cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive neurocritical care monitoring for neonates on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: where do we stand?

To determine practice variation in the utilization of neuromonitoring modalities in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients across Level IV neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Cross-sectional survey design using electronic surveys sent to site sponsors of a multicenter collaborative of 34 Level IV NICUs of the Children’s Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) from June to August 2018. We had 22 survey respondents from CHNC ECMO centers. Twenty-seven percent of respondents routinely monitored for seizures using electroencephalogram. Cerebral near infrared spectroscopy was used by 50%. Head ultrasound was performed by 95% but the frequency, duration, and type of views varied. Post ECMO screening brain MRI prior to hospital discharge was routinely performed by 77% of respondents. A majority of centers (95%) performed neurodevelopmental follow-up after hospital discharge. There is variation in neuromonitoring practices in Level IV NICUs performing ECMO. Lack of evidence and clear outcome benefits has contributed to practice variation across institutions.
Learning From Failure in an Organization Designed to Develop Success

In this article, I discuss events associated with leadership and fiscal crises that occurred at NTL during the late 1960s and early 1970s, after Warren Bennis declined to accept the Director positi...
Clinical features and gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with idiopathic and post-surgical rapid gastric emptying who present with unexplained chronic nausea.

Background The cause of chronic nausea can be difficult to diagnose. Idiopathic rapid gastric emptying (iRGE) can cause nausea, but limited literature exists on clinical and pathophysiological features. In contrast, dumping syndrome or post-surgical rapid gastric emptying (psRGE) is well-known and may present with early phase vasomotor symptoms, diarrhea, and late phase reactive hypoglycemia. Our aim is to compare clinical and gastric motility characteristics in patients with iRGE and psRGE and unexplained chronic nausea. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with unexplained chronic nausea and RGE ( Key results Thirty iRGE and sixteen psRGE patients with unexplained chronic nausea were identified; average 1-hour meal retention was 18.6% and 16.2%, respectively. Nausea, bloating, early satiety, and bowel function were similar in the two groups; fewer iRGE patients had abdominal pain and none had vasomotor symptoms. Normal 3 cpm GMA was recorded in 44% of iRGE vs 29% of psRGE, tachygastria in 13% vs 43%, bradygastria in 25% vs 14%, and mixed in 19% vs 14% (p values >0.05). Abnormal WLST volume ( Conclusions & inferences (a) iRGE and psRGE patients may present with unexplained chronic nausea rather than classic vasomotor symptoms and diarrhea. (b) iRGE and psRGE patients had similar gastric dysrhythmias and accommodation dysfunction, which may contribute to RGE.
The Impact of Task Interruption on Tax Accountants’ Professional Judgment

Accounting professionals are frequently interrupted, and prior research suggests that task interruption could compromise the quality of their professional judgments. This paper adopts the Goal-Based Choice Model to predict conditions under which task interruption will: (1) exacerbate accountants' motivated reasoning, introducing bias into their professional judgments, and (2) reduce performance on the interrupting task. We validate the model by conducting an experiment using experienced tax professionals as participants. Consistent with the expanded model's predictions, we find that when tax professionals are highly committed to a directional goal (minimize the client's tax liability), task interruption exacerbates their motivated reasoning, increases their perceptions of the level of support for an aggressive tax compliance position, bolsters their confidence in its defensibility, and compromises their ability to objectively evaluate the risks associated with the position. These factors cascade to increase the likelihood that they will recommend an aggressive tax compliance position. Furthermore, we find that the impact of task interruption cascades to inhibit interrupting task performance. Our results suggest that task interruption can create costly inefficiencies when these issues must be addressed during the review process, and that severe consequences for firms and their clients can arise when the review process fails to identify these deficiencies. In addition, our results suggest that task interruption's costs may outweigh its benefits in the context of professional judgment.
Designing for Night-Time Reflection: How to Support Night-Time Reflection Through Non-Digital Means

Self-reflection allows people to communicate with themselves and evaluate their actions and behavior. Engaging in reflection can help professionals improvise in unfamiliar situations by making decisions based on their implicit knowledge and experience [5]. Research on reflection include how to foster a reflective mindset (e.g., William Odon's “Photobox” [3]) and how to support those reflecting (e.g., “Reflection Companion” by Rafal Kocielnik et al.). In this research, we expand on Fleck and Fitzpatrick's framework for designing to support reflection by exploring how their design techniques extend to a night-time (i.e., while settling down to sleep) context. Based on our findings, we develop a list of factors to consider when designing to support night-time reflection and suggest areas for further exploration.
Oil and natural gas

This chapter provides a brief history of the oil industry in India and a discussion of the institutional structure of oil exploration and production in India today. A detailed analysis is provided of the production sharing contracts currently existing between the Oil and Natural Gas Commission and foreign exploration companies. The efficiency of this system of leasing potential petroleum areas is compared with other leasing systems using an analytical model developed for the evaluation of petroleum leasing policy. Using the results of the empirical analysis of the Indian leasing system, suggestions are made for future lease arrangements with foreign exploration companies.
Role of the Autonomic Nervous System in Ventricular Arrhythmias During Acute Myocardial Ischemia and Infarction

Significant advances have been made in recent years to elucidate the neural mechanisms involved in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias during acute myocardial ischemia and infarction. The cellular and molecular processes whereby the sympathetic nervous system serves as a trigger for arrhythmia, and those responsible for the protective effect of vagus nerve activity, have been extensively characterized. Mounting evidence supports the importance of neural remodeling following myocardial infarction, which has provided valuable clues regarding factors that impact risk for sudden cardiac death. Promising nerve stimulation strategies including vagus nerve activation and spinal cord stimulation have progressed from animal testing to clinical trials.
The Reduction of Flight Test Climb Data to Standard Air Conditions

General equations for the reduction of flight test climb data to standard air conditions are given, indicating how the airplane and engine characteristics affect the necessary rate of climb corrections. Charts are given to provide an aid in the reduction of climb data of airplanes having modern engine installations. The method of climb reduction presented is then expressed in terms of the "equivalent climb altitude," which has had wide use in the past. The author feels that this correlation shows the limitation of each method, and when one or the other is best suited. The equivalent climb altitude constant K is shown to depend mainly upon Oswald's airplane parameter A which enables K to be readily selected for most any type of airplane. While K = = 0 . 3 7 for modern bimotor airplanes in two engine climb, it may increase to K = 0.50 for the same airplane in single engine flight.
Diradylglycerol synergizes with an anionic amphiphile to activate superoxide generation and phosphorylation of p47phox in a cell-free system from human neutrophils.

The superoxide-generating respiratory burst oxidase (NADPH oxidase) from human neutrophils can be activated in a cell-free system consisting of plasma membranes, cytosol, and an anionic amphiphile such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or arachidonate, and guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP(gamma)S) augments activation. We report herein that short-chain diacylglycerols (e.g. dioctanoylglycerol (diC8)) synergize with SDS in the activation of superoxide generation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, resulting in rates up to 1400 nmol/min/mg plasma membrane protein, or 250-700% higher than the rate seen with SDS alone. diC8 did not affect significantly the dose response for either cytosol or SDS, indicating that the activation was not due to increased sensitivity of the oxidase toward either of these components. At optimal concentrations of SDS and diC8, additional activation was observed in the presence of GTP(gamma)S, indicating that diC8 and GTP activate by separate mechanisms. In contrast to diC8, other known activators of protein kinase C (phorbol myristate acetate and mezerein) augmented SDS activation only minimally (typically 20-30%), and neither diacylglycerols nor tumor promoters activated in the absence of SDS. Activation by diC8 was calcium and phosphatidylserine independent, and the specificity for neutral lipids was atypical for protein kinase C. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (staurosporine and a peptide substrate analog) also failed to inhibit the response. Nevertheless, phosphorylation of several neutrophil proteins including p47phox was seen with both SDS and diC8, and synergistic phosphorylation of p47phox was seen when both activating factors were present. Thus, diacylglycerol synergizes with SDS in activating both superoxide generation and p47phox phosphorylation in the cell-free activation system, but the activation is atypical of a protein kinase C mechanism.
Kinetic studies of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase.

Abstract The mechanism of reaction of human erythrocyte hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase was investigated by initial velocity, product inhibition, and isotope exchange studies. Although initial velocity data are compatible with a mechanism involving binary enzyme-substrate complexes, the product inhibition and isotope exchange studies indicate that the reaction is ordered with the formation of ternary enzyme-substrate complexes. Product and alternative product inhibition data, alternative substrate inhibition experiments, and combined alternative substrate initial velocity data are all consistent with the view that only one enzyme catalyzes this reaction of hypoxanthine and guanine, and that they share a common binding site.
Transforming Growth Factor β1 Suppresses Nonmetastatic Colon Cancer at an Early Stage of Tumorigenesis

The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway is known to play an important role in both human and murine colon cancer. However, the staging, ligand specificity, and mechanism underlying the tumor suppressive activity of this pathway are unknown. We developed a mouse model for colon cancer that identifies an early role for TGF-β1 in tumor suppression and implicates TGF-β2 or TGF-β3 in the prevention of metastasis. Analysis of the development of colon cancer in TGF-β1 knockout mice pinpoints the defect to the hyperplasty/adenoma transition and reveals that the mechanism involves an inability to maintain epithelial tissue organization and not a loss of growth control, increased inflammatory activity, or increased genetic instability. These mice provide a unique opportunity to investigate the specific role of TGF-β1 at this critical transition in the development of colon cancer.
Environmental drivers of evapotranspiration in a shrub wetland and an upland forest in northern Wisconsin

[1] To improve our predictive understanding of daily total evapotranspiration (ET), we quantified the differential impact of environmental drivers, radiation (Q), and vapor pressure deficit (D) in a wetland and upland forest. Latent heat fluxes were measured using eddy covariance techniques, and data from four growing seasons were used to test for (1) environmental drivers of ET between the sites, (2) interannual differences in ET responses to environmental drivers, and (3) changes in ET responses to environmental drivers between the leaf expansion period and midsummer. Two simple ET models derived from coupling theory, one radiation-based model, and another using mass transfer were used to examine the mechanisms underlying the drivers of ET. During summer months, ET from the wetland was driven primarily by Q, whereas it was driven by D in the upland. During the leaf expansion period in the upland forest the dominant driver was Q. ET from the wetland was linearly related to net radiation using coupling coefficients ranging from a low of 0.3–0.6 to a high of 1.0 between early May and midsummer. Interannually, ET from the upland forest exhibited near linear responses to D, with an effective reference canopy stomatal conductance varying from 1 to 5 mm s−1. The results show that ET predictions in northern Wisconsin and other mixed wetland-upland forests need to consider both wetland and upland forest processes. Furthermore, leaf phenology effects on ET represent a knowledge gap in our understanding of seasonal environmental drivers.
Host-Plant Effects on the Behavior of Eretmocerus sp. nr. Californicus Females Raised from Melon

The behaviors of female Eretmocerus sp. nr. californiens raised from Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring on melon, Cucumis melo L., were analysed on four different host plant species (cotton, melon, sweet potato and Abutilon theophrasti Medic). Comparison with previously published results of similarly treated females reared from sweet potato plants showed performance related differences leading to oviposition. In the present study, the generalized behavioral pathway (walking, host- encounter, antennation, probing and oviposition) did not vary among host plant species for melon- reared parasitoid females. Host assessment by antennation leading to host acceptance for probing varied from 10.5- 12.3 sec among the host plant species with no host stage- related differences in duration. Initial and repeated (multiple probes on the same host nymph) probing events varied from 52.4 to 77.3 sec among host plant species and no stage- related differences were detected. Oviposition occurred under 62 % of the nymphs on cotton, 100 % of the nymphs on melon and 51 % of the nymphs on sweet potato under which the ovipositor was exserted. On cotton, melon and sweet potato proportionally fewer first instar nymphs were encountered than present, a larger proportion of the second instars that were encountered were subsequently antennated, and a larger proportion of second instars on cotton were then subsequently probed. For cotton, melon, and sweet potato, the overall frequency of oviposition was lower than reported in previous studies. Results from these studies showed that the greatest factor in influencing overall parasitism in laboratory experiments was the propensity of females to alight and remain to search for hosts on a particular host plant. The role of “pre- conditioning” parasitoids to be better- suited to a particular host or host plant species is discussed relative to the findings herein.
Evaluating the structural quality of semantic hierarchy alignments

We present preliminary results of applying a novel method based in metric order theory to provide a measure of the structural quality of some of the test alignments between semantic hierarchies used in the 2007 Ontology Alignment Evaluation Initiative.
Orthodontists' and orthodontic residents' education in treating underserved patients: effects on professional attitudes and behavior.

The U.S. surgeon general’s report on oral health in 2000 stressed the importance of providing dental care for underserved patient groups. Given that orthodontic treatment is less likely to be covered by dental plans than other procedures and is often considered an elective treatment, it is not surprising that access to orthodontic care is an especially severe problem for underserved patient groups. The purpose of this study was to explore the degree to which orthodontic residents and orthodontists perceived that their graduate orthodontic education had prepared them well to treat underserved patients and whether this education affected their professional attitudes and behavior concerning providing care for members of historically underserved patient groups. Survey data were collected from 135 residents in U.S. and Canadian graduate orthodontic programs and from 568 active members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). While the majority of residents and orthodontists felt well prepared to treat patients from different ethnic/racial backgrounds (quality of clinical education: residents: 86.4 percent; orthodontists: 82.3 percent), considerably fewer respondents felt well prepared to treat patients on Medicaid (64.7 percent and 34.4 percent), pro bono cases (45.4 percent and 33.4 percent), patients with special needs (52.8 percent and 35 percent), patients with craniofacial anomalies (65.3 percent and 52.6 percent), and patients with developmental delays (45.5 percent and 30.5 percent). Perceptions of the quality of education correlated significantly with the professional attitudes and the actual/projected behavior concerning providing care for patients from these underserved patient groups. Given the lack of access to orthodontic care for patients from underserved patient groups, initiatives are needed to change this situation. These findings showed a clear relationship between how future orthodontists are educated about providing care for patients from underserved populations and their professional attitudes and behavioral intentions to provide care for individuals who historically have encountered access to care barriers. Dental education has to accept the responsibility to prepare future dental care providers to be able to treat patients from underserved groups.
Dyadic disturbances in cocaine-abusing mothers and their infants.

A recently developed instrument for the quantification of mother-infant interaction, the Parent-Child Early Relationship Assessement (PCERA), was used to observe drug-abusing mothers and their infants. Compared to the standardization sample used in the development of the PCERA, these drug-abusing mothers (N = 5) showed a tendency toward rigidity and overcontrol in their parenting, a lack of enjoyment and pleasure in relating to their infants, and limited emotional involvement and responsivity in their interaction. An analysis of the dyadic behaviors showed an overall reduction in reciprocity, mutual enjoyment, and regulation of interaction between mother and infant.
Effect on suckling young of x-irradiation of lactating mother.

Summary and Conclusions1. Increasing x-irradiation of nursing female mouse caused increasing retardation of growth of suckling young. There is some effect even after 50 r exposure of the mother on the 3rd day post-parturition. There was pronounced effect at 200 r or greater. 2. There is no evidence of any toxic substance passing through the milk to the young. The effect seems to be one of simple starvation, probably through general debilitation of x-irradiated mother. 3. Newborn mice starved by an x-irradiated mother will recover rapidly if given to a normal lactating mother at 15 days postparturition, and by 30 days will be essentially like controls with respect to body weight. Recovery from initial starvation appears to be complete.
SU-FF-T-55: A Novel Applicator System for HDR Treatment of Endometrial and Cervical Cancer

Purpose: A new HDR applicator system has been designed to treat gynecological cancers with following specific goals in mind: 1) ability to do volumetric image based patient specific dosimetry, 2) ability to significantly spare the surrounding critical structures, 3) Performing volumetric dosimetry based on delineated target volume and moving away from Manchester point calculation, and 4) provide patient comfort during the implant. It is expected that this system will provide all the functionality of a Fletcher‐Suit‐Delclos (FSD) device and has more versatility in treatment of these cancers.Method and Materials: A disposable applicator manufactured* from plastic material with inflatable partitioned sections to displace rectum and bladder away from the radiationsource has been designed. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to compare dosimetry with conventional Manchester system and show superiority of this device in delivering dose to the target volume while sparing rectum and bladder. Comparable optimized plans with conventional FSD system were made using BrachyVision system. Results: Preliminary trials of this applicator used on cadavers revealed superiority in inserting the system in cervical canal through stent, filling the vaginal cavity with liquid contrast for proper CT/MRI imaging. The unaccounted attenuation from the Stainless Steel tubing in FSD applicator is no longer an issue when this applicator is implemented. This new applicator manufactured from all disposable plastic materials, is CT & MR friendly, allows 3‐D treatment planning executable to accurately deliver dose to the target volume as prescribed, allows sparing the normal tissue structure at any desirable level. Our dosimetric studies indicate superior volumetric dose coverage to PTV and easy detachment from the conventional Manchester system. Conclusions: The new applicator once applied will overcome most of the disadvantages from the conventional FSD device and offers numerous superior clinical advantages for patients with gynecological cancer. *Project supported by Varian Medical‐system
Effects of shear plane boundary condition on stress loading in orthogonal machining

Abstract The finite element method is used to investigate the effect of shear plane boundary conditions on the stress field in the workpiece during machining. The balances of force and moment on both the shear plane and the tool rake face are used to calculate the unknown boundary condition, i.e. normal stress distribution on the shear plane. The results of finite element analysis show that the normal stress distribution on the shear plane does not significantly affect the value of the stresses in the workpiece under the tool tip. The length of the shear plane is found to be a major parameter governing the stress field in the workpiece in machining, confirming a previous experimental study.
Poly(glycerol sebacate)-engineered plugs to repair chronic tympanic membrane perforations in a chinchilla model.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the degree of neovascularization and efficacy of repair of chronic tympanic membrane perforations in a chinchilla model using poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS), a novel bioengineered scaffold material. Study Design A feasibility study in which chinchilla ears with chronic perforations were randomly assigned to repair with PGS plugs or Gelfilm overlay myringoplasty. Setting Interventions were performed in the animal care facility of a tertiary care academic institution. Subjects and Methods Sixteen adult female chinchillas. Perforations were established under microscopic visualization with thermal cautery. The animals were examined six weeks later, and those ears with stable perforations were randomly assigned to repair with PGS or Gelfilm. All ears were evaluated six weeks after repair, and resected membranes underwent histological evaluation. Results Chronic perforations were established in 22 of 32 (69%) chinchilla tympanic membranes. Nineteen tympanic membranes were included in the study group (3 ears were excluded secondary to death from anesthesia during the repair); 11 were implanted with PGS, and eight underwent Gelfilm myringoplasty. Of the 11 tympanic membranes implanted with PGS, 10 were healed at six weeks, while six of the eight tympanic membranes repaired with Gelfilm had healed at six weeks. Imaging of the medial mucosal and lateral epithelial surfaces of the tympanic membranes revealed PGS plug incorporation with neovascularization. Histology demonstrated a confluent cell layer on both sides of the graft. Conclusions PGS plugs are easily placed and allow for perforation closure and graft neovascularization in a chinchilla model.
Determining Necessary Parameters for Nanoinjector Electrodes During Attraction

This paper outlines the adaptation of a mathematical computer model used to simulate the motion of DNA particles in order to determine the best geometry and setup for a prototype cell injection system. The model predicts DNA motion due to electrophoresis near micromachined electrodes. Ten key electrode parameters are identified to test for significance, and three key test measurements are identified to help compare the various setups. A simple design of experiment is used to organize and analyze the data collected from forty-one simulations of the DNA motion within the electric field. Based on the simulations of attracting DNA to the lance for injection, it is found that a compact ring electrode placed underneath an insulated lance will yield the optimal results. Two additional areas for research are recommended.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase activity in acute undifferentiated leukemia

Abstract High levels of terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT) were found in and partially purified from leukocytes obtained from a patient with acute undifferentiated leukemia. The majority of cells lacked lymphoid cell surface markers, suggesting that the disease may have originated from a popoulation of primitive lymphoid progenitor cells. Phosphocellulose chromatography resolved two peaks of TdT activity, and further studies revealed that a) the two forms of TdT possessed identical molecular weights, b) oligonucleotide primer and substrate preferences for the two enzyme forms were identical to those of TdT from calf thymus, and c) DNA polymerase γ was detected as a contaminant in TdT fractions.
In vivo voltage-dependent influences on summation of synaptic potentials in neurons of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala

The amygdala has a fundamental role in driving affective behaviors in response to sensory cues. To accomplish this, neurons of the lateral nucleus (LAT) must integrate a large number of synaptic inputs. A wide range of factors influence synaptic integration, including membrane potential, voltage-gated ion channels and GABAergic inhibition. However, little is known about how these factors modulate integration of synaptic inputs in LAT neurons in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine the voltage-dependent factors that modify in vivo integration of synaptic inputs in the soma of LAT neurons. In vivo intracellular recordings from anesthetized rats were used to measure post-synaptic potentials (PSPs) and clusters of PSPs across a range of membrane potentials. These studies found that the relationship between membrane potential and PSP clusters was sublinear, due to a reduction of cluster amplitude and area at depolarized membrane potentials. In combination with intracellular delivery of pharmacological agents, it was found that the voltage-dependent suppression of PSP clusters was sensitive to tetraethylammonium (TEA), but not cesium or a blocker of fast GABAergic inhibition. These findings indicate that integration of PSPs in LAT neurons in vivo is strongly modified by somatic membrane potential, likely through voltage-dependent TEA-sensitive potassium channels. Conditions that lead to a shift in membrane potential, or a modulation of the number or function of these ion channels will lead to a more uniform capacity for integration across voltages, and perhaps greatly facilitate amygdala-dependent behaviors.
Temporal aspects of laminar gene expression during the developmental stages of equine laminitis.

Abstract The results of recent studies indicate that inflammatory responses occurring in the early stages of equine laminitis lead to downstream events that eventually result in failure of the bond between the hoof wall and the distal phalanx. In order to gain further insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of laminitis, an equine-specific cDNA microarray consisting of transcripts for more that 3000 genes was used to assess temporal changes in gene expression in laminar tissues at 1.5, 3 and 12 h after administration of either a laminitis-inducing agent (black walnut heartwood extract; BWHE) or an equal volume of water (control). As early as 1.5 h after BWHE administration, pro-inflammatory genes associated with leukocyte activation and emigration, including MCP-3/CCL7, MCP-1/CCL2, IP-10/CXCL10 and ICAM-1 were up-regulated. At both 1.5 and 3 h after administration of BWHE, expression of B-cell specific transcripts (e.g., Ig-γ 3, Ig-γ 1 and λ-light chain) were decreased in the laminar tissues. At the onset of Obel grade 1 lameness in horses administered BWHE, other genes involved in inflammatory processes (e.g., serum amyloid A, calgranulin C and NFAT-activation molecule 1), regulation of inflammation (e.g., inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, BiP/GRP78 [Ig binding protein], L-plastin, serpin and nexin-1), antioxidant responses (e.g., superoxide dismutase), matrix turnover (e.g., MMP-9 and TIMP-1), and anti-microbial responses (e.g., serotransferrin, β-defensin-1 and elafin) were up-regulated. These results provide convincing evidence that genes associated with inflammation, activation and extravasation of leukocytes, antimicrobial activities, and destruction of the lamellar basement membrane are induced during the early stages of development of laminitis in response to administration of BWHE.
Septic bursitis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Septic olecranon bursitis developed in three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Although promptly treated with systemic antibiotics, the clinical course in two patients became prolonged and eventually required bursectomy to eradicate the infection. The occurrence of septic bursitis was a manifestation of the general susceptibility of SLE patients to infections.
Acceptance-based exposure therapy for public speaking anxiety

Abstract Public speaking anxiety (PSA), diagnosed at clinical levels as social anxiety disorder, nongeneralized type, is associated with significant distress and impairment in a substantial portion of the population ( Aderka et al., 2012 ). Empirically supported behavioral treatments for PSA generally include in vivo and/or simulated exposure, usually presented with some form of rationale or context (e.g., habituation). Newer acceptance-based therapies frame exposure as an opportunity to increase one's willingness to experience anxiety, while engaging in valued behaviors. The present study examined the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of acceptance-based exposure treatment for PSA compared to standard habituation-based exposure in a clinical population. Treatment was delivered in a group format over 6 weekly sessions. Participants receiving acceptance-based exposure (ABE) were significantly more likely than those receiving habituation-based exposure (HAB) to achieve diagnostic remission by 6-week follow-up. Those in the ABE condition rated this intervention equally acceptable and credible compared to participants receiving the habituation-based approach, and improvement on other outcome measures was comparable across conditions. Participants in both groups demonstrated significant and equivalent improvement on measures of public-speaking-related cognitions, confidence, and social skills. Baseline levels of mindful awareness moderated change in public-speaking-related cognitions across conditions, and baseline defusion moderated change in state anxiety for the ABE condition only.
Thermoreflectance imaging of sub 100 ns pulsed cooling in high-speed thermoelectric microcoolers

Miniaturized thin film thermoelectric coolers have received considerable attention as potential means to locally address hot spots in microprocessors. Given the highly dynamic workload in complex integrated circuits, the need arises for a thorough understanding of the high-speed thermal behavior of microcoolers. Although some prior work on transient Peltier cooling in pulsed operation is available, these studies mostly focus on theoretical modeling and typically deal with relatively large modules with time constants well into the millisecond range. In this paper, we present an extensive experimental characterization of 30×30 μm2 high-speed coplanar SiGe superlattice microcoolers subjected to 300 ns wide current pulses at ≈ 300 kHz repetition rate. Using thermoreflectance imaging microscopy, we obtain 2D maps of the transient surface temperature and constituent Peltier and Joule components over the 50–750 ns time range with submicron spatial and 50 ns temporal resolutions. Net cooling of 1 K–1.5 K is achie...
In-vitro Imaging of Femoral Artery Nitinol Stents for Deformation Analysis

Abstract Purpose The authors have developed a direct method to study femoral artery stent deformations in vivo. A previously described imaging and analysis approach based on a calibrated phantom was used to examine stents in human volunteers treated for atherosclerotic disease. In this pilot study, forces on stents were evaluated under different in-vivo flexion conditions. Materials and Methods The optimized imaging protocol for imaging with a C-arm computed tomography system was first verified in an in-vivo porcine stent model. Human data were obtained by imaging 13 consenting volunteers with stents in femoral vessels. The affected leg was imaged in straight and bent positions to observe stent deformations. Semiautomatic software was used to calculate the changes in bending, extension, and torsion on the stents for the two positions. Results For the human studies, tension and bending calculation were successful. Bending was found to compress stent lengths by 4% ± 3% (−14.2 to 1.5 mm), increase their average eccentricity by 10% ± 9% (0.12 to −0.16), and change their mean curvature by 27% ± 22% (0 to −0.005 mm −1 ). Stents with the greatest change in eccentricity and curvature were located behind the knee or in the pelvis. Torsion calculations were difficult because the stents were untethered and are symmetric. In addition, multiple locations in each stent underwent torsional deformations. Conclusions The imaging and analysis approach developed based on calibrated in vitro measurements was extended to in-vivo data. Bending and tension forces were successfully evaluated in this pilot study.
Single-Particle Spectroscopy of Gold Nanorods beyond the Quasi-Static Limit: Varying the Width at Constant Aspect Ratio

We have examined how the surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) of chemically grown gold nanorods with tunable widths and lengths evolve due to phase retardation. For nanorods with diameters d > 30 nm, the aspect ratio is not a sufficient parameter for determining the energy of the longitudinal SPR. To rigorously study the effects of the size, we performed correlated scanning electron microscopy and single-particle spectroscopy on broad gold nanorods that were chemically grown wider (d > 100 nm) and longer while maintaining the surface chemistry and hemispherical end-cap geometry as the slim rods we compared them to (d 100 nm displayed higher order plasmon modes that were not observed for slim nanorods of similar aspect ratio. To measure the full spectrum of the largest nanorods, we implemented a new strategy for acquiring si...
Palaeoclimate: A great grand-daddy of ice cores

A record of Earth's climate over the past eight ice ages and their associated interglacial periods has been uncovered from a new ice core in Antarctica, almost doubling the age of previous ice-core records.
The mechanism of cobalt drier action

The influence of cobalt driers on the initial stages of the drying of polyunsaturated esters has been studied. Cobalt (II) appears to from an unstable complex of variable composition with the polyunsaturated ester. This complex catalyzes the uptake of oxygen and increases the rate of oxygen absorption by the ester. The energy of activation for oxygen uptake by the ester in the presence of cobalt is only 1.3 kcal/mole, while in the absence of cobalt, the activation energy is 10.8 kcal/mole. The absorption of oxygen by the ester is followed by the formation of hydroxy and/or hydroperoxy groups, the loss of alkene groups, an increase in conjugation and conversion from the cis to the trans isomer. Polymerization occurs during these latter changes.
The Selection of Friends by Preschool Children.

The friendships of 59 ethnically diverse (African American, European American, Latino, Middle Eastern, and West African) children enrolled in Head Start classes were assessed in the spring of the school year via a peer nomination technique and a roster rating method. Two types of behavior that earlier researchers found to be predictive of how well liked a child would be were also assessed. Items from the Behar Problem Behavior Questionnaire and the Baumrind Preschool Behavior Q-Sorts were made into a checklist and prosocial behavior and assertiveness, both of which had positive and negative components, were measured twice. Children showed marked preferences for children of their own gender when selecting friends and a general preference for children who were assertive in positive ways. For boys there were some interactions of behavioral characteristics with gender. In contrast to earlier research with older children, these Head Start children did not show any preference for their own ethnic group in choos...
A new class of materials suitable for two-photon 3D optical data storage

The synthesis and photochemical reaction of N-benzoyl oxazines was investigated. The materials were found to be photosensitive and capable of generating oxazine dye upon light irradiation. The early step of the reaction may include homolytical bond cleavage between the oxazine nitrogen and benzoyl carbon atoms via an excited singlet state and formation of oxazine and benzoyl radicals. Subsequent reaction steps include disproportionation of the oxazine dimer species formed through recombination of two oxazine radicals, which led to the formation of oxazine dye cation and oxazine anion pair. At the present time direct electron transfer between two oxazine radicals cannot be excluded. These molecules are potential media for optical storage and other applications.
Improving built-in product reliability through the efficient identification of nonrandom contamination events

Defects that occur during wafer manufacturing are the cause of extrinsic reliability failures. A major challenge of building-in product reliability is finding and eliminating the causes of defects as efficiently as possible. One approach to this problem is to use automatic patterned wafer inspection equipment to locate wafers in-process that have non-random patterns of defective die. Information leading to the identification of assignable causes of defects or contamination can be obtained by analyzing such wafers. A method for estimating the number of non-random defective die per wafer is described. The method is based on the failure of Poisson statistics to provide an accurate estimate of the observed visual yield if defects fall in systematic or clustered arrangements. An example is given in which this approach resulted in processing improvements that produced a two-fold reduction in product defect density during a ten week period.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Qualitative Approach to Upward Evaluation of Leadership Performance: Pros and Cons

This article describes a qualitative upward evaluation of the leadership performance of library managers. Follow-up studies were conducted, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of the qualitative approach to upward appraisal. The authors discuss pros and cons to guide others who might use this methodology for upward appraisals in the future.
Electrodeposited 3D Tungsten Photonic Crystals with Enhanced Thermal Stability

Tungsten inverse opal photonic crystals were fabricated using a template directed electrodeposition method. The electrodeposition was accomplished using a molten salt solution at elevated temperatures. Following template removal, the tungsten inverse opals were conformally coated with hafnia or alumina via atomic layer deposition. This surface passivation layer increased the thermal stability of the tungsten microarchitectures by limiting surface diffusion. Alumina protected tungsten inverse opals were thermally stable up to 1000 °C for at least 12 h in forming gas (5% H2 in Ar). Hafnia protected inverse opals were thermally stable up to 1400 °C for at least 12 h in forming gas. We expect that this surface passivation technique can also be implemented to increase the thermal stability of other refractory metal microarchitectures. The demonstrated thermal stability is an important property for the realization of metallic photonic crystals as narrow band emitters for thermophotovoltaics.
On the Validity of the Katz-Thompson Equation for Permeabilities in Concrete

Hydraulic permeabilities for concrete and for concrete incorporating slag or fly ash have been determined at w/c = 0.65 and 0.55 at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Hydraulic permeabilities were also calculated using the Katz-Thompson equation. In all cases, the calculated hydraulic permeabilities were two orders of magnitude lower than experimentally measured hydraulic permeabilities.
Temporal variation in pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures requiring surgical intervention

Pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures commonly require surgical intervention and hospital admission, which is costly and consumes significant health care resources. There are few data regarding temporal characteristics (month, day and hour of injury) of this particular pediatric fracture. We wished to investigate the month, day of the week, and time of occurrence of these fractures to guide appropriate use of health care resources and prevention strategies. This study was a retrospective review of clinical records and radiographs of 353 children with operative supracondylar humerus fractures in a temperate climate region over 6 years. Date and time of injury and demographic data (gender, age, laterality) were extracted. Variation in month, weekday, and time of injury was analyzed using circular analysis, cosinor analysis, probability distributions and topographical distribution. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of fractures during the summer with a peak in early July. When analyzing by month and day of the week, a peak was seen Thursday-Saturday during May–July and middle of the week September–October. Weekdays demonstrated a higher proportion of fractures occurring in the morning and at school. The injuries occurred in the am in 37 and the pm in 241; detailed data were known in 227 with 37 between 0000 and 1159, 51 between 1200 and 1559, and 139 between 1600 and 2359 h. The peak time of injury was 1800 h. The increase in supracondylar humerus fractures in the spring through autumn in temperate regions indicates that education campaigns reinforcing fall prevention and landing surfaces should be done in the early spring. The hourly data support the need for dedicated early morning operating rooms to care for these fractures. Prevalence study, retrospective cohort, Level II .
Blood pressure effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and epinephrine in anaphylactic shock.

To compare the effects of a single dose of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), epinephrine, and control (normal saline) on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and survival over a one-hour observation period, we carried out a randomized, blinded study using a rabbit model of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine resulted in an increased MAP over normal saline and TRH at one minute after treatment ( P P P
Quality Indicators for Family Support Services and Their Relationship to Organizational Social Context

Quality measurement is an important component of healthcare reform. The relationship of quality indicators (QIs) for parent-delivered family support services to organizational social contexts known to improve quality is unexamined. This study employs data collected from 21 child mental health programs that deliver team-based family support services. Performance on two levels of QIs—those targeting the program and staff—were significantly associated with organizational social context profiles and dimensions. High quality program policies are associated with positive organizational cultures and engaging climates. Inappropriate staff practices are associated with resistant cultures. Implications for organizational strategies to improve service quality are discussed.
Ultratrace uranium fingerprinting with isotope selective laser ionization spectrometry.

Uranium isotope ratios can provide source information for tracking uranium contamination in a variety of fields, ranging from occupational bioassay to monitoring aftereffects of nuclear accidents. We describe the development of Isotope Selective Laser Ionization Spectrometry (ISLIS) for ultratrace measurement of the minor isotopes 234U, 235U, and 236U with respect to 238U. Optical isotopic selectivity in three-step excitation with single-mode continuous wave lasers is capable of measuring the minor isotopes at relative abundances below 1 ppm, and is not limited by isobaric interferences such as 235UH+ during measurement of 236U. This relative abundance limit approaches the threshold for measurement of uranium minor isotopes with conventional mass spectrometry, typically 10-7, but without mass spectrometric analysis of the laser-created ions. Uranyl nitrate standards from an international blind comparison were used to test analytical performance for different isotopic compositions and with quantities ranging from 11 ng to 10 µg total uranium. Isotopic ratio determination was demonstrated over a linear dynamic range of 7 orders of magnitude with a few percent relative precision and detection limits below 500 fg for the minor isotopes.
Can One Portfolio Measure the Six ACGME General Competencies

Objective: To determine that portfolios, useable by any program, can provide needed evidence of resident performance within the ACGME general competencies. Methods: Eighteen residents constructed portfolios with selected entries from thirteen psychiatric skills. Two raters assessed whether entries reflected resident performance within the general competencies. They indicated no (0), some (1), or definite evidence (2) for each competency. Median scores were reported by competency and psychiatric skill. Results: Eighty entries were rated: 100% of the psychiatric skills reflected some evidence for medical knowledge; 92% provided some evidence for patient care, communication and interpersonal skills, and professionalism; 77% provided some evidence for systems-based practice, and 31% provided some evidence for practice-based learning. Ten of the 13 skills reflected evidence for at least five of the competencies. Conclusions: Any combination of five entries reflects all competencies with the exception of practice-based learning. This deficit can be corrected with revision of portfolio guidelines.