cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unintentional injuries after TBI: Potential risk factors, impacts, and prevention

BACKGROUND: The top three causes of fatal unintentional injuries are falls, motor vehicle crashes, and being struck against or struck by objects or persons. These etiologies also happen to be the leading causes of TBI, a serious public health problem, in the US. Reduced cognitive functioning, poor decision making, increased risk taking, disinhibition, diminished safety skills and substance use, place individuals with TBI at an increased risk for subsequent unintentional injuries. The caregiving, psychological, social and financial burden of initial injuries is enormous. Unintentional injuries post-TBI add to that burden significantly. Many unintentional injuries can be prevented with simple education and environment and lifestyle changes. Injury prevention requires collaboration among many. OBJECTIVE: This literature review will share information regarding potential triggers or causes of unintentional injuries after TBI to identify potential issues. The many impacts of these injuries will be reviewed. Best practices in prevention will be presented. CONCLUSION: Ultimately, education, discussion, and awareness across multiple stakeholders can aid in preventing unintentional injuries after TBI. Language: en
Reproductive Biology of the Federally Endangered Clematis morefieldii Kral (Ranunculaceae)

ABSTRACT Successful management of rare plant species requires understanding of reproductive life history. To assess reproductive attrition, the status of all reproductive units (expressed in seven stages) on 40 plants at The Nature Conservancy's Keel Mountain Preserve (Madison County, Alabama) was recorded throughout 4 yr (2009–12). Floral herbivory by Lepidopteran larvae (Geometridae) and abortion of reproductive units was common, with few flower buds (< 12%) producing mature fruits and the greatest attrition occurring during the smallest flower bud stage. Reproductive output was positively correlated with peak growth season rainfall (April–June); plants produced more fruits in wet years (2009 and 2011) than in drought years (2010 and 2012). Postdispersal achene predation assessed in a high-density Clematis area and a low-density Clematis area reached 15% after 1 wk and increased to 30% after 4 mo but did not significantly differ between high-density and low-density areas. Germination was documented by ...
Age and Gender Differences in the Associations of Self-Compassion and Emotional Well-being in A Large Adolescent Sample

Adolescence is a challenging developmental period marked with declines in emotional well-being; however, self-compassion has been suggested as a protective factor. This cross-sectional survey study (N = 765, grades 7th to 12th; 53 % female; 4 % Hispanic ethnicity; 64 % White and 21 % Black) examined whether adolescents’ self-compassion differed by age and gender, and secondly, whether its associations with emotional well-being (perceived stress, life satisfaction, distress intolerance, depressive symptoms, and anxiety) also differed by age and gender. The findings indicated that older females had the lowest self-compassion levels compared to younger females or all-age males. Self-compassion was associated with all emotional well-being measures, and gender and/or age moderated the associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Among older adolescents, self-compassion had a greater protective effect on anxiety for boys than for girls. Additionally, older adolescents with low and average self-compassion had greater levels of depressive symptoms than those with high self-compassion. These results may inform for whom and at what age self-compassion interventions may be implemented to protect adolescents from further declines in emotional well-being.
An Eight-Element 370–410-GHz Phased-Array Transmitter in 45-nm CMOS SOI With Peak EIRP of 8–8.5 dBm

This paper presents a 370–410-GHz phased-array transmitter, which is based on a $W$ -band distribution network, amplifiers, and vector modulators, feeding a linear eight-element quadrupler array. The quadrupler outputs are connected to high-efficiency microstrip antennas. The design is scalable to a large number of elements, since most of the chip operates at $W$ -band frequencies. The chip is built using 45-nm CMOS silicon on insulator technology, which offers transistors with $f_{t}$ and $f_{\max }$ of 250–260 GHz referenced to the top metal. The phased array results an equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of >5 dBm at 375–405 dBm with a peak EIRP of 7–8.5 dBm at 380–400 GHz and with a pattern scan of +/−35° in one plane. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first demonstrations of a phased array operating at 400 GHz using CMOS technology and with wide operating bandwidth.
Critique [of Racial Intelligence Testing and the Mexican People]

Gilbert Gonzalez9s “Racial Intelligence Testing and the Mexican People” is a major contribution in analyzing the educational factors which result in social inequality among the Mexican population in the US. For decades, the power elite has espoused the myth that educational achievement for minorities is the key to social upward mobility. Instead, Gonzalez views education as a system which perpetuates and maintains racial and class divisions in our society.
Stokes flow inside a sphere in an inviscid extensional flow

We derive the streamfunction solution for flow in and around a viscous sphere suspended in an inviscid extensional flow with matched stress boundary conditions, which is a model for estimating the stresses on a tiny suspended organism by a nearby expanding and collapsing bubble. The boundary conditions are enforced in an easily resolvable form by expressing the surface stresses as sums of Legendre and Gegenbauer functions. The flow inside the sphere reflects a balance of exterior inertia with internal viscous forces, which together are shown to constitute the relevant flow Reynolds number. The solution is evaluated to examine the flow field inside this sphere as a potential source of damage to the organism.
A Probabilistic Approach for Reliability and Life Prediction of Electronics in Drilling and Evaluation Tools

The capability to predict performance and lifetime of drilling electronics is the key to preventing costly downhole tool failures and ensuring success of any drilling operation. Drilling electronics operate under extremely harsh downhole environments with temperatures beyond 150C and vibration levels exceeding 15g. In addition to temperature and vibration, there are several factors affecting electronic reliability that have high uncertainty and cannot be accurately measured. There is a growing trend in the oil and gas industry to drill faster and operate at higher temperatures and pressures, forcing tools to operate beyond design specifications. This has resulted in increased failure rate leading to higher maintenance costs and system downtime for drilling operators as well as service providers. This paper develops a methodology to estimate the life of drilling electronics by using operational data, drilling dynamics and historical maintenance information. The methodology combines parameter estimation techniques, statistical reliability analysis and Bayesian math in a probabilistic framework. Parameter estimation is used to calibrate statistical equations to field data and probabilistic analysis is used to obtain the likelihood of failure. In the paper, the model parameters are represented as random variables, each with a probability distribution. Drilling electronics under downhole conditions can have several failure modes and each failure mode can be caused by the interaction of several variables. When information on each failure mechanism is not readily available, the failure is expressed in terms of several candidate models. Bayesian updating is used to incorporate real time operational history for a specific part and select the most accurate failure model for that part. Tis is for the first time, a systematic approach is developed for predicting the life of electronics in downhole drilling environments using statistical modeling and probabilistic methods on life cycle history and operational data from the field.
Eye in the sky: visual geographies and emotional topographies of First World War airmen

AbstractAlthough the First World War highlighted human vulnerability through the terrors of a mechanised warfare ravaging the male body in new ways, it also fostered moments of intimacy and tenderness that privileged commonality, mutuality, and generosity, and encouraged friendship and comradeship as cornerstones of martial masculinities. This article explores such intimacies through analysis of letters and diaries written by British Royal Flying Corps airmen during combat on the Western Front. Informed by history of emotions approaches, I discuss the ways the sensual geographies of aerial combat and their promise of mastery and expanded vision shaped the emotional topographies of airmen’s combat lives. Following Santanu Das’s scholarship on the claustrophobic haptic geographies of trench warfare, this article addresses the following question: If the claustrophobia of the trenches and the impoverishment of visual experience facilitated certain geographies of senses that shaped male intimacies, what might ...
Abstract TP238: Current Practices of Obtaining Informed Consent for Acute Stroke Therapies

Objective: The objective of this national survey of clinicians providing acute stroke care was to examine current practice patterns regarding the informed consent process for tPA as well as ERT. Background: Improvement in the consent process for stroke interventions has been a suggested target to further reduce delays in timely reperfusion. Currently there is no standard means of obtaining informed consent for acute stroke interventions. Methods: A survey instrument was distributed nationally to 809 neurologists, emergency medicine physicians, interventionists, internal medicine physicians, and nursing staff via email. Analysis was then performed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test for categorical comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine independent factors contributing to consent practices. Free-text entries were separately analyzed for thematic content. Results: The survey response rate was 33% (268/809). Respondents were in practice an average of 13.1 (+/- 9.5) years. Only 21% of respondents reported never requiring informed consent for tPA given within the 3-hour time window, whereas 37% always require informed consent. In multivariable models, practicing emergency medicine (OR 5.8, 95% CI [2.9-11.5]) and working at a non-academic medical center (OR 2.1, 95% CI [1.0-4.3]) were associated with always requiring informed consent. Over half of respondents (52%) reported experiencing delays because of informed consent for tPA. Waiting for a patient’s family to reach consensus about treatment was the most often reported delay. Almost all providers (90.5%) identified the risk of intracranial hemorrhage as necessary content to disclose, and the majority (87.4%) reported a verbal description of risk and benefits as the preferred means of delivering information. Most respondents (56%) always obtain informed consent for ERT and most (59%) did not experience delays because of informed consent. Conclusions: Most respondents to a national survey typically obtain informed consent for acute stroke therapies and most have encountered delays in administering tPA because of the informed consent process. Decreasing the time to obtain informed consent may be a future target to improve stroke outcomes.
Book review: Rajeev Kinra, Writing Self, Writing Empire: Chandar Bhan Brahman and the Cultural World of the Indo-Persian State Secretary:

Rajeev Kinra, Writing Self, Writing Empire: Chandar Bhan Brahman and the Cultural World of the Indo-Persian State Secretary, Primus Books, New Delhi, 2016, 369 pp., ₹1,250.
Engineering Design of the National Spherical Tokamak Experiment

The National Spherical Tokamak Experiment (NSTX) is an ultra low aspect ratio device with a plasma current of 1 MA. The tokamak features auxiliary heating and current drive with a close-fitting conducting shell to maximize the plasma pressure. NSTX is designed for an experimental pulse length that will demonstrate quasi-steady state non-inductively driven advanced tokamak operation. The design also takes maximum advantage of existing facilities and components from previous Princeton devices to reduce the overall program costs.
Phosphotyrosyl Peptide-Enzyme Complexes: How Much Structure Can We Get From Transferred Noe’s

How vital cellular processes are exquisitely coupled at the molecular level to properly regulate cell division, growth and proliferation is one of the major issues in biological research. This coupling involves the transduction of extracellular signals via membrane proteins to control an entire cascade of biochemical events in the cell. A key element of signaling cascades is the control of protein-protein association through phosphorylation of tyrosine residues.
The Gelfand-Levitan Theory for Strings

In this note we extend the classical Gelfand-Levitan theory to allow spectral functions with power growth ρλ ∼ λк where к ∈ (0,1)∪(1,2). The classical theory deals with Sturm-Liouville operators whose spectral functions behave like \( \sqrt \lambda \) or \( \lambda \sqrt \lambda \) only. The main tool here is the Gohberg-Krein special factorization of operators close to the identity, which gives a better insight on the existence of transformation operators of Volterra type.
What Is the Safety Zone for Palatal Soft Tissue Graft Harvesting Based on the Locations of the Greater Palatine Artery and Foramen? A Systematic Review.

Purpose Palatal soft tissue graft harvesting is a common procedure in periodontal and implant dentistry. However, most of the complications after this procedure are associated with the underestimation of anatomic structures, such as the greater palatine artery (GPA). Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide guidelines for a safety zone for palatal harvesting. Materials and Methods A systematic search was conducted to identify cadaveric and computed tomography (CT) or cone beam CT studies assessing the location of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) and the path of the GPA in relation to the maxillary teeth. The effect of age, gender, and cadaveric and CT or cone beam CT studies on the location of the GPF and on the course of the GPA also was assessed. Results This systematic review included 26 studies, investigating 5,768 hemipalates. The most common location of the GPF was in the midpalatal aspect of the third molar (57.08%). As it traverses the palate anteriorly, the distance from the GPA to the maxillary teeth gradually decreases, except in the second premolar region, where it has the tendency to increase (13.8 ± 2.1 mm). The least distance from the GPA to the teeth was found in the canine area (9.9 ± 2.9 mm), whereas the greatest distance was in the second molar region (13.9 ± 1 mm). A safety zone for palatal harvesting was proposed based on the anatomic findings. Conclusions This study provides guidelines for identifying the position of the GPF and defines a safety zone for harvesting a free gingival graft or connective tissue graft, minimizing the risk of GPA injury.
Model Systematic Errors in the Annual Cycle of Monsoon: Inferences from Process-Based Diagnostics

Forecasting monsoon rainfall using dynamical climate models has met with little success, partly due to models’ inability to represent the monsoon precipitation annual cycle accurately. Here, we review and examine the nature and dynamical causes of their biases. We discuss the coupled nature of the monsoon annual cycle from observations and then present errors in multi-model-mean, climatological fields of ocean–atmosphere variables determined from CMIP5. We argue that in CMIP-era models, there is a spatial redistribution in the organization of convection, and precipitation biases are longitudinally oriented with “wet-west” and “dry-east” over the tropical Indian Ocean, with wet (dry) biases prominent over the climatological dry (wet) regions. Irrespective of resolutions and varied physical parameterizations employed in CMIP-era models, the robustness in the biases across the suite of models suggests that multiple processes and their interactions lead to these persistent errors. We review recent literature that addressed the source(s) of model errors and indicate the importance of examining both atmospheric and oceanic fast processes. After discussing the unique nature of observed convection peak during May over the western Indian Ocean, we demonstrate through idealized experiments, how errors in the representation of ocean–atmosphere feedbacks along the equatorial Indian Ocean impact monsoon precipitation errors. We apply process-based diagnostics to identify the relative role of moist and radiative processes and show how systematic errors in certain parameterizations could anchor model biases in precipitation. Despite devoted efforts by the model development teams, persistence of model errors leads us to ask: are there fundamental limits to realistically simulating the monsoon annual cycle? Can a concerted observational and modeling effort enhance models’ fidelity in simulating the monsoon? We summarize the pertinent issues on modeling, and limitations on observations to constrain model physics, and stress the need for coordinated activities across diagnostics, modeling, and observational personnel.
Abstract LB-238: Immunotransplant filters out regulatory T cells and cures large lymphoma tumors.

Background: The potency of transferring ex vivo activated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes into lymphodepleted recipients has been demonstrated in clinical trials, though the use of in vivo vaccine-primed anti-tumor lymphocytes could make this approach sufficiently feasible for broad clinical application. We previously described a vaccination maneuver against murine B-cell lymphoma combining chemotherapy (CTX) and intra-tumoral injection of an immunostimulant CpG, which induced T-cell immunity and eradicated established tumors. An ongoing clinical trial of this maneuver has demonstrated complete and partial responses in lymphoma patients, though immune-regulatory factors such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and limiting amounts of “homeostatic” cytokines might block even more powerful antitumor immunity. Transfer of tumor-specific lymphocytes into lymphodepleted recipients may eliminate these immune-regulatory obstacles. Methods: Splenocytes and bone marrow from CpG/CTX vaccinated mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated recipients, i.e., “immunotransplant.” Recipients received high dose tumor challenge with A20 murine B-cell lymphoma and followed clinically for tumor growth and for tumor-specific CD8 T cell IFNγ responses by multi-color flow cytometry. Results: We observed selective filtering against Tregs, doubling of the transferred Teffector:Treg ratio, and preferential expansion of transferred tumor-specific CD8 T cells in immunotransplant recipients. Immunotransplant cures large subcutaneous (>100 mm2) and metastatic tumors in 100% of recipients and enhances tumor-specific T cell memory. The addition of a vaccine “boost” to the immunotransplant maneuver results in an additional 3-fold increase in tumor-specific immunity and the use of cured recipients as subsequent donors in serial immunotransplant experiments demonstrated even greater tumor protection. Conclusions: As hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a standard therapy for lymphoma patients, pre-transplant vaccination followed by post-transplant transfer of tumor-specific T cells could be tested in clinical trials. Our model suggests that this immunotransplant approach would allow the benefit of cancer vaccines to be revealed and might lead to cure of otherwise resistant malignancies.
Inertial-Fusion-Related Hydrodynamic Instabilities in a Spherical Gas Bubble Accelerated by a Planar Shock Wave

Experiments studying the compression and unstable growth of a dense spherical bubble in a gaseous medium subjected to a strong planar shock wave (2.8 < M < 3.4) are performed in a vertical shock tube. The test gas is initially contained in a free-falling spherical soap-film bubble, and the shocked bubble is imaged using planar laser diagnostics. Concurrently, simulations are carried out using a compressible hydrodynamics code in r-z axisymmetric geometry. Experiments and computations indicate the formation of characteristic vortical structures in the post-shock flow, due to Richtmyer-Meshkov and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, and smaller-scale vortices due to secondary effects. Inconsistencies between experimental and computational results are examined, and the usefulness of the current axisymmetric approach is evaluated.
Save a Child: How to Identify and Report Child Abuse

People who work with children, parents, and the general public may at some point in their lives and careers have to report child abuse. It is important that you be able to recognize the symptoms of abuse and be able to contact the appropriate authorities. By reporting abuse, you may save a child’s life or prevent serious injury. This 4-page fact sheet discusses child abuse laws and procedures for reporting abuse. It also contains information about different types of abuse and how to identify abused or neglected children. Characteristics listed here are general and intended as guidelines. A child or family may exhibit many warning signs of abuse, though no abuse has occurred or ever will occur. Written by Andrew E. Toelle and Kate Fogarty and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, January 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he855
The Role of Exparel Plus Meloxicam for Postoperative Pain Management.

Acute postoperative pain reduction is a major target against the opioid crisis. While opioids have traditionally been the mainstay for postoperative analgesia, current practice has focused on a multimodal approach to pain control, including ultrasound-guided blocks with longer acting local anesthetic agents. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as meloxicam, are an important class of medications utilized to manage pain in the perioperative period. An additional treatment used in perioperative or postoperative pain relief is Exparel, a bupivacaine (sodium channel blocker) liposomal injectable suspension with a 3–4-day duration of action. The long-acting mechanism and formulation of Exparel consistently has demonstrated decreased opioid use and pain scores in patients undergoing many different surgical procedures. A concern is that pH negatively alters the efficacy of bupivacaine, as in cases of inflamed tissue and acidic fluid pH. For this reason, a combination medication with both meloxicam and bupivacaine has been developed, which normalizes pH and has anti-inflammatory and anti-pain conduction properties. Clinical studies demonstrate that this combination agent can be extremely beneficial in treating postoperative pain. This manuscript summarizes the newest developments with regard to liposomal bupivacaine and the non-steroidal meloxicam, their roles in effective treatment of postoperative pain, contraindications, special considerations of using these medications, and future considerations. HTX-011 pairs up a new extended-release formulation of the local anesthetic bupivacaine with meloxicam, a well-established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Surgical and Endovascular Complications: Infection and Hemorrhage

Vascular and endovascular complications encompass a wide range of conditions with vessel injury and infection being common areas for surgical intervention. This chapter describes the treatment strategies for several important vascular and endovascular complications including: hemorrhage in the retroperitoneum, neck, and groin; pseudoaneurysms; aortoenteric fistulae; and infected lower extremity bypass grafts. Although primary management principles of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and infection control still apply, advances in endovascular therapy have introduced new treatment options for the conditions addressed in this chapter.
First On-Orbit Results from the AeroCube-10 Space Solar Cell Experiment

AeroCube-10 is a two-CubeSat mission built and operated by The Aerospace Corporation. Among several payloads is a space solar cell experiment designed to measure solar cell radiation damage as well as the space radiation environment believed to cause it. This paper describes first on-orbit results of the space solar cell experiment on AeroCube-10.
Brief Report: Association Between Pain, Pulmonary Function, and Respiratory Symptoms in People With HIV

BACKGROUND People with HIV (PWH) experience chronic pain and respiratory symptoms, which are closely related in the general population. Pain may affect the impaired pulmonary function seen in PWH beyond its association with HIV alone. Our objective was to investigate the relationship of pain severity to pulmonary function, respiratory symptoms, and sleep disturbance in PWH. SETTING Study sites included the University of Pittsburgh, University of California San Francisco, and University of Washington. METHODS Pain, dyspnea, and sleep were assessed using the Brief Chronic Pain Questionnaire, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Participants performed prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator spirometry and 6-minute walk test. Associations between pain severity, lung function, dyspnea, and sleep were assessed with bivariate and multiple quantile regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index, and smoking status. RESULTS Of 159 PWH, the median age was 56 years with 30.8% women. Two-thirds experienced pain in the past week, with 40.3% reporting chronic pain. Pain severity was higher with female sex (P = 0.038), non-White race (P = 0.005), current smoking (P = 0.003), and lower CD4+ count (P = 0.035). In adjusted analysis, higher pain severity was correlated with reduced postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second %predicted (P = 0.008), reduced postbronchodilator forced vital capacity %predicted (P = 0.019), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.032). Greater pain severity was strongly associated with a higher St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (P < 0.001) and sleep disturbance (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In PWH, pain is common and associated with airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and sleep disturbance. Future studies assessing pain severity and pulmonary function over time could clarify the direction of this association and the impact on quality of life.
Abstract 078: Total Brachial Artery Reactivity And Incident Heart Failure And Heart Failure Sub-types: Multi-ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis

Introduction: Endothelial dysfunction may be a phenotypic expression of heart failure (HF). Total brachial artery reactivity (TBAR) is a non-invasive measurement of endothelial function that has be...
Investment in real assets and information acquisition: the OCE preferences case

Abstract An agent optimizes over real investment and investment in information acquisition while maximizing a two-period utility that captures his ordinal certainty equivalent (OCE) preferences. Optimal investment is characterized and the impact of risk and time preferences on it is investigated.
Predicting disordered gambling across adolescence and young adulthood from polygenic contributions to Big 5 personality traits in a UK birth cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous research has demonstrated phenotypical associations between disordered gambling (DG) and Big 5 personality traits, and a twin study suggested that shared genetic influences accounted for a substantial portion of this relation. The present study examined associations between DG and polygenic scores (PSs) for Big 5 traits to measure the shared genetic underpinnings of Big 5 personality traits and DG. DESIGN Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models estimated associations between Big 5 PSs and past-year and life-time assessments of DG in a longitudinally assessed population-based birth cohort. SETTING United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS A total of 4729 unrelated children of European ancestry from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) with both phenotypical and genetic data. MEASUREMENTS Phenotypical outcomes included past-year assessment of DG using the problem gambling severity index (PGSI) and life-time assessment of DSM-IV pathological gambling symptoms (DPG) across the ages of 17, 20 and 24 years. Polygenic scores were derived for the Big 5 personality traits of agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness and neuroticism using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). FINDINGS PSs for agreeableness [β= - 0.25, standard error (SE) = 0.054, P = 3.031e-6, ΔR2 = 0.008] and neuroticism (β=0.14, SE = 0.046, P = 0.0017, ΔR2 = 0.002) significantly predicted PGSI scores over and above included covariates (i.e. sex and first five ancestral principal components). PSs for agreeableness (β= - 0.20, SE = 0.056, P = 0.00036, ΔR2 = 0.003) and neuroticism, when interactions with age were taken into account (β = 0.29, SE = 0.090, P = 0.002, ΔR2 = 0.004), also predicted DPG scores. CONCLUSIONS Polygenic contributions to low agreeableness and high neuroticism appear to predict two measures of disordered gambling (problem gambling severity index and life-time assessment of DSM-IV pathological gambling symptoms). Polygenic scores for neuroticism interact with age to suggest that the positive association becomes stronger from adolescence through young adulthood.
Sulfurane [S(IV)]-Mediated Fusion of Benzynes Leads to Helical Dibenzofurans

Here we disclose a sulfurane-mediated method for the formation of dimeric dibenzofuran helicenes via the reaction between diaryl sulfoxides and hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA) derived benzynes. A variety of S-shaped and U-shaped helicenes were formed under thermal conditions. Both experimental and DFT studies support a sulfur(IV)-based coupling (aka ligand coupling) mechanism involving tetracarbo-ligated S(IV) intermediates undergoing reductive elimination to afford the helicene products. This process involves the de novo generation of five new rings in a single operation and constitutes a new method for the construction of topologically interesting, polycyclic aromatic compounds.
Abstract 12598: Impact of Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease on Systemic Inflammation and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Introduction: We sought to characterize the association of three adiposity-related risk factors - obesity, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - with the outcomes of increased inflammation and subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3976 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) with adequate CT imaging to diagnose NAFLD. For the study exposures, obesity was defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2, metabolic syndrome by ATP III criteria, and NAFLD using non-contrast cardiac CT and a liver/spleen attenuation ratio (L/S) 0. In order to assess for a possible gradient-response, adjusted logistic regression was used to examine the association of a stepwise increase in the number of three adiposity-related risk factors with increased inflammation and subclinical atherosclerosis. Additional models were conducted stratifying by gender or ethnicity. Results: Mean age of participants was 63 years, 45% were male, 37% were white, 10% Chin...
Development of a lightweight external insulation system for liquid-hydrogen stages of the saturn v vehicle.

The success of the nation’s space program depends on the availability of suitable insulation systems for cryogenic tankage. It is imperative that these insulation systems have high reliability, be light in weight, and low in conductance. In many areas of such insulation systems, demands have exceeded today’s technology. Many research and development programs are currently in progress throughout the country and in time will provide much of the information desperately required. The ultimate goals of such studies include insulation systems for practical vehicle configurations for both short-duration flights, such as launch vehicles, as well as for long-duration flights or missions such as lunar exploration.
Current Knowledge of Chlamydia TWAR, an Important Cause of Pneumonia and Other Acute Respiratory Diseases

This article reviews current knowledge of the TWAR strain, a newly recognized chlamydia organism that causes acute respiratory infection, especially atypical pneumonia. Information is presented under the following topics: introduction and history of the organism; microbiology and classification, including the proposal for a new chlamydia species, Chlamydia pneumoniae; laboratory diagnosis by isolation and serology; endemic TWAR disease and evidence for etiology, including studies in university students, in hospitalized pneumonia patients in three cities, and in a health maintenance organization from 1963 to 1974 and from 1985 to 1987; epidemic TWAR disease both country-wide in Denmark, Norway and Sweden 1981–1983, and localized in Finland and other countries; treatment including laboratory determination of antibiotic and sulfa drug sensitivity of the TWAR organism; population TWAR antibody prevalence; and studies by other investigators.
PREMATURE THELARCHE Precocious Development of the Breast

The findings in 16 cases of premature thelarche (precocious development of the breast) are described. Of particular interest in this series of cases was the finding of estrogenic stimulation of desquamated cells in the urinary sediment in 15 of the 16 cases. Only 7 of 86 "control" patients demonstrated a similar hormonal effect of the urinary cytology. The findings in most patients with premature thelarche of hormonal stimulation in at least two estrogen-responsive tissues of the body suggests that in the prepubertal period the breast enlargement may occur secondarily to a temporary increased excretion of estrogen by some mechanism as yet unknown.
The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Star Formation in Molecular Clouds

The gravitational stability of molecular cloud clumps before and after the onset of massive star formation is discussed. We suggest that the most massive clumps are magnetically supercritical but gravitationally stabilized by the hydromagnetic turbulence caused by FUV photoionization-regulated low-mass star formation in their interiors. The ionizing radiation of an O star can trigger star formation in initially sub- and supercritical clumps.
Software issues in high-performance computing and a framework for the development of HPC applications

Abstract : We identify the following key problems faced by HPC software:(1) the large gap between HPC design and implementation models in application development, (2) achieving high performance for a single application on different HPC platforms, and (3) accommodating constant changes in both problem specification and target architecture as computational methods and architectures evolve. To attack these problems, we suggest an application development methodology in which high-level architecture-independent specifications are elaborated, through an iterative refinement process which introduces architectural detail, into a form which can be translated to efficient low-level architecture-specific programming notations. A tree-structured development process permits multiple architectures to be targeted with implementation strategies appropriate to each architecture, and also provides a systematic means to accommodate changes in specification and target architecture. We describe the Proteus system, an application development system based on a wide-spectrum programming notation coupled with a notion of program refinement. This system supports the above development methodology via: (1)the construction of the specification and the successive designs in a uniform notation, which can be interpreted to provide early feedback on functionality and performance, (2) migration of the design towards specific architectures using formal methods of program refinement, (3) techniques for performance assessment in which the computational model varies with the level of refinement, and (4) the automatic translation of suitably refined programs to low-level parallel virtual machine codes for efficient execution.
NONSTRONG AMPLITUDES IN A VENEZIANO-TYPE MODEL.

We propose a general procedure for constructing the scattering amplitudes of hadrons with external currents. These are obtained from a representation of theN-point function for hadrons and leptons, in the lowest order of the weak constant. We consider a model with external scalar mesons and vector currents only. Current conservation is not required. We study the form factor, electroproduction and Compton scattering finding good analytic properties for the amplitudes.
Robust Barrier Option Pricing by Frame Projection Under Exponential Levy Dynamics

We present an efficient method for robustly pricing discretely monitored single and double barrier/Parisian options with an exponential Levy model for the transition density between monitoring dates. This includes ordinary barrier options, as well as (resetting) Parisian options and delayed barrier options (also known as cumulative Parisian or Parasian options) which have yet to be priced with more general Levy processes, including KoBoL (CGMY), Merton's jump diffusion and NIG. The method's efficiency is derived in part from the use of frame projected transition densities, which transform the problem into the Fourier domain, and accelerate the convergence of intermediate expectations. Moreover, these expectations are approximated by Toeplitz matrix-vector multiplications, resulting in a fast implementation. We devise an augmentation approach that contributes to the method's robustness, adding protection against mis-specifying a proper truncation support of the transition density. Theoretical convergence is verified by a series of numerical experiments which demonstrate the method's efficiency and accuracy.
Learning by teaching simstudent

The effect of tutor learning has been studied in various contexts, providing ample evidence to suggest that students learn when they teach others Yet, the cognitive and social factors that facilitate or inhibit tutor learning are still not well understood One factor that prohibited research progress in this area is that studying the tutor learning effect could often be done only at the cost of tutees' learning To address this problem, we built an on-line learning environment where students learn by teaching a computer agent, called SimStudent, rather than their peers [1].
Li Ion Diffusion Mechanisms in the Crystalline Electrolyte γ-Li3PO4

Solid state lithium ion electrolytes are becoming increasingly important in batteries and related technologies. We have used first-principles modeling techniques based on density functional theory and the nudged elastic band method to examine possible Li ion diffusion mechanisms in idealized crystals of the electrolyte material Li 3 PO 4 . In modeling the Li ion vacancy diffusion, we find direct hopping between neighboring metastable vacancy configurations to have a minimal migration barrier of E m = 0.6 eV. In modeling the Li ion interstitial diffusion, we find an interstitialcy mechanism, involving the concerted motion of an interstitial Li ion and a neighboring Li ion of the host lattice, that can result in a migration barrier as low as E m = 0.2 eV. The minimal formation energy of a Li ion vacancy-interstitial pair is determined to be E f = 1.6 eV. Assuming the activation energy for intrinsic defects to be given by E A = E m + E f /2, the calculations find E A = 1.0-1.2 eV for ionic diffusion in crystalline γ-Li 3 PO 4 , in good agreement with reported experimental values of 1.1-1.3 eV.
Plastidic ABC Proteins

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins belong to a large family of proteins which mostly catalyze ATP-driven membrane translocation. They are found throughout the tree of life, from Archaea to Eukarya. In plants, they are known to perform essential functions in multiple subcellular compartments, though the locations of each ABC protein in a given species have not yet been defined. Here, we mine available proteomic, targeting, and fluorescence localization data to identify the subcellular location of each predicted ABC protein of Arabidopsis. Then we examine the functions of plastidic ABC proteins in detail. Transport functions are particularly important to the plastid, where a diverse group of substrates must be transported to allow specialized plastid metabolic functions to occur. Plastidic transporters that remain unidentified have been hypothesized based on known substrate translocation events. We attempt to narrow this gap by compiling available information about each plastidic ABC protein, including the primary literature, Chloroplast 2010 database information, transcriptomic data, coexpression analyses, and phylogenic data. This process ultimately allows us to make new hypotheses about the function of several plastidic ABC proteins and to identify a new family member of the AtABCI subfamily.
Tissue Reactivity to Poliglecaprone 25 in the Feline Linea Alba

Objective To use poliglecaprone 25 for all ligations and closure in routine feline ovariohysterectomies and evaluate maintenance of tissue approximation and tissue reaction to the suture. Study Design Prospective, descriptive study. Animals Twenty four female cats. Methods Ovariohysterectomies were performed in all cats. Abdominal incisions were inspected on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 for dehiscence and swelling. All cats were euthanatized postoperatively, group 1 on day 7; group 2 on day 14; and group 3 on day 28. The peritoneal cavity was inspected for adhesions and all abdominal incisions were collected en bloc. Each linea alba was histologically evaluated and the inflammatory reaction was characterized. Results Dehiscence did not occur in any of the 24 cats. The incisional swelling on day 1 was significantly smaller than on day 7, and the swelling on day 14 was significantly smaller than on days 1, 3, and 7 (P < .05). Intra-abdominal adhesions were found in all groups with the greatest number associated with the peritoneum at the incision site. Tissue reactions in group 1 were pyogranulomatous or fibromononuclear, group 2 were granulomatous or fibromononuclear, and group 3 were pyogranulomatous, granulomatous, fibromononuclear or fibrous. Eosinophilic infiltration was seen in 3 of the 8 cats in group 1. Conclusions Incisional swelling and inflammatory reactions seen with poliglecaprone 25 were consistent with those anticipated after implantation of suture in a surgically created wound. Clinical Relevance Poliglecaprone 25 appears to be an acceptable suture for use in feline ovariohysterectomy. It causes a relatively short-lived inflammatory response.
Use of Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides to Study the Physiological Functions of Neuropeptide Y

Stimulation of appetite and regulation of reproductive hormone secretion are two well-known physiological effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) that have been affirmed using the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) approach. Because NPY-producing neurons are concentrated in a narrow band in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, ODNs injected intracerebroventricularly have easy access to them. In an early study intracerebroventricular administration of an unmodified phosphodiester ODN sequence blocked de novo NPY synthesis and prevented the preovulatory surge release of gonadotropins. Microinjection directly into the arcuate nucleus attenuated NPY-related feeding, however, to unequivocally block the effects of NPY on feeding behavior, long-term inhibition of NPY gene expression was required. This was achieved using phosphorothioated ODNs that, unlike the phosphodiester sequences, are not subject to rapid degradation in vivo. Central administration of these modified ODNs elicited toxic effects that were circumvented by end-capping the sequences. Similar end-capped phosphorothioated ODN sequences have been used to identify the NPY receptor subtypes involved in stimulation of feeding.
A Statewide Instructional Television Program via Satellite for RN-to-BSN Students

Abstract Instructional television (ITV) is providing the bridge between nursing educational needs and health care resources, allowing nurses in rural areas to attend a university without leaving their jobs or relocating. This article describes the experiences of developing a baccalaureate degree completion program for nursing via satellite. To create a successful distance education program, it was necessary to re-examine curricular structure, objectives, course descriptions, the basis of course sequences, teaching strategies, library resources, and learner needs. It was vital to modify the student and faculty support services on campus for use with distance learners. (Index words: Distance education; Instructional television; ITV; Nontraditional education, RN-BSN degree completion; Rural education programs; Support services)
Effects of light, temperature and desiccation on the net emersed productivity of the intertidal macroalga Colpomenia peregrina Sauv. (Hamel)

Abstract The brown saccate macroalga Colpomenia peregrina Sauv. (Hamel) was incubated in the laboratory under 27 combinations of light, temperature and desiccation and the emersed net photosynthetic (Pnet) and respiratory (R) responses measured using a non-dissolved gaseous oxygen analyzer. Estimates of net emersed carbon gain were made based in the Pnet: R ratio. These were highly variable (−0.02 to 2.86) depending on the combinations of physical factors to which algae were exposed and differences in their physiological responses. Results from a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) suggest that C. peregrina has a threshold of water loss, beyond which interactions between temperature and desiccation have a significant effect on net carbon gain. Interactions between individual factors can substantially increase the complexity of estimating net carbon gain during emersion. During winter, C. peregrina populations in southern California are subject to reductions in primary productivity as a result of shorter daylengths, lower seawater temperatures and desiccation stress. Emersion can compensate for these conditions only if rates of photosynthesis during emersion are higher than under submersion. Otherwise, emersed photosynthesis only ameliorates deterimental effects of desiccation caused by prolonged periods of daytime emersion.
Relation of Egg Weight to Chick Weight at Hatching.

Abstract As a by-product of experimental work to determine the influence of specific gravity on the hatching power and fertility of hens eggs, some data was obtained on the relative weights of chicks hatched from eggs of varying sizes. The eggs which produced three hundred and fifty-two chicks were weighed accurately at the beginning of the experiment as were the chicks from each egg, at hatching time. All eggs were incubated under like conditions, the same operator being responsible for all hatches. Machines of the moisture pan type were used. Data on the fertility and hatching power of large and small eggs was also obtained. Table I gives this data which agrees substantially with that reported by Benjamin in Cornell Memoirs No. 31, (A Study of Selections for the Size, Shape and Color of Hens Eggs.) It is noted that the abnormally large eggs did not hatch as well as abnormally . . .