cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Positive drug screen for benzodiazepine due to a chinese herbal product.

Abstract A female athlete tested positive for benzodiazepine on a random drug screen. She denied taking any illicit or prescription drugs. The positive screen was found to be caused by undeclared addiction of diazepam to a Chinese herbal product, “Miracle Herb.” Some foreign vitamins, health care products, or herbal tea may contain banned or dangerous additives unknown to the consumer. These additives may include ingredients such as benzodiazepine, mefenamic acid, or corticosteroids. Possible physical harm may result when using products containing these undeclared additives. Team physicians and athletic trainers should educate athletes about the purchase and use of vitamins, herbal teas, and substances that are perceived to be performance-enhancing products, especially those manufactured outside the United States.
New Method for Measuring the Anchoring Energy of Strongly-Bound Membrane-Associated Proteins

We describe a new method to measure the activation energy required to remove a strongly-bound membrane-associated protein from a lipid membrane (anchoring energy). It is based on measuring the rate of release of a liposome-bound protein during centrifugation on a sucrose gradient as a function of time and temperature. The method was used to determine anchoring energy for the soluble dengue virus envelope protein (sE) strongly bound to 80:20 POPC:POPG liposomes at pH 5.5. The binding energy of sE was also measured at the same pH for the initial, predominantly reversible, phase of binding to a 70:30 PC:PG lipid bilayer. The anchoring energy (37 +/- 1.7 kcal/mol, 20% PG) was found to be much larger than the binding energy (7.8 +/- 0.3 kcal/mol for 30% PG, or est. 7.0 kcal/mol for 20% PG). This is consistent with data showing that free sE is a monomer at pH 5.5, but assembles into trimers after associating with membranes. However, trimerization alone is insufficient to account for the observed difference in energies, and we conclude that some energy dissipation occurs during the release process. This new method to determine anchoring energy should be useful to understand the complex interactions of integral monotopic proteins and strongly-bound peripheral membrane proteins with lipid membranes.
Effect of land cover change on snow free surface albedo across the continental United States

Abstract Land cover changes (e.g., forest to grassland) affect albedo, and changes in albedo can influence radiative forcing (warming, cooling). We empirically tested albedo response to land cover change for 130 locations across the continental United States using high resolution (30 m-×-30 m) land cover change data and moderate resolution (~ 500 m-×-500 m) albedo data. The land cover change data spanned 10 years (2001 − 2011) and the albedo data included observations every eight days for 13 years (2001 − 2013). Empirical testing was based on autoregressive time series analysis of snow free albedo for verified locations of land cover change. Approximately one-third of the autoregressive analyses for woody to herbaceous or forest to shrub change classes were not significant, indicating that albedo did not change significantly as a result of land cover change at these locations. In addition, ~ 80% of mean differences in albedo arising from land cover change were less than ± 0.02, a nominal benchmark for precision of albedo measurements that is related to significant changes in radiative forcing. Under snow free conditions, we found that land cover change does not guarantee a significant albedo response, and that the differences in mean albedo response for the majority of land cover change locations were small.
Feasibility Study of the Use of Ground-Coupled Condensers in Industrial Thermal Management

A closed loop cooling system that uses the earth as a heat sink to dissipate heat for the energy system’s thermal management is described. The proposed cooling approach employs a concentric tube heat exchanger situated above ground to transfer heat from the system (e.g., power plant condenser) to a separate cooling water loop buried at a specified depth below ground. A parametric study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the thermal management potential of ground-coupled systems in industrial applications. It revealed that such a condenser design is generally capable of dissipating less than 1.5 MW of heat. A mathematical model is developed to size the required piping for different systems.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH RISK DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES POPULATION: RESULTS FROM THE NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY (NHANES), 2005-2012

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) accounts for more than half of all deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is the first manifestation of heart disease in 50% of these individuals. We sought to determine the distribution of SCD risk in the general US population. Methods: We recently
Nobel Laureate A. V. Hill and the refugee scholars, 1933-1945.

A. V. Hill shared the 1922 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his investigation of the energetics of muscular contraction. His scientific work has been well chronicled over many years (Rall ...
Optimal Coordination of Water Distribution Energy Flexibility With Power Systems Operation

This paper proposes a model for optimizing the energy flexibility of water distribution systems (WDSs) in day-ahead power systems operation. The water distribution system operators (W-DSOs) are considered as energy-conscious entities, who run the proposed WDS operation model to optimize the operation of pumps and tanks for minimizing the operation cost of local WDSs, given the expected water demand and electricity prices of the next day. A WDS energy flexibility model is proposed that is used by W-DSOs in order to calculate and offer the feasible flexible energy capacity to the power system operator. The proposed WDS operation model takes into account the hydraulic operating constraints of water networks, thus ensuring deliverability of the WDS energy flexibility. Further, a network-constrained unit commitment model is proposed that integrates and optimizes the energy flexibility of WDSs in the day-ahead operation of power systems. The proposed model is implemented on a 15-node WDS that is powered by a 6-bus power system and the results are presented to study the impacts of optimized WDS energy flexibility on power and water systems operation.
Talking Race and Narrative with Undergraduate Students in the USA

This chapter starts from the observation that students often have difficult talking critically about race and narrative—particularly fictional narratives—because they seem so familiar and, therefore, have become naturalized. Students often take race and narrative as givens, rather than multifaceted constructions and ongoing processes arising from long, complex histories. I reflect on my experiences using two short stories to teach narrative theory and racialization to undergraduate students: Toni Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’ (The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Boston: Wadsworth, 1983) and Ted Chiang’s science fiction ‘Story of Your Life’ (2002). While students are more willing to believe that race is a central structuring element in Morrison’s famous story featuring protagonists of unspecific race, they are more ambivalent about Chiang’s story because it does not overtly deal with race and/or ethnicity as we generally understand it. But through discussions of narratological concepts, such as focalization, order and anachrony, Chiang’s ‘Story’ can become a way to talk about the logics and processes of racial formation, as theorized by Michael Omi, Howard Winant and others. In other words, ‘Story of Your Life’ defamiliarizes some key elements of narrative and racialization in ways that can enable students—sometimes—to recognize how they are inextricably intertwined.
Konstruktion eines wirksamen DNA-bindenden Proteins

Im folgenden soll anhand von Beispielen deutlich gemacht werden, von welchen Faktoren es abhangt, wie effizient sich ein DNA-bindendes Protein in der Zelle an seinen Operator heftet. Der Einfachheit halber soll das Protein ein Repressor sein; die Argumente lassen sich aber verallgemeinern. Fur eine genauere und ausfuhrlichere Diskussion sei auf die Literaturangaben am Ende des Anhangs verwiesen.
Implementation: Circa 2005 Through 2010

From 1998 until about 2005, SB 1953 implementation proceeded slowly as issues arose almost continually, largely because such a large number of hospitals classified as being in need of retrofit or replacement stretched a limited staff, much time was consumed in honing detailed technical requirements for program compliance as questions arose from structural engineers, and as hospitals continued to find themselves in dire financial straits. By the middle of the first decade of the new century, it was clear that major adaptations would have to be made to some aspects of the program to avoid the prospect of massive noncompliance and overwhelming cost burdens during difficult economic circumstances. When neither the legislative nor executive branches could devise program reforms, OSHPD itself adopted a major programmatic adjustment that would help ensure compliance, at least over the longer term.
Inhalation of iron-abundant gas metal arc welding-mild steel fume promotes lung tumors in mice.

Abstract Welding fumes were reclassified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2017. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is a process widely used in industry. Fume generated from GMAW-mild steel (MS) is abundant in iron with some manganese, while GMAW-stainless steel (SS) fume also contains significant amounts of chromium and nickel, known carcinogenic metals. It has been shown that exposure to GMAW-SS fume in A/J mice promotes lung tumors. The objective was to determine if GMAW-MS fume, which lacks known carcinogenic metals, also promotes lung tumors in mice. Male A/J mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of corn oil or the initiator 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA; 10 μg/g) and, one week later, were exposed by whole-body inhalation to GMAW-MS aerosols for 4 hours/day x 4 days/week x 8 weeks at a mean concentration of 34.5 mg/m3. Lung nodules were enumerated by gross examination at 30 weeks post-initiation. GMAW-MS fume significantly increased lung tumor multiplicity in mice initiated with MCA (21.86 ± 1.50) compared to MCA/air-exposed mice (8.34 ± 0.59). Histopathological analysis confirmed these findings and also revealed an absence of inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis also indicated a lack of lung inflammation and toxicity after short-term inhalation exposure to GMAW-MS fume. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that inhalation of GMAW-MS fume promotes lung tumors in vivo and aligns with epidemiologic evidence that shows MS welders, despite less exposure to carcinogenic metals, are at an increased risk for lung cancer.
Designing Proteus: Engineering form and function for microrobotics

Abstract Self-powered, active nano- and microrobotic systems are of great interest from both fundamental as well as practical standpoints, with potential applications in nanomachinery, nanoscale assembly, fluidics, drug delivery, and chemical/biochemical sensing. Many of the physical challenges associated with generating motility at the small scale have recently been overcome, resulting in a first generation of robots on scales ranging from microns to nanometers. This chapter focuses on the design principles, fabrication procedures, propulsion and steering mechanisms, and interrobotic communication strategies. We review the major advances to date and conclude by discussing the next steps in going forward: the fundamental questions that remain to be addressed and new design principles required for useful applications.
Scrooge and significant moral change

Virtue theorists commonly assert that significant moral change, such as the cultivation of a virtue or the elimination of a vice, can only occur over a prolonged period of time. Many scholars who m...
The Expression of Transcription Factors Mecp2 and CREB Is Modulated in Inflammatory Pelvic Pain

Early activation of transcription factors is one of the epigenetic mechanisms contributing to the induction and maintenance of chronic pain states. Previous studies identified the changes in a number of nociception-related genes, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in the pelvic organs after transient colonic inflammation. The gene and protein expression of these neuropeptides could be modulated by transcription factors Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (Mecp2) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). In this study, we aimed to evaluate time-dependent changes in the expression levels of Mecp2 and CREB in the lumbosacral (LS) spinal cord and sensory ganglia after inflammation-induced pelvic pain in rat. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) to induce transient colonic inflammation. LS (L6-S2) spinal cord segments and respective dorsal root ganglias (DRGs) were isolated from control and experimental animals at 1, 2, 6, 24 h and 3 days post-TNBS treatment. Immunohistochemical (IHC) labeling and Western blotting experiments were performed to assess the expression of Mecp2, CREB and their phosphorylated forms. Total Mecp2 expression, but not phosphorylated p-Mecp2 (pS421Mecp2) expression was detected in the cells of the spinal dorsal horn under control conditions. Colonic inflammation triggered a significant decrease in the number of Mecp2-expressing neurons in parallel with elevated numbers of pS421Mecp2-expressing cells at 2 h and 6 h post-TNBS. The majority of Mecp2-positive cells (80 ± 6%) co-expressed CREB. TNBS treatment caused a transient up-regulation of CREB-expressing cells at 1 h post-TNBS only. The number of cells expressing phosphorylated CREB (pS133CREB) did not change at 1 h and 2 h post-TNBS, but was down-regulated by three folds at 6 h post-TNBS. Analysis of DRG sections revealed that the number of Mecp2-positive neurons was up-regulated by TNBS treatment, reaching three-fold increase at 2 h post-TNBS, and eight-fold increase at 6 h post-TNBS (p ≤ 0.05 to control). These data showed early changes in Mecp2 and CREB expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and sensory ganglia after colonic inflammation, suggesting a possible contribution Mecp2 and CREB signaling in the development of visceral hyperalgesia and pelvic pain following peripheral inflammation.
Husbandry of Dairy Animals | Predator Control in Goats and Sheep

Since the domestication of sheep and goats 10,000–12,000 years ago, predation has been a problem. For a species of predator to be a problem, it must either become too abundant or be unacceptable for man to share livestock with predators. Although most species of domestic livestock are subject to predation, the problem has the greatest impact on sheep and goat producers. There is evidence that predation or the threat of predation has a major effect on numbers of sheep and goats both within and between countries. Some countries with large sheep numbers, such as Australia and New Zealand, were initially free of most natural predators. This continues to be the case in New Zealand, while predators introduced to Australia include dingo, foxes and feral swine. Because the sheep industry is of great importance in Australia, control efforts have received both government and public support. In many other countries (e.g., United States and Scandinavia), there are ever-increasing restrictions on the methods and level of control. Predation is becoming an increasingly important problem for sheep and goat producers in many areas due to both restrictions on control and maintenance of flocks under extensive conditions with fewer people involved in their care.
Quantum dynamics in strongly driven random dipolar magnets

The random dipolar magnet LiHo_xY_(1−x)F₄ enters a strongly frustrated regime for small Ho³⁺ concentrations with x < 0.05. In this regime, the magnetic moments of the Ho³⁺ ions experience small quantum corrections to the common Ising approximation of LiHo_xY_(1−x)F₄, which lead to a Z₂-symmetry breaking and small, degeneracy breaking energy shifts between different eigenstates. Here we show that destructive interference between two almost degenerate excitation pathways burns spectral holes in the magnetic susceptibility of strongly driven magnetic moments in LiHo_xY_(1−x)F₄. Such spectral holes in the susceptibility, microscopically described in terms of Fano resonances, can already occur in setups of only two or three frustrated moments, for which the driven level scheme has the paradigmatic Λ shape. For larger clusters of magnetic moments, the corresponding level schemes separate into almost isolated many-body Λ schemes, in the sense that either the transition matrix elements between them are negligibly small or the energy difference of the transitions is strongly off-resonant to the drive. This enables the observation of Fano resonances, caused by many-body quantum corrections to the common Ising approximation also in the thermodynamic limit. We discuss its dependence on the driving strength and frequency as well as the crucial role that is played by lattice dissipation.
Strategy and response to Streptococcus pneumoniae disease in USA

传染性疾病与感染性疾病从意义上很难区分,实质上传染病是感染性疾病的一种特殊类型,一些平时无明确传染源的条件致病菌和引起免疫低下人群感染的疾病都属于感染性疾病的范畴,并且有一些疾病给人群造成很严重的威胁.传染病的监测是所有国家疾病监测的重点,由于肺炎链球菌可以造成脑膜炎、骨髓炎以及菌血症性肺炎等侵袭性肺炎链球菌疾病(IPD),美国则在传染病监测的基础上,对肺炎链球菌疾病也开展了主动监测,目的是对分离的肺炎链球菌菌株进行耐药性监测,并评估肺炎链球菌疫苗在婴儿及老年人中应用后对疾病负担及耐药性的影响. 关键词：链球菌,肺炎;侵袭性疾病;疫苗
Segmentation and Pore Structure Estimation in SEM Images of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Using Genetic Algorithm

A python computer package is developed to segment and analyze scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The method requires only a portion of an SEM image to be labeled and used for training. The algorithm is then able to detect the pore characteristics for other SEM images acquired at different ambient conditions from different scaffolds with the same material as the labeled image. The quality of SEM images is first enhanced using histogram equalization. Then, a global thresholding method is used to perform the image analysis. The thresholding values for the SEM images are obtained using genetic algorithm (GA). The image analysis results include pore distributions of pore size, pore elongation and pore orientation. The results agree satisfactorily with the experimental data for the chitosan-alginate porous scaffolds considered. Applications of the method developed for image segmentation is not limited to scaffold pore structure analysis. The method can also be used for any SEM image containing multiple objects such as different types of cells and subcellular components.
Embedded Codes for Reassembling Non-Overlapping Random DNA Fragments

We consider the problem of recovering the stored data from randomly broken Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) fragments. More precisely, we assume a channel that breaks the DNA into a random number of non-overlapping fragments where the length of each fragment comes from a memoryless Geometric process. We devise an embedded code structure that enables reassembly of the DNA and analyze its error probability. We observe that the error decreases with DNA length for various breaking probabilities of the Geometric process. Our code is built upon Varshamov-Tenengolts (VT) codes, and enables a much more efficient recovery strategy compared to brute-force search among all permutations of the DNA fragments.
The production of O3 in an urban plume: Airborne sampling of the Atlanta urban plume

Abstract As part of the Southern Oxidant Study, The Tennessee Valley Authority's instrumented helicopter made a series of air sampling flights over the city of Atlanta. The flights were made during the summer of 1992 to investigate the evolution of the urban O3 plume. Air samples were taken during morning and afternoon hours; the morning data were used to estimate background O3 and the afternoon data were used to estimate O3 production efficiency, i.e. the number of O3 molecules produced per molecule of NOy emitted. Detailed data on O3 production were available for five afternoon flights. Within the radius sampled, three zones were identified: the source zone where afternoon levels were comparable with the morning levels, the production zone where 03 increased rapidly within a short distance, and the dilution zone where both O3 and its precursors were diluted, at the same rate. O3 peak levels, or the transition from net production to dilution occurred at 20–40 km from the city center. O3 production efficiency for the five afternoon flights was between 4 and 10, in good agreement with previous surface measurements.
The murine male antigen. I. Sensitive detection by the PEC transfer system.

Abstract The peritoneal exudate cell (PEC) transfer system was investigated as a means of studying the murine male antigen (H-Y). The initial studies reported here established: (1) The sensitive detection by the PEC technique of male incompatibility; (2) the time interval and dose range which produces significant immunity to H-Y within the PEC system; (3) the specificity of the induction of immunity to H-Y; and (4) the specificity of the expression of anti-H-Y immunity. It is concluded that the PEC system provides a sensitive nonsubjective approach to the study of histo-compatibility barriers.
Fuzzy neural networks with certainty factors

The integration of certainty factors (CFs) into the neural computing framework has resulted in a special artificial neural network known as the CFNet. This paper presents the fuz-CFNet which is devoted to classification domains where instances are described by continuous attributes. A new mathematical analysis on learning behavior, specifically linear versus nonlinear learning, is provided that can serve to explain how the fuz-CFNet discovers patterns and estimates output probabilities. Its advantages in performance and speed are demonstrated in the empirical studies.
Semantic Data Modeling Using XML Schemas

Most research on XML has so far largely neglected the data modeling aspects of XML schemas.In this paper, we attempt to make a systematic approach to data modeling capabilities of XML schemas. We first formalize a core set of features among a dozen competing XML schema language proposals and introduce a new notion of XGrammar. The benefits of such formal description is that it is both concise and precise.W e then compare the features of XGrammar with those of the Entity-Relationship (ER) model. We especially focus on three data modeling capabilities of XGrammar: (a) the ability to represent ordered binary relationships, (b) the ability to represent a set of semantically equivalent but structurally different types as "one" type using the closure properties, and (c) the ability to represent recursive relationships.
Photochemical oxidants at Niwot Ridge, Colorado

Data collected over a one year period at Niwot Ridge, a rural site located in the Colorado mountains, are presented. The concentrations of NO, NO2 and O3 have been measured as well as solar UV intensity and supporting meteorological parameters. The ratio of the concentration of NO to the concentration of NO2 reflects the photolysis of NO2 balanced by the conversion of NO to NO2 by O3 and other oxidants. The level of the oxidants, OX, in addition to ozone required to explain this balance is found to be directly proportional to solar UV intensity and to depend on N0x (NO + NO2) concentration and on season. The maximum OX levels occur for NOx concentrations of about 400 pptv and decrease at higher and lower concentrations. For NOX concentrations below 100 pptv no substantial OX concentration is observed. In the winter the level of OX is about a factor of 4 smaller than the summer levels at each NOx concentration and solar UV intensity. The effect of the oxidants on ozone production at the site allows inferences concerning the identity of OX to be drawn.
Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists

Preface Part I: Introduction and Background Chapter 1: A Code of Ethics for Psychology: How Did We Get Here? Chapter 2: The Introduction, Preamble, General Principles: What Do They Mean? Chapter 3: Changes from the 1992 Ethics Code: What You May Need to Know Right Now Part II: Enforceable Standards Chapter 4: Ethical Standards for Resolving Ethical Issues Chapter 5: Ethical Standards on Competence Chapter 6: Standards on Human Relations Chapter 7: Ethical Standards on Privacy and Confidentiality Chapter 8: Ethical Standards on Advertising for Didactic or Other Purposes Chapter 9: Ethical Standards on Record Keeping and Fees Chapter 10: Ethical Standards on Education and Training Chapter 11: Ethical Standards on Research and Publication Chapter 12: Ethical Standards on Assessment Chapter 13: Ethical Standards on Therapy Part III: Ethics in Action Chapter 14: The APA Ethics Code and Ethical Decision Making Appendix: Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA, 2002) References Index
N,N‐Dimethylpropionamide Dimethyl Acetal

1 [19429-86-8] C7H17NO2 (MW 147.25) InChI = 1S/C7H17NO2/c1-6-7(9-4,10-5)8(2)3/h6H2,1-5H3 InChIKey = LPNPCLQUEFACPP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2 [816-05-7] C6H13NO (MW 115.20) InChI = 1S/C6H13NO/c1-5-6(8-4)7(2)3/h5H,1-4H3 InChIKey = IOAMMSFSSMKFBS-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagents for stereoselective Eschenmoser–Claisen rearrangements2 to give γ,δ-unsaturated amides, or, via subsequent protodesilation, to give β,γ-unsaturated amides) Physical Data: 1 and 2 mixture: bp 117–120 °C. 2: bp 117–118 °C. Solubility: sol benzene and xylene. Preparative Methods: a mixture of 1 and 2 is prepared by O-methylation of N,N-dimethylpropionamide with Dimethyl Sulfate, followed by reaction with Sodium Methoxide in methanol.3 Fractional distillation affords a mixture of 1 and 2. Treatment with calcium metal and distillation gives the N,O-ketene acetal 2 (57%). Either a mixture of 1 and 2 or pure 2 may be used in sigmatropic rearrangements. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the reagents are potentially toxic and flammable. They should be handled in a fume hood.
A PH Domain with Dual Phospholipid Binding Sites Regulates the ARF GAP, ASAP1.

In this issue of Structure , Jian et al. (2015) report the crystal structures of the apo- and dibutyryl-PI(4,5)P 2 bound forms of the PH domain from the ARF GAP, ASAP1. This PH domain has two anionic phospholipid binding sites proposed to work in concert to regulate ASAP1 GAP activity.
Pathways of Glucose Utilization in Epididymal and Testicular Sperm Cells

Summary Pathways of glucose utilization in epididymal and testicular sperm cells were investigated, using C 14 -labeled glucose as a tracer. An equal contribution to CO 2 from the two substrates in epididymal spermatozoa, and a preferential recovery of CO 2 from glucose-1-C 14 , as compared with glucose-6-C 14 in testicular sperm cells, were observed. Results suggest that in epididymal spermatozoa the basic mechanism of glucose utilization is that of the Embden-Meyerhof scheme; whereas, in the testicular sperm cells, glucose may be metabolized via alternative pathways.
We have rights too: examining the existence of professional prejudice and discrimination against public relations ☆

Abstract This study of a large sample of public relations educators ( n = 342) found substantial evidence that professional prejudice and discrimination towards public relations and public relations education exists. More than half (56.6%) of the respondents said they have had a dean, director or department chair who was prejudiced against public relations, and many of these administrators evidently have made use of exaggerations and stereotypes about public relations while criticizing it. Results also suggest this prejudice is more pronounced among print journalists and journalism faculty than it is among other groups of communication educators and practitioners.
Call for Papers—Special Issue: Advocacy and Public Relations

Deadline: December 31, 2009 The Journal of Public Child Welfare invites articles that address strategies to improve the lives of at-risk children, youth, and their families through advocacy and/or ...
Embolisation of high flow extracranial/peripheral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (ONYX ® ) in children—Birmingham Children’s Hospital experience

ONYX® is a non-adhesive liquid embolic agent, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer dissolved in various concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide. Onyx has been used for endovascular treatment of cerebral vascular malformation. In our series, we present our experience in seven paediatric patients with peripheral high-flow arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated with Onyx. Seven patients were treated in our institution from 2005 to 2010 for their AV malformation with Onyx embolisation. Their case notes were reviewed and data on site, stage, number of embolisations, pre and post-procedure stage of AVMs and complications noted. AVMs involving profunda femoris, posterior tibial arteries, facial and maxillary arteries were embolised with Onyx. Three patients received multiple embolisation procedures. All AVMs were downgraded from Schobinger III to Schobinger I after embolisation. Two patients underwent surgical removal of AVM post-embolisation. One patient experienced post-procedure pain, skin ulceration and necrosis, which was managed conservatively. One patient had stiffness and discomfort over ankle joint. Onyx induced an inflammatory reaction in tissues in one patient. In our experience, Onyx embolisation of extracranial high-flow AVM in children has shown to downgrade the stage of AVMs which are otherwise very difficult condition to treat surgically. Appropriate use of Onyx decreases complications and achieves symptomatic improvement. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.
Anomalous Dispersion of ϐ-Carotene Solutions*

Refractive indices of liquids were determined by measuring reflectance at a glass-liquid interface, measuring transmittance of the liquids, and calculating their relative refractive indices from a Fresnel reflection equation of Simon. The refractive index of the glass was measured independently and used to calculate n values of the liquids relative to vacuum. The spectral region investigated, 400–589 mμ, includes four absorption bands of β-carotene. Dispersion curves of two solution-solvent pairs were measured. The differences, Δnsolute=nsolution−nsolvent=f(λ), were compared with the predictions of quantum dispersion equations of Davydov.
Educational tours of data processing centers

Abstract This article presents suggestions for making data processing center tours an educational experience. The article lists three objectives and six steps to follow in preparing for and carrying out the tours. The authors have used the six-step approach repeatedly with considerable success. By following the six steps, tours have been conducted with a minimum of confusion and have met the three objectives.
Measurements of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the urban ambient air

Abstract Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde were measured in urban ambient air by analyzing their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives with reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A series of nine short term field experiments were performed in eight cities. Concurrent formaldehyde measurements using the chromotropic-acid procedure show reasonable agreement (±30 %) between the two methods. Average summertime ambient urban formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations of 10–20 ppb (10−9v/v) are significantly higher than the average acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) concentrations of 1–2 ppb. There is evidence of much reduced formaldehyde levels in winter months. Exceptionally high, absolute (8.5 ppb av.) and relative ( HCHO CH 3 CHO ~ 2 ) acetaldehyde concentrations are measured in the South Coast Air Basin of California.
Centrally-mediated synaptic input: Effects on an identified crayfish mechanosensory interneuron

High-level mechanosensory interneurons integrate a substantial amount of polysynaptic input. We have used an identified interneuron, the crayfish (Procambarus clarki) caudal photoreceptor (CPR), to examine the extent and specificity of interneuronal input as received by a physiologically complex, smalldiameter sensory unit. Presynaptic central neurons were identified by antidromic stimulation of connective fibers and characterized physiologically relative to the bilateral responses observed in the paired CPR's. Eleven inhibitory interneurons have been identified, including cells with ipsilateral (Fig. 4), contralateral (Fig. 5) and bilateral effects (Fig. 6). Seven excitatory interneurons have been identified, including examples from each of the respective categories above (Figs. 7–9). The results of this survey are summarized in Table 1; axon locations are presented in Fig. 10. It has also been demonstrated that several of these fibers are themselves ascending mechanoreceptive interneurons (e.g., fiber 122, Fig. 1). Thus, for the encoding of environmental stimuli, these results indicate that central integration involves a lateral exchange of tactile information among a set of interrelated sensory interneurons. However, the possibility still exists that some of these fibers represent descending pathways for central influence of local (segmental) integrative processes.
Traumatic brain injury in the paediatric population

Abstract Paediatric trauma is the leading cause of death in children more than 1 year. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) makes up a significant contribution to overall mortality. This paper reviews current and historical evidence for the way these patients are managed. It reflects on the pathophysiological insult and the proposed physiological mechanisms by which the brain responds. Using an illustrative case, we look at the intensive care phase of management. It looks at the basic and advanced medical and surgical interventions commonly employed on paediatric intensive care. In particular it focuses on intracranial pressure monitoring and management as well as the choice of cerebral perfusion pressure targeting and its control. It also questions whether these modalities are the best way to monitor the patient with TBI with regards to outcome. Finally it looks at cerebrovascular pressure reactivity index as a potential advance in care as part of a multi-modal monitoring package.
The Lessons of History: Women's Studies in Communication Approaches 40

When Women's Studies in Communication (WSIC) was founded in 1977, the enterprise must have felt risky and daring as well as timely. The second wave of U.S. feminism was still in full swing, and the...
Qualitative Methods in Community Analysis

Qualitative and quantitative methodologies are optimally combined in efforts to analyze complex social entities such as the community. This is an area in which public health nurses can make a significant contribution. As well as emphasizing the cultural and ecologic dimensions, qualitative methodology highlights the community's own portrayal of health and illness. Specific qualitative techniques that are integral to the public health nurse's community practice include obsevation, informal interviews, case studies, mapping, and photography.
Foreign military intervention and women’s rights:

A large body of scholarly work has been devoted to the possible consequences of foreign military intervention for the target state. This literature, however, tends to be state-centric and mostly neglects the insight from gender-specific theoretical and empirical perspectives. The purpose of this article is to examine the extent to which military intervention affects women’s rights. It is argued that unilateral interventions are prone to diminishing women’s status by encouraging the persistence or creation of repressive regimes and contributing to political disorder in the target state. If the use of armed forces ever helps or causes no damage to women’s well-being, it will likely be during interventions led by intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). This is because IGO interventions are unlikely to protect or support an authoritarian, patriarchal political system. Furthermore, such multilateral missions will increase international awareness of women’s status along with other human rights issues in the tar...
Ultrasonic instrument for measuring bolt stress

Abstract An ultrasonic instrument for the accurate measurement of bolt stress is described. The instrument, which is based on the pseudo-continuous-wave technique, uses carrier phase detection to track the frequency of the mechanical resonance of the bolt. The basic operation of the instrument and the experimental results obtained are discussed.
Residual alterations of brain electrical activity in clinically asymptomatic concussed individuals: An EEG study

Abstract Objective To examine the neural substrates underlying performance on Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and HeadRehab Virtual Reality (VR) balance and spatial modules in a concussed and control group. Methods Thirteen controls and seven concussed participants were fitted with a Geodesic 128-channel EEG cap and completed three assessments: EEG baseline, ImPACT testing, and VR balance and spatial modules. Concussed participants completed were tested within 8 (5 ± 1) days after injury. Results EEG power was significantly ( p p p p Conclusions Concussed participants passed all clinical concussion testing tools, but showed pathophysiological dysfunction when evaluating EEG variables. Significance Concussed participants are able to compensate and achieve normal functioning due to recruiting additional brain networks. This allows concussed participants to pass clinical tests while still displaying electrophysiological deficits and clinicians must consider this information when making return-to-play decisions.
Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement

Abstract Each year in the United States more than 4000 newborns are diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease involving right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Despite advances in surgical techniques with right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduits, progressive conduit failure often occurs within 4–12years. Consequently, the majority of these patients, prior to becoming adults, require 2–4 operations for the right ventricle outflow tract to reverse the adverse ventricular effects of a volume or pressure load. Fortunately, over the past decade, percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement has emerged as a nonsurgical intervention for right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit failure. Currently, there are two percutaneous pulmonary valves available in the United States with the Edwards SAPIEN™ valve actively enrolling in a Phase II FDA approved clinical trial, and the Medtronic Melody® valve now FDA approved through a Humanitarian Device Exception pathway. In this article, we review indications, technique and outcomes for percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement and compare and contrast the available percutaneous stent valves.
Thermal bowing of fuel rods during transients

Abstract A fuel rod bows in a temperature gradient because of the differential thermal expansion. This effect has long been realized to be of importance for various reasons, as indicated by numerous references cited. In the present report, an analytical solution is presented for the case in which the temperature gradient varies with time, and also in the direction of the rod axis. Comparison with experimental data from power excursions on a low-enrichment UO2 core at SPERT-I are presented. The comparison supports the view that the shape of the stainless-steel-clad fuel rods, which were filled with powdered UO2, is determined by the cladding and that the UO2 only contributes inertia to the transient bowing. The agreement between computation and experiment is quite good, as far as the general features of the time dependence and the maximum deflexion is concerned. The theoretical curve shows a somewhat stronger oscillatory character than the experimental one.
A subprime lending market primer

Opening a copy of TheMathematical Intelligencer you may ask yourself uneasily, “What is this anyway—a mathematical journal, or what?” Or you may ask, “Where am I?” Or even “Who am I?” This sense of disorientation is at its most acute when you open to Colin Adams’s column. Relax. Breathe regularly. It’s mathematical, it’s a humor column, and it may even be harmless.
Knottins: disulfide-bonded therapeutic and diagnostic peptides

Knottins have emerged as an important class of molecules for the development of peptide-based drugs due to the exceptional thermal and proteolytic stability conferred by their cystine-knot core. Several naturally occurring knottins have already entered the clinic for therapeutic applications, and knottins with novel molecular recognition properties and biological activities have been engineered using rational and combinatorial methods. Recently, knottins have also shown exciting promise as non-invasive molecular imaging agents for use in diagnostic applications.
Characterization of the Interaction of Phorbol Esters with the C1 Domain of MRCK (Myotonic Dystrophy Kinase-related Cdc42 Binding Kinase) α/β

C1 domains mediate the recognition and subsequent signaling response to diacylglycerol and phorbol esters by protein kinase C (PKC) and by several other families of signal-transducing proteins such as the chimerins or RasGRP. MRCK (myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42 binding kinase), a member of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase family that functions downstream of Cdc42, contains a C1 domain with substantial homology to that of the diacylglycerol/phorbol ester-responsive C1 domains and has been reported to bind phorbol ester. We have characterized here the interaction of the C1 domains of the two MRCK isoforms α and β with phorbol ester. The MRCK C1 domains bind [20-3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate with Kd values of 10 and 17 nm, respectively, reflecting 60–90-fold weaker affinity compared with the protein kinase C δ C1b domain. In contrast to binding by the C1b domain of PKCδ, the binding by the C1 domains of MRCK α and β was fully dependent on the presence of phosphatidylserine. Comparison of ligand binding selectivity showed resemblance to that by the C1b domain of PKCα and marked contrast to that of the C1b domain of PKCδ. In intact cells, as in the binding assays, the MRCK C1 domains required 50–100-fold higher concentrations of phorbol ester for induction of membrane translocation. We conclude that additional structural elements within the MRCK structure are necessary if the C1 domains of MRCK are to respond to phorbol ester at concentrations comparable with those that modulate PKC.
Observations of HONO by laser-induced fluorescence at the South Pole during ANTCI 2003

[1] Observations of nitrous acid (HONO) by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) at the South Pole taken during the Antarctic Troposphere Chemistry Investigation (ANTCI), which took place over the time period of Nov. 15, 2003 to Jan. 4, 2004, are presented here. The median observed mixing ratio of HONO 10 m above the snow was 5.8 pptv (mean value 6.3 pptv) with a maximum of 18.2 pptv on Nov 30th, Dec 1st, 3rd, 15th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, 27th and 28th. The measurement uncertainty is ±35%. The LIF HONO observations are compared to concurrent HONO observations performed by mist chamber/ion chromatography (MC/IC). The HONO levels reported by MC/IC are about 7.2 ± 2.3 times higher than those reported by LIF.
An assessment of ‘political congeniality’ factor in international business transactions

In this paper the concept of ‘political congeniality’ is concenved broader in scope than the conventional ‘political risk’ factor in international business. The impact of ‘political congeniality’ factor on overseas importers’ evaluations of the U.S. exporters' business practices was empirically evaluated. For this purpose, a comparison was made between the Spanish and Greek importers' perceptions, experiences and evaluations of the U.S. exporters' business practices. Research findings indicated some significant different between the two groups of importers, but the basic hypothesis of the study was supported only to a limited extent.
Scenario Designs: An Overview

Abstract : An important element of most models, simulations, or games is the 'scenario', which delineates the modeler's conception of whatever he is attempting to represent. The report focuses upon the designing of scenarios for the political/military, free-form games, but the underlying assumptions regarding the function of scenarios will be shown to apply to a wide range of modeling exercises. The report considers such issues as the model's frame of reference, bounding the model, the role of theory, and data considerations. The credibility of the model and its sensitivity testing are also addressed.
Intestinal uptake, metabolism, and transport of naphthol: In vitro capacity, requirements, and inhibition

Abstract The metabolism and transport of [ 14 C]-naphthol were investigated in sacs of rat small intestine to better understand metabolism of the pesticide carbaryl (which contains naphthol) in the intestine. The capacity to synthesize polar 14 C-labeled metabolites was approximately saturated at 50 μ M naphthol. The metabolic capacity of the cranial small intestine was about two times the capacity of the caudal. Anaerobic incubation severely suppressed naphthol metabolism. Sodiumfree medium suppressed metabolism only slightly but altered transport of water and of the polar 14 C-labeled metabolites to serosal and mucosal fluids; the effect on metabolite transport cannot be explained by the effects of sodium on water movements, however. Calcium-free medium did not affect metabolism or metabolite transport; 2,4-dinitrophenol, and possibly phlorizin, but not ouabain, suppressed naphthol metabolism in specific regions of the intestine. Each of the three inhibitors altered metabolite transport. It is concluded that the capacity to conjugate naphthol in the small intestine is greater in the cranial than caudal regions; the quantity of naphthol taken up from the medium is proportional to the rate of formation of the polar metabolite, naphthyl glucuronide; addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol, phlorizin, or ouabain, or deletion of sodium, perturbed the transport of the polar metabolite, but the perturbance could not be explained by the effect on rate or direction of fluid transfer and indicated an effect on cellular permeability or on transport mechanisms; the effect of the three inhibitors and possibly of elevated naphthol concentrations (to 520 μ M ) in the medium on metabolite transport may be by a sodium interaction; the latter suggests that naphthol may be toxic to the intestine at concentrations approaching 100 to 1000 μ M .
Hochberg's Step-Up Method: Cutting Corners Off Holm's Step-Down Method

Holm's method and Hochberg's method for multiple testing can be viewed as step-down and step-up versions of the Bonferroni test. We show that both are special cases of partition testing. The difference is that, while Holm's method tests each partition hypothesis using the largest order statistic, setting a critical value based on the Bonferroni inequality, Hochberg's method tests each partition hypothesis using all the order statistics, setting a series of critical values based on Simes' inequality. Geometrically, Hochberg's step-up method ‘cuts corners’ off the acceptance regions of Holm's step-down method by making assumptions on the joint distribution of the test statistics. As can be expected, partition testing making use of the joint distribution of the test statistics is more powerful than partition testing using probabilistic inequalities. Thus, if the joint distribution of the test statistics is available, through modelling for example, we recommend partition step-down testing, setting exact critical values based on the joint distribution.