cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In situ crystal growth imaging during explosive crystallization

Explosive crystallization of amorphous germanium of 0.89 and 1.80 microns in thickness deposited on quartz substrates was investigated. A scalloped, mixed, and columnar regime was observed. In situ images captured using dark field imaging reveal the shape of the explosive crystallization front. Crystallization was induced by a frequency tripled Nd:YAG laser (λ = 355 nm) focused to a tight line. A second Nd:YAG laser was frequency doubled (λ = 532 nm) and used as an illumination source for two time resolved pictures. The shape and speed of the explosive crystallization front is observed for various heat loss parameters and crystallization regimes and is generally in good agreement with the literature. Surface morphology is inspected by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) after explosive crystallization has completed.
Coagulation and reversal of charge of lyophobic colloids by hydrolyzed metal ions II. Ferric nitrate

Abstract Critical coagulation concentrations and critical stabilization concentrations of scandium nitrate solutions for negatively charged silver bromide solsin statu nascendi were obtained over the pH range 3–7. The concentrations of all scandium species present in solution over the same range of salt concentration and of pH were calculated using the hydrolysis constants recently determined by Aveston (14). It could be shown that the stability phenomena observed are directly related to the composition of the scandium salt solution.
The 1990-91 Taulbee survey report (computer science education)

The key findings of the 1990-91 Taulbee Survey Report describing the results of a study of the Forsythe list of computing departments are presented. The Forsythe list enumerates all departments in the US and Canada that grant PhDs in computing, specifically in computer science (CS) and computer engineering (CE). Completed in December 1991, the latest survey concerns the production and employment of PhDs who graduated in 1990-91 and the faculty of PhD-granting computing departments during the 1991-92 academic year. The results indicate that the production of PhDs in CS departments increased significantly; the number of faculty in PhD-granting departments leveled off for the first time in two decades; those departments employed more full professors than assistant professors for another first; and minority figures persisted on the low side. >
The microwave spectrum of HGeCl

Abstract The J = 101–000 and 202–101 transitions of nine isotopomers of chlorogermylene, H74Ge35Cl, H74Ge37Cl, H72Ge35Cl, H72Ge37Cl, H70Ge35Cl, H70Ge37Cl, H76Ge35Cl, H76Ge37Cl, and H73Ge35Cl are measured at 8–9 and 16–18 GHz. The effective rotational constants, the nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of 35Cl, 37Cl, and 73Ge, and the nuclear spin-rotation coupling constants of 35Cl and 37Cl are determined.
Airborne geo-location for search and rescue applications

Radio direction finding is used in many search and rescue applications. The ability to accurately reduce a search area helps focus limited resources properly, which increases the probability of a search and rescue operations success. This paper examines the application of vector geometry, radio line-of-sight, and a terrain-based cost calculation in order to improve the accuracy of the FORTRAN Fix (FFIX) algorithm when used by airborne platforms. By conditioning data sets to be used by FFIX, airborne platform locations can be shifted to more accurately reflect changes in aircraft and antenna orientation. Additionally, we can reduce the area produced by eliminating low probability search areas.
Relationship of childhood trauma to age of first suicide attempt and number of attempts in substance dependent patients.

Objective: To examine whether childhood trauma effect the age of first attempting suicide and the number of attempts. Method: One thousand twelve hundred and eighty substance dependent patients were interviewed about whether or not they had ever attempted suicide, the age of first attempt and the number of attempts. Patients completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – 34 item version. Results: Five hundred and thirty-eight patients (42%) had attempted suicide. Significantly more of the patients who had attempted suicide were female. Patients who had made three or more attempts had significantly higher childhood trauma scores than patients who had made two attempts, who had higher scores than patients who had made one attempt, who had higher scores than patients who had never attempted. Patients who first attempted suicide before the age of 20 years had significantly higher childhood trauma scores than patients who first attempted after 20 years of age. Conclusion: Childhood trauma may be a determinant of the age of onset of suicidal behavior and of the number of suicide attempts.
Predictors of major bleeding in peri-procedural anticoagulation management.

Summary. Background: Appropriate periprocedural management for chronically anticoagulated patients requires assessment of patient-specific thrombosis and bleeding risks. However, predictors of post-procedure bleeding are unknown. Objectives: To determine the 3-month cumulative incidence and independent predictors of peri-procedural bleeding in chronically anticoagulated patients requiring temporary warfarin interruption for an invasive procedure. Methods: In a protocol driven, cohort study design, all patients referred to the Mayo Clinic Thrombophilia Center for peri-procedural anticoagulation management (1997–2007; n = 2182), were followed forward in time to determine the 3-month cumulative incidence of peri-procedural bleeding (Kaplan–Meier product limit) and potential predictors of bleeding (Cox proportional hazards). Decisions to ‘bridge’ with low-molecular-weight heparin were based on estimated thromboembolism and bleeding risk. Results: Indications for chronic anticoagulation included venous thromboembolism (38%), atrial fibrillation (30%) and mechanical heart valves (27%). Of these, 1496 (69%) patients received bridging therapy. The 3-month cumulative incidence rates of major and overall bleeding were 2.1% and 5.1%, respectively. Major bleeding occurred more frequently in patients receiving bridging therapy (3% vs. 1%; P = 0.017). Independent predictors (hazard ratio; 95% confidence interval) of major bleeding included mitral mechanical heart valve (2.2; 1.1–4.3), active cancer (1.8; 1.0–3.1), prior bleeding history (2.6; 1.5–4.5) and re-initiation of heparin therapy within 24 h after the procedure (1.9; 1.1–3.4). Conclusion: Factors predisposing to peri-procedural bleeding are primarily patient-specific. Premature heparin re-initiation is an avoidable provider-specific variable to consider.
A “Major Career Woman”? How Women Develop Early Expectations about Work

Using data from 80 in-depth qualitative interviews with women randomly sampled from New York City, I ask: how do women develop expectations about their future workforce participation? Using an intersectional approach, I find that women’s expectations about workforce participation stem from gendered, classed, and raced ideas of who works full-time. Socioeconomic status, race, gender, and sexuality influenced early expectations about work and the process through which these expectations developed. Women from white and Latino working-class families were evenly divided in their expectations about their future workforce participation, while the vast majority of white, Asian, African American, and Latina middle-class women expected to work continually as adults. Unlike their working-class white and Hispanic peers, all of the working-class Black respondents developed expectations that they would work continuously as adults. The intersections of race, class, and gender play a central role in shaping women’s expec...
Diversity in the Undergraduate Curriculum Perspectives Held by Undergraduate Students at a Predominantly European American University

Undergraduate students (N = 932, 83.8% European Americans, 69.6% women) completed an online survey and reported their definitions of diversity, their attitudes toward incorporating diversity into the curriculum, and their motivations for learning about diversity issues. Findings revealed that students conceptualized diversity primarily in terms of culture and race and seldom included age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or physical/cognitive/mental abilities. Results also showed that students had positive feelings about diversity and desired to have instructors infuse diversity content in their courses. Finally, students were motivated to learn about diversity to be employable, to interact successfully with different people, and to grow intellectually, emotionally, and personally. Teaching implications are discussed.
Developmental genetic analysis of lethal alleles at the ewg locus and their effects on muscle development in Drosophila melanogaster

The recessive X-linked mutation erect wing (ewg), in Drosophila melanogaster, was characterized as a flightless behavioral mutant which specifically lacked the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles [1]. This mutation was mapped distal to the X chromosomal locus yellow, and further to the cytological segment 1 A 1 to 1 B2-3 [2]. Several lethal complementation groups have been mapped to this interval [3]. Our complementation tests show that ewg is allelic to one lethal complementation group in the region 1 A 1 to 1 B2-3. A further analysis of ewg and several lethal alleles isolated at this locus was undertaken in the present investigation. Most of the lethal alleles at this locus lead to a late embryonic or early larval lethal phase, indicating that the ewg+ gene product is necessary for the development of more than just the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles. Intragenic complementation was observed for some of the ewg lethal alleles. Genetic mosaics with ewg lethal alleles showed that mutant cell clones in cuticular structures are viable. Mosaic analysis is consistent with a mesodermal defect associated with the locus.
Human β-Cell Proliferation and Intracellular Signaling: Driving in the Dark Without a Road Map

A major goal in diabetes research is to find ways to enhance the mass and function of insulin secreting β-cells in the endocrine pancreas to prevent and/or delay the onset or even reverse overt diabetes. In this Perspectives in Diabetes article, we highlight the contrast between the relatively large body of information that is available in regard to signaling pathways, proteins, and mechanisms that together provide a road map for efforts to regenerate β-cells in rodents versus the scant information in human β-cells. To reverse the state of ignorance regarding human β-cell signaling, we suggest a series of questions for consideration by the scientific community to construct a human β-cell proliferation road map. The hope is that the knowledge from the new studies will allow the community to move faster towards developing therapeutic approaches to enhance human β-cell mass in the long-term goal of preventing and/or curing type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Drift increases the advantage of sex in RNA bacteriophage Phi6.

The pervasiveness of sex and recombination remains one of the most enigmatic problems in evolutionary biology. According to many theoretical models, recombination can increase the rate of adaptation by restoring genetic variation. However, the potential for genetic drift to generate conditions that produce this outcome has yet to be studied experimentally. We have designed and performed an experiment that reveals the effects of drift on existing genetic variation by minimizing the influence of variation on beneficial mutation rate. Our experiment was conducted in populations of RNA bacteriophage Φ6 initiated from a common source population at varying bottleneck sizes. The segmented genome of this virus results in genetic exchange between viruses that co-infect the same host cell. In response to selection for growth in a high-temperature environment, sexual lines outperformed their asexual counterparts on average. The advantage of sex attenuated with increasing effective population size, implying that the rate of adaptation was limited by clonal interference among segments caused by drift. This is the first empirical evidence that the advantage of sex during adaptation increases with the intensity of drift.
Nonlinear OIFS for a hybrid galerkin atmospheric model

The purpose of this paper is to explore a time-split hybrid Galerkin scheme for the atmospheric shallow water equations. A nonlinear variant of operator integration factor splitting is employed as the time-stepping scheme. The hyperbolic system representing slow modes is discretized using the discontinuous Galerkin method. An implicit second order backward differentiation formula is applied to Coriolis and gravity wave terms. The implicit system is then discretised using a continuous Galerkin spectral element method. The advantages of such an approach include improved mass and energy conservation properties. A strong-stability preserving Runge-Kutta scheme is applied for sub-stepping.
Investigation and Energetic Analysis of a Novel Hydraulic Hybrid Architecture for On-Road Vehicles

Hydraulic hybrid transmissions in on-road vehicles have been proven to significantly reduce fuel consumption. Existing hydraulic hybrid transmissions have shown fuel savings of 30-50% [1] with higher savings predicted when using advanced architectures [2]. However while these results are promising there exists room for improvement. Consider the series hybrid architecture which is currently the most common full hydraulic hybrid configuration. This system requires over-center units which increase expense and are relatively uncommon especially for high performance bent axis units. Series hybrids may also possess a synthetic feel due to the high compliance inherent in their accumulators. Further efficiency suffers as the hydraulic units in series hybrids are often forced to operate at high pressures and low displacements. A novel hydraulic hybrid configuration is analyzed in this paper which may reduce costs, improve response, and increase efficiency under certain conditions. An automatic transmission, a series hydraulic hybrid, and the novel blended hybrid architecture were simulated for a class II truck and fuel consumption rates compared. Dynamic programming was used to optimally control all three transmissions thereby removing the effect of controller design of fuel consumption. Simulation results show a 44.8% increase in fuel efficiency for the series hybrid and a 37.0% increase with the proposed system architecture. While the proposed architectures currently lags the series hybrid in fuel economy, there exists sufficient benefits to merit further studies.
T-Cell Tolerance: Central and Peripheral

Somatic recombination of TCR genes in immature thymocytes results in some cells with useful TCR specificities, but also many with useless or potentially self-reactive specificities. Thus thymic selection mechanisms operate to shape the T-cell repertoire. Thymocytes that have a TCR with low affinity for self-peptide-MHC complexes are positively selected to further differentiate and function in adaptive immunity, whereas useless ones die by neglect. Clonal deletion and clonal diversion (Treg differentiation) are the major processes in the thymus that eliminate or control self-reactive T cells. Although these processes are thought to be efficient, they fail to control self-reactivity in all circumstances. Thus, peripheral tolerance processes exist wherein self-reactive T cells become functionally unresponsive (anergy) or are deleted after encountering self-antigens outside of the thymus. Recent advances in mechanistic studies of central and peripheral T-cell tolerance are promoting the development of therapeutic strategies to treat autoimmune disease and cancer and improve transplantation outcome.
Bioeffects caused by changes in acoustic cavitation bubble density and cell concentration: a unified explanation based on cell-to-bubble ratio and blast radius.

Acoustic cavitation has been shown to load drugs, proteins and DNA into viable cells as a complex function of acoustic and nonacoustic parameters. To better understand and quantify this functionality, DU145 prostate cancer cell suspensions at different cell concentrations (2.5 x 10(5) to 4.0 x 10(7) cells/mL) were exposed to 500 kHz ultrasound (US) over a range of acoustic energy exposures (2 to 817 J/cm(2); peak negative pressures of 0.64 to 2.96 MPa; exposure times of 120 to 2000 ms) in the presence of different initial concentrations of Optison contrast agent bubbles (3.6 x 10(4) to 9.3 x 10(7) bubbles/mL). As determined by flow cytometry, molecular uptake of calcein and cell viability both increased with increasing cell density; viability decreased and uptake was unaffected by increasing initial contrast agent concentration. When normalized relative to the initial contrast agent concentration (e.g., cells killed per bubble), bioeffects increased with increasing cell density and decreased with increasing bubble concentration. These varying effects of contrast agent concentration and cell density were unified through an overall correlation with cell-to-bubble ratio. Additional analysis led to estimation of "blast radii" over which bubbles killed or permeabilized cells; these radii were as much as 3 to 90 times the bubble radius. Combined, these results suggest that extensive molecular uptake into cells at high viability occurs for low-energy exposure US applied at a high cell-to-bubble ratio.
Investigation of MIMO channel metric-dependent scheduling methods for collaborative spatial multiplexing

The standards for next-generation wireless communications have adopted collaborative spatial multiplexing (CSM) as an advanced feature to increase the spectral efficiency. In this paper, we aim to compare a few user pairing modes and MIMO channel-dependent selection metrics of uplink scheduling for CSM, with the inclusion of proposing a novel selection metric that is related to channel condition number. The performances of these pairing modes and selection metrics are compared through simulations, and the results show that the proposed metric can provide lower error rates and better fairness than the traditional schedulers based on maximum capacity.
Software for closed-form solutions of linear time-invariant differential systems

Software that obtains the closed-form solution for first-order linear time-invariant systems with exponential and/or sinusoidal excitations is described. The approach is based on using EIGRF (an IMSL library subroutine, which uses the Q/R algorithm for an arbitrary real input matrix) for determining the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the coefficient matrix. The closed-form solutions is then obtained by making use of the eigenvalues, the eigenvectors, and the input functions in the variation of parameters formula.
Viewing Response-to-Intervention through an Educational Change Paradigm: What Can We Learn?

Response-to-Intervention (RtI), a framework for improving academic and behavioral outcomes for all students, can be viewed as a current example of an educational change initiative. Given the difficulties that some schools may be experiencing when implementing RtI effectively, it is important to examine prior educational change conceptualizations and research for factors that may facilitate or impede current educational reform. The purpose of this article is to (a) present RtI as a current educational reform initiative, (b) use Fullan’s (2007) theoretical model as a framework through which to present information related to educational change, and (c) provide suggestions regarding how such educational change literature can inform and improve the implementation and future sustainability of RtI in schools.
Predictors of feeding gastrostomy tube removal in stroke patients with dysphagia.

Abstract Dysphagia is a common consequence of stroke, estimated to be present in 25% to 50% of the stroke rehabilitation population. Relatively few data exist concerning outcome following insertion of feeding gastrostomy/jejunostomy tubes (FGT) in stroke patients with dysphagia. Our aim was to identify variables predictive of FGT removal. We studied stroke patients admitted to a single rehabilitation hospital and identified consecutive stroke patients with FGT placement. Each patient's medical records were reviewed, and demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging information were abstracted. Follow-up status was obtained by telephone interviews and review of state death certificates. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Seventy-seven of the 664 (11.1%) stroke patients admitted in the 42-month study period had FGT insertion for dysphagia. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that bilateral stroke (bilateral vs unilateral; P P P 52) in stroke patients with severe dysphagia requiring FGT placement that are negative predictors of FGT removal prior to discharge from rehabilitation. These findings may help physicians and speech language pathologists predict who is likely to have a FGT removed before rehabilitation hospital discharge.
Trust evaluation in health information on the World Wide Web

The impact of health information on the web is mounting and with the Health 2.0 revolution around the corner, online health promotion and management is becoming a reality. User-generated content is at the core of this revolution and brings to the fore the essential question of trust evaluation, a pertinent problem for health applications in particular. Evolving Web 2.0 health applications provide abundant opportunities for research. We identify these applications, discuss the challenges for trust assessment, characterize conceivable variables, list potential techniques for analysis, and provide a vision for future research.
Microwave imaging via space-time beamforming for early detection of breast cancer

A method of microwave imaging via space-time (MIST) beamforming is proposed for detecting early-stage breast cancer. An array of antennas is located near the surface of the breast and an ultrawideband (UWB) signal is transmitted sequentially from each antenna. The received backscattered signals are passed through a space-time beamformer that is designed to image backscattered signal energy as a function of location. The beamformer spatially focuses the backscattered signals to discriminate against clutter and noise while compensating for frequency-dependent propagation effects. As a consequence of the significant dielectric-properties contrast between normal and malignant tissue, localized regions of large backscatter energy levels in the image correspond to malignant tumors. A data-adaptive algorithm for removing artifacts in the received signals due to backscatter from the skin-breast interface is also presented. The effectiveness of these algorithms is demonstrated using a variety of numerical breast phantoms based on anatomically realistic MRI-derived FDTD models of the breast. Very small (2 mm) malignant tumors embedded within the complex fibroglandular structure of the breast are easily detected above the background clutter. The MIST approach is shown to offer significant improvement in performance over previous UWB microwave breast cancer detection techniques based on simpler focusing schemes.
Optimal Initiation and Management of Dialysis Therapy

Dialysis is the most common therapy for patients afflicted with chronic kidney failure. Currently, little is known about the relationship between the timing of dialysis initiation and the therapy's cost and effectiveness. This paper examines the cost-effective initiation of dialysis and compares standard initiation criteria from the clinical literature to computationally derived strategies. Comparisons make use of a simulation model that integrates submodels of disease progression, hospitalization, transplantation, cost, and quality of life. The simulation model is also used by an approximate dynamic programming (ADP) algorithm to derive approximately optimal strategies that maximize patient welfare. Patient welfare is measured from the society's perspective and is defined as the product of the expected discounted quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and a “value-of-life” parameter, minus the expected total discounted medical expenditures. Also considered is an alternative formulation in which the goal is to minimize the expected total discounted medical expenditures without affecting patient QALYs relative to current medical practice. Numerical results show that: (i) standard early initiation strategies, where once started on dialysis patients are kept on a fixed weekly program, have a limited potential, and (ii) early dialysis at an incrementally increasing dose customized to each patient can yield a significant cost advantage. These findings demonstrate computationally intensive models of disease progression, and therapy effectiveness can identify novel strategies for managing expensive medical therapies and a more efficient use of scarce health-care resources.
Adaptive Algorithm Properties for a Reconfigurable Photonic Switch

The sparse reconfigurable adaptive filter (SRAF) consists of an input delay bank, a photonic switch with reconfigurable connections and adaptive weights, and an output delay bank. This system architecture can be used to implement a sparse tapped delay line (TDL) with a large number of adaptive weights and a wide range of time delays. In this paper, we investigate some delay properties of the SRAF and consider an adaptive algorithm based on a cross-correlation function of the pre-whitened input and a desired response signal. Computer simulations are presented to illustrate the behavior of the SRAF for a system identification application
Upside-down Quakes: Displaying 3D Seismicity with Google Earth

Seismologists have long struggled with how to display their data effectively, since earthquakes, like other geological processes, occur in three spatial dimensions and time. Seismicity has additional dimensions: there is the obvious variable of earthquake size, which itself becomes multidimensional once we extend this to the tensor-valued quantity (the moment tensor) that is the simplest description of the earthquake source. Given the human ability to see patterns, visualization is a powerful tool for investigating earthquake behavior; although it can be perilous if the patterns seen are not statistically checked, it is better to have seen and abandoned a pattern than not to have seen it at all. The most obvious problem in visualizing seismicity is that it occurs in three dimensions but must be displayed in two. The simplest solution is to show at least two views: usually a map with cross-sections, analogous to the plan and elevation drawings of architects and engineers (Ferguson 1992). Several authors (Johnson and Richter 1979; German and Johnson 1983, 193–198; Reasenberg and Ellsworth 1982; Wells 2002) have used pairs of stereoscopic drawings; when each is viewed with one eye, the fused drawing gives a convincing sense of depth thanks to the human system of binocular vision. For individuals, this requires either severe myopia or special viewers. For groups, special projection and viewing equipment is needed to restrict each image to a single eye, as for example in the GeoWall projection system (Johnson et al. 2006). However, binocular vision is not the only way in which our visual systems estimate relative location in three dimensions; loss of one eye has little effect on this ability. Binocular parallax can only work over a finite range of distances and differences in depth. Other sources of location information include: 1. Geometric perspective: the relation between …
Jones, William, Sir (1746–1794)

Despite his substantial professional commitments as a judge and his poor health, Sir William Jones contributed extensively to the development of historical and comparative linguistics. His famous 1786 proposal that Sanskrit was certainly related to Latin and Greek, and possibly also to the Celtic, Germanic, and Iranian languages, was the foundation of historical linguistics. He also published extensively on Iranian, Sanskrit, and Chinese literature, preparing the first translations of many works into English.
Chapter 4 Preparation of Fluorescently Labeled Dextrans and Ficolls

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the preparation of fluorescently labeled dextrans and ficolls. The fact that dextran and Ficoll cannot cross biological membranes makes them ideal as markers and probes of specific subcellular compartments. Fluorescein dextran was first reported as a marker for fluid phase pinocytosis. A red-fluorescent, cyanine derivative of dextran has been used to mark the pinosome compartment in a multiparameter study of living Swiss 3T3 cells. The dibutyl tin dilaurate method is convenient and suitable for studies in which the degree of substitution doesn't need to be controlled accurately and detectability of small amounts is the limiting factor. It is found that when the method is used to prepare tetramethylrhodamine (TRTC-) derivatives, a minor complication results, apparently due to the hydrophobicity of the fluorophore. TRTC-dextran is slightly soluble in ethanol, so that repeated washing in ethanol sometimes results in progressive loss of labeled material. The aminoethylcarboxymethyl method involves conversion of hydroxyl groups to O-carboxy-methyl ethers and subsequent amidation of these groups by ethylene diamine in the presence of a water soluble carbodiimide. It is found that the degree of substitution can be determined with reasonable accuracy by reading the absorbance of the fluorophore for a known concentration of fluorescent polysaccharide.
A Survey of Sign Tests Based on the Binomial Distribution

A detailed discussion of the classical sign test is given. Assumptions and conditions of use are described and illustrated for fixed sample sizes. The relationship of this to other (frequently, but not always) more powerful tests of the same or similar ..
Tablet/Capsule Size Variation Among the Most Commonly Prescribed Medications for Children in the USA: Retrospective Review and Firsthand Pharmacy Audit

Children are frequently asked to take tablets and capsules of different sizes and shapes to manage acute and chronic medical conditions. Medication size is an important factor that contributes to compliance, yet few studies detail size variation or pediatric pharmacy inventory. This study assesses the available sizes and size variations of common inpatient and outpatient pediatric medications and provides an inventory of the tablet and capsule sizes available in a children’s inpatient hospital pharmacy. We derived the most frequently prescribed oral medications from US national databases, including the IMS, Vector One®: National (VONA) and Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS). We analyzed a composite list using the National Library of Medicine Pillbox website, which provides size measurements. Medications from a children’s inpatient pharmacy were audited and hand measured for comparison. We created a list of the top 15 most prescribed inpatient and outpatient pediatric tablet/capsule medications and observed a wide variation in size: acetaminophen 500 mg ranged from 5 to 22 mm in length, median 15 mm. Common pediatric antibiotics were larger and ranged from 8 to 25 mm in length, median 17 mm. Hand-measured samples from the inpatient pharmacy were often the larger pill sizes, despite smaller alternatives being available. We observed a marked variation in the sizes of common pediatric tablet/capsule medications, and pharmacies that serve children may not stock the most child-friendly medications. Tablet/capsule size does not appear to be considered when decisions about tablet and capsule medication selections are made. These results should increase awareness of these sizes and affect how physicians prescribe, how pharmacies order inventory, and how insurers and pharmaceutical companies pay for and produce pediatric medications.
Emergence of mutant HIV reverse transcriptase conferring resistance to AZT.

(Krc,eived 2 Ortobrr IYYI) The likelihood of emergence of drug resistance is a function of mutation rate and the number of replicative events. The mutation rate of HIV is presumed to be at least as high as any virus with a single stranded RNA genome. The number of replicative events in a host infected with HIV are incalculably high as a result of years of persistent replication that is poorly restricted by immune surveillance. Viral chemo- therapy in humans has selected for drug resistant variants of influenza A virus, herpes simplex virus. varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus and rhinovirus. ' The prospect of drug resistant AZT therefore did not appear as a surprise to many. In the initial study of HIV susceptibility to AZT (zidovudine),' isolation of HIV was attempted with 186 peripheral blood mononuclear cell specimens from subjects at different stages of infection who h,ad received therapy with AZT for various periods. A total of 46 isolates were obtained from 33 individuals. The use of MT2 lympho- blastoid cells for the isolation procedure permitted the preparation of large stocks of virus that could be frozen in riliquots and titrated. Susceptibility to AZT with these low-passage clinical isolates of HIV could not be tested reliably with the described assays of inhibition of cytopathology or production of p24 antigen.j This dilemma was resolved by the USIZ of a CD4-expressing HeLa cell line (obtained from B. Chesebro, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, Mont.) that readily permitted plaque reduction assays with all isolates te~ted.~ In addition, this system permitted assay of a wide range of compounds, including nucleosides, interferons, and recombinant soluble CD4. Study of these original isolates permitted several conclusions: (I) Isolates from subjects not treated with AZT display a narrow range of susceptibility to AZT, with
Reaching optimal clarity on surgical site marking: commentary on an article by Savyasachi C. Thakkar, MD, and Simon C. Mears, MD, PhD: "Visibility of surgical site marking: a prospective randomized trial of two skin preparation solutions".

For more than a decade, procedures to minimize wrong-site surgery have been instituted, modified, and studied by various groups and organizations. In 2004, The Joint Commission established the Universal Protocol with requirements to verify the patient and surgical site preoperatively, mark the surgical site, and perform a preoperative time-out. The requirement indicates that the mark should be sufficiently permanent to be visible after skin preparation1. This straightforward and interesting study draws attention to a potential safety issue with the mandated sign-the-site program of the Universal Protocol by demonstrating that there are differences in the potential for erasure of surgical site markings between two common types of skin preparations. The study was well designed to answer the question posed. Three different assessments of surgical site erasure served as outcomes, all of which showed significant differences between the …
Reproductive Phenology of Eleutherodactylus bransfordii in Northeastern Costa Rica

-Eleutherodactylus bransfordii is an abundant leaf-litter frog at the La Selva Biological Reserve in northeastern Costa Rica. I studied a sample of 842 frogs collected from November 1973 to December 1974 to determine size and structure of the population and seasonality of reproduction in E. bransfordii. Individuals were measured snout-to-vent (SVL) and dissected to determine reproductive condition. Frogs were classified as adult female (SVL > 20.0 mm, oviducts wide and convoluted, ovaries containing large eggs or yolking follicles), adult male (SVL > 17.0 mm, nuptial pads well developed), or juvenile. The number of ovarian eggs was positively correlated with female body size. Female body size did not vary significantly among months, but the number of ovarian eggs did. Testis length varied significantly among months and was shorter in December 1973 than in other months. All three age-sex classes were captured in all months, and juveniles accounted for more than 50% of the monthly sample in 11 of 14 months. Juveniles in the smallest size class (SVL 10.0 mm) were collected in all months except October 1974, and were most abundant in February 1974. More frogs were collected during the dry season than in the wet season. Although the year-round occurrence of frogs suggests continuous reproduction, more juveniles were captured in the dry season suggesting some seasonality in reproductive output. . . , . , 99 i ia s a eptiles
Determination of Thallium in Biological Samples by GFAAS

To establish anaccurte,rapid and practical method for determination of thallium in biological sample by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry(GFAAS),the accuracy and precision of the method were improved by digesting biological samples in microwave digestion,using matrix modifier and changingashing temperature of graphite furnace.The result showed that the linear were 0~100 μg/L;the detetion limit of blood,urine and hair were 0.10 mg/L,0.02 mg/L,0.20 mg/kg;the mean recovery rate of blood,urine and hair were 83.1%~108%,89.6%~105%,98.1%~118%.It concludes this method have some advantages such as simple,rapid,sensitive and accurate.It could be used in thallium in biological sample.
Abstract P1-01-07: Distribution pattern of Ki67 immunoreactivity in ductal intraepithelial neoplasia (DIN): Correlation with lesion grade and potential utility

INTRODUCTION: Ki67 labeling index has been proposed as an independent predictive and prognostic factor in patients with ductal intraepithelial neoplasia (DIN). Ki-67 labeling index of 14% has been suggested as a useful cut-off for stratifying DIN patients for adjuvant radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. No data is available regarding either the distribution pattern of Ki67 immunoreactivity within the ducts involved by DIN or potential correlation of these patterns with lesion grade. In this study, the pattern of distribution of the nuclei immunoreactive with Ki67 was examined in DIN1C (DCIS, grade 1), DIN2 (DCIS, grade2), and DIN3 (DCIS, grade 3) to determine if distinctive patterns could be identified and if these patterns would correlate with lesion grade. METHODS: 47 consecutive DIN cases were retrieved from our departmental files. Of these, 5 qualified as DIN1C, 28 as DIN2 and 14 as DIN3. HE 0 indicating absence of necrosis and 2 reflecting comedo type necrosis. Necrosis was more common in the ducts with haphazard Ki67 distribution. The extent of necrosis varied significantly between DIN1c, DIN2 and DIN3 (Chi –square test, P CONCLUSIONS: Two distinct patterns of Ki67 immunoreactivity are seen in DIN lesions; the basal pattern is characteristic of DIN1 (low grade DIN), whereas a haphazard pattern is dominant in DIN3 (high grade DIN). These patterns could be used to divide grade 2 DIN into low grade and high grade. This approach is easier and potentially more reproducible than counting the percentage of Ki67 positive cells. The information could be useful from a prognostic standpoint and may well be predictive of potential response to radiation, hormonal and targeted therapies. Citation Format: Ozerdem U, Tavassoli FA. Distribution pattern of Ki67 immunoreactivity in ductal intraepithelial neoplasia (DIN): Correlation with lesion grade and potential utility. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-07.
SP0177 Linking Vasculopathy and Fibrosis

The hallmark features of SSc include fibroproliferative vasculopathy, immune dysfunction, and extensive skin and organ fibrosis. Delineation of the common pathways responsible for the pathological changes affecting the key disease cell types would be critical to developing effective therapeutic strategies. Extensive clinical and experimental evidence implicate alterations of transcription factor Fli1 (Friend leukemia integration-1) in disease pathogenesis. Fli1 deficiency contributes to the induction of SSc-like phenotypic changes in dermal fibroblasts, endothelial cells and macrophages in a manner consistent with human disease. Thus, restoring the Fli1 levels in diseased tissues may represent a valid therapeutic strategy to treat SSc. Elucidation of factors that contribute to Fli1 deficiency in SSc will be essential to fully implement this strategy. This presentation will discuss the progress in characterizing such factors and potential therapeutic strategies to restore Fli1 levels. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Increasing Completion Rate of an M4 Emergency Medicine Student End-of-Shift Evaluation Using a Mobile Electronic Platform and Real-Time Completion

Introduction: Medical students on an emergency medicine rotation are traditionally evaluated at the end of each shift with paper-based forms, and data are often missing due to forms not being turned in or completed. Because students’ grades depend on these evaluations, change was needed to increase form rate of return. We analyzed a new electronic evaluation form and modified completion process to determine if it would increase the completion rate without altering how faculty scored student performance. Methods: During fall 2013, 29 faculty completed paper N=339 evaluations consisting of seven competencies for 33 students. In fall 2014, an electronic evaluation form with the same competencies was designed using an electronic platform and completed N=319 times by 27 faculty using 25 students’electronic devices. Feedback checkboxes were added to facilitate collection of common comments. Data was analyzed with IBM® SPSS® 21.0 using multi-factor analysis of variance with the students’ globalrating (GR) as an outcome. Inter-item reliability was determined with Cronbach alpha. Results: There was a significantly higher completion rate (p=0.001) of 98% electronic vs. 69% paperforms, lower (p=0.001) missed GR rate (1% electronic. vs 12% paper), and higher mean scores(p=0.001) for the GR with the electronic (7.0±1.1) vs. paper (6.8±1.2) form. Feedback check boxes were completed on every form. The inter-item reliability for electronic and paper forms was each alpha=0.95. Conclusion: The use of a new electronic form and modified completion process for evaluating students at the end of shift demonstrated a higher faculty completion rate, a lower missed data rate, a higher global rating and consistent collection of common feedback. The use of the electronic form and the process for obtaining the information made our end-of-shift evaluation process for students more reliable and provided more accurate, up-to-date information for student feedback and when determining student grades.
Determining the Impact of Ligand and Alkene Substituents on Bonding in Gold(I)–Alkene Complexes Supported by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: A Computational Study

The nature of the gold(I)–alkene bond in [(NHC)Au(alkene)]+ complexes (where NHC is the N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imidazole-2-ylidine and its derivatives) has been studied using density functional theory. By utilization of a series of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents ranging from −NO2 to −NH2, an examination of substituent effects has been undertaken with 4-substituted NHC ligands, monosubstituted ethylene derivatives, and 4-substituted styrene derivatives. Natural population, natural bond orbital (NBO), molecular orbital, and bond energy decomposition analysis (EDA) methods have been used to quantify a number of important parameters, including the charge of the coordinated alkenes and the magnitude of alkene→[(NHC)Au]+ and [(NHC)Au]+→alkene electron donation. EDA methods have also been used to quantify the strength of the [(NHC)Au]+−(alkene) bond and the impact of both ligand and alkene substitution on different components of the interaction, including polar...
Role of Large Clinical Datasets From Physiologic Monitors in Improving the Safety of Clinical Alarm Systems and Methodological Considerations: A Case From Philips Monitors

Background: Large datasets of the audit log of modern physiologic monitoring devices have rarely been used for predictive modeling, capturing unsafe practices, or guiding initiatives on alarm systems safety. Objective: This paper (1) describes a large clinical dataset using the audit log of the physiologic monitors, (2) discusses benefits and challenges of using the audit log in identifying the most important alarm signals and improving the safety of clinical alarm systems, and (3) provides suggestions for presenting alarm data and improving the audit log of the physiologic monitors. Methods: At a 20-bed transplant cardiac intensive care unit, alarm data recorded via the audit log of bedside monitors were retrieved from the server of the central station monitor. Results: Benefits of the audit log are many. They include easily retrievable data at no cost, complete alarm records, easy capture of inconsistent and unsafe practices, and easy identification of bedside monitors missed from a unit change of alarm settings adjustments. Challenges in analyzing the audit log are related to the time-consuming processes of data cleaning and analysis, and limited storage and retrieval capabilities of the monitors. Conclusions: The audit log is a function of current capabilities of the physiologic monitoring systems, monitor’s configuration, and alarm management practices by clinicians. Despite current challenges in data retrieval and analysis, large digitalized clinical datasets hold great promise in performance, safety, and quality improvement. Vendors, clinicians, researchers, and professional organizations should work closely to identify the most useful format and type of clinical data to expand medical devices’ log capacity. [JMIR Hum Factors 2016;3(2):e24]
Efficacy of mindfulness meditation for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Smokers increasingly seek alternative interventions to assist in cessation or reduction efforts. Mindfulness meditation, which facilitates detached observation and paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance, has recently been studied as a smoking cessation intervention. Aims This review synthesizes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mindfulness meditation (MM) interventions for smoking cessation. Methods Five electronic databases were searched from inception to October 2016 to identify English-language RCTs evaluating the efficacy and safety of MM interventions for smoking cessation, reduction, or a decrease in nicotine cravings. Two independent reviewers screened literature using predetermined eligibility criteria, abstracted study-level information, and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analyses used the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Findings Ten RCTs of MM interventions for tobacco use met inclusion criteria. Intervention duration, intensity, and comparison conditions varied considerably. Studies used diverse comparators such as the American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking (FFS) program, quitline counseling, interactive learning, or treatment as usual (TAU). Only one RCT was rated as good quality and reported power calculations indicating sufficient statistical power. Publication bias was detected. Overall, mindfulness meditation did not have significant effects on abstinence or cigarettes per day, relative to comparator groups. The small number of studies and heterogeneity in interventions, comparators, and outcomes precluded detecting systematic differences between adjunctive and monotherapy interventions. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions MM did not differ significantly from comparator interventions in their effects on tobacco use. Low-quality evidence, variability in study design among the small number of existing studies, and publication bias suggest that additional, high-quality adequately powered RCTs should be conducted.