cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of thromboelastography to assess post-operative changes in coagulation and predict graft function in renal transplantation.

Abstract Background End stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with elevated fibrinogen levels and fibrinolysis inhibition. However, there is a paucity of data on how renal transplantation impacts coagulation. we hypothesize that renal transplantation recipients with good functioning grafts will have improved fibrinolytic activity following surgery. Methods Kidney recipients were analyzed pre-operatively and on post-operative day 1(POD1) using three different TEG assays with and without two concentration of tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA). TEG indices and percent reduction in creatinine from pre-op to POD1 were measured, with >50% defining “good” graft function. Follow up was done at 6, 12, and 24 months. Results Percent lysis(LY30) on POD1 the t-PA TEG was significantly correlated to change creatinine from pre-op to POD-1(p = 0.006). A LY30 ≥ 23% was associated with good early graft function, and lower creatinine at 24-months(p = 0.028) compared to recipients with low POD1 LY30. Conclusions Post-operative tPA-TEG LY30 is associated with favorable early and late outcomes in kidney transplant.
Factors Associated with Increased Risk of Patient No-Show in Telehealth and Traditional Surgery Clinics.

Background With the growing use of telehealth, understanding factors affecting patient follow-up in traditional and telehealth settings is important. Few data exist examining the use of telehealth compared with traditional settings. Bridging this gap is critical to optimizing telehealth use and reducing barriers. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of return and postoperative (electronic video [eClinic] and traditional) visits from January 2018 to March 2020 at single tertiary care center. There were 12,359 unique first-encounter patients with 903 eClinic and 11,456 traditional visits; 11,547 patients completed visits, while 812 patients did not show up. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to identify factors associated with no-show. County-level mapping was used to identify patterns in no-show rates. Results Patients from the eClinic had twice the odds of no-show compared with those from a traditional clinic (p Conclusions Several factors are associated with increased odds of no-show, including the visit being in eClinic. County-level analysis suggests no-show variation is not dependent on geographic location. Understanding these patterns allows for prospective identification of barriers and development of interventions to optimize access and patient care.
Differential Item and Test Functioning of the SRSS-IE12 Across Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Elementary Level:

This study used item response theory (IRT) methods to investigate group differences in responses to the 12-item Student Risk Screening Scale-Internalizing and Externalizing (SRSS-IE12) in a sample ...
Use of Digital vs Printed Posters for Teaching and Learning in Pharmacy Education

Objective. To characterize student pharmacists' perceptions of the use of posters as a learning tool and their preferences regarding digital posters compared to printed posters for presentation and review.Methods. Student pharmacists presented and peer-reviewed posters in a digital format using a tablet and an overhead monitor or in a printed format mounted on a poster board. The perceptions of two cohorts of pharmacy students were characterized by comparing their responses on pre- and post-activity surveys.Results. The pre- and post-activity surveys were completed by 543 students (95.3%) in the 2017-2018 academic year and 553 students (97%) in the 2018-2019 academic year, respectively. Over 95% of students perceived that the poster activity enhanced their poster creation, literature evaluation, and communication skills, while also improving their learning of pharmacy-related topics. There was a significant increase on the post-activity survey in the number of students who preferred the digital poster format, with students indicating that the digital format was straightforward (87.3%), enhanced their presentation (77.2%), and promoted learning (70.5%).Conclusion. Poster presentations provide a platform for the dissemination and discussion of topics and allow students to improve their presentation and communication skills. Digital posters represent a convenient, cost-effective, and preferred presentation method for pharmacy students compared to printed posters.
Drones as internet of video things front-end sensors: challenges and opportunities

Internet of Video Things (IoVT) has become an emerging class of IoT systems that are equipped with visual sensors at the front end. Most of such visual sensors are fixed one whereas the drones are considered flying IoT nodes capable of capturing visual data continuously while flying over the targets of interest. With such a dynamic operational mode, we can imagine significant technical challenges in sensor data acquisition, information transmission, and knowledge extraction. This paper will begin with an analysis on some unique characteristics of IoVT systems with drones as its front end sensors. We shall then discuss several inherent technical challenges for designing drone-based IoVT systems. Furthermore, we will present major opportunities to adopt drone-based IoVT in several contemporary applications. Finally, we conclude this paper with a summary and an outlook for future research directions.
Can We Distinguish Triphasic Waves From Other Generalized Periodic Discharges? Do We Need to?

SUMMARY Triphasic waves are intuitively distinctive waveforms that fall under the umbrella of generalized periodic discharges. The ability to distinguish these waveforms consistently could be helpful if a specific underlying pathophysiology could be identified. However, scalp EEG and clinical observation have been limited in their ability to elucidate the underlying cortical physiology that leads to triphasic waves. Evidence from intracranial physiologic data and computational modeling suggest that these and other periodic discharges should be viewed not as strictly ictal nor non-ictal but rather on the spectrum between these two. Triphasic waves in particular appear to result from an abnormal balance between cortical excitation and synaptic transmission with input from functionally connected brain networks, such as the thalamocortical pathways involved in arousal. The practical implication of triphasic waves begins with acknowledgement of uncertainty and a rational approach should ask whether the pattern-or its treatment-might be creating harm.
Annotated Checklist of Terrestrial Mammals of the Virginia Barrier Islands and the Adjacent Delmarva Peninsula Mainland

The Virginia barrier islands lie along the seaward margin of the southern Delmarva Peninsula in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, and collectively they comprise an internationally recognized biosphere reserve. Despite this recognition, no comprehensive checklist of mammals exists for the islands or the adjacent Delmarva Peninsula mainland. Herein we report on the species composition of terrestrial mammals of this region based on (1) a search of museum collections, (2) a compilation of literature sources and personal communications, and (3) our own extensive fieldwork (1975–2020). We documented 6 orders, 12 families, and 25 species of native terrestrial mammals. The islands are depauperate in comparison with the mainland, with several native species missing from the islands. We also documented 3 orders, 3 families, and 4 species of non-native mammals that are currently established on the islands. In addition, we herein present a historical overview of livestock species that were introduced to the islands, but (with 1 exception) no longer occur there. European settlement of the mainland and the islands began in the early 1600s; however, permanent human structures have been absent from most of the islands for the past 60+ years, leaving them undeveloped and in a natural state. These islands are undergoing rapid geological and ecological change under the pressure of accelerated sea-level rise associated with climate change. This checklist provides a foundation for future biogeogeographic studies of mammals in this region and serves as a baseline against which to measure future ecological and distributional changes.
Student Leadership, Well-Being and Service: Integrating Appreciative Inquiry, Strengths and Leadership

Student leadership development is often touted as an important aspect of character development in schools. However, many school leaders find themselves in positions of responsibility without a few models of student leadership to help conceptualize their approach. While it is easy to say that they can learn this on the job, there is a benefit in adopting a systematic approach to leadership development. This chapter documents the reflection of two student leaders throughout 2012–2013, and the integration of well-being concepts in their leadership style at St. Peter’s College, Adelaide. It reports on an Appreciative Inquiry Summit the student leaders designed and delivered after a consultation with Martin Seligman, David Cooperrider, and Lea Waters. This chapter is a case study of their leadership experience and demonstrates the process they adopted to contribute to the school’s vision and mission throughout the year. John Vrodos and Tom McNeil were Captain and Vice-captain of St. Peter’s College, Adelaide in 2013. From the outset and throughout the year, these student leaders decided to integrate well-being and positive psychology approaches in their leadership. This chapter is a co-authored reflection of their experiences in 2013, with particular reference to a National Student Leadership Summit the boys hosted. Student leadership has long been a feature of St. Peter’s College, Adelaide. The origins of the prefect structure can be linked to the educational philosophy of Dr. Thomas Arnold that swept through the British Empire at the height of colonial expansion. With the rise of Victorian England, it was natural that colonial versions of the great English public schools, like St. Peter’s College, would adopt this approach, drawing on the experience of schools such as Eton, Winchester, Harrow, and Rugby.
Accurate reactive power control of autonomous microgrids using an adaptive virtual inductance loop

Abstract In this paper, a new droop-based reactive power control strategy is proposed that is suitable for implementation in autonomous low voltage microgrids. The proposed method exploits the potentials of adding a dynamic virtual inductance loop to compensate for the voltage drop differences caused by line impedances. In addition, it provides a large virtual inductance at the output terminals of a distributed generation (DG) source to eliminate the coupling between the active and reactive powers. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed method to cope with the aforedescribed challenges is examined using comprehensive simulation studies.
Nonexponential London penetration depth of FeAs-based superconducting RFeAsO(0.9)F(0.1) (R = La, Nd) single crystals.

The superconducting penetration depth $\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)$ has been measured in $R{\mathrm{FeAsO}}_{0.9}{\mathrm{F}}_{0.1}$ ($R=\mathrm{La}$, Nd) single crystals ($R\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}1111$). In Nd-1111, we find an upturn in $\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)$ upon cooling and attribute it to the paramagnetism of the Nd ions, similar to the case of the electron-doped cuprate Nd-Ce-Cu-O. After the correction for paramagnetism, the London penetration depth variation is found to follow a power-law behavior, $\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{L}(T)\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{2}$ at low temperatures. The same ${T}^{2}$ variation of $\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)$ was found in nonmagnetic La-1111 crystals. Analysis of the superfluid density and of penetration depth anisotropy over the full temperature range is consistent with two-gap superconductivity. Based on this and on our previous work, we conclude that both the RFeAsO (1111) and ${\mathrm{BaFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ (122) families of pnictide superconductors exhibit unconventional two-gap superconductivity.
RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING CONTROL THAT AUTOMATICALLY SELECTS THE WELDING SCHEDULE FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF STEEL

A new principle has been employed in an adaptive control for spot welding of unknown types of steel. The dynamics of the process is monitored, not materials properties or energy input etc. The rate of rise of the temperature, as reflected in the rate of the resistance, provides all the necessary information. The control algorithm and a series of evaluative tests are described. Any conventional welding machine equipped with the new control will make sound welds the very first time, in HS or LC steel of two or multiple thicknesses, with electrode diameters as different as 2:1, and in the presence of shunting. A "teaching mode" is not required.
Extraction of moving object images through change detection

This paper discusses a scheme for extracting the images of moving objects in dynamic scenes. Differencing operations are used to identify areas containing moving objects. The images of the moving objects can then be obtained by focusing the segmentation processes on these restricted areas. Thus motion is used as a cue to segmentation.
Neuronal Interleukin-4 as a Modulator of Microglial Pathways and Ischemic Brain Damage

After ischemic stroke, various damage-associated molecules are released from the ischemic core and diffuse to the ischemic penumbra, activating microglia and promoting proinflammatory responses that may cause damage to the local tissue. Here we demonstrate using in vivo and in vitro models that, during sublethal ischemia, local neurons rapidly produce interleukin-4 (IL-4), a cytokine with potent anti-inflammatory properties. One such anti-inflammatory property includes its ability to polarize macrophages away from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to a “healing” M2 phenotype. Using an IL-4 reporter mouse, we demonstrated that IL-4 expression was induced preferentially in neurons in the ischemic penumbra but not in the ischemic core or in brain regions that were spared from ischemia. When added to cultured microglia, IL-4 was able to induce expression of genes typifying the M2 phenotype and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) activation. IL-4 also enhanced expression of the IL-4 receptor on microglia, facilitating a “feedforward” increase in (1) their expression of trophic factors and (2) PPARγ-dependent phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons. Parenteral administration of IL-4 resulted in augmented brain expression of M2- and PPARγ-related genes. Furthermore, IL-4 and PPARγ agonist administration improved functional recovery in a clinically relevant mouse stroke model, even if administered 24 h after the onset of ischemia. We propose that IL-4 is secreted by ischemic neurons as an endogenous defense mechanism, playing a vital role in the regulation of brain cleanup and repair after stroke. Modulation of IL-4 and its associated pathways could represent a potential target for ischemic stroke treatment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Depending on the activation signal, microglia/macrophages (MΦ) can behave as “healing” (M2) or “harmful” (M1). In response to ischemia, damaged/necrotic brain cells discharge factors that polarize MΦ to a M1-like phenotype. This polarization emerges early after stroke and persists for days to weeks, driving secondary brain injury via proinflammatory mediators and oxidative damage. Our study demonstrates that, to offset this M1-like polarization process, sublethally ischemic neurons may instead secrete a potent M2 polarizing cytokine, interleukin-4 (IL-4). In the presence of IL-4 (including when IL-4 is administered exogenously), MΦ become more effective in the cleanup of ischemic debris and produce trophic factors that may promote brain repair. We propose that IL-4 could represent a potential target for ischemic stroke treatment/recovery.
Ants for Breakfast: Archaeological Adventures among the Kalinga

Ants for Breakfast: Archaeological Adventures among the Kalinga. James Skibo. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1999.178 pp.
Algal and Bacterial Activities in Acidic (pH 3) Strip Mine Lakes.

Reservoir 29 and Lake B are extremely acid lakes (epilimnion pHs of 2.7 and 3.2, respectively), because they receive acidic discharges from coal refuse piles. They differ in that the pH of profundal sediments in Reservoir 29 increased from 2.7 to 3.8 during the period of thermal stratification, whereas permanently anoxic sediments in Lake B had a pH of 6.2. The pH rise in Reservoir 29 sediments was correlated with a temporal increase in H2S concentration in the anaerobic hypolimnion from 0 to >1 mM. The chlorophyll a levels in the epilimnion of Reservoir 29 were low, and the rate of primary production was typical of an oligotrophic system. However, there was a dense 10-cm layer of algal biomass at the bottom of the metalimnion. Production by this layer was low owing to light limitation and possibly H2S toxicity. The specific photosynthetic rates of epilimnetic algae were low, which suggests that nutrient availability is more important than pH in limiting production. The highest photosynthetic rates were obtained in water samples incubated at pH 2.7 to 4. Heterotrophic bacterial activity (measured by [14C]glucose metabolism) was greatest at the sediment/water interface. Bacterial production (assayed by thymidine incorporation) was as high in Reservoir 29 as in a nonacid mesotrophic Indiana lake.
Governmental decentralization and corruption revisited: Accounting for potential endogeneity

The causal effect of governmental decentralization on firm-level corruption is inconclusive due to the difficulty in obtaining a traditional instrumental variable. Circumventing the issue by using the Lewbel (2012) identification strategy, we find mild evidence of political decentralization being endogenous but no support for fiscal decentralization being endogenous.
Household Migration Plans: A Multivariate Probit Model

Migration is the principal component of demographic change in most states and local areas. Consequently, the methods used to estimate and project migration deserve special attention. Conventional estimation and projection procedures focus on individual movement and the number of moves that have already oc curred. Recent research on migrant behavior strongly suggests, however, that the appropriate unit of analysis in the migration decision is the household, not the individual, and that greater attention should be devoted to the study of intentions to migrate, rather than to the fact of migration. This paper presents a multivariate probit model of migrant behavior focusing on household migration plans. Probit analysis permits a more rigorous specification of the relation of demographic, economic, and social factors to the individual migration decision. Empirical findings are presented for an application of the model to a 1976 survey of 3,610 metropolitan Delaware households. Problems and procedures are also...
Risk of additional intra-abdominal procedures at the time of colectomy.

In a series of 242 patients who underwent additional intra-abdominal surgery at the time of colectomy, there were two deaths (0.8 per cent) and five (2 per cent) complications. This experience suggests that selected patients who have had adequate bowel preparation have minimal risks associated with additional intra-abdominal surgery performed at the time of colectomy.
Metamemory in Gifted Children

This study examined relationships among divergent thinking, metamory, achievement, and IQ in gifted children. Ninety-eight fifth and sixth graders enrolled in programs for creatively and intellectually gifted children participated in the study. Metamemory and divergent thinking were found to be related; this cor-IQ was removed. Metamemory also correlated with achievement but not with IQ. A canonical correlation and divergent thinking and metamemory as the independent measures indicated that metamemory and achievement were the major contributors to the equation. The concept of metamemory is an important process that appears independent from, yet essential for, convergent and divergent thinking and that may underlie creative achievements.
Distinct functions of human RECQ helicases WRN and BLM in replication fork recovery and progression after hydroxyurea-induced stalling

Human WRN and BLM genes are members of the conserved RECQ helicase family. Mutations in these genes are associated with Werner and Bloom syndromes. WRN and BLM proteins are implicated in DNA replication, recombination, repair, telomere maintenance, and transcription. Using microfluidics-assisted display of DNA for replication track analysis (ma-RTA), we show that WRN and BLM contribute additively to normal replication fork progression, and non-additively, in a RAD51-dependent pathway, to resumption of replication after arrest by hydroxyurea (HU), a replication-stalling drug. WRN but not BLM is required to support fork progression after HU. Resumption of replication by forks may be necessary but is not sufficient for timely completion of the cell cycle after HU arrest, as depletion of WRN or BLM compromises fork recovery to a similar degree, but only BLM depletion leads to extensive delay of cell division after HU, as well as more pronounced chromatin bridging. Finally, we show that recovery from HU includes apparent removal of some of the DNA that was synthesized immediately after release from HU, a novel phenomenon that we refer to as nascent strand processing, NSP.
Investigation on Key Technology of Virtual Assembly and Construction for Tunnel Boring Machine

This study presents a practical requirement and realizes one new virtual construction interactive system for tunnel boring machine. One type of TBM(tunnel boring machine)’s virtual prototype has been built. Software PROE is used to build the shield machine model. Application program of virtual assembly system base on virtual reality is developed by using Division, The author also study on key technologies of constructing virtual assembly system of shield machine, such as interference detection in virtual environment. Application program of virtual simulation system base on virtual reality is developed by using C++. The result shows that the work station can be simulated well, and this virtual simulation system can be extended in virtual training and manipulation, virtual construction and so on.
The necessity of the medial temporal lobe for statistical learning

The sensory input that we experience is highly patterned, and we are experts at detecting these regularities. Although the extraction of such regularities, or statistical learning SL, is typically viewed as a cortical process, recent studies have implicated the medial temporal lobe MTL, including the hippocampus. These studies have employed fMRI, leaving open the possibility that the MTL is involved but not necessary for SL. Here, we examined this issue in a case study of LSJ, a patient with complete bilateral hippocampal loss and broader MTL damage. In Experiments 1 and 2, LSJ and matched control participants were passively exposed to a continuous sequence of shapes, syllables, scenes, or tones containing temporal regularities in the co-occurrence of items. In a subsequent test phase, the control groups exhibited reliable SL in all conditions, successfully discriminating regularities from recombinations of the same items into novel foil sequences. LSJ, however, exhibited no SL, failing to discriminate regularities from foils. Experiment 3 ruled out more general explanations for this failure, such as inattention during exposure or difficulty following test instructions, by showing that LSJ could discriminate which individual items had been exposed. These findings provide converging support for the importance of the MTL in extracting temporal regularities.
Regulation of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression in Pregnant Rat Uterus

Nitric oxide synthases catalyze the synthesis of the biomediator, nitric oxide, from L-arginine in a variety of tissues. The expression and regulation of inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS II) in the uterus were assessed in this study by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with the use of specific primers. Results showed the following: 1) NOS II mRNA expression in the rat uterus was substantially increased during pregnancy and decreased during labor at term; 2) RU-486 (an antagonist of progesterone) induced preterm labor and was associated with a marked decrease in NOS II mRNA expression to 60.9%, 20.3%, and 2.9% at, respectively, 6, 12, and 24 h after treatment compared with the control value (100%); 3) progesterone administration in pregnant rats significantly increased uterine NOS II gene expression (374.1% vs. 100%); 4) NOS II mRNA in the uterus was significantly reduced by prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha; 11.6% vs. 100% in control); 5) treatment with progesterone prevented PGF2alpha-induced inhibition in NOS II mRNA expression; 6) ICI 164384, an antiestrogen, significantly increased serum progesterone concentration and stimulated NOS II expression by the uterus in a time-dependent manner; 7) as shown by immunofluorescent studies, cells stained by NOS II antibodies were apparent in the decidual compartment as well as in areas between myometrial cell bundles in the pregnant rat uterus. The density of staining decreased in the specimens at labor and postpartum. We conclude that NOS II gene expression in the rat uterus was enhanced during pregnancy and decreased during labor and postpartum. NOS II in rat uterus is up-regulated by progesterone and down-regulated by estrogens and prostaglandins, consistent with their role in uterine activity regulation during pregnancy and labor.
Impaired NK1+ T Cell Development and Early IL-4 Production in CD1-Deficient Mice

Abstract The MHC class Ib molecule, CD1, has been conserved throughout mammalian evolution. To assess the function of CD1 in lymphocyte development, we generated mice with targeted disruption of the CD1.1 and CD1.2 genes. CD1-deficient mice have normal numbers of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells but marked reduction in NK1.1-bearing T cells, particularly those with a canonical gene rearrangement of Vα14-Jα281. CD1-deficient mice are unable to generate a rapid IL-4 response following systemic T cell activation but can generate effective antigen-specific Th2 responses. Thus, CD1 is required for the development of a specialized subset of T lymphocytes with a monomorphic antigen receptor. The rapid effector cytokine secretion of these T cells suggests that CD1 educates adaptive immune cells to subserve functions of innate immunity.
Prostaglandin E2 releases luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone from the female juvenile hypothalamus through a Ca2+-dependent, calmodulin-independent mechanism

Abstract Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been implicated as a mediator of norepinephrine-induced luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release from the hypothalamus. The present experiments were undertaken to examine the hypothesis that mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation are involved in this effect. Incubation of median eminence (ME) nerve terminals from juvenile rats in Ca2+-free Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer reduced, but failed to prevent the stimulatory effect of PGE2 on LHRH release. None of 5 calmodulin antagonists or a blocker of calmodulin-dependent kinase affected the LHRH response to PGE2. In contrast, inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization with TMB-8 or dantrolene in Ca2+-free medium prevented the LHRH releasing effect of PGE2. Similarly to PGE2, the stimulatory effect of the Ca2+ ionophore A 23187 on LHRH release was not affected by inhibition of calmodulin activity. This ,however, blocked the increase in PGE2 formation induced by the ionophore. PGE2 evoked a dose-related increase in cAMP accumulation in Ca2+-containing medium and this effect was inhibited both by blockers of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and by calmodulin antagonists. Surprisingly, removal of extracellular Ca2+ increased basal cAMP levels in the incubation medium without affecting LHRH release; PGE2 induced a further increase in cAMP which was prevented by inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ translocation. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity with forskolin (F) resulted in similar increases in cAMP levels both in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+. However, F failed to evoke LHRH release in Ca2+-free medium. The results indicate that: (a) the stimulatory effect of PGE2 on LHRH release involves mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ but not the participation of calmodulin; (b) the formation of PGE2 itself is calmodulin-dependent; (c) PGE2 stimulates cAMP formation through a calmodulin-dependent mechanism that requiied translocation of intracellular (membrane?) Ca2+; (d) the cAMP system of a population nerve terminals different from that responsive to PGE2 is normally subjected to a Ca2+-dependent inhibitory control; and (e) although PGE2 is a potent stimulator of cAMP formation in the ME and edo genously produced cAMP can induce LHRH release, in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ PGE2 stimulates LHRH release in a cAMP-independent manner.
Tracing the execution of distributed programs

Abstract Tracing the execution of a sequential program is easy — one need merely single step the program and record the elements of the program's state which are changed. Such a trace would be useful in validating that a program meets its specifications or showing how a particular run of a program fails to meet its specifications. The lack of a global time frame and the disjoint address spaces of the constituent processes makes the extrapolation of the sequential tracing technique into the domain of distributed systems difficult. This article develops a means by which a distributed program that uses synchronous communication may be traced.
A Plea for the Fuller Utilisation of Coal

THE important letter from Major Martin (NATURE, August 16) on the above subject involves many considerations, and I would suggest that the following points merit attention:—
Optimal design of minimally reflective coatings

Abstract The problem of determining coatings on a flat surface that produces the least amount of wave reflection when it is struck by a known incident pulse is investigated. A departure from previous work on this subject is that the problem is formulated in the time domain, leading to a more intuitive understanding of the wave cancellation phenomenon. The model problem considered in this work is that of a scalar, plane wave propagation. The resulting optimization problem is analyzed in the regime where impedance contrasts between the coatings are small. We show that the problem may be illposed, depending on the nature of the incident pulse. We propose a regularization strategy and an efficient computational scheme for solving the optimization problem. The design problem is further studied in several numerical experiments.
Treating Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Challenging Behaviors with Adapted Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Approximately one third of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have emotion dysregulation and challenging behaviors (CBs). Although research has not yet confirmed that existing treatments adequately reduce CBs in this population, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) holds promise, as it has been shown to effectively reduce CBs in other emotionally dysregulated populations. This longitudinal single-group pilot study examined whether individuals with impaired intellectual functioning would show reductions in CBs while receiving standard DBT individual therapy used in conjunction with the Skills System (DBT-SS), a DBT emotion regulation skills curriculum adapted for individuals with cognitive impairment. Forty adults with developmental disabilities (most of whom also had intellectual disabilities) and CBs, including histories of aggression, self-injury, sexual offending, or other CBs, participated in this study. Changes in their behaviors were monitored over 4 years while in DBT-SS. Large reductions in CBs were observed during the 4 years. These findings suggest that modified DBT holds promise for effectively treating individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Illicit drug use and cardiometabolic disease risk: an analysis of 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.

Summary Purpose To explore the association between illicit drug use (IDU) and cardiometabolic disease risk factors (CDRF) in a nationally representative sample of adults. Methods The 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data from 20- to 45-year-old adults (n = 8738) were utilised to analyze the relationship between IDU (ever used, repeated use and current use) and CDRF (hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, elevated C-reactive protein, body mass index, waist circumference and cigarette use) via chi square and logistic regression analyses. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, poverty to income ratio (PIR), and alcohol use were included as confounders in the models. Results Individuals who reported drug use (DU) at least once in lifetime were more likely to have CDRF than non-DU (NDU) (OR = 1.3, p = 0.004). Females with DU, IDU at least once in lifetime, and with repeated IDU were about 1.5 times more likely than their NDU counterparts to have CDRF (p < 0.0001, p = 0.02, p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion Results from this study suggest that healthcare professionals should be aware that patients with a history of DU may be at heightened risk for cardiometabolic disease. Females in particular have a heightened cluster of CDRF across drug-use categories.
Nucleotide Release Sequences in the Protein Kinase SRPK1 Accelerate Substrate Phosphorylation

Protein kinases are essential signaling enzymes that transfer phosphates from bound ATP to select amino acids in protein targets. For most kinases, the phosphoryl transfer step is highly efficient, while the rate-limiting step for substrate processing involves slow release of the product ADP. It is generally thought that structural factors intrinsic to the kinase domain and the nucleotide-binding pocket control this step and consequently the efficiency of protein phosphorylation for these cases. However, the kinase domains of protein kinases are commonly flanked by sequences that regulate catalytic function. To address whether such sequences could alter nucleotide exchange and, thus, regulate protein phosphorylation, the presence of activating residues external to the kinase domain was probed in the serine protein kinase SRPK1. Deletion analyses indicate that a small segment of a large spacer insert domain and a portion of an N-terminal extension function cooperatively to increase nucleotide exchange. The data point to a new mode of protein kinase regulation in which select sequences outside the kinase domain constitute a nucleotide release factor that likely interacts with the small lobe of the kinase domain and enhances protein substrate phosphorylation through increases in ADP dissociation rate.
Immunological mechanisms in pulmonary diseases.

Although the subject of this symposium, IgE and Mechanisms in Immediate Hypersensitivity, is applicable to most of the common atopic respiratory diseases, there are many other respiratory diseases that are not necessarily IgE mediated. In this talk I shall briefly touch on the immunological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of some of these diseases including allergic alveolitis (hypersensitivity pneumonitis), the eosinophilic pneumonias and pulmonary fibrosis associated with certain connective tissue, inorganic dust, and occupational diseases.
Racial Disparities in Substance Abuse Treatment and the Ecological Fallacy

This study examined engagement in treatment in substance abuse treatment programs that treated primarily either African American or White clients. Findings showed higher levels of engagement in White programs; however, engagement of African Americans in White programs was similar to that of Whites and was greater than Whites in African American programs. No significant differences emerged when a mixed model analysis considered additional variables of staff consensus (regarding treatment elements), treatment climate, acceptance of Medicaid clients, the proportion mandated to treatment, and the quality of the physical space. Although African American programs may show poorer levels of engagement than White programs, attribution of engagement in treatment to client level race/ethnicity should be made with caution.
Experiences with the master axis method for measuring spindle error motions

In this paper, the master axis method of machine tool spindle measurement is described. This method allows spindle measurements to be carried out at speed and under load. For example, a radial load representing the cutting force in a turning operation can be conveniently applied during characterization of a lathe spindle. The synchronous and asynchronous error motions have been observed to vary in both magnitude and shape with changes in load. Test results from both static and dynamic loads during testing are shown to demonstrate the utility of the method.
Restoring forces in cardiac myocytes : insight from relaxations induced by photolysis of caged ATP

Concentration jumps of intracellular ATP were produced by photolysis of P3–1-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl (NPE)-caged ATP and were used to investigate the passive relengthening properties in unloaded cardiac myocytes. Patch-clamp pipettes in the whole-cell mode were used to voltage-clamp the myocytes and to load the cells with caged ATP while optical methods were applied to record sarcomere length or cell length simultaneously. Cell length was varied using energy deprivation contractures while intracellular Ca2+ was controlled with EGTA. At sarcomere lengths between 1.8 and 1.4 microns cellular relengthening after photolysis of caged ATP was rapid (t1/2 approximately 100 ms) and could be well described by a simple mechanical model. However, ATP jumps made at sarcomere lengths approximately 1.1 microns led to slow relengthening (t1/2 approximately seconds), comparable to the slow reextensions observed in skinned myocytes after bulk solution changes. We attribute the slow and incomplete relengthening of intact and skinned myocytes after severe rigor shortening to deformation and alteration of structural elements inside the cell. Relengthening from intermediate sarcomere lengths in intact cells is elastic and provides information about the underlying relengthening forces inside the cell. The data do not support the presence of a significant discontinuity in elastic modulus at a sarcomere length of approximately 1.6 microns expected from ultrastructural features of the sarcomeres and from observations in skinned myocytes. Our results suggest that the cell length measurements usually performed in this preparation provide an adequate description of the force produced by the unloaded cell in the steady state. The results also provide a way to estimate the error arising from viscous forces during rapid shortening.
Separation of the Antihemophilic Factor (F. VIII) from Fibrinogen With Thrombin and Manganese Chloride.

Discussion and SummaryThese experiments show that the AHF activity of plasma is enhanced by dialysis, especially against MnCl2, and that thrombic destruction of AHF can be prevented by prior dialysis of plasma against MnCl2. Manganese chloride is clearly the most effective cation tested with respect to protection of AHF against thrombic destruction and 0.02 M is the optimal concentration. Manganese does not protect AHF, however, by destroying thrombin or by altering the thrombin destroying properties of antithrombin. This specific effect of Mn++ in protecting AHF is not surprising because others have observed that Mn++ both activates and stabilizes AHF in plasma (11,12). Our experiments suggest that the protective action of MnCl2 may be related in some manner to changes induced in the AHF molecule. The nature of any such change remains to be clarified.Identification of the AHF activity in the treated plasmas was established by injection into both normal and hemophilia dogs. These experiments showed that t...
Neovascular Glaucoma After Photoradiation Therapy for Uveal Melanoma

• We describe two patients (two eyes) with neovascular glaucoma following photoradiation therapy (PRT) for ciliary body and iris melanoma. Histopathologic examination in one eye eight months after treatment disclosed widespread tumor necrosis. The second patient with iris melanoma showed total clinical disappearance of the lesion and regression of iris neovascularization six months later. The cause of the neovascular glaucoma is uncertain. The marked tumor necrosis induced by PRT might have resulted in release of a vasoproliferative factor that, in turn, led to the development of rubeosis and neovascular glaucoma.
Aggressive Social Organization in Nectarivorous Birds

I argue that a net benefit model of aggressive social organization is consonant with observed variation between territorial and dominance systems. For nectarivores net benefits are associated with obtaining nectar. Costs are time and energy associated with aggression and possible risks of injury. The fitness criterion probably varies across situations and may be long or short-term. An important problem for behaviorists is to understand the position in a time hierarchy at which particular social interactions are important.
Gust loading factors for tension leg platforms

Abstract Utilization of tension leg platforms for deep water oil recovery has increased the importance of accurately predicting the effects of wind on these structures. The gust loading factor approach incorporates the effect of deviations from mean wind speed, gustiness, on structures based on extreme value statistics. Single-point representation of the wind field may be employed for structures smaller than typical gust size, but partial wind velocity correlation over large structures necessitates the use of multi-point wind field statistics to determine dynamic load effects. The characteristics of the wind field over the ocean are reviewed, and a previously reported description of an ocean-based wind spectrum is further examined in the light of additional full-scale offshore measurements. A modified coherence function for offshore applications is presented based on theoretical considerations and experimental data. A random vibration-based formulation of gust loading factors is presented that accounts for the hydrodynamic damping imparted by the platform motions in waves and currents. The response statistics of an offshore platform are predicted in the light of parametric uncertainties by a Monte Carlo simulation using the gust loading factor approach. This is used as the basis for a reliability analysis of the platform.
Radiation reaction of rat skin. The role of the number of fractions and the overall treatment time

Acute skin reactions resulting from orthovoltage x irradiation were measured in the WAG/Rij rat. A wide range of combinations of fraction number and overall time were used in an attempt to determine their relative importance. There appeared to be little effect of prolongation of overall treatment time until periods of over 2 weeks were reached. In treatment periods of 3 weeks and over the stimulation of extensive time-dependent recovery was seen. A model based on cell kill with provision for the stimulation of accelerated proliferation at about 17 days adequately describes the experimental results.
Preliminary evidence of an association between COL1A2 polymorphisms and dental fluorosis in a population with high fluoride exposure.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information COL1A2 gene polymorphisms (Pvu II and Rsa I), serum calciotropic hormone levels, and dental fluorosis. Huang H, Ba Y, Cui L, Cheng X, Zhu J, Zhang Y, et al. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2008;36(6):517-22. Reviewer Deborah V. Dawson, PhD, ScM Purpose/Question To assess the relationships among polymorphisms in the collagen type 1 alpha 2 ( COL1A2) gene, serum calciotropic hormone levels, and dental fluorosis. Source of Funding Government–Department of Science and Technology of Henan Province, China Type of Study/Design Case-control study Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
Design of advanced neuroscience platform

This paper presents the design of versatile platform for advanced neuroscience on the high-level brain functions and neural prostheses. The platform enables researchers to record and stimulate brain activities of multiple free behaving animals wirelessly. The platform consists of three major functional blocks of neural interface, wireless communication system, and neural signal processing software, which of each has fundamental challenges to be overcome. Ultra wideband communication system makes it possible to transmit a large amount of data produced by high-density microelectrode wirelessly and miniaturize the entire system so that it can be implanted or carried by animals. Multiple access capability is achieved by a sophisticated communication protocol optimized for biomedical applications. Noise is one of the most important factors affecting the design of the neural interface and neural signal processing technique to reduce the noise is presented. Prototype chips were fabricated to verify the feasibility of the platform and test results are shown as well.
Inventing India: A History of India in English-Language Fiction

List of Illustrations - Prefatory Note - Acknowledgements - Introductory: Fiction as History - The Great Revolt: 1857 - The Period of the Great Game - Bridges - Swaraj - Partition - The End of the Old Order - The Chutnification of History - Epilogue - Notes and References - Selected Bibliography - Index
Impact of intraoperative acetaminophen administration on postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement.

Background: Opioid utilization for acute pain has been associated with numerous adverse events, potentially resulting in longer inpatient stays and increased costs. Objective: To examine the effect of intravenous (IV) acetaminophen administered intraoperatively on postoperative opioid consumption in adult subjects who underwent hip or knee replacement. Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated postoperative opioid consumption in 176 randomly selected adult subjects who underwent hip or knee replacement at Duke University Hospital (DUH). Eighty-eight subjects received a single, intraoperative, 1 g dose of IV acetaminophen. The other subjects did not receive any IV acetaminophen. This study evaluated mean opioid consumption (in oral morphine equivalents) during the 24-hour postoperative period in the 2 groups. Other endpoints included length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), incidence of oversedation, need for acute opioid reversal, and adjunctive analgesic utilization. Results: Subjects who were given a single dose of intraoperative acetaminophen received an average of 149.3 mg of oral morphine equivalents during the 24 hours following surgery compared to 147.2 mg in participants who were not exposed to IV acetaminophen (P = .904). The difference in average length of PACU stay between the IV acetaminophen group (163 minutes) and those subjects not exposed to IV acetaminophen (169 minutes) was not statistically significant (P = .588). No subjects in the study experienced oversedation or required acute opioid reversal. Conclusion: There was not a statistically significant difference in postoperative opioid consumption between patients receiving and not receiving IV acetaminophen intraoperatively.
Rotational excitation of hydrogen molecules by collisions with hydrogen atoms

Rate constants for rotational excitation of hydrogen molecules by collisions with hydrogen atoms have been obtained from quantum-mechanical calculations for kinetic temperatures between 100 and 5000 K. These calculations involve the rigid-rotator approximation, but other possible sources of error should be small. The calculations indicate that the early values of Nishimura are larger than accurate rigid-rotator values by about a factor of 20 or more.