Thoracic Empyema in the Guinea Pig

Abstract The clinical and pathological features of experimental aerobic-anaerobic thoracic empyema in the Duncan-Harley guinea pig are described. Thoracic empyema development and early death ( Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
Work History and U.S. Elders' Transitions into Poverty

Poverty risks among elders are shaped in critical ways by their work history, demographic characteristics, current marital status, and residential context. Using 25 years of data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we combined past occupation and work history of elders and their spouses with information on current marital status and residence to estimate discrete time event history models of first transitions into poverty after reaching age 55. Education, work history, and preretirement wages contributed to men's and some women's probability of becoming poor. Work history remained an important predictor of transitions into poverty, even after controlling for preretirement wages and human capital. Metropolitan residence was associated with a lower probability of making transitions into poverty. This residential difference was not appreciably attenuated in three of four elderly subgroups after measures of work history, preretirement wages, current life events, and demographic characteristics of the elders were included in the models.
A New Gnosticism: Why Simon Gathercole and Mark Goodacre on the Gospel of Thomas Change the Field

This review article applauds Simon Gathercole and Mark Goodacre for presenting strong arguments in favour of the dependence of the Gospel of Thomas on the Synoptic Gospels. Their shared emphasis on Thomas as a second-century text drawing on Synoptic tradition does, nevertheless, raise wider questions about the author’s aims and the purpose of the text, whose series of sayings were probably intended as a medium to unlock the secrets to eternal life. A redaction-critical approach to Thomas can also open up a whole new ﬁeld of questions about its setting and transmission history.
FABRIC YELLOWING CAUSED BY CITRIC ACID AS A CROSSLINKING AGENT FOR COTTON

Citric acid (CA), one of the polycarboxylic acids used as crosslinking agents for cotton, is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but its tendency to discolor fabric is a major disadvantage for white fabrics. In this research, we investigate cotton fabric yellowing caused by citric acid at elevated temperatures. We find that yellowing increases as curing temperature, curing time, and CA concentration increase. Using sodium hypophosphite as a catalyst causes less fabric yellowing than monosodium phosphate. The wet analysis data demonstrate that an alkene double bond is formed on cotton fabric treated with CA under curing conditions. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data indicate that CA is partially converted to trans- and cis-aconitic acids on cotton through dehydration. The visible spectra of fabric treated with trans- and cis-aconitic acids and cured at elevated temper atures show strong absorption in the 400-550 nm region. For polymeric multifunctional carboxylic acids, an increased number of h...
New Techniques in Articular Cartilage Imaging

Standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequences provide an accurate, reproducible assessment of cartilage morphology. Three-dimensional (3D) modeling techniques enable semiautomated models of the joint surface and thickness measurements, which may eventually prove essential in templating before partial or total joint resurfacing as well as focal cartilage repair. Quantitative MRI techniques, such as T2 mapping, T1 rho, and delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC), provide noninvasive information about cartilage and repair tissue biochemistry. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) demonstrate information regarding the regional anisotropic variation of cartilage ultrastructure. Further research strengthening the association between quantitative MRI and cartilage material properties may predict the functional capacity of native and repaired tissue. MRI provides an essential objective assessment of cartilage regenerative procedures.
Principal components estimation and identification of static factors

a b s t r a c t It is known that the principal component estimates of the factors and the loadings are rotations of the un- derlying latent factors and loadings. We study conditions under which the latent factors can be estimated asymptotically without rotation. We derive the limiting distributions for the estimated factors and factor loadings when N and T are large and make precise how identification of the factors affects inference based on factor augmented regressions. We also consider factor models with additive individual and time effects. The asymptotic analysis can be modified to analyze identification schemes not considered in this analysis.
Multiple targets localization using frequency domain data

Multiple frequency domain measurements can be used to localize multiple targets using only two non-directional antennas. In our problem, the target ranges (∼30ft) are not much larger than the two antennas separation (∼6ft), thus the far field assumption of (d sin θk) delay is not very accurate. In this work, we calculate the exact length of the round trip from the transmitter to every receiving antenna without far field approximation. Range estimation is the keyword for the solution of the DOA problem using only two antennas. Bilateration is useful if we have only two antennas, but ambiguity will appear in some cases. However, ambiguity can be eliminated using trilateration (three antennas instead of two). The results shown are just to check the validity of the idea. Accuracy, robustness and reliability of the proposed method still need to be studied in more details.
Extending Solid Modeling Systems for Mechanism Design and Kinematic Simulation

Already operational in General Motors' GMSolid system, this technique can be implemented in most current geometric modeling systems.
Diflubenzuron: differential toxicity to larvae of the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its internal parasite, Doryphorophaga doryphorae (Diptera: Tachinidae)

An insecticide, diflubenzuron, suppressed 3rd- and 4th-instar larvae of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), with reduced effect on the tachinid parasite, Doryphorophaga doryphorae (Riley), developing within the larvae. Concentrations applied to potato foliage were 50, 100, 300, and 500 mg/L. In laboratory and greenhouse tests, parasite survival was not adversely affected when the 3rd instars were treated with 50 mg/L diflubenzuron but survival decreased to 0 and 4% at 300 and 500 mg/L. Survival and emergence of the parasite from treated 4th instars were not adversely affected at any concentration tested. Fourth-instar beetle larvae were much more tolerant of diflubenzuron than were the 3rd instars. Neither fertility nor the ability to parasitize beetle larvae was adversely affected in adult parasites emerging from treated 3rd or 4th instars. Adult beetles developing from treated larvae mated normally and laid fertile eggs. Foliage consumption by the beetle larvae decreased progressively as dosage of diflubenzuron increased but only slowly once the dosage increased beyond 100 mg/L.
Differential recognition of double-stranded RNA by RIG-I-like receptors in antiviral immunity.

Retinoic acid–inducible gene (RIG)-I–like receptors (RLRs) are cytosolic RNA helicases that sense viral RNA and trigger signaling pathways that induce the production of type I interferons (IFNs) and proinflammatory cytokines. RLRs recognize distinct and overlapping sets of viruses, but the mechanisms that dictate this specificity were unknown. A new study now provides evidence for size-based discrimination of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) by RLRs and suggests how host cells recognize a variety of RNA viruses.
Correlations in the layered electron-hole liquid

Introduction.At low temperatures and high carrier concentrations, the electrons and holes in semiconductors condense to form a high density metallic liquid. This electron-hole liquid(EHL)1'2is a collective state of electrons and holes,which is unique in many respects:It is the most metallic of metals,and the most quantum of fluids.The experimental results have indicated that the EHL has the characteristic properties of a liquid. Its volume is conserved,it has an equilibrium density etc. The EHL drops have a spherical shape with drop radius of lO-3-10-~cm, which is much larger than the exciton (bound electron-hole pairs) radius ax=10-slO-6cm,which represents the characteristic interaction distance of the particles in the drop. Therefore,in calculating the bulk properties of the EHL,one can neglect the surface effects.Recently,a many-body variational approach3'~for two-component systems has been applied to study the ground-state properties of such a fascinating system. Some of the results obtained for the EHL are in very good agreement s with recent experiments. The study of the EHL in two dimensions is also a very interesting problem for various reasons. Firstly,there are current experimental efforts 6 to obtain such systems. Secondly,all earlier worksT'8'1°were based on standard perturbative approachesg.A major problem inherent in those methods,however,is the unphysical behavior of the short-range part of the correlation functions. Study of the inversion layer 9 indicated that the problem of negative correlation functions at small distances becomes accute in two-dimensions,which affects the ground-state properties significantly. In the following,we shall investigate the two cases:a)the layered electron-hole liquid with variable interlayer separations,and b) systems with many-valley structure.
Histologic evaluation of the crop for diagnosis of proventricular dilatation syndrome in psittacine birds

Histologic sections of crop tissue were evaluated for the presence of lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates within mesenteric ganglia. All birds with proventricular dilatation syndrome that had lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in crop ganglia had similar infiltrates in the proventricular and/or ventricular ganglia. False-negative crop biopsy results occurred approximately 24% of the time. More invasive procedures, such as proventricular or ventricular biopsy, may be necessary if the crop biopsy is nondiagnostic in a bird with clinical signs of proventricular dilatation syndrome.
Effects of Dietary Phytate, Calcium and Magnesium Levels on Zinc Bioavailability to Rats

Young rats were fed diets containing 12 mg Zn/kg and varied levels of sodium phytate for 21-day ad libitum feeding periods. In experiment 1, Ca levels were 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0%, and phytate:Zn molar ratio varied between 0 and 50. In experiment 2, Ca was maintained at 0.3%, Mg levels were 0.07, 0.22 and 0.37%, and phytate:Zn molar ratios were 0, 10, 20 and 30 at each Mg level. Major response criteria were body weight gain and tibia Zn accumulation. Weight gain was not influenced by Ca level in the absence of phytate or by phytate at 0.3% Ca; it was increasingly depressed as phytate was increased and by each increase in Ca in the presence of phytate. Total tibia Zn content was decreased at the highest Ca level in the absence of phytate; increasing the phytate progressively depressed tibia Zn at all Ca levels. Mg and phytate additions did not affect weight gain. Tibia Zn tended to be depressed by Mg and by phytate but these effects were significant only at the highest levels of the combined additions. These data corroborate and extend previously published findings on Ca and phytate effects on Zn utilization and show bone Zn accumulation to be a more sensitive criterion than weight gain in this connection. They also indicate that Mg exerts a less pronounced effect on Zn utilization in phytate-containing diets than does Ca.
Preliminary Report on Dietitians' Views and Confidence Related to Nutrition Care for Eating Disorders

Evidence suggests that nutrition professionals have gaps in knowledge and skills related to prevention and treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating, thus inhibiting effective interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore registered dietitians’ (RDs’) views and confidence levels regarding nutrition care across the spectrum of eating disorders. An online survey management tool was used to collect data from a convenience sample of RDs (N = 291) participating in Pedi-RD list servs and dietetic practice groups including the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group. Participants answered closed- and open-ended questions about their knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to eating disorders and disordered eating. On average, participants responded that genetics was least important in the development of eating disorders and that psychological issues and obsession with food were most important. Participants indicated that working with a multidisciplinary team was most important to improve the RDs...
Yield Strength of α-Silicon Nitride at High Pressure and High Temperature

Through the analysis of peak broadening of energy-dispersive diffraction lines from a powdered sample, the yield strength of a-Si3N4 was investigated at a pressure of 9 GPa and temperatures up to 12341C. During compression at room temperature, the lattice strain deduced from peak broadening increased linearly with pressure up to 9.2 GPa, with no clear indication of strain saturation. While heating at 9 GPa, diffraction peaks narrowed and significant stress relaxation was observed at temperatures above 4001C, indicating the onset of yielding. The yield strength of a-Si3N4 decreases rapidly with increasing temperature: from 8.7 GPa at 4001C to 4.0 GPa at 12341C. The low temperature for the onset of yielding and decrease of yield strength upon further heating bring up concern regarding the performance of a-Si3N4 as an engineering material. Finally, the grain size variation is also outlined together with the dependence of differential strain on pressure and on temperature. This provides crucial information for clarifying the ‘‘fine structure’’ of the evolution of the differential strain.
A model order selection criterion with applications to cardio-respiratory-renal systems

We introduce a model order selection criterion called signal prediction error (SPE) for the identification of a linear regression model, which can be an adequate representation of a resting physiologic system. SPE is an estimate of the prediction error variance due only to model estimation error and not unobserved noise, which distinguishes it from the widely used final prediction error (FPE). We then present a theoretical analysis of SPE, which predicts that its ability to select correctly the model order is more dependent on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and less dependent on the number of data samples available for analysis. We next propose a heuristic procedure based on SPE (called SPE/sup D/) to improve its robustness to SNR levels. We then demonstrate, through simulated physiologic data at high SNR levels, that SPE will be equivalent to consistent model order selection criteria for long data records but will become superior to FPE and other model order selection criteria as the size of the data record decreases. The simulated data results also show that SPE/sup D/ is indeed a significant improvement over SPE in terms of robustness to SNR. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of SPE and SPE/sup D/ to actual cardio-respiratory-renal data.
Architectural support for protecting memory integrity and confidentiality

This dissertation describes efficient design of tamper-resistant secure processor and cryptographic memory protection model that will strength security of a computing system. The thesis proposes certain cryptographic and security features integrated into the general purpose processor and computing platform to protect confidentiality and integrity of digital content stored in a computing system's memory. System designers can take advantages of the availability of the proposed security model to build future security systems such as systems with strong anti-reverse engineering capability, digital content protection system, or trusted computing system with strong tamper-proof protection. The thesis explores architecture level optimizations and design trade-offs for supporting high performance tamper-resistant memory model and micro-processor architecture. It expands the research of the previous studies on tamper-resistant processor design on several fronts. It offers some new architecture and design optimization techniques to further reduce the overhead of memory protection over the previous approaches documented in the literature. Those techniques include prediction based memory decryption and efficient memory integrity verification approaches. It compares different encryption modes applicable to memory protection and evaluates their pros and cons. In addition, the thesis tries to solve some of the security issues that have been largely ignored in the prior art. It presents a detailed investigation of how to integrate confidentiality protection and integrity protection into the out-of-order processor architecture both efficiently and securely. Furthermore, the thesis also expands the coverage of protection from single processor to multi-processor.
Training the trainers: substance abuse screening and intervention.

Objective: Screening and brief intervention for substance abuse is effective yet underutilized by primary care physicians. This article reports on Project SAEFP (Substance Abuse Education for Family Physicians), which aimed to enhance the clinical and teaching skills and activities of U.S. family practice residency faculty. Method: Ten five-day workshops were designed and administered for 165 participants. Evaluation data included measures of participant satisfaction and pre-workshop and twelve-month post-workshop measures of the frequency of teaching, consulting, and clinical activities, and the attainment of self-identified teaching goals. Results: The participants were very satisfied with the workshops. They improved significantly in the key outcome measures. Conclusions: Several workshops may have contributed to the apparent success of Project SAEFP. Attributes of the workshops which might have facilitated their success were their duration, funding, frequency of offering, collegial learning environment, opportunities for active learning, emotionally moving exposure to recovering individuals, focus on how to modify curriculum at participant residency programs, availability of family physician role models as faculty, and readily usable instructional materials. Planners of interventions for physician educators might profit from similar attention to these attributes.
The infant tracheostomy

Tracheostomy is indicated in infants when other methods of securing the airway have failed, or when prolonged mechanical ventilation or improved pulmonary toilet is required. When performing the procedure, the infant trachea can be difficult to identify. Proper patient positioning and meticulous dissection technique are therefore critical. Stay sutures are placed to facilitate tube replacement in case of accidental decannulation in the early postoperative period. An infant tracheostomy, as compared to an adult tracheostomy, carries higher complication and mortality rates, primarily due to the inability of an infant to signal for help. Adequate caregiver training is essential if an infant is to be discharged from the hospital with a tracheostomy.
Using stopping times to bound mixing times

In the past decades Monte Carlo methods proved to be of a great importance in both theory and applications. There are several main techniques for bounding the convergence of Markov chains used in the analysis of algorithms. While they are powerful in some examples, they are weak in others. Here we will show how the use of a largely forgotten strong stationary time technique due to Aldous and Diaconis (see [1]) can improve some old bounds and give new bounds in cases when other techniques fail. We will restrict ourselves to random walks (r.w.) on groups, which can defined as nearest neighbor random walks on Cayley graphs. Among others, we obtain bound O(n2.5) on a mixing time for a random walk on a group of upper triangular matrices. A bound O(n3.5 log log n) is given for a group of real orthogonal matrices generated by random rotations. While in the first case only a weaker O(n3 log n) bound was known (see [8]), no polynomial bound was known in the second case. We also show that at least theoretically one can always speed up the random walk on a group G by changing the probability of generators as well as by considering liftings to nonreversible Markov chains on G×G. The first approach improves mixing from a general bound O(|S|∆2 log |G|) to O(∆2 log |G|), while the second improves further to O(∆ log |G|) (∆ denotes the diameter). The first result solves an open problem of Aldous and Fill (see [2]), while the second can be generalized to all Markov chains by use of multicommodity flows (joint work with L. Lovasz).
Diversity of Protein and mRNA Forms of Mammalian Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase B1 Due to Intronization and Protein Processing

Background: Methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msrs) are repair enzymes that protect proteins from oxidative stress by catalyzing stereospecific reduction of oxidized methionine residues. MsrB1 is a selenocysteine-containing cytosolic/nuclear Msr with high expression in liver and kidney. Principal Findings: Here, we identified differences in MsrB1 gene structure among mammals. Human MsrB1 gene consists of four, whereas the corresponding mouse gene of five exons, due to occurrence of an additional intron that flanks the stop signal and covers a large part of the 39-UTR. This intron evolved in a subset of rodents through intronization of exonic sequences, whereas the human gene structure represents the ancestral form. In mice, both splice forms were detected in liver, kidney, brain and heart with the five-exon form being the major form. We found that both mRNA forms were translated and supported efficient selenocysteine insertion into MsrB1. In addition, MsrB1 occurs in two protein forms that migrate as 14 and 5 kDa proteins. We found that each mRNA splice form generated both protein forms. The abundance of the 5 kDa form was not influenced by protease inhibitors, replacement of selenocysteine in the active site or mutation of amino acids in the cleavage site. However, mutation of cysteines that coordinate a structural zinc decreased the levels of 5 and 14 kDa forms, suggesting importance of protein structure for biosynthesis and/stability of these forms.
What aspect of dietary modification in broilers controls litter water-soluble phosphorus: Dietary phosphorus, phytase, or calcium?

Environmental concerns about phosphorus (P) losses from animal agriculture have led to interest in dietary strategies to reduce the concentration and solubility of P in manures and litters. To address the effects of dietary available phosphorus (AvP), calcium (Ca), and phytase on P excretion in broilers, 18 dietary treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design to each of four replicate pens of 28 broilers from 18 to 42 d of age. Treatments consisted of three levels of AvP (3.5, 3.0, and 2.5 g kg 21 ) combined with three levels of Ca (8.0, 6.9, and 5.7 g kg 21 ) and two levels of phytase (0 and 600 phytase units [FTU]). Phytase was added at the expense of 1.0 g kg 21 P from dicalcium phosphate. Fresh litter was collected from pens when the broilers were 41 d of age and analyzed for total P, soluble P, and phytate P as well as P composition by 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results indicated that the inclusion of phytase at the expense of inorganic P or reductions in AvP decreased litter total P by 28 to 43%. Litter water-soluble P (WSP) decreased by up to 73% with an increasing dietary Ca/AvP ratio, irrespective of phytase addition. The ratio of WSP/total P in litter decreased as the dietary Ca/AvP ratio increased and was greater in the phytaseamended diets. This study indicated that while feeding reduced AvP diets with phytase decreased litter total P, the ratio of Ca/AvP in the diet was primarily responsible for effects on WSP. This is important from an environmental perspective as the amount of WSP in litter could be related to potential for off-site P losses following land application of litter.
IL-4R drives dedifferentiation, mitogenesis, and metastasis in rhabdomyosarcoma

Purpose: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in childhood. The alveolar subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is a paradigm for refractory and incurable solid tumors because more than half of the children at diagnosis have either regional lymph node or distant metastases. These studies follow our previous observation that Interleukin-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα) is upregulated in both human and murine ARMS, and that the IL-4R signaling pathway may be a target for abrogating tumor progression. Experimental Design: By in vitro biochemical and cell biology studies as well as preclinical studies using a genetically engineered mouse model, we evaluated the role of IL-4 and IL-13 in IL-4R–mediated mitogenesis, myodifferentiation, and tumor progression. Results: IL-4 and IL-13 ligands accelerated tumor cell growth and activated STAT6, Akt, or MAPK signaling pathways in the human RMS cell lines, RD and Rh30, as well as in mouse primary ARMS cell cultures. IL-4 and IL-13 treatment also decreased protein expression of myogenic differentiation factors MyoD and Myogenin, indicating a loss of muscle differentiation. Using a genetically engineered mouse model of ARMS, we have shown that inhibition of IL-4R signaling pathway with a neutralizing antibody has a profound effect on the frequency of lymph node and pulmonary metastases, resulting in significant survival extension in vivo . Conclusions: Our results indicate that an IL-4R-dependent signaling pathway regulates tumor cell progression in RMS, and inhibition of this pathway could be a promising adjuvant therapeutic approach. Clin Cancer Res; 17(9); 2757–66. ©2011 AACR .
Improving Reading Outcomes for Children with Learning Disabilities: Using Brief Experimental Analysis to Develop Parent-Tutoring Interventions.

The present study assessed the effects of summer parent tutoring on 3 children with learning disabilities using empirically derived reading interventions. Brief experimental analyses were used to identify customized reading fluency interventions. Parents were trained to use the intervention strategies with their children. Parents implemented the procedures during parent-tutoring sessions at home and results were measured continuously in high-word-overlap and low-word-overlap passages to determine whether generalization occurred. Parent and child satisfaction with the procedures was assessed. Results demonstrated generalized increases in reading fluency in both high-word-overlap and low-word-overlap passages as a function of parent tutoring. Also, acceptability ratings by children and their parents indicated that they viewed the interventions as acceptable and effective. Results are discussed in terms of structuring reading fluency interventions that promote generalization and maintenance of treatment effects.
Minimizing the Disruption of Traffic Flow of Automated Vehicles During Lane Changes

Vehicles that are becoming more highly automated are revolutionizing the world's transportation systems for their promise of increased safety and efficiency. The advantage of vehicles incorporating automation is that they do not suffer from the same limitations as human drivers, such as being distracted or impaired. In order to realize the potential of these vehicles, which operate in highly dynamic environments, online techniques are needed. This paper presents such an algorithm to minimize the disruption of traffic flow by optimizing for the number of safe lane changes, thereby increasing throughput and reducing congestion. The proposed algorithm is distributed in nature and makes use of vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication technologies to judiciously make local lane-change decisions while guaranteeing that no collisions will occur. In contrast to existing work, the proposed technique requires no assumption on the number of lanes, nor on the dynamic attributes of the vehicles such as velocity and acceleration. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is both efficient and effective in maximizing the number of lane changes on a given stretch of a highway.
Neonatal Head Ultrasonography Today: A Powerful Imaging Tool!

Head ultrasonography (HUS) remains an important tool in the initial evaluation of intracranial abnormalities in infants. In experienced hands, HUS is an outstanding tool to detect brain abnormalities in preterm and full-term infants, to follow the progression of these lesions, and to describe the maturation of the infant brain. We believe it is a safe and cost-efficient alternative to magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography in many cases. In this article we discuss the HUS techniques that are currently available and are now the standard of care, how to perform them, and what to look for. We describe a variety of findings that may be encountered including hemorrhagic complications of prematurity, hypoxic ischemic brain injury, neonatal stroke, infections, malformations, neoplasms, and a few more rare neonatal pathologies.
Ice nucleation at the contact line triggered by transient electrowetting fields

Supercooled water is found to have a significantly enhanced freezing temperature during transient electrowetting with electric fields of order 1 V/μm. High speed imaging reveals that the nucleation occurs randomly at the three-phase contact line (droplet perimeter) and can occur at multiple points during one freezing event. Possible nucleation mechanisms are explored by testing various substrate geometries and materials. Results demonstrate that electric field alone has no detectable effect on ice nucleation, but the moving boundary of the droplet on the substrate due to electrowetting is associated with the triggering of nucleation at a much higher temperature.
The De-Differentiation Problem

This article demonstrates that our more sophisticated theories of law lead us to a point where we are no longer able to distinguish law from culture, or society, or the market, or politics or anything of the sort. Not only are the various terms inextricably intertwined (something that other thinkers have observed) but we are no longer in a position to articulate any relations between these various terms at all. It is with this latter realization that the de-differentiation problem kicks in. Because the various terms cannot be disentangled, we find ourselves in the odd position where there is nothing of any positive character to be said about their relations. Each is already the other and, thus, they can have no relation. This is rather bad news for the ways in which we have traditionally conceived theories of law -- indeed any theory that gets off the ground by distinguishing law from a discrete something else (which, on first glance, would seem to include all legal theory).
Women's health topics in dental hygiene curricula.

Purpose: Minimal inclusion of women9s health topics in dental and dental hygiene curricula may not prepare dental health care workers to provide comprehensive health care to females. The purposes of these surveys in 2001 and 2007 were to investigate United States dental hygiene school curricula regarding inclusion of women9s health topics in differing degree programs (associate/certificate, baccalaureate, associate/baccalaureate) and course status (required or elective). The surveys also identified sources used to obtain women9s health topics, assessed faculty continuing education participation in women9s health, determined satisfaction with current curricula, questioned if change was anticipated and if so in what topics, identified where students apply their knowledge about women9s health and in what ways and reported progress of dental hygiene curricula over the 6 year time period. Methods: Surveys were sent to dental hygiene program directors in 2001 (N=256) and in 2007 (N=288) asking them to complete the questionnaire. Results: There was no statistically significant association between 2001 and 2007 survey results by degree or program setting. The educational issue, women9s general health continuing education courses/topics completed by dental hygiene faculty in the past 2 years, showed a statistically significant difference during that time interval. No statistically significant difference existed between the survey years regarding topics on women9s general health and oral health. Regardless of statistical significance, further details investigated percentage differences that may reveal relevant issues. Conclusions: These surveys establish a baseline of women9s health topics included in dental hygiene curricula in order to assess knowledge of dental hygienists in practice.
Sacred Stories, Spiritual Tribes: Finding Religion in Everyday Life

In recent years, many pastoral theologians have adopted the paradigm of “lived religion”, made famous by historian David D. Hall.1 This concept draws attention to the ways in which faith is embodie...
Inhibition of Elastase and Collagenase by Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

SummaryC. kistolyticum collagenase has been shown to be inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid, flufenamic acid, and indomethacin. Effects with phenylbutazone were variably manifested as inhibition or activation depending upon the concentration of drug used. Cortisone acetate induced activation of collagenase while slight inhibition was found with dexamethasone. Crystalline pancreatic elastase (porcine) was shown to be inhibited by phenylbutazone but cortisone acetate and dexamethasone had no effect. Flufenamic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, indomethacin, and some structurally related compounds caused activation of the enzyme.
Non-specificity of pituitary-induced anuran ovulation in vitro.

SummaryOvulation in vitro has been induced in a variety of anurans using homoplastic and heteroplastic pituitary extracts, indicating (1) that the reaction as induced in excised ovarian tissue is truly physiological and normal, and (2) that there is a general lack of specificity of pituitary hormones for this response.
Validation of a High-Throughput Screening Assay for Identification of Adjunctive and Directly Acting Antimicrobials Targeting Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract We describe development and validation of a high-throughput screen (HTS) for identifying small molecules that restore the efficacy of carbapenems (adjunctives) and/or directly inhibit growth of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Our HTS assay is based on a screen–counterscreen approach using a representative multidrug-resistant CRE strain, Klebsiella pneumoniae BIDMC12A. Specifically, we tested the ability of small molecules to inhibit bacterial growth in the presence (screen) or absence (counterscreen) of meropenem, a representative carbapenem antibiotic. Primary screening of 11,698 known bioactive compounds identified 14 with adjunctive activity and 79 with direct antimicrobial effect. Secondary screening identified triclosan as a strongly synergistic meropenem adjunctive (fractional inhibitory concentration = 0.48) and confirmed azidothymidine (AZT) (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 4 μg mL−1), NH125 (MIC = 4 μg mL−1), diphenyleneiodonium chloride (MIC = 8 μg mL−1), and spe...