cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discovering good practice for art therapy with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder: The results of a small scale survey

Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop a clearer understanding of how art therapists currently practice with children who have ASD. A convenience sample of participants was chosen from established and emerging art therapy practitioners in the United States. Perspectives from were gathered via survey from 14 art therapists. These were analyzed following consensual qualitative research guidelines. From this process of analysis the following domains of importance were identified: art therapists’ level of experience and scope, unique aspects of using art therapy with children who have ASD, preferred choice of art materials for children with ASD, primary aims when using art therapy for children with ASD, and preferred theoretical approaches and their practical application. These findings were further distilled into practical guidelines to follow in art therapy provision with children who have ASD. This is a first step towards aiding the expansion of the current evidence-base to support provision of art therapy as a routine form of treatment for ASD. As the field continues to develop, further investigation is needed as to the effectiveness of art therapy to address cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical needs for children who have ASD.
Parsing the repertoire of GPIb-IX-V disorders.

In this issue of Blood , [Sivapalaratnam et al][1][1][2] report an association between unique, rare monoallelic variants in GP1BB , which encodes the glycoprotein (GP)Ibβ subunit of the platelet GPIb-IX-V complex, and autosomal dominant macrothrombocytopenia. ![Figure][3] Schematic drawing
CHAPTER 25 – Pesticide Excretion

This chapter outlines pesticide excretion and routes for excretion of pesticides. The kidneys are primarily organs of excretion, and elimination by the kidney accounts for most byproducts of normal body metabolism. They are also the primary organs for excretion of polar xenobiotics and polar metabolites of lipophilic xenobiotic. There are a number of important routes of excretion, including sex-linked routes and alimentary elimination, and several routes based on growth processes. Certain routes of xenobiotic elimination are restricted to females, including excretion through milk, eggs, and fetus. Although such excretion is probably of minimal benefit to the mother, it may have serious consequences to the offspring. Because passive diffusion of lipophilic toxicants may occur across any cell membrane, it might be expected that such chemicals will appear in many body secretions, such as sweat, or growth products, such as hair, nails, and skin.
Asymmetric [3+3] Cycloaddition for Heterocycle Synthesis

Asymmetric syntheses of six-membered ring heterocycles are important research targets not only in synthetic organic chemistry but also in pharmaceuticals. The [3+3]-cycloaddition methodology is a complementary strategy to [4+2] cycloaddition for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. Recent progress in [3+3]-cycloaddition processes provide powerful asymmetric methodologies for the construction of six-membered ring heterocycles with one to three heteroatoms in the ring. In this account, synthetic efforts during the past five years toward the synthesis of enantioenriched six-membered ring heterocycles through asymmetric [3+3] cycloaddition are reported. Asymmetric organocatalysis uses chiral amines, thioureas, phosphoric acids, or NHC catalysis to achieve high enantiocontrol. Transition-metal catalysts used as chiral Lewis acids to activate a dipolar species is an alternative approach. The most recent advance, chiral transition-metal-catalyzed reactions of enoldiazo compounds, has contributed toward the versatile and highly selective synthesis of six-membered heterocyclic compounds. 1 Introduction 2 Asymmetric Formal [3+3]-Cycloaddition Reactions by Organo­catalysis 2.1 By Amino-Catalysis 2.2 By N-Heterocyclic Carbenes 2.3 By Bifunctional Tertiary Amine-thioureas 2.4 By Chiral Phosphoric Acids 3 Asymmetric Formal [3+3]-Cycloaddition Reactions by Transition-Metal Catalysis 3.1 Copper Catalysis 3.2 Other Transition-Metal Catalysis 4 Asymmetric [3+3]-Cycloaddition Reactions of Enoldiazo Compounds 4.1 Asymmetric [3+3]-Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitrones with Electrophilic Metallo-enolcarbene Intermediates 4.2 Dearomatization in Asymmetric [3+3]-Cycloaddition Reactions of Enoldiazoacetates 4.3 Asymmetric Stepwise [3+3]-Cycloaddition Reaction of Enoldiazoacetates with Hydrazones 5 Summary and Outlook
Beyond the Pain Scale: Provider Communication and Staffing Predictive of Patients' Satisfaction with Pain Control.

Abstract This paper examined hospital characteristics, staffing, and nursing care factors associated with patient perception of poor pain control by conducting a secondary analysis of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers Systems (HCAHPS) survey in California, Massachusetts, and New York hospitals. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the relationship between nurse, hospitalist, physician, and resident staffing and patients' perception of pain control. Twenty-one factors correlated with patients' reports of pain control were included in the stepwise linear regression analysis. Patients' perception of pain control significantly improved with higher numbers of registered nurses ( p = .045), nursing staff ( p = .005), and hospitalists ( p = .035) and worsened with higher numbers of residents or interns ( p = .010). Six predictors explained 79% of the variance in patients' self-reports of pain control. Four factors increased the likelihood that patients reported their pain was poorly controlled: (1) patients did not receive help as soon as they wanted ( p p p p p = .001) and (2) nonprofit hospitals ( p = .001). Nurse staffing and nurse-patient communication are highly predictive of patients' perception of pain management. In teaching hospitals, with rotating intern/resident assignments, patients reported less satisfaction with pain management. This study provides new evidence for the importance of continuity of care in controlling the pain of hospitalized patients.
Review of Undergraduate Student Retention and Graduation Since 2010: Patterns, Predictions, and Recommendations for 2020:

A plethora of research spanning several decades has attempted to understand predictors of retention and graduation in undergraduate bachelor’s degree programs. The topic is no less important today,...
Computational Modeling and Simulation of Intellect: Current State and Future Perspectives

This research involves the development of an engineering test for a newly-developed evolutionary algorithm called biogeography-based optimization (BBO), and also involves the development of a distributed implementation of BBO. The BBO algorithm is based on mathematical models of biogeography, which describe the migration of species between habitats. BBO is the adaptation of the theory of biogeography for the purpose of solving general optimization problems. In this research, BBO is used to tune a proportional-derivative control system for real-world mobile robots. We have shown that BBO can successfully tune the control algorithm of the robots, reducing their tracking error cost function by 65% from nominal values. This chapter focuses on describing the hardware, software and the results that have been obtained by various implementations of BBO.
Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping for Uterine and Cervical Cancers

Traditionally, oncologic surgery incorporates complete resection of the primary tumor and regional lymphatics in order to identify sites of potential metastasis in the draining lymph nodes that confer prognosis as well as influence adjuvant therapy. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a state-of-the-art procedure that has been proven to accurately assess lymphatic metastases in breast cancer and melanoma. Multiple studies have demonstrated SLN mapping feasibility and reproducibility in vulvar, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancers. SLN mapping can replace comprehensive lymphadenectomy in selected patients with early cervical and endometrial cancers and potentially avoid the lymphedema and neuralgia associated with comprehensive lymphadenectomy. Multiple factors have been recognized to influence the sensitivity of the procedure like type of dye, injection site, patient morphology, tumor histology, surgeon experience, the surgical algorithm, and the pathological protocol used for SLN assessment. Examination of SLN with enhanced techniques such as serial sectioning and immunohistochemical stains detects additional low-volume micro-metastases and isolated tumor cell metastases compared to routine processing with color dyes. The clinical significance of low-volume metastases and specifically their prognostic role in determining therapy is currently uncertain. Prospective studies will be necessary to determine the effect of SLN biopsy on disease recurrence, survival, cost, and quality of life.
When Less is More: Reducing Agent Noise with Probabilistically Learning Agents

Distributed agents concurrently learning to coordinate in a multiagent system can suffer from considerable amounts of agent noise. This is the noise that arises from the non-stationarity of the learning environment for each individual agent since other agents in the system are also constantly updating their policies, thereby continually shifting the goal posts for successful coordination. In this work, we propose a method to reduce agent noise by allowing individual agents to probabilistically determine whether or not to undergo policy updates. We show that using this method to adapt the number of actively learning agents over time provides improvements in convergence speed of the team as a whole without affecting the final converged learning performance.
The International Negotiating Committee Process

I want to talk about the global perspective of the INC negotiations process. To understand that, we have to understand the purpose of the United Nations in the field of development. I am quite sure that if I ask about the United Nations, immediately Security Council issues are going to come up, Bosnia and so on. But what is the role the United Nations can play in an issue where all institutions come to mind, specifically institutions which are based here in Washington? For example, World Bank, IMF, and IDP in the case of inter-American development banks.
The role of the fDA in cancer clinical trials.

The responsibilities of the FDA are extensive and the levels of potential interaction for an investigator or sponsor can be multiple. Topics such as auditing procedures, inspections, post marketing surveillance, safety analysis, preclinical data expectations, pharmacokinetics recommendations, Institutional Review Boards, Good Laboratory Practice, Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Clinical Practice and policy development have not been broached in this brief review. The focus has been on the origin of the fundamental principles of biologic regulation and their applicability for the oncology clinical investigator.
Influence of ascorbic acid, zinc, iron, sucrose and fructose on copper status

The purpose of this review is to examine several nutrient interactions that influence copper (Cu) status and to discuss the potential impact of these interactions on human health. Numerous physiological functions for Cu have been firmly established (Danks, 1988) and roles for Cu in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (Kopp et al., 1983) and cancer (Beach et al., 1982; Greene et al., 1987) have been proposed. Although it is unequivocal that Cu is an essential nutrient, the dietary Cu requirement for humans is still under investigation. The safe and adequate intake recommended by the National Research Council is 2–3 mg/day (Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), 1980). Based on this recommendation the level of Cu in Western diets may be marginal (White, 1969; Holden et al., 1979; Klevay et al., 1979; Guthrie and Robinson, 1977; Milne et al., 1980).
Molecular mechanisms in blood coagulation.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the molecular mechanisms in blood coagulation. In vivo , the blood platelets play a primary role in blood coagulation in several ways. Often the first response to damage to a blood vessel is aggregation of platelets at the site of injury. They tend to form a hemostatic plug to inhibit further bleeding. Also, certain platelet components are released during this response of platelets to vessel injury. Platelets are known to contain factor XIII, and during coagulation platelets also release substances such as serotonin that result in vasoconstriction. Platelets are also important in the retraction of the fibrin clot. Blood coagulation can be divided into two major pathways, referred to as the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. The intrinsic pathway refers to those reactions that lead to fibrin formation and that utilize only factors present in plasma. The extrinsic pathway is composed of plasma factors and components present in tissue extracts. Both of these pathways play an important physiological role in mammalian hemostasis.
Crypto Goes to War: The American Civil War 1861–1865

The nineteenth century marked the beginning of the use of technology in many areas, and cryptology was no exception. The invention of the telegraph and its rapid and easy communication ushered in the twilight of traditional forms of cryptography. It also marked the beginning of a century and a half of rapid development of new techniques in both cryptography and cryptanalysis, all starting during the American Civil War. This chapter looks at the cipher systems used by both the Union and Confederate sides during the American Civil War. It also presents a description of the biggest cryptanalytic breakthrough of the nineteenth century, the breaking of the unbreakable cipher, the Vigenere.
Language Abilities in Monolingual- and Bilingual- Exposed Children with Autism or Other Developmental Disorders

Abstract Background Parents and providers are sometimes concerned that exposure to two languages will impair language acquisition in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disorders (DD). However, research to date suggests that language milestones and abilities are unaffected by this exposure. The current study explored language abilities in toddlers with ASD or DD exposed to one versus multiple languages, prior to intervention. To our knowledge, this is the largest investigation of language learning in bilingual-exposed (BE) children with ASD. Methods Participants were 388 children evaluated as part of a larger study on the early detection of ASD. Parents were asked to list all languages that primary caretakers use to communicate with their child. One hundred six BE children (57 ASD, 49 DD) were compared to 282 monolingual-exposed (ME) children (176 ASD, 106 DD). The Mullen Scales of Early Learning assessed nonverbal and verbal abilities. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the relationship of BE to language abilities, beyond the influence of nonverbal cognitive abilities, diagnosis, and socioeconomic status. Results Results showed greater language impairment in ASD than DD, but no main effect for language exposure group nor any interaction of language group by diagnosis. Results remained consistent after controlling for socioeconomic status. Conclusion This study suggests that bilingual caregivers can communicate with their children in both languages without adverse effects on their children’s language functioning.
Assay validation and interspecific comparison of salivary glucocorticoids in three amphibian species.

Amphibians are one of the most threatened groups of species, facing stressors ranging from habitat degradation and pollution to disease and overexploitation. Stress hormones (glucocorticoids, GCs) provide one quantitative metric of stress,and developing non-invasive methods for measuring GCs in amphibians would clarify how diverse environmental stressors impact individual health in this taxonomic group. Saliva is an advantageous matrix for quantifying GCs, as it is sampled less invasively than plasma while still detecting both baseline and acute elevation of GCs within a short timeframe. Little work has employed this method in amphibian species, and it has never been pharmacologically and biologically validated. Here, we conduct analytical, pharmacological and biological validation experiments for measuring salivary corticosterone in three amphibian species: the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), the green frog (Rana clamitans) and the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens). These species are faced with a broad range of environmental challenges, and in part of its range R. pipiens populations are currently in decline. In addition to demonstrating that this method can be reliably used in multiple amphibian species, we present an examination of intrinsic biological factors (sex, body condition) that may contribute to GC secretion, and a demonstration that saliva can be collected from free-living animals in the field to quantify corticosterone. Our findings suggest that saliva may be useful for less invasively quantifying GCs in many amphibian species.
Safe Routes to School? Black Caribbean Youth Negotiating Police Surveillance in London and New York City

In this article, Derron Wallace examines how Black Caribbean youth perceive and experience stop-and-frisk and stop-and-search practices in New York City and London, respectively, while on their way to and from public schools. Despite a growing body of scholarship on the relationship between policing and schooling in the United States and United Kingdom, comparative research on how students experience stop-and-frisk/search remains sparse. Drawing on the BlackCrit tradition of critical race theory and in-depth interviews with sixty Black Caribbean secondary school students in London and New York City, Wallace explores how adolescents experience adult-like policing to and from schools. His findings indicate that participants develop a strained sense of belonging in British and American societies due to a security paradox: a policing formula that, in principle, promises safety for all but in practice does so at the expense of some Black youth. Participants in the ethnographic study learned that irrespective o...
Acute Respiratory Failure and Pulmonary Complications in End-Stage Liver Disease

Acute respiratory failure has a high mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). These patients may develop acute respiratory failure for reasons specific to advanced liver disease, including hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, and hepatic hydrothorax. They may also develop respiratory complications due to conditions seen in the general intensive care unit population to which ESLD patients are at higher risk, including infection, volume overload, and the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Management of these patients is complicated and multifaceted, and a comprehensive understanding of the etiologies and treatment of acute respiratory failure is critical in this high-risk patient population. This article reviews current evidence surrounding the prevalence, management, and complications of the various etiologies of acute respiratory failure in ESLD patients.
Aminopolycarboxylic acid complexes of silicon(IV)-II: Nature of the Si-CDTA complex species

Abstract Reaction of silicon tetrachloride with the primene salt of CDTA yields a mixture of complex species with silicon to ligand ratios between 1:1·5 and 1:0·85. The ligand rich and ligand deficient fractions are separated by acetonitrile extraction. Both the fractions are shown to partially undergo instantaneous decomposition in methanol, with the undecomposed species undergoing slower hydrogen ion catalyzed decomposition. The ligand-deficient fraction is seen to be more extensively decomposed than the ligand-rich fraction.
Globalization of Japan: Japanese Sakoku Mentality and U.S. Efforts to Open Japan. By Mayumi Itoh. New York: St. Martin's, 1998. 256p. $45.00.

The tide of globalization that has swept the world political economy over the past two decades is clearly a development of epic importance. Given Japan's economic scale—one-seventh of global GNP and more than one-quarter of world savings—its ability and inclination to respond is likewise a subject of broad international concern. Yet, the debate on Japan's evolving political-economic course has so far yielded far more heat than light.
Verifying OAuth Implementations Through Encrypted Network Analysis

Verifying protocol implementations via application analysis can be cumbersome. Rapid development cycles of both the protocol and applications that use it can hinder up-to-date analysis. A better approach is to use formal models to characterize the applications platform and then verify the protocol through analysis of the network traffic tied to the models. To test this method, the popular protocol OAuth is considered. Currently, formal models of OAuth do not take into consideration the mobile environment, and implementation verification is largely based on code analysis. Our preliminary results are two fold; we sketch an extension to a formal model that incorporates the specifics of the Android platform and classify OAuth device types using machine learning on encrypted VPN traffic.
The rotating magnetocaloric effect as a potential mechanism for natural magnetic senses

Many animals are able to sense the earth’s magnetic field, including varieties of arthropods and members of all major vertebrate groups. While the existence of this magnetic sense is widely accepted, the mechanism of action remains unknown. Building from recent work on synthetic magnetoreceptors, we propose a new model for natural magnetosensation based on the rotating magnetocaloric effect (RME), which predicts that heat generated by magnetic nanoparticles may allow animals to detect features of the earth’s magnetic field. Using this model, we identify the conditions for the RME to produce physiological signals in response to the earth’s magnetic field and suggest experiments to distinguish between candidate mechanisms of magnetoreception.
In vivo imaging defines vascular interplay in the development of lymphocytic leukemia in zebrafish models

Abstract The vascular microenvironment at the primary tumor site is represented by functionally diverse types of vessels that contribute to metabolic supply, trafficking/dissemination of tumor cells, and delivery of chemotherapeutics. However, the role of leukemia-associated vascular networks in leukemia progression remains poorly understood. We utilized a MYC-induced T cell leukemia model in zebrafish to assess the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor A-dependent (VEGFR2+), VEGFA-independent vasculature (VEGFR2-), and lymphatics in the initial stages of leukemia cell dissemination using intravital microscopy. Leukemogenesis underwent sequential progression, from initial successive emigration of single leukemic cells from the thymus towards the kidney marrow, followed by collective migration in a dorsal-lateral direction with scattered migration from the ventral thymus towards the aortic arches, before streaming towards the rostral kidney area. Trafficking appeared independent of VEGFR2+ vasculature but was closely associated with VEGFR2-microvessels, and, interestingly, leukemic cells did not utilize lymphatics during initial dissemination. Overall, leukemic cells appeared to utilize the same routes as normal T cell progenitors during development but in a reverse order, and primarily recruited VEGFR2-microvessels during the initial stages of progression. Ultimately, interfering with leukemia cell migration by targeting vascular networks may represent a new therapeutic strategy to control leukemia progression.
Flux variance similarity-based partitioning of evapotranspiration over a rainfed alfalfa field using high frequency eddy covariance data

Abstract Although the eddy covariance (EC) technique provides direct and continuous measurements of evapotranspiration (ET), separate measurement of evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) at the ecosystem level is not possible. For partitioning ET into E and T, high frequency (10 Hz) time series EC observations collected from Apr 2016 to May 2018 over a rainfed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) field in central Oklahoma, USA were analyzed using the open source software Fluxpart. Fluxpart partitions ET by examining the correlation (Rqc) between water vapor (q) and carbon dioxide (c) fluxes as prescribed by the Flux Variance Similarity (FVS) partitioning method. Patterns of Rqc and partitioned E and T were consistent with expected trends associated with vegetation dynamics and short-term transient features (i.e., hay harvesting and rainfall events). The Rqc grew stronger with increasing alfalfa leaf area and exhibited a strong anti-correlation (Rqc close to -1) during peak growth when T and photosynthesis (P) were dominant and co-regulated by the leaf stomata. Consequently, a strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.96) was found between monthly midday average values of Rqc and monthly average Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived leaf area index (LAIMOD). Decorrelation of q and c or dominance of non-photosynthetic (e.g., E and respiration, R) fluxes resulted in less negative or positive Rqc values during winter, hay harvest, rainy, and nighttime periods. Growing season (Apr-Oct) average T:ET was approximately 0.82 and 0.77 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Diurnal cycles and temporal variations of leaf-level water use efficiency (WUE, an input of the FVS method) estimates were consistent with the seasonal dynamics of ecosystem WUE, computed from EC-derived gross primary production (GPP) and EC-measured ET. These results validate the performance of the FVS ET partitioning method using high frequency EC data.
Sociodemographic predictors of surgery refusal in patients with stage I-III colon cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Over 104 000 cases of colon cancer are estimated to be diagnosed in 2020. Surgical resection is a critical part of colon cancer treatment and adequate resection impacts prognosis. However, some patients refuse potentially curative surgery. We aimed to identify the rate and predictors of surgery refusal among patients with colon cancer. METHODS The National Cancer Database (2004-2015) was queried for patients diagnosed with stage I-III colonic adenocarcinoma. Sociodemographic factors, clinical features, and treatment facility characteristics were collected. Patients who underwent surgery with curative intent were compared to those who refused surgery. Multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with surgery refusal. Adjusted survival analysis was performed on propensity-matched cohorts. RESULTS A total of 151 020 patients were included and 1071 (0.71%) refused surgery. In multivariable analysis older age, Black race, higher Charlson comorbidity score, Medicaid, Medicare, or lack of insurance were predictive of refusing surgery. After propensity matching, there was a significant difference in 5-year survival for patients who refused surgery vs those who underwent surgery (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS There are racial and socioeconomic disparities in the refusal of surgery for colon cancer. Further studies are needed to better understand the drivers behind differences in refusing curative surgery for colon cancer.
Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom sensations are characterized by cortical sensory perception of an amputated body part. These phenomena can be painful, such as seen in phantom limb pain. Descriptors of phantom pain can be diverse but commonly include burning, gnawing, stabbing, pressure, and aching sensations. As many as 80% of patients experience either phantom sensation or phantom pain following an amputation. This chapter provides an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of phantom limb pain.
Perinatal exposure to FireMaster® 550 (FM550), brominated or organophosphate flame retardants produces sex and compound specific effects on adult Wistar rat socioemotional behavior.

Abstract Firemaster 550 (FM550) is a flame retardant (FR) mixture that has become one of the most commonly used FRs in household items such as foam-based furniture and baby products. Because this mixture readily leaches from products, contamination of the environment and human tissues is widespread. Prior work by us and others has reported sex-specific behavioral deficits in rodents and zebrafish following early life exposure. In an effort to understand the mechanisms by which these behavioral effects occur, here we explored the effects of its constituents on behavioral outcomes previously shown to be altered by developmental FM550 exposure. The FM550 commercial mixture is composed of two brominated compounds (BFR) and two organophosphate compounds (OPFRs) at almost equivalent proportions. Both the BFR and the OPFR components are differentially metabolized and structurally distinct, but similar to known neurotoxicants. Here we examined adult Wistar rat offspring socioemotional behaviors following perinatal exposure (oral, to the dam) to vehicle, 2000 μg/day FM550, 1000 μg/day BFR or 1000 μg/day OPFR from gestation day 0 to weaning. Beginning on postnatal day 65 offspring from all groups were subjected to a series of behavioral tasks including open field, elevated plus maze, marble burying, social interaction tests, and running wheel. Effects were exposure-, sex- and task-specific, with BFR exposure resulting in the most consistent behavioral deficits. Overall, exposed females showed more deficits compared to males across all dose groups and tasks. These findings help elucidate how different classes of flame retardants, independently and as a mixture, contribute to sex-specific behavioral effects of exposure.
Auricular acupressure and acupuncture as adjuncts for pain management during first trimester medication abortion: A randomized three-arm trial.

Abstract Objectives To measure pain during first trimester medication abortion using auricular acupressure or auricular acupuncture as an adjunct to pain management. We measured anxiety as a secondary outcome. Study design This randomized, double-blinded, 3-arm trial enrolled women seeking medication abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol. Participants received auricular acupressure, auricular acupuncture, or inert auricular placebo patches immediately after receiving mifepristone. In addition, all participants received ibuprofen to use at home as needed. The study started with 1:1:1 randomization, but later overenrolled into the acupressure group after retraining for greater fidelity to that intervention. Participants reported pain and anxiety using numeric rating scales via text message for 4 days, and using a visual analog scale at follow-up. Analyses compared median pain scores of those receiving acupressure, acupuncture, or placebo. Results We randomized 136 participants of whom 57 received acupressure, 40 received acupuncture, and 39 received placebo. Groups had similar baseline characteristics. One hundred thirty-two participants (97%) reported outcomes by text message and 120 (88%) completed a follow-up interview. For acupressure, acupuncture and placebo groups the median maximum pain scores reported via text message were 60.0, 75.0, and 55.0 (p = 0.38); median maximum pain scores reported at follow-up were 76.5, 60.0, and 71.0 (p = 0.97), respectively. Acupressure results were similar before and after retraining. Maximum anxiety scores reported via text message were 10.0, 45.0, and 30.0 (p = 0.57). Maximum anxiety scores reported at follow-up were 10.5, 20.0, and 13.0 (p = 0.59). Conclusions Pain and anxiety during medication abortion were similar among women receiving acupressure, acupuncture or placebo. Implications We found no benefit in administering auricular acupressure or auricular acupuncture during medication abortion. These modalities are intended to be simple to use, but perhaps the brief provider training for this study was insufficient. These modalities should not be used in clinical practice without further study.
Luminescent Quantum Dots Stabilized by N-Heterocyclic Carbene Polymer Ligands.

We have tested the ability of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-modified ligands to coordinate and stabilize luminescent CdSe–ZnS core–shell quantum dot (QD) dispersions in hydrophilic media. In particu...
Synthesis of nitrogenase by Paenibacillus sabinae T27 in presence of high levels of ammonia during anaerobic fermentation

Biological nitrogen fixation is usually inhibited by fixed nitrogen. Paenibacillus sabinae T27, a Gram-positive, spore-forming diazotroph, possesses high nitrogenase activity and has 3 copies of nifH (nifH, nifH2, nifH3), a copy of nifDK, and multiple nifHDK-like genes. In this study, we found that P. sabinae T27 showed nitrogenase activities not only in low (0-3 mM) concentrations of NH4+ but also in high (30-300 mM) concentrations of NH4+, no matter whether this bacterium was grown in a flask or in a fermenter on scale cultivation. qRT-PCR and western blotting analyses supported that Fe protein and MoFe protein were synthesized under both low (0-3 mM) and high (30-300 mM) concentrations of NH4+. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis revealed that MoFe protein was encoded by nifDK and Fe protein was encoded by both nifH and nifH2. The cross-reaction suggested the purified Fe and MoFe components from P. sabinae T27 grown in both nitrogen-limited and nitrogen-excess conditions were active. This is the first time to report that diazotrophs show nitrogenase activity in presence of high (30-300 mM) concentrations of NH4+. Our study will provide a clue for studying the mechanisms of nitrogen fixation in presence of the high concentration of NH4+. KEY POINTS: • P. sabinae T27 can synthesize active nitrogenase in presence of high levels of ammonia. •Fe and MoFe proteins of nitrogenase purified in absence of ammonia are the same as those purified from the high concentration of ammonia. • Fe protein is encoded by nifH and nifH2, and MoFe protein is encoded by nifDK.
Resilience and Survivability-aware Optimal Design and Operation of Interconnected Supply Chains

Abstract Pandemic-induced lockdowns, restrictions on commercial activities, or natural disasters can disrupt a supply chain for prolonged time periods. These disruptions significantly impact network connectivity and consumer demands which in turn affect the capacity and profitability of a supply network. In this work, we address the resilience and economic survivability of interconnected networks during connectivity disruptions. Resilience is the ability to defend against and recover from potential disruptions. Economic survivability (ES) is the ability to maintain positive cash flows. We introduce optimization-based metrics to quantify the resilience and ES in supply chain design and operation. We also develop multi-scenario and multi-period models and systematic approaches which lead to supply chains with maximum profitability for desired resilience and ES.
Periduralanästhesie

Als Peri- oder Epiduralanasthesie (PDA) bezeichnet man die Injektion therapeutisch wirksamer Substanzen in den der Dura mater spinalis ausen angrenzenden Epiduralraum mit dem Ziel, eine sensorische und evtl. motorische Blockade zu erzielen. Sie zahlt damit zu den so genannten „zentralen“ oder „neuroaxialen“ Regionalverfahren und ist eine der altesten Anasthesietechniken uberhaupt. Ursprunglich wurden ausschlieslich Lokalanasthetika verwendet. Durch den Zusatz anderer Medikamente, den Einsatz auch in Kombination mit einer Allgemeinanasthesie oder die Anwendung bei kleinen Kindern wurde das Indikationsspektrum erweitert. Die kontinuierliche Katheterperiduralanalgesie hat in der postoperativen Phase einen festen Stellenwert. Der zunehmende Anteil von Patienten mit Begleiterkrankungen oder einer gerinnungsmodulierenden Dauertherapie erfordert immer haufiger eine Nutzen-Risiko-Abwagung vor dem Einsatz der PDA.
The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the United States

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a concern among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). METHODS: The authors analyzed population-based registry linkage data from the US HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study (1980-2009) to examine the risk and trends of HCC among individuals with AIDS. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to measure HCC risk relative to the general population, and Poisson regression was used to calculate incidence rate ratios (RR) comparing incidence among individuals with AIDS. People with AIDS were categorized according to their HIV risk group into high and low hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence groups based on their HIV transmission risk category. RESULTS: Among 615,150 individuals with AIDS, HCC risk was elevated almost 4 times compared with the risk in the general population (N = 366; SIR, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 3.5-4.3). Although HCC incidence increased steadily across calendar periods (Ptrend < .0001; adjusted for sex and age), the excess risk in individuals with AIDS compared with the general population remained somewhat constant (SIRs range, 3.5-3.9) between the monotherapy/dual therapy era (1990-1995) and the recent highly active antiretroviral therapy era (2001-2009). In a multivariate model adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, and attained calendar period, HCC incidence increased with advancing age (Ptrend < .0001) and was associated with HIV risk groups with a known higher prevalence of HCV (adjusted RR, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-2.8). CONCLUSIONS: HCC incidence in individuals with AIDS has increased over time despite improved HIV treatment regimens, likely reflecting prolonged survival with chronic liver disease. The high incidence in older adults suggests that this cancer will increase in importance with aging of the HIV-infected population. Cancer 2012. Published 2012 by the American Cancer Society.
Progress in quantum functional devices to overcome barriers to ULSI scaling

Barriers to traditional scaling in silicon technology, primarily gate tunneling leakage current and drain-induced barrier lowering, will begin to emerge with the 1 Gb DRAM. Further scaling will involve performance fall-offs as critical dimensions are relaxed in order to reduce leakage currents. Compound semiconductor HFETs will suffer similar scaling penalties. Thin film SOI can extend silicon scaling by two or three generations. However, by the year 2000, a new technology will be necessary to continue the performance trend. That technology will likely utilize quantum effects to increase the functionality of individual electronic devices. The barriers to scaling MOSFETs and HFETs as well as examples of worldwide progress in developing quantum-based technology for future ULSI applications operating at room temperature are discussed.
Portfolio Choice Implications of Parameter and Model Uncertainty in Factor Models

This paper examines the portfolio choice implications of incorporating parameter and model uncertainty in (conditionally) linear factor models using industry portfolios. I examine a CAPM, a linear factor model with different predictor variables (dividend yield, price to book ratio, price to earnings ratio, and price to sales ratio), and a time-varying CAPM. All approaches incorporate parameter uncertainty in a mean-variance framework. I consider a time-varying CAPM with changing conditional variance. It is shown that taking into account the time variation in market betas improves the portfolio performance as measured by the ex-post Sharpe ratio compared to both an unconditional CAPM and a linear factor model with predictor variables. I also show the implications of using a Black-Litterman framework versus using a standard mean-variance approach in the asset allocation step. Black-Litterman framework can be thought as a model averaging approach and thus helps deal with both the parameter and model uncertainty problems. I show that Black-Litterman approach results in portfolios with a higher Sharpe ratio than those obtained by a standard mean-variance framework using a single model or historical averages.
Anchored Bulkheads: Horizontal and Sloping Anchors

A dimensionless flexibility number (DFN), ρ d , which can be used to govern similarity between laboratory plates and prototype for anchored bulkheads, is developed. For free earth conditions, the DFN, as it is shown, must be less than five for loose soils and less than one in dense soils. For designing anchored bulkheads, the DFN, ρ d , must be analyzed. If ρ d d 1 ; (2) to avoid sinking of the bulkheads caused by sloping abchor, 4c/ H≥N 2 ; and (3) to avoid heave at the dredge line or bottom of the excavation, 4c/ H≥N 3 .
Vehicle Wheel-Ground Contact Angle Estimation: With Application to Mobile Robot Traction Control

Knowledge of wheel-ground contact angles in vehicles, and in particular mobile robots, is an essential part of many traction control algorithms. However, these angles can be difficult to measure directly. Here, a method is presented for estimating wheel-ground contact angles of mobile robots using commonly available on-board sensors. The method utilizes an extended Kalman filter to fuse noisy sensor signals. Simulation and experimental results from a six-wheeled mobile robot demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Controversies and uncertainties: Abdominal versus vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse

Reconstructive pelvic surgery is a common phenomenon in American women. The efficacy and durability of current procedures are often extrapolated from clinical case series and may be fraught with bias. Although the route of reconstructive pelvic surgery is debated with little evidence to support expert opinion, several recent clinical trials have provided a modest amount of data that can assist surgeons in counseling women who are facing prolapse repairs. An individual woman's tolerance for certain symptoms and risks can be matched with the scientifically based evidence for certain procedures. It is clear that the route of surgery must vary with individual surgeons and individual patients. The challenge is to test current surgical habits using modern clinical trials to obtain the necessary information to optimize each and every woman's restorative surgery.
Water-facilitated dispersal of inoculant Bradyrhizobium japonicum in soils

Studies were performed to assess the influence of percolating water and an advancing wetting front on the transport of Bradyrhizobium japonicum in sand and silt loam soils, and to assess the influence of clay content on water-facilitated dispersal of these bacteria in a sand amended with various amounts of kaolin. The data obtained showed that movement of B. japonicum in soil was dependent upon water movement and that both percolating water and an advancing wetting front readily transported bacteria in coarse-textured soils. Percolation with the equivalent of 10 cm of rainfall dispersed B. japonicum throughout 40-cm columns containing sand and silt loam soils. Percolation with 5 cm of water was sufficient to disperse B. japonicum throughout 20-cm columns of these soils but did not transport these bacteria below the surface 4 cm of a sand amended with 12% kaolin. Our finding that cells of B. japonicum are readily transported by an advancing wetting front indicates that non-saturated flow of soil water contributes to dispersal of inoculum in soils.
What is the difference between the domination and independent domination numbers of a cubic graph

We describe an infinite class of cubic graphs with connectivity two for which the difference between the domination and independent domination numbers becomes unbounded. We conjecture that for cubic graphs with connectivity three this difference is at most one.
Are nursing homes less likely to admit methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriers?

We surveyed administrators at 13 nursing homes in Orange County, CA, on their likelihood to admit methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers and assessed applicant characteristics associated with rejection. In multivariate models, denial of admission was associated with MRSA carriage (odds ratio, 2.7; P = .02) and receiving lower ratings for overall suitability for admission (odds ratio, 5.9; P
Does fungal endophyte infection improve tall fescue's growth response to fire and water limitation?

Invasive species may owe some of their success in competing and co-existing with native species to microbial symbioses they are capable of forming. Tall fescue is a cool-season, non-native, invasive grass capable of co-existing with native warm-season grasses in North American grasslands that frequently experience fire, drought, and cold winters, conditions to which the native species should be better-adapted than tall fescue. We hypothesized that tall fescue’s ability to form a symbiosis with Neotyphodium coenophialum, an aboveground fungal endophyte, may enhance its environmental stress tolerance and persistence in these environments. We used a greenhouse experiment to examine the effects of endophyte infection (E+ vs. E−), prescribed fire (1 burn vs. 2 burn vs. unburned control), and watering regime (dry vs. wet) on tall fescue growth. We assessed treatment effects for growth rates and the following response variables: total tiller length, number of tillers recruited during the experiment, number of reproductive tillers, tiller biomass, root biomass, and total biomass. Water regime significantly affected all response variables, with less growth and lower growth rates observed under the dry water regime compared to the wet. The burn treatments significantly affected total tiller length, number of reproductive tillers, total tiller biomass, and total biomass, but treatment differences were not consistent across parameters. Overall, fire seemed to enhance growth. Endophyte status significantly affected total tiller length and tiller biomass, but the effect was opposite what we predicted (E−>E+). The results from our experiment indicated that tall fescue was relatively tolerant of fire, even when combined with dry conditions, and that the fungal endophyte symbiosis was not important in governing this ecological ability. The persistence of tall fescue in native grassland ecosystems may be linked to other endophyte-conferred abilities not measured here (e.g., herbivory release) or may not be related to this plant-microbial symbiosis.
Microwave spectrum and ring puckering vibration of 4-methyl-2-oxetanone

Abstract We have analyzed the microwave spectrum of 4-methyl-2-oxetanone (β-butyrolactone) in the ground vibrational state and in the first three excited states of the ring puckering mode. The smooth variation of the rotational constants with vibrational quantum number indicates that the ring puckering potential is essentially single minima. In addition, the structural parameters derived from a diagnostic least-squares fit indicate that the equilibrium configuration of the ring is planar within about three degrees in the dihedral angle. These results are in agreement with the far-ir data, but the single minimum is surprising in view of the small barrier found in 2-oxetanone. The ground-state rotational constants are 9267.92 ± 0.15, 2698.357 ± 0.006, and 2380.008 ± 0.03 MHz. The dipole moment is 4.40 ± 0.06 D, with all uncertainties being the standard deviations determined by the least-squares-fitting procedure.