cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast-Track Registration: A Way to Increase Efficiency in the IR Division.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate changes in patient registration process at an academic 2-suite IR Division to determine if moving registration from the waiting room to the vascular holding area decreased amount of time patients spent in the Radiology Department and improved start times. Materials and Methods A data collection sheet was created by evaluating patient-related processes; event timestamps were recorded on the sheet. The control group consisted of 33 patients who registered using the traditional process. The fast-track group consisted of 29 patients who bypassed the traditional registration procedure and were registered by nurses in the vascular holding area. Results Total time between control and fast-track groups significantly decreased from an average time of 215 minutes to 178 minutes ( P = .020). The average start time improved significantly from an average of 63 minutes after scheduled procedure start time for the control group to 33 minutes after the scheduled procedure start time for the fast-track group ( P = .009). Start time ( P = .022), time spent in recovery area ( P = .006), and total time, after correcting for differences in laboratory test turnaround time, ( P = .010) decreased in variability after implementation of fast-track registration. Conclusions Implementing fast-track registration for outpatient subcutaneous port placement in the IR Division improved start times and decreased total time patients spent in the hospital, while also reducing variability in the process.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Cushing's Disease and Prolactinoma

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for secretory pituitary adenoma offers precise localization of dose with potential sparing of optic and hypothalamic functions. We collated the indications, treatment parameters, and both the clinical and biochemical results of Stereotactic radiotherapy for ACTH- 1 and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma. Between May 1990 and February 1996, nine patients (4 males and 5 females) with a mean age of 31.9 years had fractionated SRT for ACTH- or prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas (Cushing's disease: n = 5; prolactinoma: n = 3; Nelson's syndrome: n = 1). These 9 patients had subtotal transphenoidal resections before SRT. An additional patient with Cushing's disease had aborted transphenoidal surgery and single-fraction Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Prior to SRT, 4 patients received planned conventional fractionated external beam radiotherapy (XRT) (median dose 33.3 Gy). The median SRT dose was 34.5 Gy (range 14.4–50.4 Gy). The median total radiation dose (XRT plus SRT) for patients receiving fractionated treatment was 47.7 Gy. The median follow-up was 62 months (range 22–91 months). One patient with Nelson's syndrome was lost to follow-up. Of the 9 evaluable patients, none required reoperation for growth of pituitary tumor and all had radiographic control as shown by serial MRI scans. In 4 of the 6 patients with Cushing's disease, treatment resulted in normalization of hormone levels and resolution of symptoms. All 4 patients were able to discontinue medications. In 2 patients, normalization occurred within 4 months of treatment. Two patients with Cushing's disease failed, requiring adrenalectomy. For patients with prolactinoma, treatments resulted in a significant decrease of plasma prolactin levels. All patients treated for prolactinoma became asymptomatic; 2 were able to discontinue bromocriptine and 1 patient had a successful pregnancy. After radiation therapy, 1 patient developed new hypopituitarism. None of the patients developed worsened visual acuity, visual fields, or new neurological deficits. SRT with or without XRT may yield meaningful reductions in hormone levels with concomitant clinical improvement in selected patients with prolactinomas or Cushing's disease. In certain situations, combining conventional XRT with SRT is appropriate. Modifications of the Stereotactic radiation delivery may maximally reduce the hypothalamic dose, thereby possibly reducing the risk of clinical hypopituitarism. This treatment is safe and is without visual or other neurological toxicity.
Twenty-Four-Hour Attending Coverage and Its Effect on Trainee Educational Opportunities

Nocturnal ICU staffing gained favor after correlation was shown between intensivist presence and better patient outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of stakeholders at a tertiary care academic medical center to evaluate the impact of 24-h attending presence on overnight educational environment, learner autonomy, and attending quality of life. Our results showed an improved sense of educational quality along with diminished trainee autonomy. Attending job satisfaction was poor and this was not entirely explained by persistent daytime demands. This identifies areas for initiatives to encourage trainee autonomy and system evaluations of how best to staff attending nocturnal coverage.
Teachers and Teaching During Educational Restructuring and Reforms

Critical to understanding the work of teachers and the process of teaching during restructuring and reform is an appreciation of the historical, cultural and social, political, and ideological embeddedness of the expectations of teachers in national education policy as well as the “best practices” encouraged by individual reform and restructuring movements and agendas. Common to most discussions of restructuring and reform is the idea that school change – whether restructuring or reform – has seemingly occurred in “waves” as collective reactions to past or present political action or educational agendas and most often, this commonly accepted vision of “waves” of educational change agendas begins in 1983 with the publication of A Nation At Risk by the National Commission on Excellence in Education (NCEE, 1983). Although the story differs slightly depending on the commitments, interests and intentions of the storytellers it remains generally consistent on the essential assumptions that there have been two distinct waves of reform. The “first wave,” the outcome of the publication of A Nation At Risk sought to focus attention on the factors associated with managing schools and student progress – increasing graduation requirements, mandated curricula, time on task, and tightening administrative control (Cohen, 1989). The “second wave” of reform is often discussed in one of two ways: first, as an outright rejection of the programmatic suggestions contained within A Nation At Risk; or alternatively, as a reaction to the limited positive results of the “first wave” of reform. Given the varied origins of the “second wave” of reform, it came to include multiple initiatives and concerns and as a result wasn’t a unified educational change initiative. However, despite the diversity of perspective and initial assumptions the commonality across the second wave was a generally accepted common goal – the radical, even systemic transformation of schools. This aforementioned vision of the contemporary understanding of school reform being rooted in A Nation At Risk is far from perfect (Murphy, 1992). In reality, America’s public schools have been embattled places of learning for nearly two centuries. However, what this “wave-based” vision of contemporary school reform does TEACHERS AND TEACHING DURING EDUCATIONAL RESTRUCTURING AND REFORMS
Charcot Spine following chronic spinal cord injury: an analysis of 201 published cases

Analysis of published cases To identify and describe symptoms, radiologic findings, treatment strategies, and reoccurrence of Charcot spine in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). This analysis included all English articles published prior to October 2017, describing Charcot spine after SCI as identified by multiple reviewers. Articles were excluded if Charcot spine was attributed to alternative conditions. Individual level data were available for 94% of reported cases. Outcomes included demographic factors, injury characteristics, clinical presentation, radiologic findings, management, and reoccurrence. Fifty included papers described 201 individuals with SCI who developed Charcot spine. 86% of individuals had paraplegia and 93% of individuals had a neurologically complete injury. Mean length of initial spinal fusion spanned 7.7 vertebral bodies (SD = 3.9). The most common presenting symptoms were back pain (56%), spinal deformity (48%), and crepitus (34%). Vertebral body destruction (83%), osteophytes (61%), and endplate destruction (57%) were commonly reported on radiographs. Reoccurrence of Charcot spine was described in 19% of cases after initial treatment. Charcot spine after SCI commonly presents with low back pain and radiologic evidence of vertebral body destruction. Cases have been described more often in individuals with paraplegia and neurologically complete injuries. Surgical management is often pursued. A high rate of reoccurrence of Charcot spine in individuals with SCI after initial treatment has been reported.
Diet carbs versus fat: does it really matter for maintaining lost weight?

The most read article of 2018 published in The BMJ (https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4583) claimed that restricting dietary carbohydrates offers a metabolic advantage to burn more calories and thereby help patients maintain lost weight. However, analyzing the data according to the original pre-registered statistical plan resulted in no statistically significant effects of diet composition on energy expenditure. Furthermore, the large reported diet effects on energy expenditure calculated using the revised analysis plan depended on data from subjects with excessive amounts of unaccounted energy. Adjusting the data to be commensurate with energy conservation resulted in a diet effect that was less than half the value reported in The BMJ paper. Diet adherence is key to sustained weight loss, and no diet has yet demonstrated a clinically meaningful superiority for long-term maintenance of lost weight. More research is required to better understand the factors that sustain healthful diet changes over the long-term.
Real-Time Monitoring of Ligand Exchange Kinetics on Gold Nanoparticle Surfaces Enabled by Hot Spot-Normalized Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering.

Nanoparticle surface coatings dictate their fate, transport, and bioavailability. We used a gold nanoparticle–bacterial cellulose substrate and “hot spot”-normalized surface-enhanced Raman scattering (HSNSERS) to achieve in situ and real-time monitoring of ligand exchange reactions on the gold surface. This approach enables semiquantitative determination of citrate surface coverage. Following exposure of the citrate-coated nanoparticles to a suite of guest ligands (thiolates, amines, carboxylates, inorganic ions, and proteins), the guest ligand signal exhibited first-order growth kinetics, while the desorption mediated decay of the citrate signal followed a first-order model. Guest ligand functional group chemistry dictated the kinetics of citrate desorption, while the guest ligand concentration played only a minor role. Thiolates and BSA were more efficient at ligand exchange than amine-containing chemicals, carboxylate-containing chemicals, and inorganic salts due to their higher binding energies with t...
Multidimensional Levels of Language Writing Measures in Grades Four to Six

This study examined multiple measures of written expression as predictors of narrative writing performance for 362 students in grades 4 through 6. Each student wrote a fictional narrative in respon...
INDUCIBLE MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA AND HIGH-SENSITIVITY TROPONIN I ADDITIVELY PREDICT ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN STABLE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

High levels of high sensitivity troponin I (hs-cTnI) are associated with higher risk of inducible myocardial ischemia (ISC) and adverse outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). ISC is also associated with worse prognosis. We examined whether hs-cTnI levels and ISC are additive
Valuing Real Options in the Volatile Real World - A Generalized Implied Binomial Tree Approach

Motivated by the real-world challenges of real options evaluation faced by many companies when commodity prices exhibit dramatic volatility and project values can become negative, this paper presents a generalized framework for solving a multifactor real options problem by approximating the underlying stochastic process of project value with a displaced implied binomial tree. The proposed approach allows a flexible structure for stochastic processes with fat tail distributions such as jump diffusion or regime switch, and provides a more accurate estimate of the extreme downside risk by allowing negative values for the underlying project values. The value of a real option by the proposed approach is more accurate and stable than the alternative lattice-based approaches in the literature regardless of the underlying commodity process, which makes this a general and robust approach for valuing complex real options under multiple sources of uncertainty in the volatile real world.
Stochastic analysis of concrete dams with alkali aggregate reaction

Abstract Following a comprehensive literature survey, this paper will first address the theoretical underpinnings of stochastic modeling. An algorithm to model arch dam inhomogeneity in terms of characteristic length is presented next and is applied to assess the impact of concrete's elastic modulus and volumetric AAR expansion. Results are contrasted with both a single deterministic analysis, and a series of classical Monte Carlo simulations in which non-Gaussian stochastically varying properties are used. The impact of randomness in material properties on displacements, joint openings, and stresses are investigated. It is found that whereas mean values of these responses are for the most part little impacted, standard deviations exhibit a greater variation vis a vis simple Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, the safety is assessed through fragility surfaces, and meta-modeling. This study determined that whereas randomness may affect local results e.g. stresses, their impact may be neglected for globally averaged responses e.g. displacements.
Multiscale cardiac imaging to capture the whole heart and its internal cellular architecture, with applications to congenital heart disease

Efficient cardiac pumping depends on the morphological structure of the heart, but also on its sub-cellular (ultrastructural) architecture, which enables cardiac contraction. In cases of congenital heart defects, localized sub-cellular disruptions in architecture that increase the risk of heart failure are only starting to be discovered. This is in part due to a lack of technologies that can image the three dimensional (3D) heart structure, assessing malformations; and its ultrastructure, assessing disruptions. We present here a multiscale, correlative imaging procedure that achieves high-resolution images of the whole heart, using 3D micro-computed tomography (micro-CT); and its ultrastructure, using 3D scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This combination of technologies has not been possible before in imaging the same cardiac sample due to the heart large size, even when studying small fetal and neonatal animal models (~5x5x5 cubic milimeters). Here, we achieved uniform fixation and staining of the whole heart, without losing ultrastructural preservation (at the nm resolution range). Our approach enables multiscale studies of cardiac architecture in models of congenital heart disease and beyond.
Optimal Experimental Design Methods for Acquiring and Restricting Information to Improve Decision Making

In high-risk, time-pressure domains, the ability to get only salient information is of paramount importance. Missing or superfluous information in these domains can detract from a decision maker’s ability to make correct judgments. Consequently, decision support systems are being developed to facilitate expert decision-making by modifying the information presented to the operator. In this paper we introduce a method for presenting decision makers with the most environment-relevant information for a given decision task. This study explores a statistical method, Bayesian Optimal Experimental Design (OED), as a means of acquiring and restricting information to improve the probability of selecting the correct decision. We use probability gain theory to acquire the most useful piece of information to present to the decision maker, and we extend this to create a probability loss theory that restricts information that does not aid (probabilistically) or aids the least in the decision-making process.
Abstract 17234: Elevated Atherosclerotic Biomarkers in Mice With Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury and Chronic Variable Stress

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stress are significant health concerns that have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) effects. Stress and injury can elevate neurochemicals ...
Habitat Selection by Free-Ranging Bison in a Mixed Grazing System on Public Land☆

Domestic livestock have replaced bison (Bison bison) on almost all the remaining rangelands of North America. One of the few places where bison and cattle (Bos taurus) comingle on shared rangelands is in the Henry Mountains (HM) of southern Utah. Ranchers there are concerned, however, that bison are selecting the same grazing areas that are needed by cattle. We used global positioning system telemetry on bison across the entire HM rangeland to determine which habitats are most important for bison throughout the seasonal cycle. Sexual segregation was also measured (using the segregation coefficient, SC) to determine if bison bulls exert localized impacts by congregating in certain habitats separate from cow/calf groups. The HM bison exhibited low levels of sexual segregation for both the breeding (SC = 0.048) and nonbreeding seasons (SC = 0.112). We found bison habitat use to be diverse and dynamic, with bison grazing effects distributed widely across habitats throughout the seasonal cycle. Patches of grassland, whether naturally occurring or created through burning or mechanical treatments, were favored regardless of their distance to water. Our findings should assist ranchers and agency personnel in moving forward with the integrated management of free-ranging bison and cattle on the HM rangeland, with implications for bison conservation on public lands elsewhere in the United States.
Communicating an Institutional Mission in Online Courses: A Mixed-Method Approach to Improve Student Experience:

The purpose of this study was to determine which techniques work best to positively communicate an institutional mission in an online education format. The overarching goal of our research is to be...
Risk perception, trust and support for wildlife reintroduction and conservation

Wildlife reintroduction projects often face resistance from local residents who see potential conflicts with the species or lack trust or confidence in the agencies and professionals involved in reintroduction. Yet the linkages between trust, confidence, risk perceptions, attitudes towards the species and local support for its reintroduction are not well known. The Dual-Mode Model of Cooperation and Cognitive Hierarchy Model were theoretical frameworks used to shed light on these linkages by exploring the potential roles trust and confidence play as mediators between risk perceptions and attitudes towards, and support for, reintroduced elk in Tennessee (USA). A mail survey of 1005 residents living in the five-county area surrounding the North Cumberland Elk Restoration Zone assessed resident attitudes and risk perceptions towards the reintroduced elk, trust towards the managing wildlife agency and support for continued conservation efforts. A structural equation model revealed that trust and confidence play positive roles in mitigating risk perceptions and improving support for the reintroduction of elk. The findings confirm the roles public trust and confidence play in wildlife reintroductions and should help agencies work towards building local trust and confidence, minimizing risks, improving attitudes and increasing the chances for successful outcomes for the species and people.
SU-E-T-421: Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) of Xoft Electronic Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Superficial Skin Cancers

Purpose: To perform a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) of the process for treating superficial skin cancers with the Xoft Axxent electronic brachytherapy (eBx) system, given the recent introduction of expanded quality control (QC) initiatives at our institution. Methods: A process map was developed listing all steps in superficial treatments with Xoft eBx, from the initial patient consult to the completion of the treatment course. The process map guided the FMEA to identify the failure modes for each step in the treatment workflow and assign Risk Priority Numbers (RPN), calculated as the product of the failure mode’s probability of occurrence (O), severity (S) and lack of detectability (D). FMEA was done with and without the inclusion of recent QC initiatives such as increased staffing, physics oversight, standardized source calibration, treatment planning and documentation. The failure modes with the highest RPNs were identified and contrasted before and after introduction of the QC initiatives. Results: Based on the FMEA, the failure modes with the highest RPN were related to source calibration, treatment planning, and patient setup/treatment delivery (Fig. 1). The introduction of additional physics oversight, standardized planning and safety initiatives such as checklists and time-outs reduced the RPNs of these failure modes. High-risk failure modes that could be mitigated with improved hardware and software interlocks were identified. Conclusion: The FMEA analysis identified the steps in the treatment process presenting the highest risk. The introduction of enhanced QC initiatives mitigated the risk of some of these failure modes by decreasing their probability of occurrence and increasing their detectability. This analysis demonstrates the importance of well-designed QC policies, procedures and oversight in a Xoft eBx programme for treatment of superficial skin cancers. Unresolved high risk failure modes highlight the need for non-procedural quality initiatives such as improved planning software and more robust hardware interlock systems.
Longitudinal Trends in Sexual Behaviors Without a Condom Among Sexual Minority Youth: The P18 Cohort Study

Given the heightened risk for HIV and other STIs among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) as well as the racial/ethnic disparities in HIV/STI risk, an understanding of longitudinal trends in sexual behaviors is warranted as YMSM emerge into adulthood. Drawing from an ongoing prospective cohort study, the present analysis employed latent growth curve modeling to examine trends in distinct types of sexual activity without condoms over time in sample of YMSM and examine differences by race/ethnicity and perceived familial socioeconomic status (SES). Overall, White and Mixed race YMSM reported more instances of oral sex without condoms as compared to other racial/ethnic groups with rates of decline over time noted in Black YMSM. White YMSM also reported more receptive and insertive anal sex acts without a condom than Black YMSM. Declines over time in both types of anal sex acts without condoms among Black men were noted when compared to White men, while increases over time were noted for mixed race YMSM for condomless insertive anal sex. The effects for race/ethnicity were attenuated with the inclusion of perceived familial SES in these models. These findings build on previous cross sectional studies showing less frequent sex without condoms among Black YMSM despite higher rates of HIV incidence in emerging adulthood, as well as the importance of considering economic conditions in such models. Efforts to understand racial/ethnic disparities in HIV/STIs among YMSM must move beyond examination of individual-level sexual behaviors and consider both race/ethnicity and socioeconomic conditions in order to evaluate how these factors shape the sexual behaviors of YMSM.
Arg-257 and Arg-307 of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase bind the C-2 phospho group of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate in the fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase domain.

Rat liver fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, which catalyzes its reaction via a phosphoenzyme intermediate, is evolutionarily related to the phosphoglycerate mutase enzyme family (Bazan, F., Fletterick, R., and Pilkis, S.J. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 9642-9646). Arg-7 and Arg-59 of the yeast phosphoglycerate mutase have been postulated to be substrate-binding residues based on the x-ray crystal structure. The corresponding residues in rat liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, Arg-257 and Arg-307, were mutated to alanine. The Arg257Ala and Arg307Ala mutants and the wild-type enzyme were expressed in Escherichia coli and then purified to homogeneity. Both mutant enzymes had identical far and near UV circular dichroism spectra and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase activities when compared with the wild-type enzyme. However, the Arg257Ala and Arg307Ala mutants had altered steady state fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase kinetic properties; the Km values for fructose-2,6-bisphosphate of the Arg257Ala and Arg307Ala mutants were increased by 12,500- and 760-fold, whereas the Ki values for inorganic phosphate were increased 7.4- and 147-fold, respectively, as compared with the wild-type values. However, the Ki values for the other product, fructose-6-phosphate, were unchanged for the mutant enzymes. Although both mutants exhibited parallel changes in kinetic parameters that reflect substrate/product binding, they had opposing effects on their respective maximal velocities; the maximal velocity of Arg257Ala was 11-fold higher, whereas that for Arg307Ala was 700-fold lower, than that of the wild-type enzyme. Pre-steady state kinetic studies demonstrated that the rate of phosphoenzyme formation for Arg307Ala was at least 4000-fold lower than that of the wild-type enzyme, whereas the rate for Arg257Ala was similar to the wild-type enzyme. Furthermore, consistent with the Vmax changes, the rate constant for phosphoenzyme breakdown for Arg257Ala was increased 9-fold, whereas that for Arg307Ala was decreased by a factor of 500-fold, as compared with the wild-type value. The results indicate that both Arg-257 and Arg-307 interact with the reactive C-2 phospho group of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and that Arg-307 stabilizes this phospho group in the transition state during phosphoenzyme breakdown, whereas Arg-257 stabilizes the phospho group of the ground state phosphoenzyme intermediate.
Abstract T P242: Cognitive Dysfunction in a Pre-chiasmatic Cistern Blood Injection Model of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage In Mice

Background: Majority of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) survivors develop cognitive dysfunction. To better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop treatments, predictive animal models are required. We carried out a detailed physiological and cognitive characterization of pre-chiasmatic cistern (PC) and cisterna magna (CM) SAH models in mice. Methods: SAH was induced by arterial blood injection into the PC (40 μl) or CM (60 μl) in C57BL6/J mice (male, 25g). Controls received normal saline. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was imaged using laser speckle flowmetry during and for 60 min after SAH. Intracranial pressure (ICP) and blood pressure (BP) were monitored to calculate cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). Neurological and cognitive function was assessed 3 weeks after the injection, using pole, novel object recognition, Y maze and Morris water maze tests. Results: Mortality was 10% after PC and 4% after CM SAH. In both groups, CPP decreased from about 65 mmHg to less than 10 mmHg immediately af...
fus-1, a pH Shift Mutant of Semliki Forest Virus, Acts by Altering Spike Subunit Interactions via a Mutation in the E2 Subunit

Semliki Forest virus (SFV), an enveloped alphavirus, is a well-characterized paradigm for viruses that infect cells via endocytic uptake and low-pH-triggered fusion. The SFV spike protein is composed of a dimer of E1 and E2 transmembrane subunits, which dissociate upon exposure to low pH, liberating E2 and the fusogenic E1 subunit to undergo independent conformational changes. SFV fusion and infection are blocked by agents such as ammonium chloride, which act by raising the pH in the endosome and inhibiting the low-pH-induced conformational changes in the SFV spike protein. We have previously isolated an SFV mutant, fus-1, that requires more acidic pH to trigger its fusion activity and is therefore more sensitive to inhibition by ammonium chloride. The acid shift in the fusion activity of fus-1 was here shown to be due to a more acidic pH threshold for the initial dissociation of the fus-1 spike dimer, thereby resulting in a more acidic pH requirement for the subsequent conformational changes in both fus-1 E1 and fus-1 E2. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the fus-1 phenotype was due to a mutation in the E2 spike subunit, threonine 12 to isoleucine. fus-1 revertants that have regained the parental fusion phenotype and ammonium chloride sensitivity were shown to have also regained E2 threonine 12. Our results identify a region of the SFV E2 spike protein subunit that regulates the pH dependence of E1-catalyzed fusion by controlling the dissociation of the E1/E2 dimer.
Edith Wharton and the New Narcissism

She stood up and, going close to the glass, examined the reflection of her bright eyes and glowing cheeks. … She was going to know the right people at last—she was going to get what she wanted!—Edi...
Synthesis, X-ray Crystallographic, Electrochemical, and Spectroscopic Studies of Bis-(1,10-phenanthroline)(2,2′-bipyridine)cobalt(III) Hexafluorophosphate

The synthesis, X-ray crystallographic, electrochemical, and spectroscopic studies of bis-(1,10-phenanthroline)(2,2′-bipyridine)cobalt(III) hexafluorophosphate with acetone solvent of crystallization ([Co(phen)2(bpy)](PF6)3·1.6(CH3)2CO) is reported. The compound crystallized in a monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 13.215(3) A, b = 17.823(4) A, c = 19.823(4) A, β = 96.80(3)° and V = 4636.1(16) A3 with Z = 4. The cobalt(III) metal center has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. 1,10-Phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands were generally planar, and did not exhibit π–π overlap. The packing of the cations was stabilized by hydrogen bonding with hexafluorophosphate anions. The electrochemical studies revealed the CoIII/II, CoII/I and CoI/0 redox couples at E 1/2 = +0.32, −0.91 and −1.61 V (vs AgCl/Ag) respectively in acetonitrile. 59Co NMR spectroscopic studies revealed that the [Co(phen)2(bpy)](PF6)3·0.5(C2H5)2O species has a chemical shift of 6900 ppm in DMSO-d 6. The mononuclear complex, [Co(phen)2(bpy)](PF6)3·1.6(CH3)2CO) was synthesized and characterized, but more revealing 59Co NMR spectroscopic studies on the complex revealed interesting species in DMSO-d 6.
High performance no flow underfills for low-cost flip-chip applications

Underfill encapsulant is critical to the reliability of the flip-chip solder joint interconnects. No-flow underfill encapsulant is one type of underfill encapsulants and is increasingly becoming attractive to production engineers due to the simplification of the no-flow underfilling process. To develop the no-flow underfill materials suitable for no-flow underfilling process of flip-chip solder joint interconnects, we have studied and developed several catalysts for no-flow underfill formulations. These catalysts were reacted with epoxy resins (cycloaliphatic type epoxy), crosslinkers or hardeners, and other additives, such as adhesion promoters, silica fillers, self-fluxing agents, and surfactants, to form the low-cost high performance underfills. The effects of concentration of hardeners and catalysts as well as other factors on the curing profile and physical properties of the cured formulations were studied. The kinetics and reaction heat of the curing reactions of these formulations were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) of these cured resins were investigated by thermo-mechanical analyzer (TMA). Cured formulations were measured by dynamic-mechanical analyzer (DMA). Additionally, the comparison results of our successful generic underfills with the current state-of-the-art commercial no-flow underfills are reported here.
Analytical solution of radiation by a hertzian dipole near an electrically large layered spheroid

A recursive method is presented for finding the fields scattered by a multilayered spheroid excited by a time-harmonic dipole. The proposed analytical technique uses the extended boundary condition method with spheroidal basis functions. The fields radiated by an electric dipole near a 3-layered human-body model in the UHF band are calculated and compared to the fields found by a numerical method.
Significant predictors of patients’ uncertainty in primary brain tumors

Patients with primary brain tumors (PBT) face uncertainty related to prognosis, symptoms and treatment response and toxicity. Uncertainty is correlated to negative mood states and symptom severity and interference. This study identified predictors of uncertainty during different treatment stages (newly-diagnosed, on treatment, followed-up without active treatment). One hundred eighty six patients with PBT were accrued at various points in the illness trajectory. Data collection tools included: a clinical checklist/a demographic data sheet/the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Brain Tumor Form. The structured additive regression model was used to identify significant demographic and clinical predictors of illness-related uncertainty. Participants were primarily white (80 %) males (53 %). They ranged in age from 19-80 (mean = 44.2 ± 12.6). Thirty-two of the 186 patients were newly-diagnosed, 64 were on treatment at the time of clinical visit with MRI evaluation, 21 were without MRI, and 69 were not on active treatment. Three subscales (ambiguity/inconsistency; unpredictability-disease prognoses; unpredictability-symptoms and other triggers) were different amongst the treatment groups (P < .01). However, patients’ uncertainty during active treatment was as high as in newly-diagnosed period. Other than treatment stages, change of employment status due to the illness was the most significant predictor of illness-related uncertainty. The illness trajectory of PBT remains ambiguous, complex, and unpredictable, leading to a high incidence of uncertainty. There was variation in the subscales of uncertainty depending on treatment status. Although patients who are newly diagnosed reported the highest scores on most of the subscales, patients on treatment felt more uncertain about unpredictability of symptoms than other groups. Due to the complexity and impact of the disease, associated symptoms, and interference with functional status, comprehensive assessment of patients is necessary throughout the illness trajectory.
Higher-dose dabigatran reduced stroke, but not major hemorrhage, more than warfarin in atrial fibrillation

Source Citation Connolly SJ, Ezekowitz MD, Yusuf S, et al. Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:1139-51. 19717844
The Effect of Cigarette Advertising Bans on Consumption: A Meta-analysis

Because previous research and reviews on the effect of cigarette advertising bans on cigarette consumption have reported mixed results, the effectiveness of cigarette advertising bans has been a point of controversy. To ascertain the efficacy of cigarette advertising bans, the current research is a quantitative integration (meta-analysis) of the entire available published cigarette advertising ban research conducted to determine what impact, if any, advertising bans have on cigarette smoking behavior. Results of the meta-analysis show that cigarette advertising bans do not have a significant effect on cigarette consumption.
Automorphism Groups of Higher-Weight Dowling Geometries

The weight k Dowling geometry M(Ek, n) is the restriction of the projective geometry PG(n ? 1, q) to the projective points having k or fewer nonzero coordinate entries. These matroids arise when examining the Fundamental Problem of Linear Coding Theory in the context of the Critical Problem of Matroid Theory. In this paper, we study the group of automorphisms of M(Ek, n) for all weights k ? 2. For fixed q ? 2, the automorphism groups of the Dowling geometries M(E3, n), M(E4, n), ..., M(En ? 1, n) are isomorphic. If q = 2 and k ? n ? 2, then the automorphism group is either the symmetric group on n elements or the symmetric group on n + 1 elements according to whether k is odd or even. We conclude with remarks on the automorphism groups of weight 2 Dowling geometries M(E2, n).
Brain elimination half-life of fluvoxamine measured by 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: This study used fluorine-19 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (19F MRS) to characterize the elimination of fluvoxamine from the human brain after abrupt drug discontinuation. The elimination half-lives of fluvoxamine in brain and plasma were determined to assess their interdependence and the relationship of brain half-life to the clinical practice of drug holidays and reports of acute withdrawal symptoms. METHOD: Six subjects completing clinical treatment with fluvoxamine were enrolled in the study. Spectroscopic quantification of whole brain fluvoxamine concentrations and chromatographic determination of plasma fluvoxamine levels were performed serially for up to 10 days after drug withdrawal. Psychiatric evaluation to assess withdrawal symptoms was also done at each scanning session. RESULTS: Elimination of fluvoxamine in the brain and plasma was optimally described by first-order kinetics; the mean elimination half-lives were 58 hours and 26 hours, respectively. The mean ratio of fluvoxamine b...
Vestibular Dysfunction in Patients with Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct.

ObjectiveEnlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is the most common inner ear malformation. While a strong correlative relationship between EVA and hearing loss is well established, its association with vestibular dysfunction is less well understood. In this study, we examine the effects of EVA on the vestibular system in patients with EVA.Study DesignProspective, cross-sectional study of a cohort ascertained between 1999 and 2013.SettingNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center, a federal biomedical research facility.Subjects and MethodsIn total, 106 patients with unilateral or bilateral EVA, defined as a midpoint diameter greater than 1.5 mm, were referred or self-referred to participate in a study of the clinical and molecular aspects of EVA. Clinical history was ascertained with respect to the presence or absence of various vestibular signs and symptoms and history of head trauma. Videonystagmography (VNG), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), and rotational vestibular testing (RVT) w...
Dietary patterns and home food availability during emerging adulthood: do they differ by living situation?

‘Emerging adulthood’, typically defined as ages 18–25 years, is a unique developmental period when young people’s independence and autonomy are increasing. It is also a high-risk time for adverse health behaviours(1,2). Previous research has highlighted the need for health promotion strategies for this age group, such as tobacco cessation and other efforts aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles(3). However, scant attention has focused on nutrition and healthy eating promotion for young adults. These emerging adult years may be a particularly important time to focus on nutrition-related issues, especially given the rapid increases in obesity prevalence at this age(4), as well as the impact that excess weight gain in early adulthood may have on long-term health(5,6). The transition to adulthood is also a key developmental age when long-term weight behaviour patterns may be established(1). Although some existing evidence suggests that adverse shifts in diet and weight-related factors likely occur between adolescence and adulthood, few studies to date have described these changes in detail(1). Furthermore, while a limited number of studies have examined differences in dietary intakes among US college students by living situation (i.e. living either on or off campus)(7,8), to our knowledge no studies to date have examined these differences within a more generalizable young adult population, including those who represent a range of lifestyle characteristics (i.e. those who attend college, as well as young adults who are not college students) and living situations (those living on their own, with parents and/or on college campuses). Previous research among other age groups, such as children and adolescents, has suggested that living situations and various facets of the home environment may have an important impact on meal patterning and dietary intake and may be important factors to consider in designing health promotion strategies(9–12). In order to build current knowledge and inform the possible development of nutrition interventions for young adults, there is a substantial need for research that explores how dietary patterns may vary across different living situations of young adults and how home environment characteristics may influence dietary intake among this age group. Thus, the objective of the present work was to examine cross-sectional differences in dietary intake, meal patterns and home food availability among emerging adults by living situation (i.e. living in a rented apartment or house, living with parents or living on a college campus) using data drawn from a large, diverse, population-based cohort of youths. The research assessed: (i) the prevalence of diet-related factors by living situation; as well as (ii) disparities in dietary factors independent of known sociodemographic differences (e.g. according to socioeconomic status (SES) and race/ethnicity) in diet.
Expression of KCa channels in identified populations of developing vertebrate neurons: role of neurotrophic factors and activity

Abstract Changes in the intrinsic spike discharge properties in one neuronal population can alter the functions and even the formation of an entire neuronal network. Therefore it is important to understand the factors that regulate acquisition of a mature electrophysiological phenotype. Here we focus on large-conductance K Ca channels, which shape the pattern of repetitive discharge and which are therefore likely to play a role in the refinement of neural networks during development. In the parasympathetic ciliary ganglion of chick, the developmental expression of K Ca channels coincides with stages at which ciliary cells form synapses with target tissues. Moreover, K Ca expression requires formation of synapses with target tissues, and with afferent preganglionic inputs. The trophic effect of targets is mediated by TGFβ1, whereas the effect of the preganglionic input is mediated by an isoform of β-neuregulin-1. These trophic factors act synergistically, and this appears to be a normal feature of their actions in vivo. The acute effects of TGFβ1 entail translocation of preexisting K Ca channels from intracellular stores to the plasma membrane. This requires activation of the signaling enzymes Ras, Erk MAP kinase and PI3 kinase. TGFβ1 also causes a more sustained increase in K Ca channels (i.e. for up to 2 weeks) that requires synthesis of new channel proteins. Inductive regulation of K Ca expression is also observed in CNS cells that form more complex networks. In lumbar motoneurons, the largest changes in K Ca expression coincide with the elimination of synapses with hindlimb targets. Interactions with target tissues play a key role in regulation of motoneuron K Ca expression, and this trophic effect of target muscle is mediated by GDNF or a closely related factor. In addition, K Ca expression in motoneurons is dependent on ongoing electrical activity both in vivo and in vitro. This provides an additional mechanism for use-dependent refinement of neural networks during embryonic development.
Strategy Instruction in Planning: Teaching Students with Learning and Writing Disabilities to Compose Persuasive and Expository Essays:

This article summarizes two intervention studies using the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model of instruction. The major objective of the studies was to evaluate the effectiveness of t...
A Contract on Hogs: A Decision Case

The decision case "A Contract on Hogs" describes a Michigan farm couple's decision about whether to accept a contract to finish hogs for a larger company. Having given up raising their own hogs in a free-range, pasture setting, the Bishops were offered a contract under which they would build a swine confinement building and feed out three sets of hogs a year. The contractor would provide feeder pigs, feed, and veterinary services. The case provides a vehicle for discussing production contracts, investment analysis, and local environmental and zoning issues associated with siting intensive livestock production facilities.
Homeschooling in the USA: Past, present and future

This article first examines why the homeschooling movement in the USA emerged in the 1970s, noting the impact of political radicalism both right and left, feminism, suburbanization, and public school bureaucratization and secularization. It then describes how the movement, constituted of left- and right-wing elements, collaborated in the early 1980s to contest hostile legal climates in many states but was taken over by conservative Protestants by the late 1980s because of their superior organization and numerical dominance. Despite internal conflicts, the movement’s goals of legalizing and popularizing homeschooling were realized by the mid-1990s. Since that time homeschooling has grown in popularity and is increasingly being utilized by more mainstream elements of society, often in conjunction with public schools, suggesting that ‘homeschooling’ as a political movement and ideology may have run its course.
A new analysis of the closed loop thermosyphon

Abstract This theoretical study addresses the nature of motions in a toroidal fluid loop oriented in the vertical plane and subject to rather general internal heating and/or thermal wall conditions. It is shown that previous one-dimensional models of flow in the loop can be transformed, without further approximation, to a ‘master’ problem of three non-linear ordinary differential equations, along with an infinite set of linear ‘slaved’ problems. The mass flux is determined solely by the master problem. The question of existence and stability of steady flows reduces to a study of cubic algebraic equations. In the strongly non-linear regime, it is argued that only steady or chaotic flows, not periodic ones, are possible. The sensitivity of the one-dimensional model predictions to various wall-stress parameterizations is described.