cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hubble Space Telescope: A Generator of Sub-Milliarcsecond Precision Parallaxes

Hubble Space Telescope Fine Guidance Sensor 3 can generate sub-milliarcsecond precision parallaxes in eighteen months. We discuss the internal precision and external accuracy of our observations of Proxima Centauri and Barnard’s Star. For some classes of targets Hubble Space Telescope will remain the parallax tool of choice for years to come. It can offer 0.5 mas precision. It will remain useful by satisfying urgent needs for quick results, by offering a 13 magnitude dynamic range, and by providing an unparalleled binary dissection capability.
The contribution of nitrogen from legume cover crops double-cropped with winter wheat to tilled and non-tilled maize

Abstract A three-year experiment was conducted to determine the contribution of nitrogen (N) from red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) green manures double-cropped with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to two succeeding maize (Zea mays L.) crops under conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT). With maize under no-till, the vetch crop was suppressed by herbicide spray or by mowing and the clover crop by herbicide spray only. Total N contents in the legumes (tops plus roots) were 134 kg N ha−1 in the clover and 151 kg N ha−1 in the vetch when legume growth was terminated in order to plant maize. The first maize crop following red clover and hairy vetch produced grain yields of 10.68 and 9.89 t ha−1 in the CT, and 7.89 and 8.01 t ha−1 in the NT with herbicides, comparable to the maximum of 10.73 (CT) and 9.08 (NT) t ha−1 in fallow-fertilizer treatments (150 and 200 kg N ha−1). Maize following mowed vetch produced only 4.62 t ha−1. With an addition of 75 kg N ha−1 fertilizer, the second maize crop after the legumes yielded 7.57 to 9.78 t ha−1. Estimated fertilizer N equivalences in the two successive maize crops after clover and vetch were 182 and 133 kg N ha-' under CT, and 186 and 164 kg N ha-' under NT with herbicides, with about 82 per cent occurring in the first year. The mowed vetch had a fertilizer N equivalence of 105 kg N ha−1 as a two year total. The contribution of N from the legumes to maize crops is also discussed in terms of accumulation and apparent recovery.
Children rearing children: A study of reportedly maltreating younger adolescents

This ex post facto study of officially reported child abuse and neglect incidents examined the demographic and dynamic variables associated with reportedly maltreating adolescent mothers of differing ages. A sample of one half of all the incidents reported within Maricopa County, Arizona, was drawn for the period January 1, 1976, through December 31, 1978 (N =5,098). Adolescent mothers were compared on the basis of their age at the time of the incident, and were categorized as younger adolescents (less than 16 years of age) and older adolescents (16 to 19 years of age). It was found that this total sample of adolescents was faced with pressures such as those found within the general, non-age-specific maltreating population. However, the younger adolescent was faced with the greatest financial stress, yet was less likely to be receiving any income supplement. Additionally, the younger adolescent was more likely to be a minority group member, was less likely to be married, and the maltreating situation involved neglect of children. In sum, the reported situation was likely to have been a direct result of the financial, educational, employment, and life experience limitations found in the adolescent's environment. Discussion of the findings reported that the younger adolescent parent's problems were rooted in basic survival and environmental stabilization needs. Implications and suggestions for further research are also presented.
Gender disparity in the academic pipeline: women in neuroscience.

The percentages of females at critical steps in the academic career ladder were examined for one specific field, neuroscience. There was a slight attrition among females completing the Ph. D. However, the major drop-off occurred when qualified post-doctorates did not apply for faculty positions. Remedial actions should focus on not only the graduate school environment but also on the more critical postdoctoral experience. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Home to Sites of Injury and Inflammation

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown significant therapeutic potential in preclinical animal models of wound healing. However, the translation of MSC-based therapeutics to clinical practice has been delayed by questions including the mechanisms of MSC homing, engraftment, and ultimate function. The Problem: Experimental models of MSC-based wound therapies often involve intravenous injection of cells followed by sacrifice of animals at various time points and detection of MSCs in wounds by histological methods. However, this methodology is limited by its sampling of only specific tissue at a single time point and provides no information about how exogenously transplanted MSCs home to the wound environment. Basic/Clinical Science Advances: Most systemically injected MSCs initially become entrapped within the lungs before migrating out to the liver and spleen in the normal state. When an injury is present, after the initial lung entrapment, MSCs migrate in response to inflammatory mediators a...
Modelling Early Stages in the Formation of Cluster-Assembled Materials

The formation of cluster-assembled materials using the sintering process is investigated. We present a model that describes the initial stages exactly using information derived from ab initio calculations of cluster behavior. Surface area, effective cross section and density of the cluster-assembled material, are calculated as functions of time for several implementations of the model.
Discriminative techniques in call routing

Call-routing is a technology that attempts to route automatically a telephone query from a customer to one of a number of destinations. In vector-based call-routing, a query is represented in a high-dimensional vector space whose axes correspond to words, or sequences of words, that appear in the vocabulary used by callers. In this paper, we examine three different discriminative techniques applied to call-routing. Although some of these techniques give very substantial reductions in error-rate on the training-set, performance on the test-set is disappointing, the most likely reason being a lack of generalisation. Using examples of mis-classified calls, we speculate on why this might occur and propose an improved approach.
Flow Stresses on the {100} and {110} Planes in LiF, and the Plasticity of Polycrystals

Compression studies of single crystals of LiF were made to determine the flow stress on the {110} (101) and {100} (110) families of slip systems as a function of temperature, and polycrystalline specimens were studied in compression in order to obtain accurate values of stress and strain to be attached to the deformation curves. Owing to the large grain size of the polycrystalline specimens it was found that the yield stress depended on the precise orientation of the most favorably oriented grain, and a better quantitative measure of behavior was provided by noting the stress necessary to produce 2% deformation. A plot of the stress as a function of temperature shows a distinct step between 350 and 300 deg C, and it tends to extrapolate to zero or a very low stress at the melting temperature of 842 deg C. Experiments on single crystals showed that the flow stress on the (110) plane decreases only slowly as the temperature is raised, but the flow stress on the {100} plane decreases sharply to 400 deg C and less quickly thereafter. Both curves tend to extrapolate to zero or a very low stress at the melting point, but the flow stress onmore » the {100} plane always tends to be higher than that on the {110} plane. (P.C.H.)« less
Landscape and Meteorological Factors Affecting Prevalence of Three Food-Borne Pathogens in Fruit and Vegetable Farms

ABSTRACT Produce-related outbreaks have been traced back to the preharvest environment. A longitudinal study was conducted on five farms in New York State to characterize the prevalence, persistence, and diversity of food-borne pathogens in fresh produce fields and to determine landscape and meteorological factors that predict their presence. Produce fields were sampled four times per year for 2 years. A total of 588 samples were analyzed for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The prevalence measures of L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and STEC were 15.0, 4.6, and 2.7%, respectively. L. monocytogenes and Salmonella were detected more frequently in water samples, while STEC was detected with equal frequency across all sample types (soil, water, feces, and drag swabs). L. monocytogenes sigB gene allelic types 57, 58, and 61 and Salmonella enterica serovar Cerro were repeatedly isolated from water samples. Soil available water storage (AWS), temperature, and proximity to three land cover classes (water, roads and urban development, and pasture/hay grass) influenced the likelihood of detecting L. monocytogenes. Drainage class, AWS, and precipitation were identified as important factors in Salmonella detection. This information was used in a geographic information system framework to hypothesize locations of environmental reservoirs where the prevalence of food-borne pathogens may be elevated. The map indicated that not all croplands are equally likely to contain environmental reservoirs of L. monocytogenes. These findings advance recommendations to minimize the risk of preharvest contamination by enhancing models of the environmental constraints on the survival and persistence of food-borne pathogens in fields.
A PC based integrated software for power system education

This paper presents the implementation of an integrated software package to run under PC-DOS for the analysis and design of Electric Power Networks. Graphics and windows are embedded in the user interface to form the basis of the interactive environment. System configuration is entered graphically, while system data is entered directly through tabular windows. A variety of analysis programs are provided in this environment such as different types of load flow solution techniques. In addition, this paper demonstrates a novel use of PC enhanced graphics capability to display the real and reactive power flows by means of animation. A modular interactive expert system is an element of this environment. Popular features such as help menus and icons selection menus are also included. The modular design of this environment permits the user to interface any custom made analysis package regardless of the computer language used. This environment proves to be useful for educational and research purposes. Recent work in CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) and CAI (Computer Assisted Instruction) areas show a clear trend toward more sophisticated user interfaces. One of the primary goals of any interactive environment is to enhance the bandwidth of communication between the user and the application program. Wider bandwidth of communications means that more information is conveyed to the user in a shorter period of time. The user interface is the aspect of the program that governs the communication between the user and the application.
Treatment of vitamin D depletion after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a randomized prospective clinical trial.

Abstract Background A high prevalence (60%) of vitamin D (VitD) depletion, defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of ≤20 ng/mL, is present in preoperative morbidly obese patients. Despite daily supplementation with 800 IU VitD and 1500 mg calcium after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), VitD depletion persists in almost one half (44%) of patients. However, the optimal management of VitD depletion after RYGB and the potential benefits of such treatment are currently unknown. Methods A total of 60 VitD-depleted morbidly obese women were randomly assigned to receive 50,000 IU of VitD weekly after RYGB (group 1; n=30) or no additional VitD after RYGB (group 2; n=30). All patients received a daily supplement of 800 IU VitD and 1500 mg calcium. The serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, urinary N -telopeptide, and bone mineral density were measured preoperatively and 1 year after RYGB. Questionnaires were used to assess other potential sources of VitD, including sunlight exposure and ingestion of VitD-containing foods/liquids. Results At 1 year after RYGB, VitD depletion and mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level had improved significantly in group 1 (14% and 37.8 ng/mL, respectively) compared with the values in group 2 (85% and 15.2 ng/mL, respectively; P P = .043) and a significantly greater resolution of hypertension was seen in group 1 (75% versus 32%; P = .029). No significant adverse effects were encountered from pharmacologic VitD therapy. Conclusion The results of our study have shown that 50,000 IU of VitD weekly after RYGB safely corrects VitD depletion in most women, attenuates cortical bone loss, and improves resolution of hypertension.
Magnetic field calculation in permanent magnet motors with rotor eccentricity: without slotting effect

An analytical technique for predicting the instantaneous magnetic field distribution in the air gap region of permanent magnet motors with rotor eccentricity is developed. The governing equations and associated boundary conditions are formulated and solved by a perturbation method. The predicted solutions are verified by the results of a corresponding finite element analysis. The results show the effectiveness of using the perturbation method for this eccentric field calculation. According to this study, the additional flux density due to rotor eccentricity is proportional to the amount of the eccentricity in a small range and has a quite different distribution from the normal flux density without rotor eccentricity. Accordingly, rotor eccentricity may cause undesirable effects on brushless permanent magnet motors.
Fine structure of reactive cells in injured nervous tissue labeled with 3H-thymidine injected before injury.

To examine the fine structure of blood mononuclear cells in injured nervous tissue, mice were given repeated injections of 3H-thymidine with the last injection at least 16 hours before injury. Under ether anesthesia the animals either were given a stab wound to the spinal cord or had their left hypoglossal nerve transected. The animals were killed at 2, 4, 8, or 16 days after injury. Tissue sections containing the spinal cord wound or both hypoglossal nuclei were prepared for electron microscopic radioautography, and all labeled cells were photographed. About half the labeled cells in the injured hypoglossal nerves had nuclei with dark staining peripheral heterochromatin, dark cytoplasm with long cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum, and other ultrastructural features characteristic of the cells usually identified as microglia. The remaining labeled cells in the injured spinal cords were macrophages, fibroblasts, cells with pale nuclei, some of which contained cytoplasmic filaments, and vascular cells. Since uninjured nervous tissue has extremely few labeled cells and since 3H-thymidine should be available for only a short time following injection, most of the labeled cells in this experiment should be derived from blood mononuclear cells. However, the possibility is discussed that some or all of the labeled cells proliferating in response to the injury and labeled through reutilization of labeled DNA precursor material.
Statistical analysis of chromatid interference.

The nonrandom occurrence of crossovers along a single strand during meiosis can be caused by either chromatid interference, crossover interference or both. Although crossover interference has been consistently observed in almost all organisms since the time of the first linkage studies, chromatid interference has not been as thoroughly discussed in the literature, and the evidence provided for it is inconsistent. In this paper with virtually no restrictions on the nature of crossover interference, we describe the constraints that follow from the assumption of no chromatid interference for single spore data. These constraints are necessary consequences of the assumption of no chromatid interference, but their satisfaction is not sufficient to guarantee no chromatid interference. Models can be constructed in which chromatid interference clearly exists but is not detectable with single spore data. We then extend our analysis to cover tetrad data, which permits more powerful tests of no chromatid interference. We note that the traditional test of no chromatid interference based on tetrad data does not make full use of the information provided by the data, and we offer a statistical procedure for testing the no chromatid interference constraints that does make full use of the data. The procedure is then applied to data from several organisms. Although no strong evidence of chromatid interference is found, we do observe an excess of two-strand double recombinations, i.e., negative chromatid interference.
Costs for integrating wind into the future ERCOT system with related costs for savings in CO2 emissions.

Wind power can make an important contribution to the goal of reducing emissions of CO2. The major problem relates to the intrinsic variability of the source and the difficulty of reconciling the supply of electricity with demand particularly at high levels of wind penetration. This challenge is explored for the case of the ERCOT system in Texas. Demand for electricity in Texas is projected to increase by approximately 60% by 2030. Considering hourly load data reported for 2006, assuming that the pattern of demand in 2030 should be similar to 2006, and adopting as a business as usual (BAU) reference an assumption that the anticipated additional electricity should be supplied by a combination of coal and gas with prices, discounted to 2007 dollars of $2 and $6 per MMBTU respectively, we conclude that the bus-bar price for electricity would increase by about 1.1¢/kWh at a wind penetration level of 30%, by about 3.4 ¢/kWh at a penetration level of 80%. Corresponding costs for reductions in CO2 range from $20/...
The average-case complexity of counting distinct elements

We continue the study of approximating the number of distinct elements in a data stream of length n to within a (1 ± e) factor. It is known that if the stream may consist of arbitrary data arriving in an arbitrary order, then any 1-pass algorithm requires Ω(1/e2) bits of space to perform this task. To try to bypass this lower bound, the problem was recently studied in a model in which the stream may consist of arbitrary data, but it arrives to the algorithm in a random order. However, even in this model an Ω(1/e2) lower bound was established. This is because the adversary can still choose the data arbitrarily. This leaves open the possibility that the problem is only hard under a pathological choice of data, which would be of little practical relevance.We study the average-case complexity of this problem under certain distributions. Namely, we study the case when each successive stream item is drawn independently and uniformly at random from an unknown subset of d items for an unknown value of d. This captures the notion of random uncorrelated data. For a wide range of values of d and n, we design a 1-pass algorithm that bypasses the Ω(1/e2) lower bound that holds in the adversarial and random-order models, thereby showing that this model admits more space-efficient algorithms. Moreover, the update time of our algorithm is optimal. Despite these positive results, for a certain range of values of d and n we show that estimating the number of distinct elements requires Ω(1/e2) bits of space even in this model. Our lower bound subsumes previous bounds, showing that even for natural choices of data the problem is hard.
Mechanism of regulation of the gap junction protein connexin 43 by protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation

Phosphorylation of the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) by protein kinase C (PKC) decreases dye coupling in many cell types. We report an investigation of the regulation by PKC of Cx43 gap j...
Quality of Life in Low-Income Menopausal Women Attending Primary Care Clinics

Abstract Objective: To examine the quality of life and health status of a population of menopausal age primary care attendees that demographically has not been well represented in previous studies, and to describe the relationships between population characteristics and outcomes. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Community primary care clinics. Patient(s): Women 45–60 years of age within 5 years of their last period. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Participants provided demographic information and completed a series of questionnaires, including the Menopause Quality of Life Instrument (MENQOL) and the Short Form–36 health survey (SF-36). Result(s): Women who were employed, had higher levels of education, or higher levels of income reported better overall health and fewer menopausal symptoms. The study population scored significantly lower than the national norms on a summary survey of mental and physical health. There were no significant differences between ethnic groups with respect to either menopausal quality of life or health status. Conclusion(s): In a generally low income, poorly educated menopausal population, ethnicity did not significantly affect quality of life. Socioeconomic characteristics (less education and lower income) were associated with increased menopausal symptoms.
Nitrogen metabolism in Lignifying Pinus taeda cell cultures

The primary metabolic fate of phyenylalanine, following its deamination in plants, is conscription of its carbon skeleton for lignin, suberin, flavonoid, and related metabolite formation. Since this accounts for approximately 30-40% of all organic carbon, an effective means of recycling the liberated ammonium ion must be operative. In order to establish how this occurs, the uptake and metabolism of various 15N-labeled precursors (15N-Phe, 15NH4Cl, 15N-Gln, and 15N-Glu) in lignifying Pinus taeda cell cultures was investigated, using a combination of high performance liquid chromatography, 15N NMR, and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry analyses. It was found that the ammonium ion released during active phenylpropanoid metabolism was not made available for general amino acid/protein synthesis. Rather it was rapidly recycled back to regenerate phenylalanine, thereby providing an effective means of maintaining active phenylpropanoid metabolism with no additional nitrogen requirement. These results strongly suggest that, in lignifying cells, ammonium ion reassimilation is tightly compartmentalized.
An Analysis of the Stirling-Cycle Refrigerator

Although there can be many configurations for a Stirling-cycle refrigerator, the two-cylinder type, as shown In Fig. 1, is most useful for analysis purposes because it represents the most general case. It consists of two cylinders which receive or expel gas through an adjacent heat exchanger. These exchangers are then connected by a regenerator. Since there are no valves in this refrigerator, the pressure will remain approximately uniform throughout.
An in-depth examination into pharmacy technician worklife through an organizational behavior framework

Abstract Background Pharmacy technicians are a vital part of the health care workforce. Little is known about perceptions of their own work environment that would engender more effective recruitment, retention, and management strategies by pharmacists and employers. Objectives The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of certified pharmacy technician worklife. Specific objectives included the identification of themes of worklife phenomena to assist with the development of appropriate responses by other pharmacy stakeholders and to ascertain the contribution of various factors engendering or discouraging career commitment of pharmacy technicians. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with a convenience sample of pharmacy technicians in one U.S. state, who varied by their work settings and level of experience. The interview guide and corresponding participant responses were framed from around an organizational cultural basis rooted in organizational behavior theory. Notes from the interviews were analyzed thematically using directed content analysis. Results Four primary themes emerged, including: career impetus , job responsibilities , quality of work life , and equitable partnership . The data revealed pharmacy technicians' need for self-actualization and recognition of the value they bring to the organization. The participants identified primary responsibilities that contribute to their sense of worth and those that if not managed adequately potentially detract from their well-being and effectiveness. Findings in regard to rate of pay corroborate previous work on wages as both an intrinsic and extrinsic motivator. Pharmacy technicians seek equity among each other (their peers) and in a mutually beneficial relationship with their employing organization. Conclusions This study provides the impetus for interventions and further study that should serve to enhance pharmacy technician effectiveness, quality of work life, and longevity in an emerging profession.
Financing prevention: opportunities for economic analysis across the translational research cycle.

Prevention advocates often make the case that preventive intervention not only improves public health and welfare but also can save public resources. Increasingly, evidence-based policy efforts considering prevention are focusing on how programs can save taxpayer resources from reduced burden on health, criminal justice, and social service systems. Evidence of prevention’s return has begun to draw substantial investments from the public and private sector. Yet, translating prevention effectiveness into economic impact requires specific economic analyses to be employed across the stages of translational research. This work discusses the role of economic analysis in prevention science and presents key translational research opportunities to meet growing demand for estimates of prevention’s economic and fiscal impact.
Comparison of patient-controlled analgesia versus intramuscular narcotics in resolution of postoperative ileus after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

AbstractPatient-controlled analgesia has become standard practice after major abdominal operations. The benefits of patient-controlled analgesia have been well documented. However, its possible effect of prolonging postoperative ileus has not been well examined. To determine if patient-controlled analgesia prolongs postoperative ileus when compared to conventional intramuscular narcotics, a retrospective review of length of postoperative ileus in 98 consecutive patients (62 using patient-controlled analgesia and 36 using intramuscular narcotics) undergoing bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy was done. The patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia resolved the postoperative ileus an average of 1.0day later than the intramuscular injection group (5.2 days versus 4.2 days p <0.0001). Overall hospital stay was not significantly affected. Our results show that patient-controlled analgesia use prolongs postoperative ileus.
Staffing to Volume in Integrated Delivery Networks

If yesterday's universal staffing standards are no longer valid in today's workplace, and new standards don't seem likely in the near future, how do HIM practitioners maintain a workable staff? By embracing a detailed methodology, the author shows how it is possible to benchmark HIM staff within integrated delivery networks.
En Concierto: Aproximación artística a la formación del profesor

Teaching is an art, and teachers are artists. By examining the key phases in the growth of an artist—practice, technique and theory, and inspiration—we can learn how to better structure teacher education. The article follows the author’s experience and emphasizes experiential learning and structures such as apprenticeship and mentorship. It explores the philosophy of the El Sistema orchestra program in Venezuela and encourages a multi-faceted definition of artists and teachers.
Assessment of Nursing Deficiencies in the Postoperative Care of Microsurgical Patients.

Background Close monitoring is crucial following successful flap surgery. Ideally, all patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction should be evaluated in a dedicated unit with specialized nurses; however, this is not always possible and there is often a varied skill mix of nursing staff. The purpose of this study was to identify deficiencies in microsurgical education among nursing staff in an effort to target future educational efforts. Methods A 22-question electronic survey was sent out to all nursing staff at three sampled hospitals that manage microsurgical patients. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors that predicted aptitude, comfort, and deficiencies in the treatment of microsurgical patients. Results Of the 160 registered nurses sampled, 106 completed the survey completely (66%). A total of 59 nurses worked at a tertiary care academic institution (55%) and the remaining 47 nurses worked at one of two community hospitals (45%).Regardless of whether the provider self-identified as a critical care or floor nurse, nurses from an academic medical center were significantly more comfortable with their ability to care for microsurgical patients when compared with their community medical center counterparts (p < 0.05). Furthermore, regardless of whether the provider self-identified as a critical care or the hospital setting where they worked, nurses with greater than 5 years of experience were significantly more comfortable with their ability to care for microsurgical patients when compared with nurses who had less than 5 years of experience (p < 0.05).There was no correlation with comfort level and the ability to interpret various postoperative flap-monitoring technologies between intensive care unit nurses and floor nurses. Conclusions We have identified that nurses with less than 5 years of experience or nurses in a community setting may be less comfortable with the care of postoperative microsurgical patients, especially if newer flap monitoring technologies are employed.
Feasibility of using unattended polysomnography in children for research--report of the Tucson Children's Assessment of Sleep Apnea study (TuCASA).

Design: A prospective cohort study projected to enroll 500 children between 5 and 12 years of age who will undergo unattended polysomnography, neurocognitive evaluation, and physiological and anatomical measurements thought to be associated with sleep-disordered breathing. Setting: Children are recruited through the Tucson Unified School District. Polysomnograms and anthropometric measurements are completed in the child’s home. Participants: Of the 157 children enrolled in TuCASA, there were 100 children (64%) between 5—8 years old and 57 children (36%) between the ages of 9 to 12. There were 74 (47%) Hispanic children, and 68 (43%) female participants. Interventions: N/A Measurements & Results: Technically acceptable studies were obtained in 157 children (97%). The initial pass rate was 91%, which improved to 97% when 9 children who failed on the first night of recording completed a second study which was acceptable. In 152 studies (97%), greater than 5 hours of interpretable respiratory, electroencephalographic, and oximetry signals were obtained. The poorest signal quality was obtained from the chin electromyogram and from the combination thermister/nasal cannula. Parents reported that 54% of children slept as well as, or better than usual, while 40% reported that their child slept somewhat worse than usual. Only 6% were observed to sleep much worse than usual. Nightto-night variability in key polysomnographic parameters (n=10) showed a high degree of reproducibility on 2 different nights of study using identical protocols in the same child. In 5 children, polysomnograms done in the home were comparable to those recorded in a sleep laboratory. Conclusions: The high quality of data collected in TuCASA demonstrates that multi-channel polysomnography data can be successfully obtained in children aged 5—12 years in an unattended setting under a research protocol.
The Effect of Bridging Locoregional Therapy and Sociodemographics on Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A United Network for Organ Sharing Population Study

Abstract Purpose To investigate socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with transplantation outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with bridging locoregional therapy (LRT) before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Materials and Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was used to identify all patients in the United States with HCC who were listed for OLT between 2002 and 2013. Mean overall survival (OS) after OLT was stratified based on age, sex, ethnicity, transplant year, region, and insurance status. Kaplan-Meier estimation was used for survival analysis with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model to assess independent prognostic factors for OS. Results Of the 17,291 listed patients with HCC, 14,511 underwent OLT. Mean age was 57.4 years (76.8% male). Favorable sociodemographic factors were associated with increased rates of bridging LRT before OLT and longer wait time on the transplant list and were shown to be independent prognostic factors for prolonged OS after OLT using multivariate analysis. Favorable demographic factors included patient age Conclusions Patients with favorable sociodemographics had higher rates of LRT before OLT performed for HCC cure. These patients had longer transplant wait times and longer OS after OLT.
Microbiological Safety and Palatability of Selected Vended Burgers

A total of 52 vended burgers from two vendors were assayed for total aerobic plate counts, coliforms, coagulase-positive staphylococci, salmonellae, and Clostridium perfringens. During the first ye...
Dissecting Creativity: How Dissection Virtuality, Analogical Distance, and Product Complexity Impact Creativity and Self-Efficacy

Product dissection has been adopted in engineering education as a means to benchmark existing products and inspire new design ideas. Despite widespread adoption of dissection practices, however, little is known about the effectiveness of the widely varying approaches of dissection for encouraging creativity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the impact of dissection virtuality, analogical distance, and product complexity on creativity and self-efficacy through a factorial experiment with 30 engineering students. The results show that virtual dissection can be used to increase student creativity over physical dissection but this increase is moderated by the complexity and analogical distance of the product being dissected. CSE was not significantly impacted in the study. These results are used to derive implications for dissection practices in engineering education and drive future research that explores the multifaceted role of analogical distance in example-based design practices.
Kings, Queens, Rooks and Pawns: Towards Deciphering the Lebanese Political Chessboard

The delineation and comprehension of the Lebanese political map can often be an exercise in futility. On almost any given day, one can just scour the headlines of the Lebanese press and observe the presentation of Lebanese domestic politics in the context of regional/extra-regional developments or its literal interaction with external actors/states. For example, on 6 May 2010, two of the leading Lebanese dailies, As-Safir and Ad-Diyar , carried distinct front page headlines which captured this reality. The leading As-Safir headline proclaimed, “The return of Junblatt from Riyadh: Mutually confirms the importance of peace with Syria.” The leading Ad-Diyar headline stated, “Municipal Elections move forward under the auspices of a Syrian-Saudi-French understanding.“
Evaluation of Vasopressin for Septic Shock in Patients on Chronic Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES To compare the hemodynamic response in septic shock patients receiving vasopressin who were on chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor therapy with those who were not. DESIGN Single-center, retrospective cohort study. SETTING Medical and surgical ICUs at a 1,100-bed academic medical center. PATIENTS Medical and surgical ICU patients with septic shock who received vasopressin infusion added to at least one concomitant vasopressor agent between January 2014 and December 2015, then divided into two cohorts: 1) patients who were on chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor therapy as outpatients and 2) patients who were not on chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor therapy as outpatients. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Mean arterial pressure at 6 hours was 72.2 mm Hg in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor group versus 69.7 mm Hg in the non-renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor group (p = 0.298). There was no difference in mean arterial pressure at 1, 24, or 48 hours between groups. Total concomitant vasopressor requirements, based on norepinephrine equivalents excluding vasopressin, were significantly lower at 24 hours in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor group versus the non-renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor group (10.7 vs 18.1 µg/min, respectively; p = 0.007), but no significant differences were seen at the other time points assessed. There were no significant differences in ICU or hospital length of stay or mortality. CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of 6-hour mean arterial pressure in septic shock patients receiving vasopressin who were on chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor therapy versus those receiving vasopressin who were not on chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor therapy. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor patients had lower total concomitant vasopressor requirements at 24 hours compared with non-renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor patients.
A Time-Domain Digital-Intensive Built-In Tester for Analog Circuits

To solve test challenges in nanometer CMOS technologies, a time-domain digital-intensive built-in tester for analog circuits is proposed. The compact tester allows characterizations of AC response and DC gain for various analog circuits which have a low-pass frequency characteristic. By applying ramp signals to stimulate the circuit under test and measuring slopes and time delays of its responses, the testing can be simple and robust over process-voltage-temperature variations. Also, it is well suited for nanometer technologies because of its digital-intensive implementation. The tester was fabricated in 65 nm standard CMOS process and occupies 0.026 mm2.
LEFT VENTRICULAR PACING IN PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL TRICUSPID VALVE REPLACEMENT

Management of atrioventricular conduction abnormalities is challenging in patients with mechanical tricuspid valve. 66 year old female with a history of mechanical aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve replacements in Spain 1977 due to a suspected tooth infection. She underwent mechanical aortic
Making Up Creative Placemaking

Creative placemaking is an increasingly prevalent form of planning practice that invokes arts and culture as tools for revitalization. Planners, policymakers, funders, and practitioners are engaged...
Evolving analog VLSI neurons

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the evolution of analog very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) neurons in silicon. CMOS VLSI is an analog electronic computational medium that has many properties in common with nervous tissue, and has the potential to achieve real-time sensorimotor processing. Analog computation allows these chips to perform complicated functions in real time. The chapter also highlights the neuron biophysics that have been implemented, the communications among these neurons, and a real-time on-chip learning synapse that uses a Hebbian learning rule. The communication among neurons uses an address-event representation such that both the identity (address) of a neuron and the action potential event are communicated among neurons. This representation takes advantage of the abstraction computed by the silicon retina and is consistent with the output representation of the silicon oculomotor system. The chapter also explains the integration of these subunits into a simple network that learns to preferentially respond to a temporal sequence.
Glaucoma-induced degeneration of retinal ganglion cells prevented by hypoxic preconditioning: a model of glaucoma tolerance.

Like all cells, neurons adapt to stress by transient alterations in phenotype, an epigenetic response that forms the basis for preconditioning against acute ischemic injury in the central nervous system. We recently showed that a modified repetitive hypoxic preconditioning (RHP) regimen significantly extends the window of ischemic tolerance to acute retinal ischemic injury from days to months. The present study was undertaken to determine if this uniquely protracted neuroprotective phenotype would also confer resistance to glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Retinal ganglion cell death at somatic and axonal levels was assessed after both 3 and 10 wks of sustained intraocular hypertension in an adult mouse model of inducible, open-angle glaucoma, with or without RHP before intraocular pressure elevation. Loss of brn3-positive ganglion cell soma after 3 wks of experimental glaucoma, along with increases in several apoptotic endpoints, were all significantly and robustly attenuated in mice subjected to RHP Soma protection by RHP was also confirmed after 10 wks of intraocular hypertension by brn3 and SMI32 immunostaining. In addition, quantification of axon density in the postlaminar optic nerve documented robust preservation in RHP-treated mice, and neurofilament immunostaining also revealed preconditioning-induced improvements in axon integrity/survival in both retina and optic nerve after 10 wks of experimental glaucoma. This uniquely protracted period of phenotypic change, established in retinal ganglion cells by the activation of latent antiapoptotic, prosurvival mechanisms at both somatic and axonal levels, reflects a novel form of inducible neuronal plasticity that may provide innovative therapeutic targets for preventing and treating glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Body Image Behaviors: Checking, Fixing, and Avoiding

In order to have a conception of one’s body, the body must be self-examined, be that visually, tactilely, or through others’ descriptions and opinions. Body image behaviors comprise appearance checking, fixing, and avoiding. Body checking describes any behavior aimed at finding out information about one’s size, shape, weight, or appearance. Appearance fixing describes any behavior aimed at camouflaging, improving, or covering up perceived physical flaws. Body image avoidance includes any behaviors performed to avoid information about one’s size, shape, weight, or appearance. Behaviors related to body image in normal, nonclinical individuals and in those with greater levels of body dissatisfaction are discussed.
Effects of the Defoliant Thidiauzuron on Leaf Abscission and Ethylene Evolution from Cotton Seedlings

Chemical defoliants have become an integral aspect of modern cotton production and are currently used on an estimated 75% of total cotton acreage in the United States. Thidiazuron is currently registered for use in the U.S. as a cotton defoliant. The abscission promoting properties of this compound were first described in 1976 (1), but its mode-of-action remains unknown. Preliminary experiments in this laboratory have shown that treatment of cotton seedlings with thidiazuron results in an elevated rate of ethylene evolution (2). Ethylene is currently regarded as an endogenous regulator of abscission in many higher plants (3). The data presented herein describe a portion of an on-going research program dealing with the physiological effects of chemical defoliants.
Restless Youth: Older Children, 4.5–9.5 Years of Age

This chapter explores the childhood experiences of older children. In particular, this chapter focuses on how children’s experiences diversified as they grew older. This includes continuing education for some children but also early entry into the labor force for others. Such wider experiences lend themselves to broader social interactions and exposures. Yet the data also clearly indicate how these children were still connected to their families. This chapter examines historical documentation and skeletal data to shed light on experiences for this age cohort. Changing trends in health and behavior are tracked in both the skeletal and historical data. This chapter uses brief biographies and osteobiographies to illustrate these concepts.
The Carbohydrates of Beer. I. The Neutral, Low-Molecular-Weight Components of Commercial Beer1

(1962). The Carbohydrates of Beer. I. The Neutral, Low-Molecular-Weight Components of Commercial Beer. Proceedings. Annual meeting - American Society of Brewing Chemists: Vol. 20, Proceedings of the Annual Meeting 1962, pp. 127-131.
Increased power collection efficiency of conventional silicon photovoltaic modules with holographic light management techniques

Conventional silicon Photovoltaic (PV) modules often have a significant surface obstruction that reduces the collection of incident solar illumination and energy conversion efficiency. In this paper, light management methods that combine low cost holographic optical elements and diffusers into conventional PV modules are evaluated to capture unused illumination. It is found that by using reflection volume holograms (RVHs) with 300 nm spectral bandwidth in combination with a diffuser on a PV module with 12% of its surface area not covered with active PV cell regions that an improvement in power collection efficiency of 9.36% is possible.
What Is the Clinical Utility of Intravascular Ultrasound

This article reviews the contemporary evidence base for use of coronary intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Recent studies have strongly associated IVUS guidance during percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI) with lower major adverse cardiac events (MACE), stent thrombosis, and in selected groups, mortality. The PROSPECT study found in acute coronary syndromes patients, IVUS-determined minimal luminal area ≤ 4.0 mm2 and the presence of thin-cap fibroatheromas were independent predictors of future MACE in non-culprit lesions. A sub-analysis of the ADAPT-DES trial demonstrated significant reductions in stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and composite MACE in patients with IVUS-guided PCI versus angiography alone. In patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy, IVUS measurements of intimal thickening and attenuated-signal plaque are associated with increased mortality. IVUS has become a ubiquitous and versatile adjunct to conventional angiography. It is a powerful tool for identification and assessment of atherosclerotic disease, guidance of percutaneous coronary intervention, and detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.