cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Obesity is associated with increased postoperative complications after operative management of tibial shaft fractures

Abstract Objectives To assess the association of obesity and postoperative complications after operative management of tibial shaft fractures. Methods Patients who underwent operative management of a tibial shaft fracture were identified in a national database by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for: (1) open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and (2) intramedullary nailing (IMN) procedures in the setting of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes for tibial shaft fracture. These groups were then divided into non-obese, obese, and morbidly obese cohorts using ICD-9 codes. Each cohort was then assessed for grouped complications within 90 days, removal of implants within 6 months, and nonunion within 9 months postoperatively. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results From 2005 to 2012, 14,638 patients who underwent operative management of tibial shaft fractures were identified, including 4425 (30.2%) ORIF and 10,213 (69.8%) IMN. Overall, 1091 patients (7.4%) were coded as obese and 820 (5.6%) morbidly obese. In each operative group, obesity and morbid obesity was associated with a substantial increase in the rate of major and minor medical complications, venous thromboembolism, infection, procedures for implant removal, and nonunion. Conclusions In patients who undergo either ORIF or IMN for tibial shaft fractures, obesity and its related medical comorbidities are associated with significantly increased rates of postoperative medical complications, infection, nonunion, and implant removal compared to non-obese patients.
Literature Discussions as Mangles of Practice: Sociological Theories of Emergence and/in Dialogic Learning Events

In this report, we argue that some of the most productive and edifying kinds of literature discussions among certain ages/grade levels may be best understood as “mangles of practice” (Pickering, 1995). Mangles of practice involve the coalescence of planned and contingent forces, and they produce emergent or self-organizing transformations of ongoing social activities, as well as unpredictable outcomes or products. Indeed, the discussions we studied had these characteristics. They often involved both planned and contingent actions and reactions by individual, social, cultural, and material agents and agencies. As such, they were emergent phenomena about which we could seldom predict what precise collections, collisions, and collusions of actions and reactions would occur within them or what the effects of these collections, collisions, and collusions would be. In spite of (or more likely because of) their unpredictability, these discussions were extremely dynamic knowledge-producing activities. Given this social fact, we think our findings contribute significantly to understanding the lineaments and potentials of dialogic pedagogy, which deepens students’ learning and development. More specifically, when teachers successfully prompt and engage students in more robustly dialogic talk that promotes text-to-life connections, life-to text connections, linkages to non-school knowledge (like that of popular culture), etc., then students often reap a wide variety of benefits with respect to their abilities to engage in genuine inquiry, to reason and argue for particular interpretations, to evaluate complex human actions and decisions, and to develop principled social, cultural, and moral equipment for living their own lives.
Chlorine in distilled water as a source of laboratory error.

Some distillation processes may result in the inadvertent contamination of distilled water with free chlorine. One part per million of free chlorine in distilled water has been shown to inhibit markedly the color development in the usual determinations of uric acid and bilirubin. The effect of free chlorine on other clinical chemistry determinations is discussed and simple tests for the detection of free chlorine in water are reviewed.
Purinergic receptor-induced changes in paracellular resistance across cultures of human cervical cells are mediated by two distinct cytosolic calcium-related mechanisms

In human cervical (CaSki) cells, extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) induces an acute decrease in the resistance of the lateral intercellular space (RLIS), phase I response, followed by an increase in tight junctional resistance (RTJ), phase II response. ATP also stimulates release of calcium from intracellular stores, followed by augmented calcium influx, and both effects have similar sensitivities to ATP (EC50 of 6 microM). The objective of the study was to determine the degree to which the changes in [Ca2+]i mediate the responses to ATP. 1,2-bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N1,N1-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) abrogated calcium mobilization and phase I response; in contrast, nifedipine and verapamil inhibited calcium influx and attenuated phase II response. Barium, La3+, and Mn2+ attenuated phase I response and attenuated and shortened the ionomycin-induced phase I-like decrease in RLIS, suggesting that store depletion-activated calcium entry was inhibited. Barium and La3+ also inhibited the ATP-induced phase II response, but Mn2+ had no effect on phase II response, and in the presence of low extracellular calcium it partly restored the increase in RTJ. KCl-induced membrane depolarization stimulated an acute decrease in RLIS and a late increase in RTJ similar to ATP, but only the latter was inhibited by nifedipine. KCl also induced a nifedipine-sensitive calcium influx, suggesting that acute increases in [Ca2+]i, regardless of mobilization or influx, mediate phase I response. Phase II-like increases in RTJ could be induced by treatment with diC8, and were not affected by nifedipine. Biphasic, ATP-like changes in RTE could be induced by treating the cells with ionomycin plus diC8. We conclude that calcium mobilization mediates the early decrease in RLIS, and calcium influx via calcium channels activates protein kinase C and mediates the late increase in RTJ.
Heparin Skin Necrosis: Delayed Occurrence in a Patient on Hemodialysis

A case of skin necrosis in a patient receiving intravenous (IV) heparin during routine intermittent hemodialysis is reported. Multiple erythematous, tender lesions developed over the abdomen and thighs and rapidly became necrotic. Biopsies showed fibrin thrombi in the dermal venules and capillaries, but no cellular infiltrate. The patient was in her third month of regular hemodialysis. Skin necrosis associated with the use of heparin usually occurs within 2 weeks of beginning heparin therapy and has not been reported in patients receiving heparin with hemodialysis. Possible mechanisms, including acquired antithrombin III deficiency leading to heparin-induced skin necrosis, are discussed.
The Chemical Evaluation of Rauwolfia serpentina Preparations

Abstract Methods are presented for the chemical identification and assay of Rauwolfia serpentina root and its preparations. The assay is based upon the determination of reserpine and rescinnamine. Rauwolfia serpentina is differentiated from other Rauwolfia species by the detection of characteristic alkaloids onpaper chromatograms.
4.4.3 Development of an Approach to Alternative System Solution Capture and Evaluation

This document details the research and development effort entitled “Development of an Approach to Alternative System Solution Capture and Evaluation.” This research discribes the development of a computer aided systems engineering capability for integrated development and evaluation of alternative system concepts. The described elements of this procedure include the following: development and capture of system evaluation measures, requirements and performance models; utility function development; architectural element modeling, system alternative assembly; and alternative system evaluation and selection. The document consists of a number of sections which address the problem, the value of solving the problem, the approach, a background survey, a developmental prototype, the preliminary results, and process and software illustration figures.
Kinetics of the Electroreduction and Electrooxidation of Tetrakis(dimethylamino)-p- benzoquinone in Polar Aprotic Solvents

(dimethylamino)-p-benzoquinone. This study was conducted at a gold ultramicroelectrode in seven polar aprotic solvents, with varying viscosity, in the presence of 0.1 M tetraethylammonium perchlorate. In addition, the temperature dependence of the standard rate constants was determined in three of these solvents. On the basis of an analysis of the solvent effects, it is shown that the kinetic data show a variation in the degree of reaction adiabaticity and the relative sizes of both the inner- and outer-sphere components of the Gibbs energy of activation. Solvent effects on diffusion coefficients and standard potentials were also investigated. The standard reduction potential is a linear function of the solvent acceptor number, a parameter reflecting molecular solvating properties, whereas the corresponding standard potential for oxidation is a linear function of solvent polarizability, a parameter that reflects nonspecific interactions between the reactant and the solvent. The significance of these results is discussed within the context of the current models for simple heterogeneous electron transfer reactions.
Reliability of score differences on Wechsler's intelligence scales.

Comparisons are made between the results given by two formulae for the reliability of the difference between an individual subtest score and the average subtest score on a scale to which that subtest belongs. For the WAIS-R and the WISC-R, the correct reliabilities reported here are appreciably higher than the incorrect reliabilities reported previously, and the apparent reversal of this result for the WPPSI is explained as an artifact. Even the correct reliabilities are very low, however, more than three-quarters of them below 0.70.
An in vitro study of the inhibitory activity of gemcitabine and platinum agents in human endometrial carcinoma cell lines

Abstract Objective . To determine the cytotoxic activity of gemcitabine on a panel of endometrial cancer cell lines and to determine if the addition of platinum agents enhanced this activity. Methods . A panel of four endometrial carcinoma cell lines was treated with variable concentrations of gemcitabine, gemcitabine and cisplatin, or gemcitabine and carboplatin. 3-(4,5-Cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were performed to determine the IC 50 . Results . Each cell line evaluated revealed a dose-dependent decrease in cell growth for gemcitabine alone and in combination with platinum agents. The IC 50 of gemcitabine with cisplatin was significantly lower than that of gemcitabine alone for all cell lines, including the platinum-resistant line. Conclusion . Gemcitabine exerts in vitro cytotoxicity on endometrial cancer cell lines, and the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is superior to gemcitabine alone. This may represent a promising option for treatment of endometrial cancer.
Temperature sensor based on a fibre-optic differential delay RF filter

The letter describes a temperature sensor which employs an intensity-modulation filtering technique to measure the thermally induced change in delay in a length of optical fibre wound on an aluminium cylinder. The sensor response was measured over a temperature range of 10–40°C, and is in good agreement with theory.
Synthesis and characterization of carbide nanorods

THE properties and potential applications of carbon nanotubes filled with other materials have aroused much speculation1–5. Strategies for filling nanotubes include in situ growth in an arc reactor using metal/carbon composites2,5 and the capillarity-driven filling of open nanotubes using liquid reagents3,4. Here we report an alternative approach to the synthesis of nanoscale structures based on nanotubes, in which the tubes are converted to carbide rods by reaction with volatile oxide and/or halide species. In this way we have been able to prepare solid carbide nanoscale rods of TiC, NbC, Fe3C, SiC and BCx in high yield with typical diameters of between 2 and 30 nm and lengths of up to 20 urn. Preliminary studies show that these rods share the properties of the bulk materials (such as magnetism and superconductivity), suggesting that they might allow the investigation of the effects of confinement and reduced dimensionality on such solid-state properties. These carbide nanorods might also find technological applications in nanostructured composite materials.
Securewaveforms for SISO channels

We develop a novel waveform design approach to minimize the likelihood that a message transmitted wirelessly between trusted single-antenna nodes is intercepted by an eavesdropper. In particular, first, with knowledge of the eavesdropper's channel state information (CSI) we find the optimal waveform and transmit energy that minimize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) at the output of the eavesdropper's maximum-SINR linear filter, while at the same time provide the intended receiver with a required pre-specified SINR at the output of its own max-SINR filter. Next, if prior knowledge of the eavesdropper's CSI is unavailable, we design a waveform that maximizes the amount of energy available for generating disturbance to eavesdroppers, termed artificial noise (AN), while the SINR of the intended receiver is maintained at the pre-specified level. Simulation studies demonstrate our analytical developments and illustrate the benefits of the designed waveforms on securing single-input single-output (SISO) transmissions.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Organophosphates: Cloning and Expression of a Parathion Hydrolase Gene from Pseudomonas diminuta

Pseudomonas diminuta strain MG hydrolyzes parathion to diethylthiophosphoric acid and p-nitrophenol. The esterase responsible for this reaction is encoded by a gene located on a plasmid termed pCMS1. The gene was cloned into plasmid pBR322 and the broad host range cloning vector pKT230. Enzyme activity was detected in Escherichia coli strains that contained the recombinant plasmids. A 1.5 kilobase BamHI fragment with single restriction sites for SalI, PstI and XhoI was shown to direct the synthesis of the enzyme. The 1.5 kilobase BamHI fragment was inserted into the high expression vector pUC7, and the resulting recombinant, pCMS40, was used to construct pKT230 derivatives containing the parathion hydrolase gene. Subsequent transfer of the recombinant plasmids into a cured derivative of P. diminuta MG and a p-nitrophenol-utilizing strain of Pseudomonas resulted in the isolation of transconjugants that exhibited parathion hydrolase activity. The highest enzyme activity was observed with P. diminuta MG.
Statistical Issues in Collecting Quality of Life Data in Clinical Trials

With the need to measure the effect of treatments on the quality of life of patients in Phase II/III clinical trials, the objectives of the protocol need to be defined operationally in clinically relevant terms; the measure used must be appropriate to the protocol and population including an appropriate range; duplicate information should not be collected; and direct, less expensive measures could be used, often more effectively.
Separation of signal and noise applied to vertical seismic profiles

Inversion of the band‐limited one‐dimensional VSP response is nonunique because impedance functions with very different statistics produce equivalent responses. Least‐squares methods of inversion linearly transform noise and tend to produce impedance functions with a Gaussian distribution of amplitudes. I modify a least‐squares inversion procedure to exclude nonzero impedance derivatives that are significantly influenced by noise. The resulting earth model shows homogeneous intervals unless the data have reliable information to the contrary. The data are modeled with a one‐dimensional wave equation and three invertible functions: acoustic impedance, a source wavelet, and the traces’ amplification. First, a linearized least‐squares inverse perturbs the source function to model the downgoing wave. A relinearized inverse finds perturbations of all three modeling functions to account for first‐order reflections. Further iterations explain higher order reflections. To estimate the reliability of impedance pert...
RNA molecules stimulate prion protein conversion

2 -values were weakly correlated with the other measures (ra 0.24-0.32, all P , 0.0001) and explained comparatively little variation in individual fitness. The assumption that heterozygosity measured at a limited number of loci reflects genome-wide heterozygosity can be questioned 30 . Any relationship between average heterozygosity and fitness might be due to close linkage between a microsatellite locus and loci coding for fitness-related traits. To check whether the effect of overall heterozygosity on fitness depended on one or a few of the microsatellite loci, we repeated all analyses for each locus separately (data not shown). Heterozygosity at six out of seven loci significantly affected at least one fitness measure, and different fitness measures were predicted by heterozygosity at different loci, so we only present data on overall heterozygosity. We calculated pairwise relatedness between partners using Relatedness 5.0 (http:// www.gsoftnet.us/GSoft.html). The average relatedness between adult males and females (expected ra 0) in our study population was 20.0007 (s.e.m. calculated by 'jack-knifing' over locia 0.0009). In a random sample of 100 broods, the average relatedness among full siblings (expected ra 0.5) was 0.47 (s.e.m.a 0.02). The mean inbreeding coefficient of our population (F is), calculated from the microsatellite data using Fstat V2.9.3, equals 20.006. The observed level of inbreeding was 3.3%: two of 61 local recruits (with known parents) mated with close relatives (ra 0.5 and 0.125).
Investigation of the kinetic mechanism in overcharge process for Li-ion battery

Abstract Commercial Li-ion batteries have been submitted to different stage of overcharge by a “soft” overcharging technique. This technique gives us flexibility to investigate each step of the overcharging process. DSC and SEM tests of the anode, cathode and separator recovered from overcharged cells have been performed. It was shown that the thermal runaway will happen when the heat generation is not equal to the heat dissipation during the battery operated at an overcharge condition. The high overcharging rate shows short responding time for the cell thermal runaway and large amount of heat generation. A kinetic mechanism proposed in this study for interpreting the observation of species growth on the surface of separator in the anode side and causing soft shorting of the cell.
ULTRAVIOLET AND VISIBLE RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY OF TRIS-(2,2'-BIPYRIDYL)IRON(II): INTENSITY CONSIDERATIONS AND BAND ASSIGNMENTS

Abstract Resonance Raman spectra of Fe(bpy) 3 2+ (bpy=2′,2″-bipyridine) have been recorded under excitation into two different metal-to-ligand d→π* charge transfer absorption bands (λ ex =354.7 or 532.0 nm) of the complex. The relative intensities of the active intraligand vibrations exhibit a marked dependence on excitation wavelength. Normal modes assigned to distortions long the long axis of the bpy molecule are found to undergo greater relative enhancement under UV excitation, while those modes associated with large displacements within the diimine core are preferentially enhanced under visible excitation. These observations are consistent with the coefficients and the phase relations of the 2pπ atomic orbitals of the lowest lying π* orbitals of the bpy moiety as calculated by extended Huckel theory. Thus, the results lend strong support to previous assignments of the resonance Raman spectra of M(bpy) 3 2+ systems.
Alterations in the molecular determinants of bladder compliance at hydrostatic pressures less than 40 cm. H2O.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Bladder outlet obstruction with intravesical pressures exceeding 40 cm. H2O often results in irreversible renal damage. Bladder outlet obstruction also results in alterations in bladder physiology, including wall thickening, reduced compliance and decreased capacity. If unchecked these changes may lead to the subsequent need for bladder augmentation. From a biomechanical standpoint, compliance is primarily related to extracellular matrix deposition, which in turn is dependent on the balanced activity of proteolytic enzymes (that is matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs]) and their endogenous inhibitors (that is tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases [TIMPs]). To date, the threshold pressure above which alterations in these key determinants of bladder compliance occur has not been determined. Therefore, using a novel device of our own design, we applied hydrostatic pressures in the physiological range to human bladder smooth muscle cells to determine the effect on MMPs, TIMP-1 and transcription...
Implementation & evolution of a course management system

The College of New Jersey has long offered web based teaching solutions through the department of Instructional Technology Services, and we have had much success in getting the faculty interested in technology over the past few years. Unfortunately, most of the products available were disparate and did not "play well" with their fellow applications. This model eventually brought forth an interest by the faculty to begin investigating integrated course management packages for a campus wide solution to the problem.At the request of the Provost, Instructional Technology services spearheaded a committee to investigate both in house and commercial software solutions. Two campus wide surveys were conducted - one for students and one for faculty - and those results were used to justify the selection of an in house application for campus wide use.This paper and presentation will focus on the process of selecting a course management package and the issues surrounding such an investment. It will also detail how TCNJ developed an in house application that has been customized through input gathered directly from faculty and students, our two biggest stakeholders in Instructional Technology.
Shared-cache clusters in a system with a fully shared memory

Interest in the concept of clustered caches has been growing in recent years. The advantages of sharing data and instruction streams among two or more microprocessors are understood; however, clustering also introduces new challenges in cache and memory coherency when system design requirements indicate that two or more of these clusters are needed. This paper describes the shared L2 cache cluster design found in the S/390® G4 server. This novel cache design consists of multiple shared-cache clusters, each supporting up to three microprocessors, forming a tightly coupled symmetric multiprocessor with fully coherent caches and main memory. Because this cache provides the link between an existing S/390 system bus and the new, high-performance S/390 G4 microprocessor chips, the paper addresses the challenges unique to operating shared caches on a common system bus.
Heterogeneity of Claudin Expression by Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Claudins are proteins that participate in epithelial barrier function and regulate paracellular permeability. By immunohistochemistry of adult rat lung sections, claudin-3, claudin-4, and claudin-5 were found to be co-expressed by type II alveolar epithelial cells. Claudin-3 and claudin-4 were also co-expressed by some alveolar epithelial cells adjacent to type II cells. In contrast, claudin-5 was expressed throughout the alveolus. Isolated primary rat alveolar epithelial cells in culture also expressed claudin-3, claudin-4, and claudin-5, but showed little claudin-1 and claudin-2 expression. Claudin expression by isolated cells at both the mRNA and protein level varied with time in culture. In particular, claudin-3 and claudin-5 co-localized and were distributed around the alveolar cell periphery, but claudin-4 expression was heterogeneous. We also found that paracellular permeability was increased when cultured alveolar epithelial cells were treated with a fatty acid amide, methanandamide. Methanandamide did not alter cell viability. Claudin-3, claudin-4, claudin-5, occludin, and zona occludens 1 remained localized to cell-cell contact sites at the plasma membrane in methanandamide-treated cells, suggesting that plasma membrane localization of these junction proteins is not sufficient for maintaining barrier function. However, methanandamide-treated cells showed a 12-fold increase in claudin-5 expression and a 2- to 3-fold increase in claudin-3, consistent with the notion that specific changes in claudin expression levels may correlate with changes in alveolar epithelial barrier function.
A Hybrid Modeling Technique for Partially-Known Systems Using Linear Regression and Neural Network

In this paper a hybrid modeling and system identification method, combining linear least squares regression and artificial neural network techniques, is presented to model a type of dynamic systems which have an incomplete analytical model description. This approach in modeling nonlinear, partially-understood systems is particularly useful to the study of manufacturing processes, where the linear regression portion of the hybrid model is established using a known mathematical model for the process and the neural network is constructed using the residuals from the least squares regression, therefore ensuring a more precise process model for the specific machining setup, tooling selection, workpiece properties, etc. In this paper the method is mathematically proven to give regression coefficients close to those which would be found if only a regression had been performed. The modeling method is then simulated for a macro-scale hard turning process, and the result proves the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid modeling method.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The galactose binding lectin from the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua: Distribution and site of synthesis

The Spodoptera exigua galactose binding lectin, extracted from hemolymph by affinity chromatography, was comprised of large molecular weight aggregates (100-700 kDa). SDS-PAGE of this lectin preparation revealed it to contain 2 subunits of 33.2 and 34.4 kDa in equimolar concentrations. These subunits had similar amino acid profiles, possessed identical N-terminal sequences and reacted equally to a bank of antilectin monoclonal antibodies. By staining Western blots with various lectin conjugate probes, we demonstrated that the 34.4 kDa subunit contains complex mannose residues, suggesting that this subunit is the glycosylated form of the 33.2 kDa subunit. The N-terminal sequence of the S. exigua lectin was distinct from other invertebrate galactose binding lectins. Light microscopy in combination with immunoelectron microscopy was used to localize the S. exigua lectin in the granules of the granulocyte class of hemocytes. Degranulation of these cells resulted in the release of the lectin. Isotope incorporation studies followed by immunoprecipitation with a S. exigua monoclonal antibody demonstrated that the fat body was the major site of lectin synthesis. Similar studies with hemocyte monolayers did not result in the production of detectable levels of 35S-labeled S. exigua lectin.
Southern highbush blueberries are a new host for Scirtothrips citri (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in California.

Citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton), is a major pest for citrus growers in California (Flint et al. 1991; Morse 1995). Citrus thrips feed on the rind at the stem end of young citrus fruit causing a characteristic ring scar (Morse 1995; GraftonCardwell et al. 1998, 2003). They also feed on the new flush of citrus, causing twisting and abnormal growth (Grafton-Cardwell et al. 1998). Heavy infestations of citrus thrips cause new flush to die and drop from the plant (Grafton-Cardwell et al. 1998). Even though citrus thrips was first described based on the damage it caused on California citrus (Horton 1918), it was obviously present prior to the introduction of citrus in the region, i.e., it is native to California and northwestern Mexico and has been observed on over 50 host plants in California, in particular in association with plants that produce an aromatic oil (Morse 1995). Prior to 1992, highbush blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were not grown commercially in California due to the warm climate (Jimenez et al. 2005; Strik & Yarborough 2005). However, several southern highbush blueberry varieties were developed by crossing northern highbush blueberries with several other Vaccinium species (Jimenez et al. 2005; Strik & Yarborough 2005). Southern highbush blueberries require lower chill hours for bud break and are well adapted to California’s climate (Jimenez et al. 2005). As a consequence, California blueberry acreage dramatically increased after 1992 (Jimenez et al. 2005). In 2005, several growers reported widespread damage to the young foliage of their blueberries that appeared to be associated with thrips. Most of the damage was curling and abnormal growth of the new leaves as well as scarring of new twigs.
Some aspects of cumulus convection

Various aspects of the cumulus convection problem, such as the creation of shallow cumulus by cellular convection in the surface layer of the atmosphere, the formation of cloud rolls along the direction of the mean wind and their amplitude modulation, the development of the individual cumulus and their penetration into the inversion layer and the initiation of the squall line type disturbances, are discussed.
Effect of point-of-care influenza testing on management of febrile children

Objectives To determine the effect of point-of-care testing (POCT) for influenza on the physician management of febrile children who are at risk for serious bacterial illness (SBI) on the basis of age and temperature and who are presenting to a pediatric emergency department (ED) during an influenza outbreak. Methods Patients 2–3 months of age with temperature of ≥38°C and patients 3–24 months of age with temperature of ≥39°C who were presenting to a pediatric ED during an influenza outbreak were enrolled into a prospective, quasi-randomized, controlled trial. Influenza testing was performed on enrolled patients by either the POCT or the standard-testing (ST) methods. The two groups were compared in terms of laboratory testing, chest radiography, antibiotic use, visit-associated costs, pediatric ED lengths of stay, inpatient admission, and return visits to the pediatric ED. Similar analyses also were performed on the resulting subgroups of patients on the basis of method of testing (POCT or ST) and test result (positive or negative). Results Of 767 eligible patients, 700 (91%) completed the study. No significant differences were demonstrated between the POCT and ST groups with respect to laboratory tests ordered, chest radiographs obtained, antibiotic administration, inpatient admission, return visits to the pediatric ED, lengths of stay, or visit-associated costs. In the subgroup analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for blood culture in influenza test–positive to –negative patients were 0.59 and 0.71 in the POCT and ST groups, respectively (p = 0.088). The adjusted ORs for urine culture in influenza test–positive to –negative patients were 0.46 and 0.67 in the POCT and ST groups, respectively (p = 0.005). Conclusions When using a strategy of performing influenza testing on all patients at risk for SBI who presented to a pediatric ED during an influenza outbreak, the method of testing (POCT or ST) did not appear to significantly alter physician management, cost, or length of stay in the pediatric ED. However, if the interaction of the method of testing and the test result (positive or negative) were considered, a positive POCT for influenza was associated with a significant reduction in orders for urinalyses and urine cultures.
The role of neuroimaging in selecting treatments for patients with acute stroke.

The armamentarium available for treating acute stroke patients is growing as clinical trials show benefit of intravenous thrombolysis, intra-arterial clot lysis, and antiplatelet agents. Patients with dissection or severe atheromatous stenosis of major cerebrovascular vessels are commonly treated with anticoagulation to prevent recurrent artery-to-artery embolus or arterial thrombosis. These advances in acute stroke treatments demand an accurate means to quickly identify those patients most likely to benefit (or not benefit) from a specific therapy. Fortunately, advances in imaging cerebrovascular lesions, decreased brain perfusion, and even ischemic tissue injury now make it possible to consider tailoring therapy to the individual patient’s cerebrovascular problem. Experience and controlled clinical data in this endeavor is meager. Here we describe the ability of various emergency neuroimaging tools to provide information on the state of brain blood flow, metabolism, and vascular anatomy. Most importantly, we present the rationale and limited available evidence relevant to how the neuroimaging information might be used to select optimal treatments for individual patients.
A latent modeling approach to genotype-phenotype relationships: maternal problem behavior clusters, prenatal smoking, and MAOA genotype.

This study illustrates the application of a latent modeling approach to genotype–phenotype relationships and gene × environment interactions, using a novel, multidimensional model of adult female problem behavior, including maternal prenatal smoking. The gene of interest is the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene which has been well studied in relation to antisocial behavior. Participants were adult women (N = 192) who were sampled from a prospective pregnancy cohort of non-Hispanic, white individuals recruited from a neighborhood health clinic. Structural equation modeling was used to model a female problem behavior phenotype, which included conduct problems, substance use, impulsive-sensation seeking, interpersonal aggression, and prenatal smoking. All of the female problem behavior dimensions clustered together strongly, with the exception of prenatal smoking. A main effect of MAOA genotype and a MAOA × physical maltreatment interaction were detected with the Conduct Problems factor. Our phenotypic model showed that prenatal smoking is not simply a marker of other maternal problem behaviors. The risk variant in the MAOA main effect and interaction analyses was the high activity MAOA genotype, which is discrepant from consensus findings in male samples. This result contributes to an emerging literature on sex-specific interaction effects for MAOA.
Cisapride: limited access and alternatives

The withdrawal of cisapride from the market will present challenges for physicians treating patients with nocturnal heartburn, gastroparesis, and dyspepsia. However, alternatives to the drug exist, and it will continue to be available under a limited-access program for patients for whom other drug treatments fail.
Theoretical studies of potential gas-phase charge-transfer complexes: NH3 + HX (X = Cl, Br, I)

Abstract Theoretical calculations of the potential curves for the NH 3 + HX systems (X = Cl, Br, I) predict only a single minimum for the HCl and HBr complexes, corresponding to the hydrogen-bonded structure. In the case of the HI complex, a double-well protontransfer potential curve with a small barrier is found. The presence of this second minimum corresponding to the NH + 4 I − structure may result in an anomalous intensity and transition energy for excitation of the HI stretch in the NH 3 -HI complex.
The degree of damage in the peripheral facial nerve palsy in children depending on the cause: The role of Lyme neuroborreliosis

Abstract Introduction Symptoms of peripheral facial nerve paralysis occur in patients of all age groups. Etiology of this disease is very diverse. Aim The aim of this work is to estimate facial nerve damage in relation to presumable cause, including cases in which Lyme neuroborreliosis has been confirmed by laboratory testing. Material and methods Thirty-three patients with symptoms of facial nerve paralysis were examined from January to September 2012 in the Department of Pediatric Neurology of the Provincial Specialist Children's Hospital in Olsztyn. Facial nerve function was classified on a three-stage scale created by the authors of this work. Full neurological examination was performed in all patients. Laboratory tests for Lyme-specific antibodies IgG and IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has also been performed. Results and discussion In the study group, diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis was confirmed in nine patients. Analysis shows that the stage of facial nerve damage in the group with Lyme disease was significantly heavier and that percentage of mild paralysis was significantly higher in the group of patients in whom Lyme disease has not been confirmed. Conclusions The role of neuroborreliosis among the infectious factors ought to be emphasized. It seems significant that in patients with confirmed Lyme disease the stage of facial nerve damage was considerably deeper and the recovery was slower.
Polymercaptosiloxane Anchor Films for Robust Immobilization of Biomolecules to Gold Supports

A central requirement in modification of solid surfaces with biological polymers is to tether the molecule of interest permanently and in a well-defined attachment geometry. Gold is perhaps the most popular metal support for research applications, yet it suffers from a lack of methods for producing robust biomolecular films that can withstand prolonged use, especially at elevated temperatures. In this report, the stability issue is addressed by first self-assembling a nanometer thick layer of a thiol-derivatized polysiloxane, poly(mercaptopropyl)methylsiloxane (PMPMS), on the gold support. Multivalent binding of the polymer thiols to the gold, combined with the polymer's hydrophobic nature, causes it to irreversibly adhere to the metal support. Thiol-terminated, 20mer DNA oligonucleotides are subsequently covalently linked to the PMPMS film using bismaleimide cross-linkers. Immobilization coverages of up to ∼1 × 1013 strands/cm2 have been demonstrated. Significantly, the DNA monolayers can withstand prolo...
Detection of Dental Fluorosis-Associated Quantitative Trait Loci on Mouse Chromosomes 2 and 11

Systemic exposure to greater than optimal fluoride (F) can lead to dental fluorosis (DF). Parental A/J (DF-susceptible) and 129P3/J (DF-resistant) inbred mice were used for histological studies and to generate F2 progeny. Mice were treated with 0 or 50 ppm F in their drinking water for 60 days. A clinical criterion (modified Thylstrup and Fejerskov categorical scale) was used to assess the severity of DF for each individual F2 animal. Parental strains were subjected to histological examination of maturing enamel. F treatment resulted in accumulation of amelogenins in the maturing enamel of A/J mice. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection was performed using phenotypic extreme F2 animals genotyped for 354 single nucleotide polymorphism-based markers distributed throughout the mouse genome followed by χ2 analysis. Significant evidence of association was observed on chromosomes 2 and 11 for a series of consecutive markers (p < 0.0001). Further analyses were performed to examine whether the phenotypic effects were found in both male and female F2 mice or whether there was evidence for gender-specific effects. Analyses performed using the markers on chromosomes 2 and 11 which were significant in the mixed-gender mice were also significant when analyses were limited to only the male or female mice. The QTL detected on chromosomes 2 and 11 which influence the variation in response to fluorosis have their effect in mice of both genders. Finally, the QTL in both chromosomes appear to have an additive effect.
Blood Utilization after Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty in a Large Hospital Network

Background Since a study in orthopedic hip fracture patients demonstrated that a liberal hemoglobin (Hb) threshold does not improve patient morbidity and mortality relative to a restrictive Hb threshold, the standard of care in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) should be examined to understand the variability of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion following TJA.
Defect instability in ultra-thin oxides on silicon

Abstract The instability of defects created in ultra-thin insulator, metal-oxide-silicon devices biased in the direct tunnel regime is investigated. For the case of electron injection from the silicon substrate, nearly complete defect relaxation is observed after the bias is removed, allowing the possibility of re-generating the defects. Modeling the defect generation process and examining differences between initial and subsequent degradation periods lead to an improved picture of both the relaxation process and the nature of the involved defects.
Furthering the understanding of the non linear response of filler reinforced elastomers

Abstract The cyclic deformation of filler reinforced elastomer compounds results in energy losses caused by a partial hysteretic breakup and subsequent reformation of the filler network. This phenomenon has significant socio-economic consequences as it affects the rolling resistance of tires and consequently the fuel economy of cars. The results of experiments with an on line rheometer provide more detail on our earlier reported findings that this filler network does not exist after the elastomer compounds are first mixed but forms on storage by a flocculation process particularly at higher temperatures to which rubber compounds are exposed to during shaping and vulcanization. Additionally they suggest that the formation of a filler network does not only depend on the type and volume fraction of filler but also on the thermodynamic interaction between the host polymer and the polymer chains which attach themselves physically and/or chemically to the filler surface during composite mixing. Since the embedded fillers resemble core/shell nanoparticles we drew on the results of published theoretical studies on the stabilization of colloidal systems to help define key factors contributing to the stability and equilibrium morphology of filler reinforced elastomers. The insight gained offers an explanation on why composites made with end group functionalized polymers have a reduced filler network manifested by a significantly lower excess storage modulus ΔG′.
External flows of viscoelastic materials: Fluid property restrictions on the use of velocity‐sensitive probes

The more pronounced macroscopic features of flows of viscoelastic materials around submerged objects are considered in the light of restriction imposed on the flow by the Deborah number, a dimensionless group representing a ratio of time scales of the fluid and the flow process. It is seen that one major effect is to thicken the boundary layer appreciably in the region of the leading edge or stagnation point of the object in the fluid; depending on the shape of the object this thickening of the boundary layer may be felt for appreciable distances into the velocity field. The influence of these and other effects on the use of probes for determination of point values of the velocity of viscoelastic fluids is considered in some detail. The general effect is to impose strong restrictions on the use of such probes and on the interpretation of measurements made with them. These predicted limitations are supported, in a general way, by recent experimental measurements; thus the present macroscopic analysis appears to define several major effects to be considered in subsquent, more detailed investigations.
Men and Manliness on the Frontier: Queensland and British Columbia in the Mid-Nineteenth Century. By Robert Hogg. (Basingstoke, England: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Pp. 283. $85.00.)

This study contributes to a body of scholarship on nineteenth‐century masculinity and empire that has been growing steadily since Mrinalini Sinha published Colonial Masculinity in 1995. Robert Hogg...
Impact of staged InterStim® implantation on the postoperative activities of daily living and pain

To evaluate the short-term effects of staged InterStim® implantation on activities of daily living (ADL) and pain. This prospective study assessed women undergoing staged InterStim® implantation. The Older Americans Resources and Services Program Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire asked participants about their ability to complete activities without help or what help they needed following stage I lead placement and stage II neurostimulator implantation. Narcotic use and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were recorded daily. Thirty-eight women underwent stage I with 33 (86.8 %) progressing to stage II. On stage I postoperative day (POD) 2, more women required help shopping compared with baseline (40 vs 17 %, p < 0.004). The median pain score increased on Stage I POD1 (P < 0.001) and the use of narcotics increased on POD1 and 2 compared with baseline (50 % vs 14 %, p = 0.001). The same trends were seen following stage II. Staged InterStim® implantation has minimal impact on ADL, pain or narcotic requirements.
LDL subclass phenotypes and the insulin resistance syndrome in women.

BACKGROUNDLow-density lipoprotein (LDL) subclass phenotype B, characterized by predominance of small, dense LDL particles, is associated with elevated plasma triglycerides and apolipoprotein B and with lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I. Because these abnormalities resemble the dyslipidemia of insulin resistance, we examined associations of LDL subclass phenotype with plasma insulin levels and with other aspects of the insulin resistance syndrome.METHODS AND RESULTSLDL subclass phenotypes were determined by gradient gel electrophoresis in 682 female twins aged 30 to 91 years who participated in the second examination of the Kaiser Permanente Women Twins Study. Prevalence of phenotype B and the intermediate phenotype (I) increased strongly with age, obesity, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. In multivariate analysis of nondiabetic women, phenotype B or I was independently associated with each aspect of the insulin resistance syndrome, including higher plasma triglycer...
New Method for Supersonic Boundary-Layer Separations

An efficient numerical solution algorithm is presented for solving the interacting supersonic laminar boundarylayer problem. The method employs a time dependent approach with the alternating direction implicit (ADI) scheme and directly accounts for the necessary downstream boundary condition. Solutions are presented for MOO = 3 cold wall boundary-layer flow over a family of compression ramps with regions of reverse flow. Good comparison is given with experimental data and Navier-Stokes solutions for M^ =4 and 6, adiabatic wall, separated flow up a 10° compression ramp.