cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuroimaging of perinatal brain disorders

Abstract Perinatal brain disorders are a broad topic that covers a variety of abnormalities, ranging from congenital disorders of the central nervous system that may be detected early in gestation, to diagnoses made postnatally due to brain injury that occurred around the time of delivery or secondary to prematurity. Neuroimaging of perinatal brain disorders with the use of ultrasound and MRI allows for early detection of neurologic abnormalities, which may have a significant impact on patient care. Correct diagnosis is essential to providing accurate recommendations for management and prognosis, for both parents and providers. This chapter outlines the incidence, pathophysiology, and neuroimaging findings in a variety of perinatal brain disorders.
Liver pathology in pregnancy

Liver dysfunction occurs in up to 3% of pregnancies and can be due to pregnancy-associated liver injury, exacerbation of pre-existing liver disease, or co-incident with pregnancy. The most common form of pregnancy-associated liver injury is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). This condition is typically benign and self-limited, but is associated with fetal morbidity and mortality with high levels of serum bile acids. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (including pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets [HELLP] syndrome) are more commonly associated with maternal and fetal complications and may necessitate expedient delivery. Histologically, ICP shows nonspecific features of cholestasis, while AFLP and the hypertensive disorders have more characteristic histologic findings. While not a true liver disease, hyperemesis gravidarum can cause elevated liver enzymes. Pregnant patients are at increased risk of developing severe hepatitis E and herpesvirus infections, Budd-Chiari syndrome, and gallstones, and they may also experience worsening of known chronic liver disease. Mass lesions in pregnancy including hemangiomas, focal nodular hyperplasia, and hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas can present unique challenges for diagnosis and management. This review will explore the pathophysiology, presentation, histologic features, and management of these conditions.
Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

Pathogenesis can be viewed as a battle between a plant and a pathogen refereed by the environment. A small change in a single environmental factor can decide the outcome of the plant-pathogen struggle. For example, lines of wheat which carry a gene known as Sr 6 are highly resistant to race 56 of stem rust when grown at 20° C. If the temperature is increased to 25° C, the plants become highly susceptible to the same race of this pathogen (Daly, 1972). Single biological components of the environment can be equally decisive. Damage to tomato plants caused by Sclerotium rolfsii can be greatly reduced by adding a second fungus, Trichoderma harzianum, to the soil. In this case, biological control of the disease has been attributed to the ability of Trichoderma isolates to overgrow and kill S. rolfsii (Wells et al., 1972).
Bile salt surfactants in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography : Application to hydrophobic molecule separations

Abstract Bile salt surfactants are used in the micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) separation of various hydrophobic compounds. The use of methanol in the mobile phase allows the separation of previously intractable compounds including polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The effects of methanol on critical micelle concentration is investigated for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the bile salt sodium cholate. It is determined that the unique structure of the bile salt micelle is much more tolerant to the addition of organic solvents than SDS, thereby increasing the scope of applications of MECC to include hydrophobic compounds.
Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Tubes

Magnesium alloys are increasingly being used in automotive industry for weight reduction and fuel economy improvement. Extruded tubular sections provide further opportunities in mass-efficient designs of automotive structural and interior applications. In this paper, microstructural evaluation indicates that twinning is the predominant deformation mechanism for magnesium alloys at room and moderate temperatures. Dynamic recrystallization is observed at temperatures as low as 150°C, leading to the formation of fine grains as a “necklace” at prior grain boundaries. These new grains cause strain localization and instability due to a loss in strain hardening, and result in failure by cavitation.
NK3 receptor antagonists for the treatment of schizophrenia

The ability of NK3 receptor antagonists to enhance dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, cholinergic and GABAergic release in the limbic system, cortex, hippocampus and striatum, all of which have been implicated in schizophrenia and the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs, is a principal reason for interest in this class of drugs as a possible monotherapy or augmentation treatment for schizophrenia. In addition, two NK3 receptor antagonists, osanetant and talnetant, have been studied in patients with schizophrenia, with some evidence for efficacy (osanetant).
The Triple Helix: University, Government and Industry Relationships in the Life Sciences

The purpose of this paper is to present data regarding the nature, extent and consequences of the 'triple helix' of relationships between academe, the government and industry in the life and health related sciences. First, we present what is currently known regarding the nature and extent of relationships that exist between government and academic scientists and industry. Next we provide evidence supporting the benefits of these relationships for individual scientists, their institutions and the advancement of science. Then we discuss the potential risks of these relationships. In the next section we provide a set of guiding principles and management and policy suggestions regarding the disclosure and management of relationships among the various sectors. In the final section of the paper we discuss the potential implications of academic industry relationships for governmental industry relationships.
A Throat-Bypass Stability System Tested in a YF-12

Results of a wind-tunnel investigation are presented. The inlet was modified so that airflow can be removed through a porous cowl-bleed region in the vicinity of the throat. Bleed plenum exit flow area is controlled by relief-type mechanical valves. Unlike valves in previous systems, these are made for use in a high Mach f l ight environment and include refinements so that the system could be tested on a NASA YF-12 aircraft. The valves were designed to provide their own reference pressure and hence do not respond to slowly varying disturbances. However, the results show that the system can absorb internal-airflow transients that are too fast for a conventional bypass door control system and that the two systems complement each other quite well. Increased tolerance to angle-of-attack and Mach number changes is indicated. The valves should provide sufficient time for the inlet control system to make geometry changes required to keep the inlet started.
Outcomes Are in the Eye of the Beholder

The purpose of the current research is to examine the influence of affective dispositions and the sequencing of affective and cognitive responses to mediated entertainment. Affective dispositions are manipulated to match a liked competitor against one who is disliked. The results indicate that viewers’ emotional responses and assessments of satisfaction with a win or loss were dependent on competitor liking. A hedonic reversal occurs in viewer disconfirmation emotions (relief and disappointment) and satisfaction judgments based on outcome desirability. A desirable (undesirable) outcome was one in which a liked (disliked) competitor won, or a disliked (liked) competitor lost. We also found evidence of mediated moderation such that competitor liking moderated the mediating effect of relief and disappointment on outcome satisfaction following an outcome. Outcome satisfaction, conceptualized as a cognitive judgment in our model, was then positively related to viewer enjoyment of the overall experience. Additi...
Clinical and Financial Impact of Pharmacist Involvement in Discharge Medication Reconciliation at an Academic Medical Center: A Prospective Pilot Study:

Background Medication reconciliation is one of the more challenging aspects of inpatient care, and its accuracy is paramount to safe transitions of care. Studies have shown that pharmacists have a role in medication reconciliation through improving patient safety and avoiding costs associated with medication errors. The wide-scale use of pharmacists in this process has been limited by time constraints, cost, and lack of resources. Objective This study evaluates the impact of pharmacists in resolving medication errors, decreasing readmission rates, and reducing institutional costs during the discharge medication reconciliation process. Methods Pharmacists evaluated discharge medication reconciliation documentation for patients to determine its accuracy, the accuracy of the admission reconciliation documentation, and any potential issues unrelated to accuracy. Analysis of these data determined the time required for pharmacist involvement, the number of errors identified by pharmacists, the quality of pharmacist interventions, the cost avoidance for each error, and the overall impact on hospital readmission. Results During the 7-week study period, pharmacists performed 67 discharge medication reviews and identified 84 errors. Seventy-five percent were considered to be significant and 6% were considered to be serious. The 30-day readmission rate in the study cohort was 18% compared with 20% in the control group. Based on the clinical severity scale and pharmacist salaries, pharmacist interventions resulted in $42,300 in cost avoidance. Conclusion Pharmacists involved in this pilot discharge process identified and resolved significant errors on medication reconciliation orders that resulted in a financial benefit to the institution.
Clinical effects of transfusing older red cell concentrates: an updated overview

The literature on possible effects of prolonged storage of red cells is growing fast. Recent studies still come up with conflicting results. This review describes some of the underlying mechanisms which may explain the opposing results from the different studies.
Impact of sensor misplacement on estimating metabolic equivalent of task with wearables

Metabolic equivalent of task (MET) indicates the intensity of physical activities. This measurement is used in providing physical activity intervention in many chronic illnesses such as coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and cancer. Due to the small size, portability, low power consumption, and low cost, wearable motion sensors are widely used to estimate MET values. However, one major obstacle in widespread adoption of current wearable monitoring systems is that the sensors must be worn on predefined locations on the body. This imposes much discomfort for users as they are not allowed to wear the sensors on their own desired body locations. In addition, non-adherence to the predefined location of the sensors results in significant reduction in the accuracy of physical activity monitoring. In this paper, we propose a framework for sensor location-independent MET estimation. We introduce a sensor localization approach that allows users to wear the sensors on different body locations without having to adhere to a specific installation protocol. We study how such an algorithm impacts the performance of MET estimation algorithms. Using daily physical activity data, we demonstrate that an automatic sensor localization algorithm decreases the estimation error of the MET calculation by a factor of 2.3 compared to the case without sensor localization. Furthermore, our sensor localization algorithm achieves an accuracy of 90.8% in detecting on-body locations of wearable sensors. The integration of sensor localization and MET estimation achieves an accuracy of 80% in calculating the MET values of daily physical activities.
Bis(acetylacetonato)zinc(II)

[14024-63-6] C10H16O5Zn (MW 263.60) InChI = 1S/2C5H8O2.H2O.Zn/c2*1-4(6)3-5(2)7;;/h2*3,6H,1-2H3;1H2;/q;;;+2/p-2/b2*4-3-;; InChIKey = KUJHAYOLESEVSA-SUKNRPLKSA-L (catalyst for the coupling of aryl substituted allylic alcohols with β-dicarbonyl compounds,1 and of organoboranes with organohalides;2 selective C-alkylation of β-diketones;3 preparation of amino acid derivatives, aminomaleimides,4 and β-trichloromethyleneamino diones5) Alternate Name: Zn(acac)2. Physical Data: mp: anhydrous: 127 °C; monohydrate: 135–138 °C. Solubility: dissolves readily in most organic solvents. Form Supplied in: crystalline; widely available. Preparative Method: from the reaction of ZnSO4·7H2O with acetylacetone (2,4-pentanedione) and NaOH.6 Purification: anhydrous: sublimation, 110 °C (0.1 mmHg), recrystallized from n-hexane;6 monohydrate: recrystallized from ethyl acetate.6 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: hygroscopic; irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. The monohydrate is unstable toward heat, and forms byproducts on dissolution of the hydrate. The anhydrous zinc complex is stable toward heat.
Sacral Neuromodulation for Refractory Overactive Bladder, Interstitial Cystitis, and Painful Bladder Syndrome

Various pelvic floor conditions, including overactive bladder syndrome and chronic pelvic pain, have been successfully managed with the neuromodulation of sacral nerves. Sacral neuromodulation is a minimally invasive procedure involving the implantation of a programmable pulse generator that delivers low-amplitude electrical current via quadripolar tined leads through the S3 foramen. Durable efficacy has been demonstrated in retrospective studies, but questions regarding ideal patient candidacy and optimal technical considerations remain unanswered.
The role of peers and grades in determining major persistence in the sciences

Abstract Using longitudinal administrative data from a large elite research university, this paper analyzes the role of peers and grades in determining major persistence in the life and physical sciences. In the physical sciences, analyses using within-course, across-time variation show that ex-ante measures of peer quality in a student's introductory courses has a lasting impact on the probability of persisting in the major. This peer effect exhibits important non-linearities such that weak students benefit from exposure to stronger peers while strong students are not dragged down by weaker peers. In both the physical and the life sciences, I find evidence that students are “pulled away” by their high grades in non-science courses and “pushed out” by their low grades in their major field. In the physical sciences, females are found to be more responsive to grades than males, consistent with psychological theories of stereotype vulnerability.
Effect of Cigarette Smoke on the Cardiovascular System in Dogs

Summary and ConclusionsIt is concluded that the reduction in aortic blood pressure during smoking in anesthesized animals may be attributed in part to the central effects of nicotine and in part to the vasodilation caused by the action of released catecholamines on the peripheral β-receptors.
What Were We Thinking? What Do I Think? Assessing Michael B. Schiffer and his Behavioral Archaeology

The coordinators of this special issue of the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory initially invited some of us to provide a critical review of Michael Schiffer's Behavioral Archaeology for the 75th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) in St. Louis on April 17, 2010. Rather than write a critical review of the more than 35 years of development of Behavioral Archaeology or of Mike Schiffer's many accomplishments and contributions to archaeology, science, and history, I offer a brief personal perspective on the nature of discourse in a sector of American academic archaeology in the early 1980s. I then comment, again briefly, on achievements in archaeology that I attribute to Behavioral Archaeology as developed by Mike Schiffer, Jeff Reid, Bill Rathje, and their many students and colleagues. Finally, I conclude by returning to personal reactions to recent directions in Mike Schiffer's research. A number of professionals in the audience of that 2010 SAA symposium, addressed me after the session, commenting positively on my presentation, and thanking me because it reminded them how exciting the late 1970s and early 1980s were in American archaeology for them. In 1987, I (Cordell et al. 1987) published an uncalled for attack on Behavioral Archaeology, interpretations of the mortuary assemblage from Grasshopper Pueblo and Mike Schiffer. Walker, Skibo, and Nielsen (1995: 2) refer to that paper as one that reflects misunderstanding of the explicit program of Behavioral Archaeology as articulated by Reid et al. (1974). A response
Statins, especially atorvastatin, may favorably influence clinical presentation and biochemical progression-free survival after brachytherapy for clinically localized prostate cancer

Objectives. To conduct a preliminary investigation on statin use and its impact on clinical presentation and biochemical progression-free survival after brachytherapy. Methods. A total of 512 consecutive patients were treated with permanent brachytherapy for clinical Stage T1c-T3aNxM0 prostate cancer at least 3 years before analysis. Biochemical progression-free survival was defined by a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 0.4 ng/mL or less after nadir. The median follow-up was 5.3 years. The clinical, treatment, and dosimetric parameters evaluated included use of any and specific statins, age, body mass index, PSA level, Gleason score, percentage of positive biopsies, perineural invasion, prostate volume, planning volume, dosimetric quality, supplemental external beam radiotherapy, tobacco use, hypertension, and diabetes. Results. The actuarial 8-year biochemical progression-free survival rate for the entire group was 94.6%. On forward conditional Cox regression analysis, the pretreatment PSA level and percentage of positive biopsies were statistically significant predictors of biochemical outcome. However, a significantly lower pretreatment PSA level, percentage of positive biopsy cores, and PSA density and earlier clinical stage were found in the statin group. Almost every clinical presentation parameter comparison at least favored statin users. When stratified by any or specific statin use, 97.0% of patients taking statins compared with 94.3% not taking statins and 97.8% of patients taking atorvastatin compared with 94.7% taking other statins were free of biochemical progression. Conclusions. The results of this brachytherapy investigation with the longest reported follow-up period to date suggest that statins, especially atorvastatin, may improve most clinical presentations with a nonsignificant improvement in 8-year biochemical progression-free survival. UROLOGY 66: 1150‐1154, 2005. © 2005 Elsevier Inc.
Development of a Novel Process for Manufacturing of Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates: Internal Pressure Assisted Embossing of Micro-Channels With In-Die Mechanical Joining

A novel process for manufacturing of fuel cell bipolar plates was developed and described in this paper. This process combines the hydroforming of double thin sheet metal blanks with in-die mechanical joining to enable integrated forming of micro-channels on both surfaces (as anode and cathode) and at the middle (as cooling channels) in a single operation, thus, reducing post process operations, variation in dimensional tolerances, and cost while promises to increase the producibility, product quality, and performance of the fuel cell by ensuring consistent contact resistance characteristics. This paper discussed two experimental investigations that were performed to characterize and evaluate the feasibility of the proposed manufacturing process. The first investigation involved hydroforming of micro-channels with the channels geometry of 0.5 mm in both width and height on thin sheets of stainless steel 304 with a thickness of 0.051 mm. The second investigation focused mainly on the mechanical joining process of thin sheet metal blanks. The effects of different process variables on the bond quality and the mechanisms of the bond formation were studied. The experimental results presented in this paper demonstrated that the proposed manufacturing technique is feasible for making of the fuel cell bipolar plates.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Renal hilar lymph. Effects of diuresis on flow and composition in dogs.

Renal lymph was collected from single hilar lymphatics in 58 anesthetized dogs (1) to study the mechanism by which lymph production is affected during diuresis and (2) to determine whether a medullary contribution to renal lymph could be defined by changes in the electrolyte concentration of hilar lymph with concomitant alterations in the concentration gradient of the renal medulla. When diuresis was induced by a solute load (mannitol), lymph flow increased by 25 to 300%. On the other hand, when diuresis was induced without such a solute load, lymph flow was either unaffected (mersalyl) or slightly reduced (furosemide). It was concluded that the effect of mannitol on renal lymph flow was mediated primarily through its general effect on extracellular fluid rather than through any specific intrarenal consequence of the diuresis itself. Control hilar lymph-to-plasma concentration ratios for Na+ (1.057 ± 0.040), Cl- (1.129 ± 0.040) and Ca2+ (0.770 ± 0.046) but not K+ (0.0986 ± 0.086) were found to be significantly different from 1.0. Failure of mannitol diuresis to alter significantly the lymph-plasma ratios of Na+ and Cl- provided evidence that the high electrolyte concentrations of the inner medulla were not reflected in hilar lymph. The finding that furosemide abolished the lymph-plasma concentration difference for Na+ and significantly reduced that for Cl- was taken as evidence that the outer medulla was a significant source of renal hilar lymph.
Detailed study of HEDTA’s chemodynamics upon gamma-radiolysis in a simulated, mixed waste

Gamma-radiolysis of the parent compound N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-triacetic acid (HEDTA) in a simulant of a Hanford mixed waste, at γ-doses of 0–7.5·106±10% R, yielded extensive degradation. Two major degradation products, glyoxylate and N-(nitroso)iminodiacetic acid (NIDA), were identified, along with lower levels of malonate and oxalate. Comparison of HEDTA’s radiolysis with that of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and citrate, from earlier studies, reveals several fundamental similarities, along with marked differences. Comparatively speaking, HEDTA’s radiolysis is not particularly diverse, but it is very dispersive.
On the performance of electrohydrodynamic propulsion

Partially ionized fluids can gain net momentum under an electric field, as charged particles undergo momentum-transfer collisions with neutral molecules in a phenomenon termed an ionic wind. Electr...
Genes and membrane excitability in Drosophila

Abstract A collection of behavioral mutations perturbing various aspects of neuronal membrane excitability has been obtained in Drosophila . These mutations are the subjects of a multidisciplinary analysis using genetic, electrophysiological, and molecular techniques to learn how and why they perturb excitable membranes. Results from these studies can help elucidate how the signalling capabilities of different neurons are genetically specified and how changes in the activity of these cells modifies behavior.
Quantitative Determination of Pentazocine in Plasma and of Pentazocine and Metabolites in Urine

GLC methods for the determination of plasma pentazocine and for the determination of urinary pentazocine and its known metabolites are described. The determination of plasma pentazocine involves the extraction of pentazocine and a suitable internal standard, the derivatization of these compounds with heptafluorobutyric acid anhydride, and the chromatography of the derivatives using tritium-foil, electron-capture detection. The determination of urinary pentazocine and two of its metabolites involves the extraction of these compounds and an internal standard, derivatization with a silylating reagent, and the chromatography of the derivatives using flame-ionization detection. The determination of a third urinary metabolite involves adsorption chromatography followed by the same derivatization and chromatographic analysis. The sensitivity and reliability of the techniques are discussed and compared to other methods in the literature.
The role of perceived self-efficacy in recovery from bulimia: A preliminary examination.

Abstract The relationship between change in purging behavior accompanying cognitive-behavioral treatment for bulimia and enhancement of perceived self-regulatory efficacy was assessed for several efficacy domains. Treatment effected enhancement of perceived self-efficacy in several domains, including refraining from binge eating in various situations and mood states, using stimulus-control techniques and alternative activities, and developing satisfactory social relationships. Increases in self-efficacy were associated with decreases in vomiting frequency in the following domains: self-efficacy to control binge eating while in various mood states, to control eating patterns using stimulus-control techniques, and the acceptance of current body shape and the need for larger clothing. While perceived self-efficacy in the first two domains increased as a result of treatment, it did not in the third. A prospective analysis revealed a near-significant correspondence between efficacy predictions for controlling bulimic behavior in various moods and later binge eating in those moods.
Designing distribution systems with transport economies of scale

This paper is concerned with some aspects of distribution planning which are rarely addressed in the literature: different types of distribution networks with up to three transport stages and nonlinear transport costs derived from freight tariffs. The importance of these aspects in practice is underlined and a general multi-product distribution planning model is presented. Applications to designing distribution systems in West Germany, Western Europe and recently in the unified Germany in various consumer goods industries are reported and one case is described in detail.
The Juxtamembrane Linker of Full-length Synaptotagmin 1 Controls Oligomerization and Calcium-dependent Membrane Binding

Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) is the calcium sensor for synchronous neurotransmitter release. The two C2 domains of Syt1, which may mediate fusion by bridging the vesicle and plasma membranes, are connected to the vesicle membrane by a 60-residue linker. Here, we use site-directed spin labeling and a novel total internal reflection fluorescence vesicle binding assay to characterize the juxtamembrane linker and to test the ability of reconstituted full-length Syt1 to interact with opposing membrane surfaces. EPR spectroscopy demonstrates that the majority of the linker interacts with the membrane interface, thereby limiting the extension of the C2A and C2B domains into the cytoplasm. Pulse dipolar EPR spectroscopy provides evidence that purified full-length Syt1 is oligomerized in the membrane, and mutagenesis indicates that a glycine zipper/GXXXG motif within the linker helps mediate oligomerization. The total internal reflection fluorescence-based vesicle binding assay demonstrates that full-length Syt1 that is reconstituted into supported lipid bilayers will capture vesicles containing negatively charged lipid in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Moreover, the rate of vesicle capture increases with Syt1 density, and mutations in the GXXXG motif that inhibit oligomerization of Syt1 reduce the rate of vesicle capture. This work demonstrates that modifications within the 60-residue linker modulate both the oligomerization of Syt1 and its ability to interact with opposing bilayers. In addition to controlling its activity, the oligomerization of Syt1 may play a role in organizing proteins within the active zone of membrane fusion.
An Empirical Evaluation of a Program Designed to Reduce the Risk of Multiple Sexual Victimization

The purpose of this investigation was to design and empirically evaluate a program designed to reduce women's risk of multiple sexual victimization. Participants in this study were 406 college women. At the beginning of the academic quarter, participants responded to survey instruments assessing history of sexual assault, dating behaviors, sexual communication, and knowledge about sexual assault. After responding to survey instruments, women in the treatment group participated in the program. Women in the control group did not participate in the program. Participants returned at the end of the academic quarter and responded to survey instruments again. Results suggest that the program was ineffective in reducing the incidence of sexual assault among participants. In addition, the program did not significantly affect dating behaviors, sexual communication, or knowledge about sexual assault. Furthermore, the ineffectiveness of the program in these areas did not appear to be related to participants' historie...
Audiometric pattern as a predictor of cardiovascular status: Development of a model for assessment of risk

Objectives/Hypothesis: This study hypothesizes that low-frequency hearing loss is associated with underlying cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to use a mathematical model of hearing thresholds to predict cardiovascular status. Study Design: Logistic regression analyses of audiometric and cardiovascular data obtained through retrospective chart review. Application of a derived mathematical formula to a distinct prospectively enrolled cohort. Methods: Cardiovascular status was determined for a cohort of 1,168 patients seen in the audiology division. Associations between audiogram pattern and cardiovascular variables were tested with the Mantel-Haenszel statistic controlling for age and gender. Logistic regression models were developed incorporating cardiovascular risk factors and audiogram pattern. The models were applied to a separate cohort of 90 subjects recruited from cardiology and geriatric medicine clinics in whom audiograms were performed. Results: A significant association was found between low-frequency hearing loss and cardiovascular disease and risk factors. When controlling for age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and hyperlipidemia, low-frequency presbycusis was significantly associated with intracranial vascular pathology such as stroke and transient ischemic attacks. Significant associations were also seen with peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and a history of myocardial infarction. A mathematical formula using audiometric pattern and medical history to predict the probability of cardiovascular diseases and events was developed and tested. Conclusions: Audiogram pattern correlates strongly with cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial disease and may represent a screening test for those at risk. Patients with low-frequency hearing loss should be regarded as at risk for cardiovascular events, and appropriate referrals should be considered. Laryngoscope, 119:473–486, 2009
Harvest management effects on quantity and quality of Erianthus plant morphological components

Lignocellulose materials can be readily produced under tropical and subtropical conditions and converted to a variety of fuels through bioconversion methods. However, biomass production and plant quality may differ between plant species and morphological components of plants. The objectives of these two experiments were to: (1) determine the influence of plant height at harvest on Erianthus arundinaceum (Retz) Jesw-IK76-110 dry biomass (DB) yield; and (2) monitor changes in tiller density, quantity and quality of plant components with increased plant height. Experiment (1) determined the influence of plant height when harvested at 1.2, 2.5 and 3.7 m, mature stage in October (4.9 m), mature stage in December (4.9 m, plus inflorescence), and an additional treatment harvested in October, which received half the total N (168 kg ha−1) annually on DB yield from 1987 to 1990. Experiment (2) treatments were to monitor changes in quantity and crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD, estimate of soluble cell solids) of green leaf, dead leaf and stem plant components, leaf area index and tiller number at 0.6 m plant height increments to a final height of 4.3 m during 1987 and 1988. Treatments from both experiments of the study received 25 kg P and 93 kg K ha−1 in one application add 336 kg N ha−1 y−1 in single or split applications applied annually prior to regrowth of each harvest. Plants repeatedly harvested at the 1.2 m height and mature stage in December (Experiment (1)) produced a 4-y average yield of 5.2 and 51.5 Mg ha−1 y−1 DB, respectively. These same two treatments had a yield reduction of 100% (plants died) and 1% between years 1 and 4. Leaf area index increased quadratically to a maximum of 17 at the 3.1 m plant height treatment. Percentage green leaf, total tillers and live tillers decreased quadratically, while dead leaf and dead tillers increased linearly and stem increased quadratically as plant height was delayed from 0.6 to 4.3 m. Crude protein and IVOMD of green leaf and stem decreased quadratically with plant maturity. Knowing the quantity and quality of plant components at various physiological stages can be important to biomass producers, who need to make logical field decisions regarding biomass feedstock that should be utilized immediately after a freeze or stockpiled for later use.
Neonatal pulmonary vascular disease in hypoplastic left heart syndrome

A term neonate with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent surgical palliation using the Norwood procedure on day 2 of life. The postoperative course was complicated by recurrent systemic desaturation leading to death. Postmortem histologic examination of lung tissue confirmed the clinical impression of fixed pulmonary vascular disease. Some neonates with a restrictive interatrial communication may have pulmonary vascular disease at birth, which will negatively influence survival irrespective of the type of palliation undertaken.
Potential Medicaid Cost Savings from Maternity Care Based at a Freestanding Birth Center

Objectives: Medicaid pays for about half the births in the United States, at very high cost. Compared to usual obstetrical care, care by midwives at a birth center could reduce costs to the Medicaid program. This study draws on information from a previous study of the outcomes of birth center care to determine whether such care reduces Medicaid costs for low income women. Methods: The study uses results from a study of maternal and infant outcomes at the Family Health and Birth Center in Washington, D.C. Costs to Medicaid are derived from birth center data and from other national sources of the cost of obstetrical care. Results: We estimate that birth center care could save an average of $1,163 per birth (2008 constant dollars), or $11.6 million per 10,000 births per year. Conclusions: Medicaid is the leading payer for maternity services. As Medicaid faces continuing cost increases and budget constraints, policy makers should consider a larger role for midwives and birth centers in maternity care for low-risk Medicaid pregnant women.
Diagnosis and surgical correction of cor triatriatum in an adult: combined use of transesophageal and contrast echocardiography, and a review of literature.

Background Cor triatriatum is rarely found in adults and its diagnosis is mostly dependent on transesophageal echocardiogram. We present a case of an adult male with cor triatriatum and discuss our approach to diagnosis with a review of literature. Case A 49-year-old male presented with progressive exertional dyspnea for the past two-and-half years. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a thin linear echo-dense structure traversing the left atrium (LA). A transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated a thin immobile membrane in the LA attached medially to the interatrial septum. No fenestration of the membrane was seen. A swirling spontaneous contrast was noted in the posterior chamber. Color Doppler did not reveal any flow across the membrane. A CT scan of the chest was unhelpful to differentiate extracardiac versus intracardiac origin. Contrast echocardiogram with Optison was performed, which showed a differential opacification of the two atrial chambers and delayed emptying of contrast into true LA establishing communication between the chambers. Left and right heart catheterization were performed with simultaneous pulmonary capillary wedge and left ventricular end diastolic pressure measurement, revealing a mean gradient of 17 mmHg. Surgical correction of the membrane was recommended. Intraoperatively, an orifice of 0.7 cm was identified in an eccentric position with mosaic pattern of continuous turbulent flow across the membrane by color Doppler. Discussion Our case demonstrates the impact of contrast echocardiography in a situation where the transesophageal approaches were limited even with the aid of color Doppler.
The "S" in MELAS.

MELAS syndrome is one of several mitochondrial-inherited encephalomyopathies distinguished from the others by its unique stroke-like episodes. A case is presented that illustrates the importance of acknowledging the heteroplasmic nature of this disease when making its diagnosis. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutation characteristic of MELAS was eventually detected by analysis of a muscle biopsy specimen after initial studies of a serum sample were negative for the same genetic defect. Other diagnostic features of MELAS syndrome are described; these include characteristic computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography, single photon emission computed tomography using N-isopropyl-p-[123-I]-Iodoamphetamine (IMP-SPECT), and pathological findings. Finally, various theories regarding the etiology of stroke in MELAS syndrome as well as available treatment options are discussed.
The formation of Uranus and Neptune in solid-rich feeding zones: Connecting chemistry and dynamics

Abstract The core accretion theory of planet formation has at least two fundamental problems explaining the origins of Uranus and Neptune: (1) dynamical times in the trans-saturnian solar nebula are so long that core growth can take >15 Myr and (2) the onset of runaway gas accretion that begins when cores reach ∼10 M ⊕ necessitates a sudden gas accretion cutoff just as Uranus and Neptune’s cores reach critical mass. Both problems may be resolved by allowing the ice giants to migrate outward after their formation in solid-rich feeding zones with planetesimal surface densities well above the minimum-mass solar nebula. We present new simulations of the formation of Uranus and Neptune in the solid-rich disk of Dodson-Robinson et al. (Dodson-Robinson, S.E., Willacy, K., Bodenheimer, P., Turner, N.J., Beichman, C.A. [2009]. Icarus 200, 672–693) using the initial semimajor axis distribution of the Nice model (Gomes, R., Levison, H.F., Tsiganis, K., Morbidelli, A. [2005]. Nature 435, 466–469; Morbidelli, A., Levison, H.F., Tsiganis, K., Gomes, R. [2005]. Nature 435, 462–465; Tsiganis, K., Gomes, R., Morbidelli, A., Levison, H.F. [2005]. Nature 435, 459–461), with one ice giant forming at 12 AU and the other at 15 AU. The innermost ice giant reaches its present mass after 3.8–4.0 Myr and the outermost after 5.3–6 Myr, a considerable time decrease from previous one-dimensional simulations (e.g. Pollack, J.B., Hubickyj, O., Bodenheimer, P., Lissauer, J.J., Podolak, M., Greenzweig, Y. [1996]. Icarus 124, 62–85). The core masses stay subcritical, eliminating the need for a sudden gas accretion cutoff. Our calculated carbon mass fractions of 22% are in excellent agreement with the ice giant interior models of Podolak et al. (Podolak, M., Weizman, A., Marley, M. [1995]. Planet. Space Sci. 43, 1517–1522) and Marley et al. (Marley, M.S., Gomez, P., Podolak, M. [1995]. J. Geophys. Res. 100, 23349–23354). Based on the requirement that the ice giant-forming planetesimals contain >10% mass fractions of methane ice, we can reject any Solar System formation model that initially places Uranus and Neptune inside of Saturn’s orbit. We also demonstrate that a large population of planetesimals must be present in both ice giant feeding zones throughout the lifetime of the gaseous nebula. This research marks a substantial step forward in connecting both the dynamical and chemical aspects of planet formation. Although we cannot say that the solid-rich solar nebula model of Dodson-Robinson et al. (Dodson-Robinson, S.E., Willacy, K., Bodenheimer, P., Turner, N.J., Beichman, C.A. [2009]. Icarus 200, 672–693) gives exactly the appropriate initial conditions for planet formation, rigorous chemical and dynamical tests have at least revealed it to be a viable model of the early Solar System.
Bird use of an East Texas shrub wetland

Bird species composition and habitat use were examined over a 15-month period in a buttonbush-waterelm shrub swamp. Over 50 bird species used the area over the year but only about 12 nested there. Plant succession resulting from hydrologic changes in the wetland influenced bird species composition, and seasonal water dynamics influenced how and when birds used the area. Common wildlife management strategies are evaluated in light of the need to maintain bird diversity and minimize plant community change.
Mass spectrometry of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes, dimethyl acetals and alk-1-enyl ethers.

Mass spectra of long-chain saturated and unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes, dimethyl acetals and alk-1-enyl methyl ethers are reported and discussed. Using deuterium labeled aldehydes, knowledge about the mass spectral fragmentation is obtained. The m/e M-44 ion is formed by a rearrangement different from the mechanism postulated previously for short-chain aldehydes. A series of hydrocarbon fragments with even mass numbers of 68+14n (n=0,1,2...) appear in the spectra of all three series of compounds.
AN INTEGRATED ENERGY STORAGE SCHEME FOR A DISPATCHABLE SOLAR AND WIND POWERED ENERGY SYSTEM AND ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC PARAMETERS

The intermittency of wind and solar power and the mismatch between when they are available and when demand is high have hindered the expansion of these two primary renewable resources. The goal of this research is to analyze an integrated energy system (named DSWiSS for dispatchable solar wind storage system) that includes a novel configuration of wind and solar together with compressed air energy storage (CAES) that is driven from excess nighttime wind energy and thermal storage energized by concentrated solar power in order to make these sources dispatchable during peak demand. Notably, existing CAES facilities use natural gas for heating the compressed air before its expansion through a turbine; the system described in this paper replaces the use of natural gas with solar energy and thermal storage, thereby obviating the need for fossil fuels and yielding a dispatchable system powered completely by renewable sources. This paper builds off prior published work for the DSWiSS configuration with an analysis of temporally-resolved parameters, including wind and solar resources, which are important to the operation of DSWiSS. This analysis uses actual historical meteorological data for West Texas solar insolation, telemetry data for wind power in West Texas, and recorded electricity demand data of the ERCOT grid to assess system performance. We examined how the daily variation of these parameters could affect the operation of an energy storage facility such as DSWiSS. We found that the daily fluctuations were most pronounced in the summer when demand is highest and wind velocity is lowest. However, because all seasons show a time-of-day phase mismatch between demand and wind velocity, we expect that a load leveling energy storage technology would be useful to the electric grid. Research to be completed soon will attempt to use control strategies along with the existing thermodynamic model of the DSWiSS power system to determine how DSWiSS would be operated differently under the different seasonal situations.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Un quirógrafo impugnado. Zamora y la cultura jurídica zamorana a comienzos del siglo XIII

Because so soon after it was overtaken by the School of Salamanca, historians have neglected the importance of the Chapter of nearby Zamora in the legal development of early thirtheenth century Spain. In the light of the ambivalent significance of Zamora’s proximity to the kingdom of Portugal in a period of political tension with the papacy, and the role of Zamora’s man at the papal curia, Cardinal Gil Torres, the present study attempts to view that development in terms of its own time, making use of the material evidence in the Vatican and peninsular archives of Zamora’s juristic activity, the level of juristic sophistication revealed by a routine case involving local clergy and laity, and the calculations of the contemporary rulers of Leon.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS RELAPSE IN EXTREMELY LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS. † 864

Relapse of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBW, ≤ 750g) remains a problem with significant morbidity. PDA relapse in larger preterm infants has been variably correlated with echocardiographic (Echo) PDA diameter, peak flow velocity (Vmax), and peak pressure gradient (PGrad) across the PDA. We studied Echo determinants of relapsed PDA from among ELBW infants in a blinded, randomized controlled trial of prophylactic indomethacin (BW 500-1249g, surfactant treatment, placebo vs. indomethacin 0.2, 0.1, 0.1 mg/kg @ time 0, 12, 36 hrs begun on day 1). From this cohort, 79 ELBW infants were identified; of the 56 surviving≥ 72 hrs, 17 had a pre-treatment Echo (#1, day 1) and 42 had a post-treatment Echo (#2, day 3-5) from which diameter, Vmax, and calculated PGrad were compared between infants who ultimately had relapse of a previously closed PDA vs those without. Pre-treatment PDA diameter was 42% larger on day 1 in infants destined to relapse; no difference was observed on day 3-5 (see table). Vmax and Pgrad in both time periods tended to be lower in infants with PDA relapse; also, infants who had pulmonary hemorrhage as a complication of PDA tended to have lower Vmax (Echo#1: 85±49 vs 116±41, #2: 98±39 vs 125±52, both NS) and PGrad (#1: 4.0±4.0 vs 6.1±4.9, #2: 4.4±3.6 vs 7.6±6.3, both NS). These data support the hypothesis that elevated pulmonary vascular pressure contributes to both PDA and pulmonary hemorrhage. We conclude that early Echo features of the ductus arteriosus may be useful in predicting ELBW infants destined for PDA relapse and PDA complications.
Ethics across the computer science curriculum: privacy modules in an introductory database course.

This paper describes the author’s experience of infusing an introductory database course with privacy content, and the on-going project entitled Integrating Ethics Into the Database Curriculum, that evolved from that experience. The project, which has received funding from the National Science Foundation, involves the creation of a set of privacy modules that can be implemented systematically by database educators throughout the database design thread of an undergraduate course.
Two-electron excitations in atomic calcium. II. Fine-structure effects.

A simple recoupling frame transformation is shown to adequately describe numerous effects of the spin-orbit interaction which show up in photoionization of the calcium atom. This is accomplished after solving the nonrelativistic Schr\"odinger equation in LS coupling by an eigenchannel R-matrix method, ignoring all spin-orbit terms in the Hamiltonian. The calculation reproduces most features of the total cross section observed experimentally, and predicts a strong effect of the spin-orbit interaction on partial cross sections, on the photoelectron angular distributions, and on the alignment of the ionic photofragments.