cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Language development, metalinguistic skills, and print awareness in 3-year-old children

This is an investigation of the relationships among selected aspects of normal language development, emerging metalinguistic skills, and concepts about print in 3-year-old children. Forty–three normally developing children were given four tests of language development; twelve metalinguistic tasks measuring phonological awareness, word awareness, and structural awareness; and two measures of literacy knowledge. The results clearly demonstrated that most 3-year-olds can make metalinguistic judgments and productions in structured tasks, with overall metalinguistic performance improving with age in months. Specific metalinguistic tasks varied in difficulty and probably in developmental order. The major domains of metalinguistic awareness (phonological, word, and structural) were significantly intercorrelated and also correlated with overall linguistic skill. Literacy knowledge was positively correlated with overall metalinguistic skill and, specifically, with phonological awareness. It is concluded that, as young as age 3, children are already rapidly developing a mental framework for analyzing language structure separately from language meaning
Factors Associated with Urinary Stress Incontinence in Primiparas

Summary Objective To evaluate obstetric and maternal risk factors for stress urinary incontinence in primiparas. Materials and Methods From January 2001 to August 2002, 378 primiparas were interviewed about stress urinary incontinence 1 year after delivery. The association between symptoms of urinary stress incontinence and obstetric factors was assessed. Results Twenty-four (6%) primiparas had urinary stress incontinence after delivery. Maternal age was positively associated with urinary stress incontinence 1 year after delivery in primiparas who underwent vaginal delivery but not those who underwent cesarean section. There was a 4.5% greater prevalence of stress incontinence for each 5-year increase in age (coefficient B, 0.045; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.04-0.51; p p Conclusion For primiparas who underwent vaginal delivery, an increase in age was associated with increased risk of development of stress incontinence. Increased vulnerability of the pelvic floor with age might explain this finding. Pelvic floor exercise had a protective effect against postpartum stress incontinence in primiparas who underwent cesarean section. This reflects the fact that pregnancy per se carries a risk of stress incontinence. We recommend that primiparas perform pelvic floor exercises to prevent the development of postpartum stress incontinence.
Efficacy of Panoramic Radiography in Dental Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

We compared treatment decisions based on a clinical examination alone with decisions based on an examination plus a panoramic radiograph to determine whether the panoramic radiograph increased the diagnostic yield and consequently affected treatment. Provisional treatment plans, based on a screening clinical examination alone (n = 33), or on a screening clinical examination plus panoramic radiograph (n = 43), were compared with final treatment plans based on a complete diagnostic assessment (including all necessary radiographs). For this analysis, the final treatment plan was considered correct and used as the gold standard. The two groups used in the comparison were equivalent in age, gender, and final treatment plan needs. The availability of a panoramic radiograph did not improve the accuracy with which provisional treatment plans predicted the number of teeth requiring composites, amalgams, crowns, or extraction, nor did it improve the accuracy of the assessment of the periodontal status (Wilcoxon rank sum, alpha = 0.05). The proportion of patients who had an intra-oral full-mouth series as part of the complete diagnostic work-up was essentially the same for both groups (58% and 60%, respectively); the availability of the panoramic film did not reduce the need for full-mouth series radiographs for the development of the final treatment plans.
Cyclic AMP and LDL trigger a rapid enhancement in gap junction assembly through a stimulation of connexin trafficking

Given the rapid turnover of connexin proteins, gap junction (GJ) assembly represents an important means of regulating the extent of GJ communication between cells. This report describes an increase in the level of GJ assembly within one hour following treatment with cAMP-elevating reagents or low density lipoprotein (LDL). Dye transfer methods and freeze-fracture with electron microscopy were used to assay junctional permeability and structure, respectively, subsequent to the dissociation, recovery and reaggregation of Novikoff hepatoma cells. Reaggregating cells in the presence of agents that increase cAMP levels (8-Br-cAMP, forskolin and IBMX) enhanced both dye transfer rates between cells and the extent of GJ formation 2- to 3-fold. These data and studies with the protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89, indicate that cAMP signaling plays a key role in enhanced assembly. The response to LDL parallels that to cAMP and relies on the activity of both adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A. Immunoblot analysis revealed no change in the level of connexin43 (Cx43) or its phosphorylation states over a period of 2.5 hours. However, three agents (brefeldin A, monensin and nocodazole), that inhibit intracellular membrane trafficking by different mechanisms, all blocked the enhanced assembly of GJs when triggered by either elevated cAMP or exposure to LDL. Related studies, which employed trafficking inhibitors at different stages in GJ assembly, suggested that Cx43 trafficking during enhanced assembly is regulated, in part, by cell contact. Intracellular sources of Cx43 were characterized by colabeling for several markers of cytoplasmic membrane systems. We conclude that an increase in GJ assembly: (i) occurs rapidly in the presence of elevated cAMP or LDL, (ii) does not require an increase in Cx43 levels or major changes in Cx43 phosphorylation and (iii) is dependent upon the trafficking of Cx43 from intracellular storage sites.
Safety and Imaging Quality of MRI in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patients with Pacemakers

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a standard of care in evaluating many disease processes. Given concerns about device damage or movement, programming changes, lead heating, inappropriate pacing, and image artifact, MRI is contraindicated in pacemaker patients. Despite this, studies have demonstrated safety and efficacy of MRI in adults with acquired heart disease and endocardial pacing leads. We sought to evaluate MRI use in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients with predominantly epicardial pacing leads. Methods: From July 2007 to October 2008, MRI (1.5 Tesla) was performed in 11 patients without alternative imaging modality who were not pacemaker dependent or possessing abandoned leads. Pacing was disabled during MRI. An electrophysiologist monitored electrocardiogram and hemodynamic parameters throughout each study. Device and lead function were evaluated before and after MRI, and at subsequent clinic visits. Results: Eleven MRIs (four cardiac, seven noncardiac) were performed in eight patients. Mean patient age was 16.5 ± 9.2 years (range 1.7‐24.5) with five patients under the age of 16 years. Diagnoses included structural CHD in six patients and long QT syndrome and congenital heart block in one each. There were three dual- and five single- (three atrial, two ventricular) chamber devices, two endocardial, and nine epicardial leads. No inappropriate pacing or significant change in generator or lead parameters was noted. All MRI studies were of diagnostic quality. Conclusion: Diagnostic quality MRI can be performed safely in nonpacemaker-dependent CHD patients with predominantly epicardial leads. Further studies will define safe practice measures in this population, as well as in CHD patients with pacemaker dependency. (PACE 2009; 32:450‐456)
Hospital mergers: who merges with whom?

Merger pairings are categorized based on the ownership status, teaching status, hospital size, caseload severity, and geographical distance of merging hospitals to determine the types of hospitals that tend to merge with each other. The results show that mergers between two non-teaching, nonprofit or for-profit hospitals occur more often, but that only ownership status, not teaching status, affects the propensity to merge after controlling for other merger pair characteristics. This paper also finds that hospitals are more likely to merge with a partner of similar size and close geographical proximity, but not necessarily the closest candidate. However, ownership status, not distance between hospitals, is the dominant determinant of merger pairs.
Adding Confidence to Gene Expression Clustering

It has been well established that gene expression data contain large amounts of random variation that affects both the analysis and the results of microarray experiments. Typically, microarray data are either tested for differential expression between conditions or grouped on the basis of profiles that are assessed temporally or across genetic or environmental conditions. While testing differential expression relies on levels of certainty to evaluate the relative worth of various analyses, cluster analysis is exploratory in nature and has not had the benefit of any judgment of statistical inference. By using a novel dissimilarity function to ascertain gene expression clusters and conditional randomization of the data space to illuminate distinctions between statistically significant clusters of gene expression patterns, we aim to provide a level of confidence to inferred clusters of gene expression data. We apply both permutation and convex hull approaches for randomization of the data space and show that both methods can provide an effective assessment of gene expression profiles whose coregulation is statistically different from that expected by random chance alone.
An Extension to the Theory of Fuzzy Discrete Event Systems

We originated theory of fuzzy discrete event systems (FDES) by generalizing the conventional discrete event systems so that vagueness and imprecision concerning the states and/or event transitions are more effectively dealt with. Through our experience in applying the FDES theory to HIV/AIDS prescription decision making, it become evident to us that an extended FDES theory is needed to cover diverse opinions from a group of experts and uncertainties on treatment regimens when forming state vectors and/or transition matrices. To address this problem, we now propose to use fuzzy number for each component of state vectors and/or transition matrices as opposed to a crisp number in the FDES theory. Operations of the fuzzy states and fuzzy transitions involving the fuzzy numbers are established, which is based on interval number operations. Furthermore, the parallel composition is also generalized such that a complex extended FDES can be synthesized from component models of the extended type. The extended FDES theory contains the FDES theory as a special case. A detailed numerical example is provided to illustrate the extended FDES.
Efficient two dimensional object recognition

The problem of recognition of multiple flat objects in a cluttered environment from an arbitrary viewpoint (weak perspective) is addressed. The models are acquired automatically and initially approximated by polygons with multiple line tolerances for robustness. Groups of consecutive segments (supersegments) are then gray-coded and entered into a hash table. This provides the essential mechanism for indexing and fast retrieval. Once the database of all models is built, the recognition proceeds by segmenting the scene into a polygonal approximation; the gray code for each supersegment retrieves model hypotheses from the hash table. Hypotheses are clustered if they are mutually consistent and represent the instance of a model. The estimate of the transformation is refined. This methodology makes it possible to recognize models in the presence of noise, occlusion, scale, rotation, translation, and weak perspective. Unlike most of the current systems, its complexity grows as O(kN), where N is the number of models and k >
Criminal victimization and low self-control: An extension and test of a general theory of crime

In this paper I theorize that low self-control is a reason why offenders are at high risk of being victims of crime. I reformulate self-control theory into a theory of vulnerability and test several of its hypotheses, using data from a survey administered to a sample of college students. This research investigates how well self-control explains different forms of victimization, and the extent to which self-control mediates the effects of gender and family income on victimization. Low self-control significantly increases the odds of both personal and property victimization and substantially reduces the effects of gender and income. When criminal behavior is controlled, the self-control measure still has a significant direct effect on victimization. These results have many implications for victimization research.
THE RESIDUAL AND DIRECT EFFECTS OF REDUCED-RISK AND CONVENTIONAL MITICIDES ON TWOSPOTTED SPIDER MITES, TETRANYCHUS URTICAE (ACARI: TETRANYCHIDAE) AND PREDATORY MITES (ACARI: PHYTOSEIIDAE)

Abstract The residual effects of several reduced-risk and conventional miticides were evaluated in strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne) on the twospotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and on 2 predatory mites, Neoseiulus californicus McGregor and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and greenhouse. The greenhouse experiments also tested the direct effects of the miticides on TSSM. The efficacy of conventional and reduced-risk miticides was evaluated on strawberry leaf discs and on whole plants for control of TSSM. Furthermore, the residual effects of these miticides were evaluated on whole strawberry plants against selective predatory mites. For TSSM, 5 treatments were evaluated: a conventional miticide; fenbutatin-oxide (Vendex®) and 3 reduced-risk miticides; binfenazate (Acramite 50WP®), activated garlic extract (Repel®), sesame seed and castor oil (Wipeout®), and a water-treated control. F...
High Energy Density, High Operating Frequency and Energy Efficient On-Chip Inductors based on Coiled Carbon Nanotubes (CCNTs)

We demonstrate the superior inductive properties of coiled carbon nanotubes (CCNTs) through numerical computation and analytical modeling, for the next generation of nanoscale, on-chip inductors. Taking advantage of the kinetic inductance (Lk), particularly evident at the nanoscale we find that the inductance can be increased by three orders of magnitude through changing the tube radius as well as the coil radius while the device footprint of the CCNTs can be reduced by 60%. By varying the geometric parameters of the coiled structure, the external magnetic inductance (LM,ext) can be as high as 20% of the Lk. We also report that the self resonant frequency (fSR) of CCNTs can be as much of the order of THz whereas the fSR of conventional copper(Cu) spiral inductors are limited to around 40GHz. Moreover when the material volume is considered, CCNTs have the potential to achieve Quality Factor (Q) eight times as Cu and when the footprint volume is considered Q can be twice as Cu All these promising properties of CCNTs make them a potential candidate for the entire frequency spectrum.
The Media of Terrorism

This study is an attempt to understand the questions on interconnections between media and terrorism. Firstly it is analyzed, how the term ‘terrorism’ is presented and understood by various scholars. Secondly, It is interesting to look at the relations between the media and terrorists from two points of view: how the media using terrorists, and vice versa. It is also important to observe how the media in this case affects public and government perception on terrorism. Obviously terrorists try to be present in the media for as longer as possible; their main aim is to become well known to the public. Attempting to influence the media, they influence the audience by spreading the word on the existence of their organization. When the terrorists get the audience’s attention, people become aware of their existence and methods they might use to reach their group or concrete target. It is also important to remember that gaining their attention they are doing their propaganda by proxy. In the final analysis , It is important to remember that it is not only the media, which wants high viewer ratings, but terrorists desire that as well. As the result of such ordinary, at the first sight, media coverage, the media itself subconsciously, unwillingly and indirectly assist terrorists in achieving their main goals and aims.
Density, Viscosity, Speed of Sound, Bulk Modulus, and Surface Tension of Binary Mixtures of n-Heptane + 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane at (293.15 to 338.15) K and 0.1 MPa

In this work, the physical properties of binary mixtures of n-heptane and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane were measured. Density and speed of sound were measured at temperatures ranging from (293.15 to 338.15) K, and viscosity was measured at temperatures ranging from (293.15 to 333.15) K. At 298.15 K, pure component values for heptane of 679.61 kg·m–3, 0.389 mPa·s, and 1130.1 m·s–1 for density, viscosity, and speed of sound, respectively, agree with literature values. Similarly for 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, the values of 687.70 kg·m–3, 0.501 mPa·s, and 1081.7 m·s–1 for density, viscosity, and speed of sound, respectively, agree with literature values. Density mole fraction and temperature data were fit to a second-order polynomial. Bulk moduli ranged from (551.7 to 907.1) MPa over (293.15 to 338.15) K. Viscosity mole fraction data were fit using the three-body McAllister model, while the viscosity deviations were fit to a Redlich–Kister type equation. For the mixtures, an increase in mole fraction of 2,2,4-trimethy...
Effects of symbolic modeling on the syntactical productions of retardates

The effects of symbolic modeling of syntactical constructions on the subsequent language productions of retarded children were assessed. As anticipated, the modeling groups showed greater production of specific, relevant constructions during training than no-model control Ss who were also rewarded for such constructions. Three weeks following the initial task, a posttest indicated that the effect of modeling was durable.
Investigations of polyesterimide wire designs

The magnet wire industry has witnessed in recent years a rapid growth in high polymer chemistry. This growth has resulted in the influx of a large number of new materials capable of consideration by the industry. However, scientific progress has been limited because of the design engineer's concern for standardization and inventory control. The development chemist finds that progress is possible if close cooperation is developed between himself and the magnet wire design engineer.
Lactate Dehydrogenase Isoenzymes in Human Prostatic Fluid: An Aid in Recognition of Malignancy?

AbstractA total of 1,435 specimens of prostatic fluid were collected from 1,076 patients by rectal massage. Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in the fluid were separated by acrylamide disk electrophoresis and the ratio of lactic dehydrogenase-5/lactic dehydrogenase-1 was used as the parameter for the test. There were significant differences in the ratio among patients with a normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma. The mean values of lactic dehydrogenase-5/lactic dehydrogenase-1 ratios were 0.48 ± 0.09, 1.36 ± 0.17 and 5.21 ± 0.79, respectively. Of 30 patients with histological evidence of prostatic carcinoma 25 (85 per cent) had a ratio greater than 2 in the prostatic fluid. On the other hand, the ratio was less than 2 in 50 of 57 men (88 per cent) with a histological diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia devoid of inflammation. When prostatic fluid contained white blood cells a positive correlation was observed between the ratio and the number of white blood cells per mi...
Teflon granulomas mimicking cerebellopontine angle tumors following microvascular decompression.

Objectives/Hypothesis To report two patients with a history of microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm who presented with Teflon granulomas (TG) mimicking cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors and to perform a systematic review of the English-language literature. Study Design Case series at a single tertiary academic referral center and systematic review. Methods Retrospective chart review with analysis of clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings. Systematic review using PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases. Results Two patients with large skull base TGs mimicking CPA tumors clinically and radiographically were managed at the authors' institution. The first presented 4 years after MVD with asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss, multiple progressive cranial neuropathies, and brainstem edema due to a growing TG. Reoperation with resection of the granuloma confirmed a foreign-body reaction consisting of multinucleated giant cells containing intracytoplasmic Teflon particles. The second patient presented 11 years after MVD with asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss and recurrent hemifacial spasm. No growth was noted over 2 years, and the patient has been managed expectantly. Only one prior case of TG after MVD for hemifacial spasm has been reported in the English literature. Conclusions TG is a rare complication of MVD for hemifacial spasm. The diagnosis should be suspected in patients presenting with a new-onset enhancing mass of the CPA after MVD, even when performed decades earlier. A thorough clinical and surgical history is critical toward establishing an accurate diagnosis to guide management and prevent unnecessary morbidity. Surgical intervention is not required unless progressive neurologic complications ensue. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2016
Effect of Mechanical Forces on Extracellular Matrix Synthesis by Bovine Urethral Fibroblasts in Vitro

AbstractThe role of mechanical forces in normal physiological processes is just beginning to be elucidated. Using a system developed in our laboratory, we can apply precise and reproducible mechanical deformations (biaxial strain) to cells. These deformations alter cell activities in a reproducible fashion and may mimic the physical environment found in portions of the urinary tract. At a low strain of 1.8% no change in the synthesis of types I and III collagen by urethral fibroblasts was found. However, at a high strain (4.9%) types I and III collagen showed a significant increase in synthesis compared to controls (type I, 1.4 ± 0.25μg. versus 0.9 ± 0.27μg., p = 0.053; type III, 110 ± 7ng. versus 88 ± 10ng., p = 0.036). In addition, fibronectin synthesis was increased at low and high strains when compared to controls (low strain 3.20 ± 1.03μg. versus 1.46 ± 0.15μg., p = 0.042; high strain 8.90 ± 1.09μg. versus 3.12 ± 0.69μg., p = 0.001). We have shown at the cellular level that mechanical force applied t...
Functional outcomes of motor vehicle crash head injuries in pediatric and adult occupants

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of the study was to develop a disability-based metric for motor vehicle crash (MVC) injuries, with a focus on head injuries, and compare the functional outcomes between the pediatric and adult populations.Methods: Disability risk (DR) was quantified using Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores within the National Trauma Data Bank—Research Data System (NTDB-RDS) for the top 95% most frequently occurring Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 3, 4, and 5 head injuries in NASS-CDS 2000–2011. Pediatric (ages 7–18), adult (19–45), middle-aged (46–65), and older adult (66+) patients with an FIM score available who were alive at discharge and had an AIS 3, 4, or 5 injury were included in the study. The NTDB-RDS contains a truncated form of the FIM instrument, including 3 items (self-feed, locomotion, and verbal expression), each graded on a scale of 1 (full functional dependence) to 4 (full functional independence). Patients within each age group were classified as disabled or not ...
Arsenic Trioxide Selectively Induces Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cell Apoptosis Via a Hydrogen Peroxide-Dependent Pathway

Low concentrations of As2O3 (≤1 μmol/L) induce long-lasting remission in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) without significant myelosuppressive side effects. Several groups, including ours, have shown that 0.5 to 1 μmol/L As2O3 induces apoptosis in APL-derived NB4 cells, whereas other leukemic cells are resistant to As2O3 or undergo apoptosis only in response to greater than 2 μmol/L As2O3. In this report, we show that the ability of As2O3 to induce apoptosis in leukemic cells is dependent on the activity of the enzymes that regulate cellular H2O2 content. Thus, NB4 cells have relatively low levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase and have a constitutively higher H2O2content than U937 monocytic leukemia cells. Glutathione-S-transferase π (GSTπ), which is important for cellular efflux of As2O3, is also low in NB4 cells. Moreover, As2O3 further inhibits GPX activity and increases cellular H2O2 content in NB4 but not in U937 cells. Selenite pretreatment of NB4 cells increases the activity of GPX, lowers cellular H2O2 levels, and renders NB4 cells resistant to 1 μmol/L As2O3. In contrast, concentrations of As2O3 that alone are not capable of inducing apoptosis in NB4 cells induce apoptosis in the presence of the GPx inhibitor mercaptosuccinic acid. Similar effects are observed by modulating the activity of catalase with its inhibitor, aminotriazol. More important from a therapeutic point of view, U937 and HL-60 cells, which require high concentrations of As2O3 to undergo apoptosis, become sensitive to low, clinically acceptable concentrations of As2O3 when cotreated with these GPx and catalase inhibitors. The induction of apoptosis by As2O3 involves an early decrease in cellular mitochondrial membrane potential and increase in H2O2 content, followed by cytochrome c release, caspase 3 activation, DNA fragmentation, and the classic morphologic changes of apoptosis.
Conclusion: What Time Is It?

What time is it, I asked early upon embarking on writing this book. Where in the world are we? What does it mean to be an Iranian, a Muslim, an Oriental, as they call us? Upon what phase in the history of nations, peoples, regions, cultures, and, more urgently, the fragile earth do we dwell? Neither the European modernity nor their version of postmodernity has held any brief for the rest of the world. Neither the European modernity nor the fake traditions they induced nations around the world to manufacture has held any continued relevance or validity for the inhabitants of a globe on the verge of self-destruction. The postcolonial reason and rhetoric have resulted in Hindu fundamentalism reigning supreme in India, Buddhist nationalism in Myanmar, militant Islamism in Iran and beyond, a settler colony Jewish state in Palestine, a Christian imperialism that seeks to rule over them all, and a wild chimera called ISIS drawing them into its miasmatic terror running amuck among them all.
Unicast throughput analysis of finite-buffer sparse mobile networks using Markov chains

This paper provides a comprehensive theoretical approach to computing the throughput of sparse, disconnected mobile wireless networks using Markov chains wherein node mobility can be modeled as a random walk process. Such networks are characterized by frequent lack of end-to-end communication paths and employ the store, carry, and forward paradigm for communication. A novel analysis approach using Markov chains is developed for such mobility models, and throughput is derived for the single-unicast scenario. The problem is also complicated due to the considerations of dynamic effects such as contention for the wireless channel, and by the limited buffer sizes at the nodes. It is seen that the proposed methodology is comprehensive enough to allow the incorporation of contention and buffer limitations into it. Finally, our methodology is validated using extensive simulations for several cases.
Math Requirement Fulfillment and Educational Success of Community College Students: A Matter of When

Objective: In community colleges, achieving competence in math is critical to students’ timely progression through coursework and eventual educational success; yet, it remains unclear when the opti...
Advances in CRISPR-Cas based genome engineering

Development of the CRISPR-Cas systems has catalyzed rapid advancements in the field of genome engineering. Recently, the technology has seen various new developments, including the successful use in RNA-targeting, the development of more precise genome editing reagents, and breakthroughs in applications to gene therapy and regenerative medicine. These rapid developments, when coupled with its ease of use and high efficiency, are spurring widespread adoption of the technique, and in fact, use of CRISPR-Cas technology towards gene therapy clinical trials is already underway. In this review, we provide an overview of the CRISPR-Cas systems for genome engineering, and in particular, stress key toolsets and methodologies that we believe will have particularly broad impact on both basic science and translational research.
Impact of Seizures on Outcome

Clinical seizures occur frequently in the critically ill patient. In addition, the increasing application and recent widespread use of continuous electroencephalogram monitoring have revealed that electrographic seizures are even more frequent than clinical seizures in the critically ill patient. There are limited data on how electrographic seizures affect outcome and whether and how aggressively to treat electrographic seizures in the critically ill patient. This review aims to address this gap in knowledge by summarizing the impact of electrographic seizures on outcome and providing a general guide to treat electrographic seizures in the critically ill patient. Current literature suggests that electrographic seizures likely worsen outcome independent of the underlying etiology. This association is stronger in subarachnoid hemorrhage and in traumatic brain injury and warrants a proactive treatment. In contrast, the presence of electrographic seizures in stroke or tumors is unlikely to modify outcomes.
Contraception--retrospect and prospect.

Contraception as a socially aceptable custom is by and large a 20th century phenomenon and is now perceived by many as a solution to a pressing world problem - that of overpopulation. As Shakespeare states in quotations above, we can define accurately what we would like to accomplish, but the achievement is often easier said than done. Such sentiments describe very well the state of the art as far as contraception is concerned. Most thinking people, and indeed many governments, see a reduction of the birth rate as the most significant way to achieve economic progress and to raise the standard of living in their countries commensurate with the expectations of their citizens. It is clear that we, the peoples of the world, have a choice, either we can reproduce until resources become insufficient to support us or we can take steps to control reproduction and achieve the desirable goal of zero population growth. Zero growth is defined as that state where the number of births and deaths are equal.
The search for skills: Knowledge stars and innovation in the hiring process

Abstract The effective utilization of knowledge has become an important part of how firms gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. However, the recruitment, search, and selection processes used to obtain workers who would develop and deploy that knowledge have not materially changed for many years, with human resources (HR) frequently automating legacy procedures. We believe that the hiring processes for exceptional knowledge workers, whom we call knowledge stars , must adapt to the current business environment. Using the framework of architectural innovation, we propose that HR’s recruitment of knowledge stars should begin before specific jobs are announced, should be done in partnership with line managers, and should be done in coordination with implementation of other workplace innovations such as the development of communities of practice and participative management. We conclude by discussing how changes in the search processes for knowledge stars fit in context with some other ongoing challenges for HR personnel.
Predictors of inadequate initial echocardiography in suspected Kawasaki disease: Criteria for sedation.

Objective Kawasaki disease is the primary cause of acquired pediatric heart disease in developed nations. Timely diagnosis of Kawasaki disease incorporates transthoracic echocardiography for visualization of the coronary arteries. Sedation improves this visualization, but not without risks and resource utilization. To identify potential sedation criteria for suspected Kawasaki disease, we analyzed factors associated with diagnostically inadequate initial transthoracic echocardiography performed without sedation. Design This retrospective review of patients < 18 years old undergoing initial transthoracic echocardiography for the inpatient evaluation of suspected Kawasaki disease from 2009 to 2015 occurred at a medium-sized urban children's hospital. The primary outcome was diagnostically inadequate transthoracic echocardiography without sedation due to poor visualization of the coronary arteries, determined by review of clinical records. The associations of the primary outcome with demographics, Kawasaki disease type, laboratory data, fever, and antipyretic or intravenous immunoglobulin treatment prior to transthoracic echocardiography were analyzed. Results In total, 112 patients (44% female, median age 2.1 years, median BSA 0.54 m2) underwent initial transthoracic echocardiography for suspected Kawasaki disease, and 99 were not sedated. Transthoracic echocardiography was diagnostically inadequate in 19 out of these 99 patients (19.2%) and was associated with age ≤ 2.0 years, weight ≤ 10.0 kg, and antipyretic use ≤ 6 hours before transthoracic echocardiography (all P < .05). These variables did not reach statistical significance on multivariable analysis. Conclusions Patients ≤ 2.0 years or ≤ 10.0 kg or those recently receiving antipyretics, potentially a surrogate for irritability, were associated with diagnostically inadequate transthoracic echocardiography during the inpatient workup of Kawasaki disease. These factors should be considered when deciding which patients to sedate for initial Kawasaki disease transthoracic echocardiography.
Combined analysis of the reactions pp → p p , π d → π d , and π d → pp

Results are presented for a combined analysis of the reactions $\mathrm{pp}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}pp,\ensuremath{\pi}d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}d$, and $\ensuremath{\pi}d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{pp}$ over the $\sqrt{s}$ interval from the pion threshold to approximately 2.4 GeV. These results for $\ensuremath{\pi}d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{pp}$ and $\ensuremath{\pi}d$ elastic scattering are superior to our previous analyses of these reactions. In particular, the overall phase in $\ensuremath{\pi}d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{pp}$ has now been determined. Comparisons are made with previous (separate and combined) analyses of this two-nucleon system.
Imaging for the Diagnosis and Staging of IBC

The role of imaging in the diagnosis and assessment of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) includes characterization of the known tumor, delineation of loco-regional disease extent in the ipsilateral and contralateral breasts and regional lymph node basins, diagnosis of distant metastases, and evaluation of response to neoadjuvant treatment. In this chapter, we review the role of conventional imaging modalities, including mammography and sonography, in the diagnosis and assessment of IBC. We also discuss the potential use of evolving imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography, in patients diagnosed with IBC.
Legal Systems: Adversarial and Inquisitorial

This article explains the historical development of the two main types of court procedures used in criminal and, to a lesser extent, in civil cases around the world. The adversarial system developed from the English jury trial and envisions a passive role for the judge and an active role of the parties. The inquisitorial system sees the judge as active investigator of the truth and mistrusts lay participation. A third tradition, that of consensual resolution of cases and plea bargaining, grew out of the adversarial tradition, but, through its inducement of pleas of guilty, it also smacks of the inquisitorial tradition.
Counseling Military Families: What Mental Health Professionals Need to Know

How does the military really work? What issues are constants for military families, and what special stresses do they face? Counseling Military Families provides the best available overview of military life, including demographic information and examples of military family issues. Chapters focus on vital issues such as the unique circumstances of reservists, career service personnel, spouses, and children, and present treatment models and targeted interventions tailored for use with military families. Counseling Military Families provides clinicians with the tools they need to make a difference in the lives of families in transition, including those who may have an ingrained resistance to asking for help and who may be available for counseling for a relatively short period of time.
From Language Lab to Language Center and Beyond: The Past, Present, and Future of Language Center Design , edited by Felix A. Kronenberg

From Language Lab to Language Center and Beyond: The Past, Present, and Future of Language Center Design , Edited by Felix A. Kronenberg, Auburn, AL: IALLT, US $30, ISBN 978-1-946123-00-8 (Hardback), 173 pages, 2017
Unit Root Tests

A process might be non-stationary without being a unit root. The two concepts are related, but they are not identical and it is common to confuse the two. We can have non-stationarity without it being due to a unit root. We could have a seasonal model. Or, we could have a deterministic trend. (We can even have non-stationarity because the variance is changing over time.)
Morphological effects on dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) blends and multilayer films

Abstract Compared with chemical modification of ferroelectric poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) for electric energy storage, polymer blends, whether miscible or immiscible, represent a much easier approach to suppress the ferroelectricity of PVDF. In this study, we explored both miscible [i.e., poly (methyl methacrylate) or PMMA] and immiscible (i.e., polycarbonate or PC) blends with poly (VDF-co-hexafluoroethylene) [P(VDF-HFP)], as well as the PC/P(VDF-HFP) multilayer films. For miscible PMMA/P(VDF-HFP) blend films, the addition of PMMA significantly decreased the crystallinity of P(VDF-HFP). At a high PMMA content of ca. 40 wt%, the stretched PMMA/P(VDF-HFP) blend films started to exhibit the linear dielectric behavior with suppressed ferroelectricity. For the immiscible PC/P(VDF-HFP) blend films, a high PC content of ∼50 vol% was required to suppress the ferroelectricity in P(VDF-HFP). Instead, the PC/P(VDF-HFP) multilayer films started to show linear hysteresis loops when the content of P(VDF-HFP) was only 30 vol%. More importantly, the PC/P(VDF-HFP) multilayer films exhibited significantly higher breakdown strength than the blend films. This could be attributed to the perpendicular interfaces (with respect to the applied electric field), which serve as effective blocks for hot electrons injected from the metal electrodes to pass through the film. From this study, compared to conventional miscible and immiscible blends, multilayer films are promising for next generation film capacitors, aiming to achieve high temperature tolerance, high energy density, and low loss simultaneously.
Nasal consonants block /o/ fronting in white and Lumbee speakers from Robeson County, North Carolina

This study examines /o/ fronting in white and Lumbee speakers in a tri-ethnic contact situation in Robeson County, North Carolina. Previously, Thomas (1989) observed that following nasal consonants may be blocking /o/ fronting in Wilmington, North Carolina. The present study examines this hypothesis in more depth in nearby Robeson County. Nine speakers were selected from the Sociolinguistic Archive and Analysis Project (Kendall, 2010). Nucleus and glide measurements were taken for each speaker's /o/ tokens, pre-lateral /o/ tokens, and pre-nasal /o/ tokens. Values were then Lobanov-normalized. Acoustic analysis of individuals speakers' vowel spaces suggests that when /o/ fronts, pre-nasal /o/ remains back along with pre-lateral /o/. While white speakers' pre-nasal /o/ patterns closely with their pre-lateral /o/, Lumbee speakers' pre-nasal /o/ tends to glide in a different direction in what could be considered a three-way allophonic split in the /o/ vowel class. The results of this study indicate that both following lateral consonants and following nasal consonants block /o/ fronting, though the phonological mechanism underlying pre-nasal /o/ backing is in need of further investigation.This study examines /o/ fronting in white and Lumbee speakers in a tri-ethnic contact situation in Robeson County, North Carolina. Previously, Thomas (1989) observed that following nasal consonants may be blocking /o/ fronting in Wilmington, North Carolina. The present study examines this hypothesis in more depth in nearby Robeson County. Nine speakers were selected from the Sociolinguistic Archive and Analysis Project (Kendall, 2010). Nucleus and glide measurements were taken for each speaker's /o/ tokens, pre-lateral /o/ tokens, and pre-nasal /o/ tokens. Values were then Lobanov-normalized. Acoustic analysis of individuals speakers' vowel spaces suggests that when /o/ fronts, pre-nasal /o/ remains back along with pre-lateral /o/. While white speakers' pre-nasal /o/ patterns closely with their pre-lateral /o/, Lumbee speakers' pre-nasal /o/ tends to glide in a different direction in what could be considered a three-way allophonic split in the /o/ vowel class. The results of this study indicate that both ...
Label‐free spectroscopic tissue characterization using fluorescence excitation‐scanning spectral imaging

Spectral imaging approaches provide new possibilities for measuring and discriminating fluorescent molecules in living cells and tissues. These approaches often employ tunable filters and robust image processing algorithms to identify many fluorescent labels in a single image set. Here, we present results from a novel spectral imaging technology that scans the fluorescence excitation spectrum, demonstrating that excitation-scanning hyperspectral image data can discriminate among tissue types and estimate the molecular composition of tissues. This approach allows fast, accurate quantification of many fluorescent species from multivariate image data without the need of exogenous labels or dyes. We evaluated the ability of the excitation-scanning approach to identify endogenous fluorescence signatures in multiple unlabeled tissue types. Signatures were screened using multi-pass principal component analysis. Endmember extraction techniques revealed conserved autofluorescent signatures across multiple tissue types. We further examined the ability to detect known molecular signatures by constructing spectral libraries of common endogenous fluorophores and applying multiple spectral analysis techniques on test images from lung, liver and kidney. Spectral deconvolution revealed structure-specific morphologic contrast generated from pure molecule signatures. These results demonstrate that excitation-scanning spectral imaging, coupled with spectral imaging processing techniques, provides an approach for discriminating among tissue types and assessing the molecular composition of tissues. Additionally, excitation scanning offers the ability to rapidly screen molecular markers across a range of tissues without using fluorescent labels. This approach lays the groundwork for translation of excitation-scanning technologies to clinical imaging platforms.
Outcomes of solitary dilated breast ducts in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Objective:The purpose of this study is to assess the outcomes of symptomatic and asymptomatic solitary dilated ducts detected on mammography, ultrasound, and MRI.Methods:All cases of isolated solit...
Tutorial on laser speckle rheology: technology, applications, and opportunities

Significance: The onset of several diseases is frequently marked with anomalous mechanical alteration of the affected tissue at the intersection of cells and their microenvironment. Therefore, mapping the micromechanical attributes of the tissues could enhance our understanding of the etiology of human disease, improve the diagnosis, and help stratify therapies that target these mechanical aberrations. Aim: We review the tremendous opportunities offered through using optics for imaging the micromechanical properties, at length scales inaccessible to other modalities, in both basic research and clinical medicine. We specifically focus on laser speckle rheology (LSR), a technology that quantifies the mechanical properties of tissues in a rapid, noncontact manner. Approach: In LSR, the shear viscoelastic modulus is measured from the time-variant speckle intensity fluctuations reflected off the tissue. The LSR technology is engineered and configured into several embodiments, including bench-top optical systems, endoscopes for minimally invasive procedures, portable point-of-care devices, and microscopes. Results: These technological nuances have primed the LSR for widespread applications in diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring, as demonstrated here, in cardiovascular disease, coagulation disorders, and tumor malignancies. Conclusion: The fast-paced technological advancements, elaborated here, position the LSR as a competent candidate for many more exciting opportunities in basic research and medicine.
An intensive outpatient program with prolonged exposure for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: Retention, predictors, and patterns of change.

High rates of drop-out from treatment of PTSD have challenged implementation. Care models that integrate PTSD focused psychotherapy and complementary interventions may provide benefit in retention and outcome. The first 80 veterans with chronic PTSD enrolled in a 2-week intensive outpatient program combining Prolonged Exposure (PE) and complementary interventions completed symptom and biological measures at baseline and posttreatment. We examined trajectories of symptom change, mediating and moderating effects of a range of patient characteristics. Of the 80 veterans, 77 completed (96.3%) treatment and pre- and posttreatment measures. Self-reported PTSD (p < .001), depression (p < .001) and neurological symptoms (p < .001) showed large reductions with treatment. For PTSD, 77% (n = 59) showed clinically significant reductions. Satisfaction with social function (p < .001) significantly increased. Black veterans and those with a primary military sexual trauma (MST) reported higher baseline severity than white or primary combat trauma veterans respectively but did not differ in their trajectories of treatment change. Greater cortisol response to the trauma potentiated startle paradigm at baseline predicted smaller reductions in PTSD over treatment while greater reductions in this response from baseline to post were associated with better outcomes. Intensive outpatient prolonged exposure combined with complementary interventions shows excellent retention and large, clinically significant reduction in PTSD and related symptoms in two weeks. This model of care is robust to complex presentations of patients with varying demographics and symptom presentations at baseline. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).