cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electronic health record analysis via deep Poisson factor models

Electronic Health Record (EHR) phenotyping utilizes patient data captured through normal medical practice, to identify features that may represent computational medical phenotypes. These features may be used to identify at-risk patients and improve prediction of patient morbidity and mortality. We present a novel deep multi-modality architecture for EHR analysis (applicable to joint analysis of multiple forms of EHR data), based on Poisson Factor Analysis (PFA) modules. Each modality, composed of observed counts, is represented as a Poisson distribution, parameterized in terms of hidden binary units. Information from different modalities is shared via a deep hierarchy of common hidden units. Activation of these binary units occurs with probability characterized as Bernoulli-Poisson link functions, instead of more traditional logistic link functions. In addition, we demonstrate that PFA modules can be adapted to discriminative modalities. To compute model parameters, we derive efficient Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) inference that scales efficiently, with significant computational gains when compared to related models based on logistic link functions. To explore the utility of these models, we apply them to a subset of patients from the Duke-Durham patient cohort. We identified a cohort of over 16,000 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) based on diagnosis codes and laboratory tests out of our patient population of over 240,000. Examining the common hidden units uniting the PFA modules, we identify patient features that represent medical concepts. Experiments indicate that our learned features are better able to predict mortality and morbidity than clinical features identified previously in a large-scale clinical trial.
Bilateral Salpingectomy Using Percutaneous Minilaparoscopy

Abstract Study Objective To show a new technique for bilateral salpingectomy using percutaneous minilaparoscopy. Design Step-by-step video demonstration and narration of the surgical procedure. Setting Minilaparoscopy was first described in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since then, minilaparoscopic instruments have been successfully applied to several general surgery and gynecologic procedures, including hysterectomy. Potential benefits of minilaparoscopy compared with conventional laparoscopy include decreased tissue trauma, pain, and improved cosmesis. Interventions Percutaneous minilaparoscopic approach for bilateral salpingectomy. Conclusion Percutaneous minilaparoscopy, in addition to conventional laparoscopy, is a feasible approach for bilateral salpingectomy.
Addressing Mental Health Needs: Perspectives of African Americans Living in the Rural South.

Objective:Rural African Americans are disproportionately affected by social stressors that place them at risk of developing psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to understand mental health, mental health treatment, and barriers to treatment from the perspective of rural African-American residents and other stakeholders in order to devise culturally acceptable treatment approaches.Methods:Seven focus groups (N=50) were conducted with four stakeholder groups: primary care providers, faith community representatives, college students and administrators, and individuals living with mental illness. A semistructured interview guide was used to elicit perspectives on mental health, mental health treatment, and ways to improve mental health in rural African-American communities. Inductive analysis was used to identify emergent themes and develop a conceptual model grounded in the textual data.Results:Stressful living environments (for example, impoverished communities) and broader community-held beliefs (for ex...
The Perk-eIF2α -ATF4 arm of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) contributes to tumor progression and is a target for therapeutic intervention.

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 4579 Hypoxia/anoxia in the tumor microenvironment promotes tumor aggressiveness and negatively impacts response to therapy. We previously demonstrated that tumor cells under hypoxia activate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase Perk, thereby inducing phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α and translational upregulation of the transcription factor ATF4. The Perk-eIF2α-ATF4 pathway constitutes one component of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), a coordinated cellular program that promotes survival under conditions of ER stress. Inactivation of Perk or eIF2α phosphorylation or expression of a dominant-negative Perk in transformed cells, result in significant inhibition of tumor growth due to higher levels of apoptosis inn hypoxic areas and defective angiogenesis compared to tumors with an intact UPR. Notably, we and others found expression of ATF4 in hypoxic areas of clinical samples of human tumors. To gain further insight into the role of ATF4 in tumor progression, we performed microarray gene expression analysis on ATF4+/+ and ATF4-/- Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs), exposed to anoxia or normoxia for 10h. We have identified a number of genes whose expression was significantly changed in both an ATF4-dependent and hypoxia-dependent manner. The mRNA levels of TRB3, a protein induced under nutrient deprivation and of Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1), which inhibits mitochondrial respiration to protect cells in low-oxygen conditions, were induced by anoxia to significantly higher levels in ATF4+/+ compared to ATF4-/- MEFs (22-fold vs. 4-fold for TRB3 and 17-fold vs. 4-fold for PDK1). We are currently investigating the role of ATF4 and its targets in hypoxia tolerance and in tumor progression by knock-down experiments. Interestingly, using MTT and clonogenic survival assays, we also found that hypoxic HeLa and PC-3 cells were significantly more sensitive to the known ER stressors thapsigargin and the FDA-approved proteasome-inhibitor PS-341, compared to normoxic tumor cells. This increased cytotoxicity correlated with increased levels of the UPR effectors ATF4 and Chop, suggesting treatment of hypoxic tumor cells with ER stress-inducing agents produces levels of ER stress that are not compatible with cell survival. More importantly, xenograft tumors from HeLa cells treated with PS-341 showed increased levels of apoptosis in hypoxic areas compared to tumors treated with vehicle alone. Taken together, our results and those of other groups indicate that the UPR is activated by the tumor microenvironment and contributes to tumor progression; however, UPR activation may also provide a unique opportunity to selectively target hypoxic cells with ER stress-inducing agents. This work was supported by NCI grant CA-94214 to CK.
Active Vibration Suppression of Plate By the Use of Piezoceramic Sensors and Actuators

Abstract This work presents an active vibration control system of a thin test plate. Software simulation are realized using different control methodologies, such as localized control with Hybrid-fuzzy PD controller and State feedback controller. Both are shown to attenuate vibration at resonance frequencies. The results confirm that these two kinds of control methods are reliable in active damping of the vibration
Abstract WP100: Thymosin β4 for the Treatment of Sub-Acute Stroke in Aged Rats

Introduction: Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a 5K peptide which influences cellular migration by inhibiting organization of the actin-cytoskeleton. Tβ4 has neurorestorative properties and is a potential candidate for the treatment of sub-acute stroke. Previous research demonstrated that Tβ4 improved neurological outcome in a young (3 months) rat model of embolic stroke. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that Tβ4 would improve neurological outcome in an aged rat model of embolic stroke when administered 24 hours after embolic stroke. Methods: Aged Male Wistar rats (Charles River, France 18-21 months) were subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Rats were randomized to receive Tβ4 (12 mg/kg, Regenerx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.) or control 24 hrs after MCAo and then every 3 days for 4 additional doses. The dose of 12 mg/kg was the maximal dose of Tβ4 that showed functional improvement in a young rat model of embolic stroke. Functional tests were performed weekly. The rats were sacrificed 56 days after MCAo and lesion volumes measured. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to compare the treatment effect on functional recovery and t-test for lesion volumes. Results and Conclusions: Twenty-three rats were included in the study: control group (n=12) and Tβ4 group (n=11). After randomization, there were three deaths in both the control and Tβ4 groups. The Tβ4 treatment reduced infarct volume by more than 50% (12.8% ± 9.3%, mean ± SE, p Conclusions: The Tβ4 treatment of stroke aged animals significantly reduces infarct volume compared to vehicle treated stroke. Dissociation between infarct volume and functional outcome in the control group suggests, a ceiling effect of these functional tests in aged animals may obscure proper evaluation of functional outcome between the Tβ4 and control groups. Additional studies and more sensitive behavioral tests are needed to examine the dissociation between infarct volume and functional outcomes in aged ischemic rats.
Development and Preliminary Evaluation of Reliability Displays for Automated Lane Keeping

In-vehicle automated safety features aim to increase safety; however, they are not always perfect. When automated systems fail, they leave the driver unprepared to recover quickly and safely. Reliability displays, informing the driver of the system's confidence in itself, could help keep drivers aware of the automation's status and increase safety when failures occur. This study proposed two metrics for displaying this information to the driver: automation reliability (AR), a system-centric metric; and required driver engagement (RDE), a human-centric metric. Visual displays were developed in three levels for each metric: quantitative, qualitative, and representational. Participants sorted these displays for level of AR and RDE, and rated their preference. Results showed AR displays were matched more accurately than RDE displays. Preference ratings were not significantly different between the display types. These results are discussed in terms of how these displays can be designed to ensure drivers understand vehicle automation.
Co-constructing Family Memory: Understanding the Intergenerational Practices of Passing on Family Stories

Sharing family stories is an integral aspect of how families remember together and build a sense of connection. Yet, when generations in families are separated by large geographic and temporal distances, the everyday taken-for-granted processes of sharing family stories shift from conversational to mediated forms. To inform HCI research and practice in mediating family stories, we contribute an account of the co-constructive intergenerational social practices enacted to co-construct and interpret family stories. These practices demonstrate the agency of both storytellers and listeners as they work to discover, decipher, and reconstruct family stories. We close by drawing insights from this setting to frame key design challenges for multi-lifespan information systems mediating asynchronous, asymmetric, co-constructive and socially weighted information sharing interactions.
Abelian Groups G which Satisfy G ≃ G ⊕ K for Every Direct Summand K of G

The study of abelian groups with isomorphic proper subgroups [l] and groups with isomorphic proper direct summands [2] by R.S. Pierce and the author suggests the consideration of abelian groups G such that G ≃ G ⊕ K for every direct summand K of G.
The importance of host fish in long range transport of unionids in large rivers

Home ranges, the amount of space used by animals, are central to understanding habitat diversity, effects of fragmentation, and conservation potential. The size of an organism's home range yields information on spatial requirements, life history, genetics, foraging, and interactions with other organisms. Present theory suggests that home range is set by body size of individuals. Here we analyze data on fish home ranges in lakes and rivers to show that ecosystem size and shape influence home range. Using a review of 192 studies including 125 fish species on six continents, we show that home ranges increased with increasing ecosystem size across ecosystem shapes. This contrasts with past studies concluding that body size sets home range. We show that ecosystem size was a consistently significant predictor of home range, but that home range did not always increase with body size. The fraction of available ecosystem exploited by individual animals declined systematically with ecosystem size. Since habitat patches are decreasing in size worldwide, our findings have implications for ecology, conservation, and genetics of populations in fragmented ecosystems. Introduction Home range size and location are important bearing to the fitness and structure of populations (Fischer and Kummer 2000, Kramer and Chapman 1999, Winder et al. 2004). Home range is the area familiar to and used and reused by individuals (Wilson 1975) and is a behavioral
Cytologic Mimics of Endocervical Glandular Neoplasia

The cytologic mimics of endocervical glandular neoplasia include reactive and reparative changes of the endocervical glandular epithelium especially in relation to endocervical polyps, tubal metaplasia, endometriosis, pregnancy-related changes, and cytologic changes induced by the presence of an intrauterine contraceptive device. Awareness of these entities will aid in avoiding over diagnosis of endocervical glandular neoplasia.
Elastic Plastic Fracture: Crack Tip Fields

The crack tip stress and strain fields for stationary and growting cracks in elastic-plastic materials are calculated here and the results used to gain insight into ductile fracture criteria such as the R-curve. The size of the plastic zone ahead of the crack is estimated using several models. Knowing the size of the plastic zone relative to the component dimensions is an important step in determining whether to us linear elastic fracture mechanics or elastic-plastic fracture mechanics for a fracture prediction. Effects of large scale yielding are explored through slip line solutions.
Mapping Gender and Violence: Describing Reality, Resisting Abuse

Scholars of communication have long balanced two notions of communication. To borrow Carey’s (2009) language, communication has been both a map of the world—a way to describe preexisting reality—an...
Leukoaraiosis Predicts Short-term Cognitive But not Motor Recovery in Ischemic Stroke Patients During Rehabilitation.

Abstract Background: Leukoaraiosis has been shown to impact functional outcomes after acute ischemic stroke. However, its association with domain specific recovery after ischemic stroke is uncertain. We sought to determine whether pre-existing leukoaraiosis is associated with short-term motor and cognitive recovery after stroke. Methods: We retrospectively studied ischemic stroke patients admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation (AIR) between January 2013 and September 2015. Patient baseline characteristics, infarct volume, prestroke modified Rankin Scale, stroke cause, rehabilitation length of stay, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were recorded. Leukoaraiosis severity was graded on brain magnetic resonance imaging using the Fazekas scale. Multiple linear regression was used to determine factors independently associated with the total, cognitive, and motor FIM scores at AIR discharge, respectively. Results: Of 1600 ischemic stroke patients screened, 109 patients were included in the final analysis. After adjustment, the initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (β −0.541, confidence interval [CI] −0.993 to −0.888; P = 0.020) and pre-existing leukoaraiosis severity (β −1.448, CI −2.861 to −0.034; P = 0.045) independently predicted the total FIM score. Domain specific analysis showed that infarct volume (β −0.012, CI −0.019 to −0.005; P = 0.002) and leukoaraiosis severity (β −0.822, CI −1.223 to −0.410; P = 0.0001) independently predicted FIM cognitive scores at discharge from AIR. Leukoaraiosis did not predict FIM motor score (P = 0.17). Conclusions: Leukoaraiosis severity is an independent predictor of total and cognitive, but not motor FIM scores after AIR for acute ischemic stroke. This highlights that leukoaraiosis affects poststroke recovery in a domain specific fashion, information that may aid counseling of patients and families as well as tailor rehabilitative efforts.
Meteorological detrending of long-term (2003-2017) ozone and precursor concentrations at three sites in the Houston Ship Channel Region.

ABSTRACTAmbient ozone is influenced by meteorology in addition to concentrations of precursor compounds (oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC)). The efficacy of regulatory m...
Atypical presentation of isolated orbital Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Background A 9-year old female presented with one month of waxing and waning upper eyelid swelling. An excisional biopsy via anterior orbitotomy was performed. Objective To describe a patient presenting atypically with symptoms concerning for orbital cellulitis who was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Methods Description of case report. Results We report a case of a 9-year old female with one month of periorbital edema and erythema suspected to be orbital cellulitis. A complete ophthalmological exam, subsequent imaging, and an excisional biopsy revealed the diagnosis of LCH. With a confirmed diagnosis, the patient started chemotherapy indicated by the Histiocyte Society Evaluation and Treatment Guidelines. Conclusion Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) embodies a spectrum of diseases with the primary pathologic process being the abnormal proliferation of polyclonal Langerhans cells. In children with isolated bony involvement, the most common presenting symptom is pain. Rarely is orbital involvement with associated periorbital edema and erythema the primary presentation.
Is Blog Value Relevant? Insights from Cheap Talk

Word of Mouth (WOM) has been widely considered as a major driver behind the consumer adoption and diffusion of new products and services because online reviews have become a major information source for consumers to access a product's quality information. In this paper, we hypothesize that compared to the traditional media exposures, blogs can serve as a major information source for consumers to assess the intrinsic valuation of a company. Using data collected from Blogpulse, this study empirically shows that after controlling the traditional media visibility, a firm's visibility in the blog space is positively associated with its capital market valuation and trading volume. Blogs could achieve their credibility through renegotiation. Over all, we draw the conclusion that on average any publicity is good visibility. And we call upon SEC to pay special attention to this information media and enforce the necessary rules to regulate this information channel.
Phylogeographic analysis reveals mito-nuclear discordance in Dasypterus intermedius

Northern yellow bats (Dasypterus intermedius) are tree-roosting bats in the family Vespertilionidae comprised of two subspecies: D. intermedius intermedius and D. intermedius floridanus. The two subspecies are thought to be geographically separated. Due to their cryptic morphology, this hypothesis has never been tested and can benefit from being examined within a molecular framework. In this study, mitochondrial sequence data from 38 D. intermedius and nuclear sequence data from 14 D. intermedius from across their range were used to test the hypothesis that genetically defined groups correspond geographically with the two morphologically defined subspecies. Although high levels of divergence of the mitochondrial sequence (11.6%) suggest genetically distinct clusters sympatric in southern Texas, no genetic structure was recovered with the nuclear marker. Moreover, the mitochondrial sequence data recovered a paraphyletic relationship between the two subspecies of D. intermedius with the Cuban yellow bat (D. insularis), whereas no such paraphyly was recovered from analysis of the nuclear marker. Divergence time based on analyses of mitochondrial sequence for the two subspecies was approximately 5.5 Ma. The patterns observed are hypothesized to be the result of past isolation of lineages and secondary contact that is currently contributing to gene flow.
Abandoning Presidential Administration: A Civic Governance Agenda To Promote Democratic Equality and Guard Against Creeping Authoritarianism

Upon assuming the presidency, Joe Biden is likely to enjoy limited congressional support for his legislative agenda. Democrats believe they have a good playbook for this situation: “presidential administration.” Coined by now–Justice Kagan, presidential administration endorses the use of unilateral executive action to advance the president’s policy priorities. We argue that presidential administration is unlikely to be successful. More to the point, we fear it may prove dangerous, further legitimizing practices that enable and embolden future authoritarians far more adroit with the tools and language of power than Donald Trump. We propose that Biden instead practice (and preach) “civic administration,” diffusing authority away from the office of the president in ways that empower the federal bureaucracy, state, local, and tribal officials, and civil society. These other institutions and actors would serve as (1) partners in advancing social and economic policy and (2) potential counterweights if and when the White House pushes reckless initiatives. Biden should of course lead federal administrative agencies to take lawful action on the major issues of the day, from the pandemic, to climate change, to social inequality. But these and other actions should be taken in ways that recalibrate executive power, amplify and leverage the talents and resources of any number of competent actors outside of the West Wing and Cabinet, and remain mindful of the dangers of presidential unilateralism.
Comparison of diagnostic performances, case-based repeatability, and operating sensitivity and specificity in classification of breast lesions using DCE-MRI

Understanding repeatability of classification by classifier in the context of overall classification performance and operating points can contribute to improved design of computer-aided diagnosis (CADx). Breast lesions (243 benign, 853 malignant: 1,096 total) were segmented using a fuzzy c-means method from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images acquired over 2005-2015. Thirty-eight radiomic features were extracted. Overall classification performance, case-based classification repeatability, and attainment of ‘preferred’ target and ‘optimal’ sensitivity and specificity were investigated for three classifiers: linear discriminant analysis, support vector machine, and random forest using a 1000-iteration 0.632 bootstrap. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the task of classifying lesions as malignant or benign was determined using the 0.632+ bootstrap correction. AUC was compared between classifiers; statistical significance was indicated when the 98.33% confidence interval (CI) of the difference in AUC (corrected for multiple comparisons) excluded zero. Classifier repeatability was determined through 95% CI width of classifier output by case across classifier output range. Classifier output thresholds were determined from the training folds for target sensitivity (95%), target specificity (95%), and for a selected ‘optimal’ operating point determined by minimizing (1-sensitivity)2 + (1-specificity)2 and applied to the test folds. No difference in AUC was observed between the three classifiers. Classifier output, however, was more repeatable when the random forest classifier was used as indicated by a lower 95% CI width of classifier output overall. Moreover, limited differences by classifier in threshold to attain target and ‘optimal’ sensitivities and specificities along with attained sensitivities and specificities were observed. CADx design may benefit from these considerations when selecting which classifier is used.
Emergent symmetries and slow quantum dynamics in a Rydberg-atom chain with confinement

Rydberg atoms in optical tweezer arrays provide a playground for nonequilibrium quantum many-body physics. The PXP model describes the dynamics of such systems in the strongly interacting Rydberg blockade regime and notably exhibits weakly nonergodic dynamics due to quantum many-body scars. Here, we study the PXP model in a strong staggered external field, which has been proposed to manifest quasiparticle confinement in light of a mapping to a lattice gauge theory. We characterize this confining regime using both numerical exact diagonalization and perturbation theory around the strong-field limit. In addition to the expected emergent symmetry generated by the staggered field, we find a second emergent symmetry that is special to the PXP model. The interplay between these emergent symmetries and the Rydberg blockade constraint dramatically slows down the system's dynamics beyond naive expectations. We devise a nested Schrieffer-Wolff perturbation theory to properly account for the new emergent symmetry, and we show that this treatment is essential to understand the numerically observed relaxation time scales. We also discuss connections to Hilbert space fragmentation, and we trace the origin of the new emergent symmetry to a ``nearly-$\text{SU}(2)$'' algebra discovered in the context of many-body scarring.
Year of Return: Black Clinicians Connecting Across the West-African Diaspora

Scholars (Choi et al., 2015; West-Olatunji et al., 2011) have demonstrated the benefits of an international immersion trip for counseling students, however, to date, there is limited literature on this experience for practicing clinicians. The current study focused on exploring the lived experiences of Black counselors (N = 6) engaging in an international immersion trip to Ghana. We identified six themes: (a) society without racism, (b) transgenerational trauma, (c) connection, (d) identity, (e) personal change, and (f) counseling practice. We discuss implications for counselor educators and clinicians and recommendations for future research.
Book Review: Wizard of Ads

The Wizard of Ads, by Roy H. Williams. (Austin, Tex: Bard Press, 1998), 221 pages, ISBN 1-885167.29.6 Trade Paperback 1-885167-32-+6, $16.95 paperback / $26.95 hardvocer.
Cancer Cell Invasion through Tissue Barriers

Tumor metastasis is a multistep process, including local invasion, intravasation, transport, extravasation, and colonization. For tumor cells to disseminate from their primary site and form secondary tumors at a distant site, they need to activate a number of cellular programs, including epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), invadopdia-mediated ECM degradation, various modes of cell migration, as well as resistance to anoikis and microtentacle-mediated endothelium attachment. Here, we review the most widely accepted findings relevant to individual cellular processes and discuss their importance during tumor invasion and metastasis.
Multiple molecular spiders with a single localized source: the one-dimensional case

Molecular spiders are nanoscale walkers made with DNA enzyme legs attached to a common body. They move over a surface of DNA substrates, cleaving them and leaving behind product DNA strands, which they are able to revisit. Simple one-dimensional models of spider motion show significant superdiffusive motion when the leg-substrate bindings are longer-lived than the leg-product bindings. This gives the spiders potential as a faster-than-diffusion transport mechanism. However, analysis shows that single-spider motion eventually decays into an ordinary diffusive motion, owing to the ever increasing size of the region of cleaved products. Inspired by cooperative behavior of natural molecular walkers, we propose a model for multiple walkers moving collectively over a one-dimensional lattice. We show that when walkers are sequentially released from the origin, the collective effect is to prevent the leading walkers from moving too far backwards. Hence there is an effective outward pressure on the leading walkers that keeps them moving superdiffusively for longer times, despite the growth of the product region.
“Medieval Belief and Modern Secularity: Teaching the Middle Ages to Contemporary College Students”

This article presents pedagogical strategies to engage students of the modern, secular world with materials shaped by religious belief in the Middle Ages. Three specific challenges to the teaching of medieval culture are analyzed: resistance to the religious fervor surrounding miraculous objects such as relics, adherence to specific representations of the divine, and identification of the Middle Ages as a barbaric period marked by mistakes never to be repeated. Resonances between the Middle Ages and our contemporary world emerge, however, when questioning the structures, aesthetics, and audiences of both. By using medieval scenarios to formulate questions about modern problems, these pedagogical strategies seek to implicate students from both religious and secular backgrounds, and provoke interpretations of the Middle Ages that offer insight into the contemporary world.
Maintenance therapies in bipolar disorders.

Gitlin M, Frye MA. Maintenance therapies in bipolar disorders. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14 (Suppl. 2): 51–65. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objective: Bipolar disorder is an inherently recurrent disorder, requiring maintenance preventive treatments in the vast majority of patients. The authors review the data on maintenance treatments in bipolar disorder, highlighting the controlled trial literature. Methods: Literature review using PubMed, Medline, and a hand search of relevant literature. Results: Over the last decade, a number of effective maintenance treatments for bipolar disorder have been developed with an evidence base for second-generation antipsychotics and some anticonvulsants. Increasing numbers of patients, therefore, are appropriately treated with multiple medications as a maintenance regimen. For some medications, maintenance treatment has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials for both monotherapy and in combination with other mood stabilizers. Lithium continues as our oldest well-established maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder with somewhat better efficacy in preventing mania than depression. Lamotrigine, olanzapine, and quetiapine have bimodal efficacy in preventing both mania and depression, although lamotrigine’s efficacy is more robust in preventing depression and olanzapine’s efficacy is greater in preventing mania. Aripiprazole, ziprasidone, and risperidone long-acting injection all prevent mania, but not depression. Less controlled investigations have suggested some evidence of maintenance mood stabilization with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and adjunctive psychotherapy. Conclusions: Despite the number of agents with demonstrated efficacy as maintenance treatments in bipolar disorder, optimal treatment regimens are still a combination of evidence-based therapy in combination with individualized creative treatment algorithms.
Adolescents' sibling relationship and friendship experiences: Developmental patterns and relationship linkages

The goal of this study was to compare developmental changes in adolescents’ relationship experiences with their siblings versus with their best friends and to determine whether individual differences in adolescents’ sibling experiences were associated with differences in friendship experiences. Participants included 179 firstborn-secondborn adolescent sibling pairs (N = 358). At the onset of the study, firstborns averaged 15 years of age, and secondborns, 12.5 years of age. Siblings were interviewed individually about their relationship experiences during home interviews each year for three consecutive years. Analyses focused on two relationship dimensions: emotional intimacy and control. Adolescents reported more intimacy with friends than with siblings and more control with siblings than with friends. In the face of these overall patterns, developmental changes in both firstborns’ and secondborns’ reports of intimacy differed across relationships, with sibling intimacy increasing and friendship intimacy decreasing; declines were evident in these two relationships in the case of control. Associations between sibling and friendship experiences were more apparent for control than for intimacy and for secondborns as compared to firstborns. Discussion focuses on the conditions underlying connections between adolescents’ interpersonal relationship experiences.
Critical Evaluation of Rotary Atomizer

The flammability characteristics of jet fuel aerosols are critical to the development of fire-safe fuels. In efforts to design and characterize fire-safe fuels, an automated rotary atomizer has been constructed to produce fuel aerosols and measure their mist flammability properties. A particle analyzer has been coupled directly to the atomizer to provide drop size distribution information on the aerosols. The size distribution measurements provide crucial evidence regarding the droplet formation mechanism of the constructed atomizer. This paper focuses on the evaluation of water aerosols as a function of disk speed, flow rate to the atomizer, and liquid surface tension utilizing this instrumental design.
In-situ characterization of self-assembled monolayers of water-soluble oligo(ethylene oxide) compounds.

Abstract In-situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) was utilized to examine the formation of the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the water-soluble oligo(ethylene oxide) [OEO] disulfide [S(CH 2 CH 2 O) 6 CH 3 ] 2 {[S(EO) 6 ] 2 } and two analogous thiols – HS(CH 2 CH 2 O) 6 CH 3 {(EO) 6 } and HS(CH 2 ) 3 O(CH 2 CH 2 O) 5 CH 3 {C 3 (EO) 5 } – on Au from aqueous solutions. Kinetic data for all compounds follow simple Langmuirian models with the disulfide reaching a self-limiting final state ( d = 1.2 nm) more rapidly than the full coverage final states of the thiol analogs ( d = 2.0 nm). The in-situ ellipsometric thicknesses of all compounds were found to be nearly identical to earlier ex-situ ellipsometric measurements suggesting similar surface coverages and structural models in air and under water. Exposure to bovine serum albumin (BSA) shows the self-limiting ( d = 1.2 nm) [S(EO) 6 ] 2 SAMs to be the most highly protein resistant surfaces relative to bare Au and completely-formed SAMs of the two analogous thiols and octadecanethiol (ODT). When challenged with up to near physiological levels of BSA (2.5 mg/mL), protein adsorption on the final state [S(EO) 6 ] 2 SAM was only 3% of that which adsorbed to the bare Au and ODT SAMs.
Fostering a New Era of Vascular Access Device Selection in Neonates

Abstract Admission into the neonatal intensive care unit entails placement of multiple monitoring systems and lifelines for therapy. A vascular access device is essential to survival for most patients in the neonatal intensive care unit. Identifying the most appropriate device to meet an infant's current and anticipated infusion needs has historically focused on length of need rather than on other equally important indicators. Using this aged criterion has contributed to the exhaustion of the peripheral veins. Using a timely approach to vascular access device needs ensures early and timely placement. Providing education and ensuring the competence of staff who make decisions regarding device placement and care are warranted and lead to the prevention of complication-induced costly litigation. The goal of infusion therapy is to complete the delivery of required solutions and medications by avoiding device-related complications. Using the fewest number of devices and targeting placement of the best device to meet a patient's needs early in the course of therapy are paramount.
The movement of fluorescent endocytic tracers in Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes

The fluorescent lipophilic probe 1,1'-dihexadecyl-3-3'-3-3'- tetramethylindocarbocyanine (diIC16) inserted in the red cell surface, functioned as a non-exchangeable lipid marker which was not metabolised or toxic in plasmodial cultures. Invasion by Plasmodium falciparum resulted in the internalisation of the lipid, suggesting the uptake of red cell membrane components during parasite entry. The fluorescent lipid was not transported from red cell to parasite membranes at subsequent stages of development, but label in the erythrocyte-derived parasitophorous vacuole was eventually detected in daughter merozoites. Fluorescent dextrans of 10 kDa in the extracellular medium were also not internalised during intraerythrocytic parasite growth. The results support that with the exception of the invasion step, plasmodial infection does not induce endocytosis in the erythrocyte membrane. Despite the lack of endocytosis, both D and L stereoisomers of the head group blocked phospholipid analogue N-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazoledipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (N-NBD-PE) inserted in the erythrocyte membrane, were internalised by mature infected erythrocytes. Lipid internalisation occurred by a non head group dependent parasite mechanism, which could account for the stage-specific uptake of phospholipids observed in mature infected erythrocytes. We were unable to detect the transport of carbocyanine dyes and N-NBD-PE from intracellular parasites back to the erythrocyte membrane. Additionally, the carbocyanine dyes were not transferred between adjacent organisms in a double infected red cell. The data argue for the absence of bulk membrane lipid transport between individual parasites and their host cell bilayer in an infected erythrocyte.
Purification and characterization of pea seedling amine oxidase for crystallization studies.

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedling amine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) is the first amine oxidase to be crystallized that diffracts to atomic resolution (2.5 A). Extensive modifications of a published purification procedure were necessary to obtain protein that would give diffraction-quality crystals. Here we report the improved purification and also use this high-purity protein to reexamine some fundamental characteristics of pea seedling amine oxidase. The extinction coefficient at 280 nm ([epsilon]1%280) and the molecular mass of the protein are investigated by a variety of techniques, yielding [epsilon]1%280 = 20 cm-1 and a mass of 150 [plus or minus] 6 kD. In addition, the stoichiometry of the metal and organic cofactors, Cu(II) and 6-hydroxy dopa (Topa) quinone, respectively, is examined. The ratio of Cu(II):Topa:protein monomer is found to be 1:1:1.
Chemically induced hairpin formation in DNA monolayers

A naphthyridine dimer that binds specifically to G−G mismatches has been used to induce hairpin formation in oligonucleotides immobilized onto chemically modified gold surfaces. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging measurements of DNA microarrays were used to demonstrate that binding of the naphthyridine dimer to G−G mismatches within the stem portion of an immobilized 42-mer oligonucleotide could be used to induce hairpin formation that prevented hybridization of DNA complementary to the loop sequence. In addition, the selectivity of the naphthyridine dimer for G−G mismatches was verified through SPR imaging measurements of the hybridization adsorption of an 11-mer oligonucleotide to a four-component DNA array of zero- and single-base mismatch sequences.
The pattern of respiratory muscle recruitment during pursed-lip breathing.

Data from the present study indicate a change in the pattern of chest wall muscle recruitment and improved ventilation with pursed-lip breathing (PLB) in COPD. Pursed lip breathing led to increased rib cage and accessory muscle recruitment during inspiration and expiration, increased abdominal muscle recruitment during expiration, decreased duty cycle of the inspiratory muscles and respiratory rate, and improved SaO 2 . In addition, PLB resulted in no change in pressure across the diaphragm and a less fatiguing breathing pattern of the diaphragm. Changes in chest wall muscle recruitment and respiratory temporal parameters concomitant with the increased SaO 2 indicate a mechanism of improving ventilation with PLB while protecting the diaphragm from fatigue in COPD. Alterations in the pattern of respiratory muscle recruitment with PLB may be associated also with the amelioration of dyspnea. Further investigation is necessary to explore the relationship between the pattern of respiratory muscle recruitment during PLB and dyspnea. (Chest 1992; 101:75-78)
MONOPOLY EQUILIBRIA AND CATASTROPHE THEORY

A simple characterization of profit maximization is provided, based on the hazard rate function corresponding to the distribution of res ervation prices. Catastrophe theory is then applied to characterize t he dependence of equilibrium price and output on cost and demand cond itions. The analysis is concluded with an example where the monopolis t's reaction to changes in demand is not only discontinuous but also perverse. Copyright 1987 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd/University of Adelaide and Flinders University of South Australia
Mode scheduling under dwell time constraints in switched-mode systems

This paper presents an algorithmic technique for optimal mode scheduling in switched-mode dynamical systems under the constraint of a minimum dwell time. The technique is based on an optimal control formulation of the problem and on narrowing the optimality gap associated with the maximum principle. It consists of the following four successive steps: (i) solving the relaxed optimal control problem; (ii) approximating the relaxed solution by a switched-mode control; (iii) modifying the switched-mode schedule to incorporate the dwell-time constraints; and (iv) improving on the solution obtained in (iii) by further modifying the switching times of the modes. The main innovations of the paper are in the incorporation of the dwell-time constraints in step (iii), and in combining all four steps in a coherent framework. Despite the growing literature on switched-mode optimal control there hardly have emerged general-purpose algorithms which address dwell-time constraints. This paper presents an initial study of our proposed approach and demonstrates its efficacy via simulation examples while deferring theoretical studies to future research.
Local structural evidence for charge inhomogeneities in the CuO2 planes of YBa2Cu3O6+x x=0.25, 0.45, 0.65, 0.94

Abstract The atomic pair distribution function (PDF) of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+ x (x=0.25, 0.45, 0.65, 0.94) at 15 K has been measured. From least-squares full-profile modeling no split position is found for the apical oxygen in constrast to earlier XAFS work. Instead, an improvement over the average crystallographic structure results for a split planar Cu(2) site. This finding supports the existence of charge inhomogeneities throughout the planes and may resolve a long-standing controversy between the XAFS and diffraction community.
Temperature decay in two-phase turbulent flows

Abstract Direct numerical simulations of dilute two-phase flows are conducted to study the decay of the fluid and particle temperatures in isotropic turbulence. Both one-way and two-way coupling between phases are considered. The effects of the particle response time ( τ p ), the Prandtl number ( Pr ), the ratio of specific heats ( α ), and the mass loading ratio ( φ m ) on the carrier fluid and particle temperature statistics are studied. The results indicate that the variance of the fluid and particle temperatures, the dissipation rate of the fluid temperature and the high wavenumber values of the fluid temperature spectrum are increased as the magnitudes of φ m and/or αPr increase. The decay rate of the fluid and particle temperature variances are similar when the values of αPr are small. For large αPr values, the variance of the particle temperature is higher than that of the fluid and is strongly dependent on the initial conditions. The Lagrangian auto-correlation coefficient of the particle temperature ( R p T ) also behaves differently for different magnitudes of α and Pr . For small values of α , R p T decreases as the magnitude of particle response time increases. For large values of α , R p T increases with increasing τ p .
New bromoperoxidase of marine origin. Partial purification and characterization

Abstract Enzymes capable of catalyzing the bromination of p- hydroxybenzyl alcohol by Br− have been shown to be present in crude homogenates of the alga Rhodomela larix (Rhodophyta). There are also indications of such activity in the marine invertebrates Thelepus setosus and Ptychodera flava laysanica. Detailed analysis of R. larix samples indicated that the activity in this species is greatest in the late spring and summer. After partial purification the enzyme had a pH optimum of approx. 4.4, a temperature optimum around 32°C and was inhibited by NaN3. This algal bromoperoxidase requires the presence of H2O2 and can brominate monochlorodimedon and oxidize iodide, but it cannot oxidize chloride. The enzyme appears to be particulate.
Reaction dynamics of the phenyl radical (C6H5) with 1-butyne (HCCC2H5) and 2-butyne (CH3CCCH3)

Abstract The reactions of the phenyl radical (C 6 H 5 ) with 1-butyne (HCCC 2 H 5 ) and 2-butyne (CH 3 CCCH 3 ) were studied in a crossed molecular beam machine to shed light on the formation of C 10 H 10 isomers in combustion flames. Combining these data with electronic structure calculations, we find that both reactions involve indirect scattering dynamics and are initiated by additions of the phenyl radical with its radical center to the acetylenic carbon atoms. The reaction intermediates fragmented through the ejection of hydrogen atoms yielding 1-phenyl-3-methylallene and 1-phenyl-1-butyne (both from 1-butyne) as well as 1-phenyl-1-methylallene (from 2-butyne).
AB INITIO EFFECTIVE CORE POTENTIALS INCLUDING RELATIVISTIC EFFECTS. III. GROUND STATE AU2 CALCULATIONS

SCF calculations have been carried out for the ground 1Σ+g(0+g) state of Au2 using a variety of ab initio effective core potentials (EP). The effective core potentials studied both include a two‐component relativistic EP (REP) that includes spin–orbit effects and also averaged relativistic EP (AREP) and a nonrelativistic EP (NREP). All‐electron nonrelativistic calculations were also performed. The values of spectroscopic constants obtained from these calculations indicate that relativistic effects account for a decrease in Re of over 0.3 A and an increase in the bond energy of the order of 1 eV. Various intercomparisons indicate the general validity of effective potential methods, properly applied, but also show certain limitations. In particular, the NREP results agree well with the all‐electron, nonrelativistic calculations. Also, various relativistic effective‐potential methods agree for SCF calculations provided both the basis sets and the EP are carried to sufficiently high order in angular quantum n...
Simultaneous transcatheter occlusion of two atrial baffle leaks and stent implantation for SVC obstruction in a patient after Mustard repair.

A 19.5-year-old patient after Mustard operation was found to have baffle leaks and obstruction. This patient underwent successful device closure of the leaks using the Amplatzer device and stent implantation with complete resolution of the symptoms. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:72–76. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Marine snow: sinking rates and potential role in vertical flux

Abstract The sinking rate of intact marine snow (macroscopic aggregates) was determined in settling chambers on seven occasions in Monterey Bay, California and in the northeastern Atlantic. Sinking rates ranged from 43 to 95 m day−1 (average 68 m day −1). The average calculated flux from the upper 20 m of the water column was 30.7 × 104 aggregates m−2 day−1. These calculations suggest that from 3 to 5% of the POC (particulate organic carbon) and 4% to 22% of the PON (particulate organic nitrogen) standing stocks were removed from the surface water each day by the sinking of marine snow.