cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical whole genome sequencing as a first-tier test at a resource-limited dysmorphology clinic in Mexico

Patients with rare, undiagnosed, or genetic disease (RUGD) often undergo years of serial testing, commonly referred to as the "diagnostic odyssey". Patients in resource-limited areas face even greater challenges-a definitive diagnosis may never be reached due to difficulties in gaining access to clinicians, appropriate specialists, and diagnostic testing. Here, we report on a collaboration of the Illumina iHope Program with the Foundation for the Children of the Californias and Hospital Infantil de Las Californias, to enable deployment of clinical whole genome sequencing (cWGS) as first-tier test in a resource-limited dysmorphology clinic in northern Mexico. A total of 60 probands who were followed for a suspected genetic diagnosis and clinically unresolved after expert examination were tested with cWGS, and the ordering clinicians completed a semi-structured survey to investigate change in clinical management resulting from cWGS findings. Clinically significant genomic findings were identified in 68.3% (n = 41) of probands. No recurrent molecular diagnoses were observed. Copy number variants or gross chromosomal abnormalities accounted for 48.8% (n = 20) of the diagnosed cases, including a mosaic trisomy and suspected derivative chromosomes. A qualitative assessment of clinical management revealed 48.8% (n = 20) of those diagnosed had a change in clinical course based on their cWGS results, despite resource limitations. These data suggest that a cWGS first-tier testing approach can benefit patients with suspected genetic disorders.
Perspective on SCR NOx control for diesel vehicles

The selective catalytic reduction of NOx with aqueous urea (“urea SCR”) is originally a steady-state technology used in stationary source NOx control. Catalysts for this application are usually quite large, and typically consist of lower cost materials such as vanadia/titania or Fe/zeolite. The catalyst bed temperature may be controlled within an optimum NOx conversion window, and the gas flow is fairly constant; therefore, the aqueous urea injection is also fairly constant. Vehicle operation, on the other hand, is highly transient in flow and temperature based on customer demanded vehicle speed, load, road conditions, weather, etc., and may not be predicted. A catalyst must work in the vast majority of conditions found in normal vehicle use, and the catalyst size is limited by space and weight considerations. People drive vehicles, not catalysts, and emission control is not a feature that is highlighted in a marketing advertisement. Aqueous urea must be replenished for SCR to work, and the transient nature of the injection process makes it very different from stationary source NOx control. The SCR catalyst must function and survive in a multi-component system that also controls hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and soot, and faces poisoning by sulfur, phosphorus, and a variety of other elements present in fuel, oil, and any upstream component including other catalysts. The SCR catalyst can experience temperatures below 200 °C and as high as 700 °C in typical vehicle operation, or even 900 °C when coated on a soot filter. The selection of functional materials, durability tests representing high mileage, and even more important, tests to failure, become critical decisions in the design of automotive urea SCR. This Prospective aims to summarize the key design questions and how to navigate the myriad of choices through careful research and practical considerations. The subsequent flurry of research on Cu/CHA after commercial launch on vehicles is considered, plus a look at the future applicability of the technology.
‘Make this adult mess make sense again’: the psychic lives of gentrification’s children

ABSTRACTThis paper advocates for increased scholarly curiosity about the painful and hopeful psychic agency of children and youth in critiquing neoliberal urban gentrification and imagining alterna...
Incorporation of dermoscopy improves inter-observer agreement among dermatopathologists in histologic assessment of melanocytic neoplasms

Histopathologic assessment of melanocytic neoplasms is the current gold standard of diagnosis. However, there are well recognized limitations including inter-observer diagnostic discordance. This study aimed to determine if integrating dermoscopy with histopathology of melanocytic neoplasms impacts diagnosis and improves inter-observer agreement. We conducted a prospective cohort study in a pigmented lesion clinic. Consecutive melanocytic lesions were identified for biopsy based on atypical gross or dermoscopic features. Standardized immunohistochemistry and levels were ordered on each specimen. The cases were randomized. Three dermatopathologists blinded to the clinical impression assessed each lesion. The cases were then re-randomized and re-assessed with addition of gross clinical and dermoscopic images. Inter-rater reliability (IRR) using Fleiss' kappa statistic revealed an increase from 0.447 without to 0.496 with dermoscopy amongst all dermatopathologists. The kappa increased from 0.495 before to 0.511 with dermoscopy in separating high-grade atypia or melanoma from moderate atypia or less. In 16 of 136 cases, at least 2 of 3 dermatopathologists favored a diagnosis of melanoma only after dermoscopy. In total, the consensus grade of atypia changed in 24.3% (33/ 136) of cases thereby representing changes to excisional margins and patient follow up. This study is limited by the cohort size. Dermoscopy significantly impacts diagnosis and improves identification of early melanomas in high risk populations and improves inter-observer agreement.
Etiology and genetic feature of 3 cases with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Zhoushan

Objective To identify the etiology and genetic evolution of 3 doubtful patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Zhoushan.Methods Nested RT-PCR assay was used to detect the nucleic acids and 3 specific genes (L,M,S) of novel bunyavirus.The amplification products were sequenced,then the sequencing results were compared with sequences published in GenBank.The evolutionary tree and sequence distance table were constructed by DNAStar software.IgG antibody titers of the sera in recovery phase and in acute phase of 3 patients were measured by indirect immunofluorescence assay.Results Three specific gene segments of novel bunyavirus were all detected in the sera in acute phase of 3 patients,and the homology of S gene between sequences of the gene segments and novel bunyavirus published in GenBank was 94.4％-100.0％.The antibody titers in recovery phase were 4 times more than those in acute phase.Conclusions Three clinical suspected cases are confirmed as recent infections with SFTS by etiology identification.The genetic features of novel bunyavirus in Zhoushan are stable. Key words: Bunyaviridae infections; Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome; Pathogenic identification; Genetic evolution analysis
Foundation-sponsored networks: Brokerage roles of higher education intermediary organizations

Philanthropic foundations are influential policy entrepreneurs in higher education, advocating new ideas, engaging in collaborative activities, and seeding research to inform the decision-making process. Despite occupying this role, the higher education literature has yet to examine how philanthropic foundations promote ideas between entities or how shared granting relationships are used to distribute and exchange information. By utilizing several sources of data, including in-depth interviews and an original dataset of postsecondary grants, and by applying social network concepts, this study explores the strategies educational funders use to disseminate ideas and promote information exchange. This study found that major foundations are not only taking on an advocacy-oriented role within their communication strategies, but they are also facilitating information sharing among intermediaries based on mutual granting relationships and shared agendas. Furthermore, the most impactful grantees are those who cross sectoral boundaries, such as advocacy nonprofits, think tanks, membership associations, and government agencies.
Neurological complications of immune checkpoint inhibitor cancer immunotherapy

Neurological autoimmunity is increasingly recognized as a complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) cancer immunotherapy. ICIs act by enhancing endogenous anti-tumor immune responses and can also lead to autoimmunity affecting all organs. ICI-related neurological autoimmunity is rare, most often manifests with neuromuscular involvement and more rarely affects the central nervous system. Neurological complications often often present in the first three months of ICI treatment but can also appear after ICI discontinuation. These can occur in patients with tumors not traditionally associated with paraneoplastic neurological autoimmunity, such as melanoma and renal-cell carcinoma and should be suspected when a new neurological symptoms present while on ICI and cannot be explained by disease progression or as a consequence of metabolic dysfunction. Treatment consists of ICI discontinuation or withdrawal depending on the severity with or without immunosuppression. Generally, improvement is observed depending on the patient's baseline characteristics and neurological presentation.
Length of Stay and Health Care Utilization Among Pediatric Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients.

ABSTRACT Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT) has become a critical component in the treatment of pediatric malignancies, allowing for high-dose chemotherapy to be given safely and with greater efficacy in a subset of children at high risk for relapse. Risk factors associated with hospital length of stay (LOS) in adults undergoing autoHCT have been studied extensively; however, there is a paucity of studies describing risk factors associated with LOS and health care cost in children undergoing autoHCT. This study sought to identify factors influencing LOS and cost in pediatric autoHCT. We assessed LOS from autologous stem cell infusion from day 0 (D0) in 100 autoHCT admissions in 73 patients with malignant disease between 2007 and 2019. We evaluated demographic, pre-transplantation, post-transplantation, and socioeconomic variables to identify potential risk factors associated with LOS and cost. AutoHCT cost data were provided by the Pediatric Health Information System database. Indications for autoHCT included neuroblastoma (35.6%), brain tumor (27.4%), and relapsed lymphoma (24.7%). The median patient age was 4.88 years (range, 0.72 to 22 years), with 71% age 12 years compared with 2 to 12 years (estimate, -8.9 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], -15.1 to -2.8; P = .004) and complete remission/very good partial response disease status (estimate, -5.0 days; 95% CI, -9.6 to -0.4 days; P = .031) were associated with a significantly decreased median LOS, whereas Hispanic ethnicity (estimate, +6.8 days; 95% CI, 1.1 to 12.6 days; P = .019), >5 days of fever (estimate, +7.3 days; 95% CI, 1.4 to 13.2 days; P = .015), and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) LOS (estimate, +14.9 days; 95% CI, 1.8 to 28.0 days; P = .025) were associated with a significant increase in median LOS. The median cost per transplantation admission was $96,850 (range, $39,833 to $587,321). Multivariable analysis showed that age >12 years (estimate, -$6,776; 95% CI, -$71,787 to -$11,402; P = .007) or 5 days of fever (estimate, +$58,886; 95% CI, $30,667 to $87,105; P 12 years and female sex were associated with decreased cost. Further investigation to determine specific factors influencing LOS and cost is warranted to identify potentially modifiable risks within these patient populations.
Peripheral cannulation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation yields superior neurologic outcomes in adult patients who experienced cardiac arrest following cardiac surgery.

Background:Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for refractory cardiac arrest has improved mortality in post-cardiac surgery patients; however, loss of neurologic function remains on...
The effect of prior incarceration on trust and social support: results from two factorial vignette studies

Social capital can help formerly incarcerated individuals navigate the challenges of life after prison. Yet, these individuals are unlikely to receive the trust from others that is necessary to bui...
Reviving Scottish Fiddling: An Ethnographic Study of Scottish Fiddling Competitions in the United States

This paper examines the Scottish fiddling revival in America. Due to its rapid fusion into other fiddling styles, Scottish fiddling did not establish itself as a unique musical genre in the United States. One particular organization, titled “Scottish Fiddling Revival,” or “F.I.R.E.,” is largely responsible for the revival and has established all of the necessary elements within a revival framework to stimulate and maintain this style of fiddling. The organization sponsors official Scottish fiddling competitions, provides teachers to educate and maintain the style, and fosters a community to interact with the revival. This study examines the revival infrastructure and its implications according to an established framework for the continued development of Scottish fiddling in the United States.
Context-Aware Service Delivery to Mobile Users

We can deliver context-aware services to mobile users by dynamically computing the groups each user belongs to and providing the user with the services associated with the selected groups. Recent progress in XML technology has enabled us to describe the information needed for such processing precisely and flexibly. We analyzed the problems in applying XML technology to context-aware service delivery and studied solutions. In particular we have developed (1) an algorithm for optimizing the performance of our XML-based matching engine, and (2) tools for editing user profiles and service descriptions flexibly.
Stability analysis of periodic linear dynamical systems using a new time-varying eigenvalue concept

The relation between the classical G. Floquet characteristic exponents (1879) and entities called ED (essential D) eigenvalues and PED (primary essential D) eigenvalues for specified scalar periodic linear systems is established. In particular, some important results on the existence and uniqueness of periodic ED-eigenvalues and periodic PED-eigenvalues for these systems are obtained, and it is shown that the mean value of periodic PED-eigenvalues for these systems are their classical Floquet characteristic exponents. Using these results, the authors derive two necessary and sufficient stability criteria for F-nonderogatory and F-derogatory scalar periodic linear systems. The derived stability criteria not only serve to unify the stability theory for the general scalar time-varying linear system, but can also be used to develop novel techniques for evaluating and/or approximating the Floquet characteristic exponents for scalar periodic linear systems. >
Cardiac output and its distribution and organ blood flow in the fetal lamb during ritodrine administration

The response of the fetal circulation to beta adrenergic stimulation with ritodrine hydrochloride has been investigated by long-term monitoring of the fetal lamb in utero. Ritodrine was infused intravenously either into the ewe or directly into the fetus, and cardiovascular and acid-base responses were measured. Fetal cardiac output and its distribution were measured with the use of radionuclide-labeled microspheres. The output of each ventricle also was measured by means of long-standing implanted electromagnetic flow transducers around the ascending aorta or pulmonary trunk during infusion of ritodrine at various rates into the fetus. Infusion of ritodrine (1.9 mcg. per kilogram per minute) into the ewe caused no change in fetal heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, or umbilical blood flow, but did cause an increase in fetal adrenal and myocardial blood flow. Ritodrine infused directly into the fetus produced a marked increase in fetal heart rate and a minimal change in cardiac output. There were no significant changes in fetal or maternal acid-base balance during the ritodrine infusions.
Early Modern Sovereignty and Its Limits

My Article seeks to explore a few antecedents of the idea that sovereignty may be encumbered with some obligations and duties vis-a-vis non-sovereigns and even strangers. Theories about limitations on sovereignty and obligations on the part of sovereigns often arose out of the fertile conceptual ground of Roman private law, in particular rules of property law governing usufruct and rules of contract law, such as those governing mandate. Early modern thinkers, especially Hugo Grotius (1583-1645), built on these ideas and, in addition, developed an account of moral and legal obligations arising, independently of God’s will, from a universal human nature. Building on Cicero, Grotius was among the first early-modern thinkers to elaborate the distinction between “perfect” duties of justice and “imperfect” duties of beneficence, an important idea that had wide influence through the work of Emer de Vattel (1714-1767). The Article closes by offering a few observations on the trajectories within which Professor Benvenisti’s concept of “sovereigns as trustees of humanity” could be situated.
SpMyb functions as an intramodular repressor to regulate spatial expression of CyIIIa in sea urchin embryos

The CyIIIa actin gene of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus is transcribed exclusively in the embryonic aboral ectoderm, under the control of 2.3 kb cis-regulatory domain that contains a proximal module that controls expression in early embryogenesis, and a middle module that controls expression in later embryogenesis. Previous studies demonstrated that the SpRunt-1 target site within the middle module is required for the sharp increase in CyIIIa transcription which accompanies differentiation of the aboral ectoderm, and that a negative regulatory region near the SpRunt-1 target site is required to prevent ectopic transcription in the oral ectoderm and skeletogenic mesenchyme. This negative regulatory region contains a consensus binding site for the myb family of transcription factors. In vitro DNA-binding experiments reveal that a protein in blastula-stage nuclei interacts specifically with the myb target site. Gene transfer experiments utilizing CyIIIa reporter constructs containing oligonucleotide substitutions indicate that this site is both necessary and sufficient to prevent ectopic expression of CyIIIa. Synthetic oligonucleotides containing the myb target site were used to purify a protein from sea urchin embryo nuclear extracts by affinity chromatography. This protein is immunoprecipitated by antibodies specific to the evolutionarily conserved myb domain, and amino acid sequences obtained from the purified protein were found to be identical to sequences within the myb domain. Sequence information was used to obtain cDNA clones of SpMyb, the S. purpuratus member of the myb family of transcription factors. Through interactions within the middle module, SpMyb functions to repress activation of CyIIIa in the oral ectoderm and skeletogenic mesenchyme.
Convergence in SPICE for advanced IC device modelling

Techniques to facilitate the development and implementation of IC device models in enhanced versions of SPICE using user-supplied controlled sources are demonstrated. The use of numerical differentiation in the SPICE branch linearization procedure is extensively explored and a simple means of controlling numerical overflow is suggested. >
Popliteal vein entrapment presenting as deep venous thrombosis and chronic venous insufficiency

Abstract Purpose: This report describes popliteal vein entrapment in three patients and demonstrates that it may present with manifestations of typical venous disease. Methods: This report was compiled from a review of inpatient and outpatient records. Results: In the first case, a 28-year-old woman was seen with left leg popliteal and calf deep vein thrombosis without obvious cause. She described long-standing calf discomfort, and passive dorsiflexion of the left foot caused disappearance of arterial pulsations at the pedal level. She was given the anticoagulants heparin and sodium warfarin (Coumadin) followed by surgical exploration. The popliteal vein and artery were entrapped by a fibrous extension of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle attaching to the lateral femoral condyle. After band lysis, the patient has been symptom free for 6 years. The second patient, a 37-year-old man, was seen with bilateral chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Passive dorsiflexion and active plantar flexion of the feet did not diminish the pedal pulses; impedance plethysmography suggested mild outflow obstruction. Ascending venography demonstrated entrapment at the midportion of duplicated popliteal veins with no postthrombotic changes. He was treated with compression stockings and has done well during an 18-month follow-up. The third patient, a 17-year-old male, was seen with severe symptoms of right leg CVI and venous obstruction since 3 years of age. Air plethysmography revealed ambulatory venous hypertension, whereas venography demonstrated reflux down to the knee with an extrinsic narrowing at the midpopliteal vein. During operation, an abnormal origin of the lesser saphenous vein (LSV) from the popliteal vein was found; the LSV took a medial route, compressed the tibial nerve, and caused severe distortion and narrowing of the popliteal vein. Division of the LSV resulted in release of popliteal venous compression and immediate relief of symptoms. Conclusions: The three cases presented demonstrate that popliteal venous entrapment may begin with symptoms of deep vein thrombosis and CVI. Popliteal venous entrapment must be considered in the differential diagnosis of venous disease in younger patients in whom common predisposing factors are absent. (J VASC SURG 1993;18:760-6.)
Aphasic Comprehension of Time Spacing.

Receptive difficulty is known to be of crucial significance in the disorder of aphasia. Auditory comprehension difficulty has been related to an inability to perceive the temporal sequence of aural...
A reexamination of the role of income for the trade and environment debate

Recent work on the relationship between international trade and the environment has found small but negative effects of increased openness on measures of pollution for the average country. On a panel of 128 countries it is shown that, like previous studies, the trade intensity effect is negative and significant for the average country for emissions of four localized pollutants (SO2, NOX, CO, and VOCs). However, trade intensity effects are not uniform across countries of different income levels. In fact, a strong non-monotonicity exists in trade intensity elasticities. It is found that countries with relative world incomes less than 0.5 or greater than 2.5 tend to have positive trade intensity elasticities, while countries with relative world incomes between 0.5 and 2.5 tend to have negative trade intensity elasticities. The results imply that both factor abundance and pollution haven effects may be at work, but that the dominance of one effect over the other depends on a country's level of development.
δ-Aminolevulinic acid synthesis in a Cyanidium caldarium mutant unable to make chlorophyll a and phycobiliproteins

Abstract Wild-type cells of the unicellular rhodophyte, Cyanidium caldarium , synthesize chlorophyll a , phycobiliproteins, and heme from δ-aminolevulinic acid during light-dependent chloroplast development but are unable to make photosynthetic pigments in the dark. C. caldarium , mutant GGB-Y, is an obligate heterotroph which, in the light, produces a chloroplast devoid of photosynthetic pigments. The present investigation has shown that δ-aminolevulinic acid is synthesized in cells of mutant GGB-Y incubated with levulinic acid, a competitive inhibitor of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase (the second enzyme in the porphyrin biosynthetic pathway). In vivo , cells of mutant GGB-Y preferentially incorporated C 1 of glutamate and α-ketoglutarate into the C 5 fragment (formaldehyde) of δ-aminolevulinic acid after alkaline periodate degradation. This suggested that δ-aminolevulinic acid arises directly from the carbon skeleton of glutamate and α-ketoglutaric acid. The pattern of incorporation of C 3 , C 4 , and C 5 of α-ketoglutarate into the C 1 –C 4 (succinic acid) fragment of δ-aminolevulinic acid after alkaline periodate degradation was consistent with the origin of δ-aminolevulinic acid from a five-carbon precursor. C 1 and C 2 of glycine and C 2 and C 3 of succinate were incorporated into both the formaldehyde and succinate fragments of δ-aminolevulinic acid in a manner inconsistent with condensation of glycine and succinyl CoA by δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the porphyrin pathway in animals and bacteria. Extracts of the soluble protein from cells of mutant GGB-Y displayed a Soret band at 410 nm indicating the presence of hemoproteins. This shows that mutant GGB-Y cells synthesize heme. The respiration of radiolabeled glutamate, α-ketoglutarate, and glycine to 14 CO 2 is consistent with the existence of mitochondrial cytochromes in cells of mutant GGB-Y and with the ability of the mutant to synthesize δ-aminolevulinic acid. The present results suggest that δ-aminolevulinic acid is synthesized directly from glutamate or α-ketoglutarate and that this is the only process by which the rate-limiting intermediate in the porphyrin pathway is synthesized in C. caldarium . If correct, the rate-limiting, regulative enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway for synthesis of chlorophyll a , bile pigment (phycocyanobilin), and heme must have been completely different in the evolutionary antecedents of modern-day plants and animals.
Rocking response of rigid blocks to earthquakes

This investigation deals with the rocking response of rigid blocks subjected to earthquake ground motion. A numerical procedure and computer program are developed to solve the non-linear equations of motion governing the rocking motion of rigid blocks on a rigid base subjected to horizontal and vertical ground motion. The response results presented show that the response of the block is very sensitive to small changes in its size and slenderness ratio and to the details of ground motion. Systematic trends are not apparent: The stability of a block subjected to a particular ground motion does not necessarily increase monotonically with increasing size or decreasing slenderness ratio. Overturning of a block by a ground motion of particular intensity does not imply that the block will necessarily overturn under the action of more intense ground motion. In contrast, systematic trends are observed when the problem is studied from a probabilistic point of view with the ground motion modelled as a random process. The probability of a block exceeding any response level, as well as the probability that a block overturns, increases with increase in ground motion intensity, increase in slenderness ratio of the block and decrease in its size. It is concluded that probabilistic estimates of the intensity of ground shaking may be obtained from its observed effects on monuments, minarets, tombstones and other similar objects provided suitable data in sufficient quantity is available, and the estimates are based on probabilistic analyses of the rocking response of rigid blocks, considering their non-linear dynamic behaviour.
Home range and spatial organization of the beach vole, Microtus breweri

A telemetric study was conducted on the beach vole (Microtus breweri), a species endemic to Muskeget Island, Massachusetts, which exhibits one of the most stable population densities of any microtine rodent. Although males maintained consistently higher averages of the areal and linear measurements recorded, there was no significant difference in the size or shape of daily home range averages between male and female beach voles. Females maintained exclusive daily ranges during the breeding season, showing a high degree of intrasexual avoidance. Males exhibited no sign of territorial behavior, overlapping female ranges with apparent indifference to the ranges of other males. Seasonal data indicate shifts in the spatial organization of the beach vole from breeding to nonbreeding season. These findings are similar to those of the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), the beach vole's mainland progenitor. The daily home ranges of female beach voles are two to three times larger than those of female meadow voles occurring in similar population densities. Three explanations for the difference in range size occurring between similar species exhibiting similar spatial organization are discussed: 1. differences in telemetric methodology used in the studies may cause variations in results, 2. subtle differences in the “socio-spatial” organization of the two species may exist such that female M. breweri ranges are more efficiently packaged into the habitat, and 3. the absolute number of adult females in a given population is lower for beach voles than meadow voles as a result of the beach vole's insular natural history.
Scanning speech and word history.

In the mid-1800s, Charcot used the term scandes in one of his lectures on diseases of the nervous system to describe a particular problem with speech frequently noted in patients with disseminated sclerosis: “Une etude plus attentive fait reconnaitre que les mots sont comme scandes: il y a une pause entre chaque syllabe, et celles-ci sont prononcees lentement.”1 George Sigerson's English translation published by the New Sydenham Society in 1877 runs as follows: “A closer examination shows that the words are as if measured or scanned; there is a pause after every syllable, and …
GENECES: A Framework for Intellectual Abilities and Theories of Them.

Abstract It is proposed that the centrality of intellectual abilities can be assessed in terms of two criteria: (a) the generality of the ability in performances on tasks requiring adaptation to, selection of, and shaping of, real-world environments, and (b) the necessity of these abilities in performing these tasks. The two criteria taken together are given the acronym GENECES (Generality and NECESsity). The article opens with a discussion of the problems of arbitrariness of criteria for deciding on tests to measure central intellectual abilities—first for a posteriori bases of criteria selection, and second for a priori criteria. The article then discusses why the GENECES framework may be useful in selecting tasks and in evaluating the centrality of abilities to intelligence.
Self-Concept, Early Childhood Depression and School Retention as Predictors of Adolescent Depression in Urban Hispanic Adolescents

The role that early school retention, early childhood depression and self-concept had on levels of depression in 191 urban Hispanic adolescents was investigated. This exploratory study used a purposeful sample to study relationships and thus causality cannot be inferred. Statistically significant gender differences were found for depression with females reporting more depressive symptoms and both Hispanic males and females reporting higher rates of depression than the national average. Overall retention rates were 42 percent, with the majority of students retained in kindergarten and 1st grade with a second peak in retention rates in the 8th and 9th grades. Retained students versus non-retained students had statistically significant differences in: (a) lower self-concept; (b) past feelings of depression; (c) GPA and (d) depression. Predictors of depression in order of contribution were: (a) self-concept; (b) early childhood depression; (c) retention and (d) gender. The findings in this study are generaliz...
In vivo metabolism of aromatic amines by the bay mussel, Mytilus edulis

The hazard posed to aquatic organisms by exposure to aromatic amines will depend on their ability to activate or detoxify these potentially genotoxic compounds. We studied the metabolism of four aromatic amines (p-toluidine, aniline, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and 2-aminofluorene (2-AF)) in Bay mussels (Mytilus edulis) to gain an understanding of their metabolic capabilities in vivo. Mussels rapidly accumulated these compounds from the water column and depurated the majority of their steady-state body burdens as metabolites and unmetabolized parent compounds. The biotransformation pathways of [14C]-labeled parent compounds were determined by analyses of depurated metabolites and tissue residues. Biotransformation of p-toluidine and aniline resulted in the formation of their corresponding N-acetylated detoxification products. Mussels converted small amounts of 2-AAF into a deacetylated product (2-AF) and a mutagenically active metabolite (N-hydroxy-2-AF). 2-AF was extensively detoxified via N-acetylation, which limited the amount of primary amine available for activation.
Assessing quality improvement in health care: theory for practice.

OBJECTIVES: To review the role of theory as a means to enhance the practice of quality improvement (QI) research and to propose a novel conceptual model focused on the operations of health care. METHODS: Conceptual model, informed by literature review. RESULTS: To optimize learning across QI studies requires the integration of small-scale theories (middle-range theories, theories of change) within the context of larger unifying theories. We propose that health care QI research would benefit from a theory that describes the operations of health care delivery, including the multiplicity of roles that interpersonal interactions play. The broadest constructs of the model are entry into the system, and assessment and management of the patient, with the subordinate operations of access; recognition, assessment, and diagnosis; and medical decision-making (developing a plan), coordination of care, execution of care, referral and reassessment, respectively. Interpersonal aspects of care recognize the patient/caregiver as a source of information, an individual in a cultural context, a complex human being, and a partner in their care. Impacts to any and all of these roles may impact the quality of care. CONCLUSIONS: Such a theory can promote opportunities for moving the field forward and organizing the planning and interpretation of comparable studies. The articulation of such a theory may simultaneously provide guidance for the QI researcher and an opportunity for refinement and improvement.
Structural studies of enantiomers, racemates, and quasiracemates. 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)propanoic acid and 2-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)propanoic acid

Abstract Cocrystallization of a 1:1 solution of (R)-2-(2,4-dichloro)phenoxypropanoic acid and (S)-2-(2-chloro-4-nitro)phenoxypropanoic acid yields quasiracemic crystals. The principal quasiracemate components (sterically similar, differing in chirality and Cl/NO2 substitutions) assemble to form pseudosymmetric heterodimers linked by carboxylic acid O-H⋅⋅⋅O R22(8) interactions. A comparison of the structure of the quasiracemate to the individual enantiomers and the “true” racemates provides a means to probe the influence of molecular topologies on the observed molecular recognition behavior. These results show that the orientation of discrete assemblies for the quasiracemate can be controlled predictably by topological influences. Preferred molecular orientations and key structural features of these systems have been examined in context of the imposed Cl and NO2 structural differences.
Nutrition Support in Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Many physicians will manage the care of hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus who require parenteral nutrition or enteral tube feeding. The nutritional assessment, indications for nutrition support, estimate of nutritional needs, and biochemical monitoring guidelines for critically ill patients with diabetes are similar to those for nondiabetic patients. In general, a weight loss of up to 10% of body weight is well tolerated and, in the absence of severe stress, the provision of dextrose-containing crystalloid solutions and electrolytes is adequate for as long as 7 to 10 days. Studies that demonstrate a beneficial influence of nutrition support on clinical outcome administered nutrition for a minimum of 1 week. No data have established that support for a briefer duration is of clinical benefit. An important goal in the care of the hospitalized patient with diabetes is to avoid the extremes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Herein we provide our approach to achieving glucose control in stressed hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus who are receiving parenteral and enteral nutrition. Although evidence is increasing that hyperglycemia impairs immune function, well-designed prospective randomized trials are needed to determine the risks, costs, and benefits of achieving glucose control and of providing nutrition support to hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus.
Analysis of elastic and plastic strains of a face-centred cubic crystal☆

Abstract A method of analysis of both the elastic and plastic strains in a face-centred cubic crystal under a given path of strain is shown. The consideration of elastic strain shows the effect of the curve of critical shear stress vs. the sum of slips in the crystal, on the activation of the five active slip systems under a uniaxial strain. This method gives the sequence of active slip systems in the process of loading. This enables the calculation of the transition from one set of active slip systems to another for a crystal deformed under varying ratios of principal strains. The slip systems on active planes, on which sliding is taking place, are taken to harden little less than those on the other crystal planes. This differential hardening and the sequence of active slip systems serve to reduce the number of possible combinations of five active slip systems, so the rotation and the orientation of a crystal under deformation can be more closely determined.
A novel calorimetry technique for monitoring electron beam curing of polymer resins

Abstract This paper describes the development of a calorimetry-based technique for monitoring of the curing of electron beam (EB) curable resins, including design of the calorimeter hardware and the development of an analytical model for calculating resin cure rates and radiation dose. Factors affecting the performance of the calorimeter were investigated. Experimental trials monitoring the curing of epoxy resin were conducted under single pass and multiple passes of EB irradiation. Results show that the developed calorimeter is a simple, inexpensive and reasonably accurate technique for monitoring the EB curing of cationic epoxies.
Prostaglandins and diabetic retinopathy

Our preliminary information indicates that there is an elevation of at least one particular prostaglandin, i.e. prostaglandin F2α, in the serum of the diabetic patient who has diabetic retinopathy. We can only speculate on the relationship that this bears with the altered fatty acid metabolism in the diabetic; but, the prospects would appear quite good that positive correlations between altered lipid metabolism (involving prostaglandins) and diabetic disease will evolve.
Nitrate radical quantum yield from peroxyacetyl nitrate photolysis.

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN, CH3C(O)OONO2) is a ubiquitous pollutant that is primarily destroyed by either thermal or photochemical mechanisms. We have investigated the photochemical destruction of P...
Tennessee health plan tobacco cessation coverage.

Objective To evaluate the smoking cessation coverage available from public and private Tennessee health plans. Design and Sample Cross-sectional study. The sampling frame for private plans was a register of licensed plans obtained from the Tennessee Commerce Department. Government websites and reports provided TennCare data. Measures Data were abstracted from plan manuals and formularies for benefit year 2012. Classification of coverage included comprehensive—all seven recommended medications plus individual and group counseling; moderate—at least two forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) plus bupropion and varenicline and one form of counseling; inadequate—at least one treatment, or none—no medications or counseling, or coverage only for pregnant women. Results Of nine private plans, one provided comprehensive coverage; two, moderate coverage; four, inadequate coverage, as did TennCare; and two plans provided no coverage. Over 362,800 smokers had inadequate access to cessation treatments under TennCare, while 119,094 smokers had inadequate or no cessation coverage under private plans. Conclusion In 2012, Tennessee fell short of Healthy People goals for total managed care and comprehensive TennCare coverage of smoking cessation. If Tennessee mandates that all health plans provide full coverage, 481,900 smokers may immediately be in a better position to quit.
Theoretical prediction of domain sizes in IPN's and related materials

A series of new theoretical equations for predicting the domain size in interpenetrating polymer networks, IPN's, and related materials was derived. The equations are based on a domain formation process comprising the crosslinking density of each polymer, mixing and demixing thermodynamics, network swelling and elastic deformation of each polymer network, and the interfacial tension between two polymers. The new equations are applicable to both crosslinked and linear materials. The experimental variables required to determine the domain size include the volume fraction and crosslink level of each polymer (or molecular weight, if linear), the interfacial tension, and the temperature. The theory was applied to poly(n-butyl acrylate)/polystyrene IPN's and semi-IPN's. The results are also compared with the earlier theory of Donatelliet al.
Generally applicable methods to purify intracellular coccidia from cell cultures and to quantify purification efficacy using quantitative PCR

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a simple, efficient, and rapid method for the isolation of Sarcocystis neurona merozoites and Besnoitia darlingi tachyzoites from cultured cells. The efficacy of this purification method was assessed by microscopy, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, immuno-fluorescence, and three novel quantitative PCR assays. Culture medium containing host cell debris and parasites was eluted through PD-10 desalting columns. This purification method was compared to alternatives employing filtration through a cellulose filter pad or filter paper. The estimated recovery of S. neurona merozoites purified by the column method was 82% (+/-3.7) of the original merozoites with 97.5% purity. In contrast, estimated recovery of S. neurona merozoites purified by filter pad and filter paper was 40% and 30% with 76% and 83% purity, respectively. The same procedures were applied to purify B. darlingi tachyzoites from cultured cells. Of the original cultured B. darlingi tachyzoites, 94% (+/-2.5) were recovered from the PD-10 column with 96.5%, purity whereas percentage recovery of B. darlingi tachyzoites purified by filter pad and filter paper were 51% and 35% with 84% and 88% purity, respectively. All described methods maintained sterility so that purified parasites could be subsequently cultured in vitro. However, purification using a PD-10 column minimized parasite loss and the loss of viability as determined by the trypan blue dye exclusion assay, the rate of parasite production, and plaque forming efficiency in cell culture. Moreover, column-purified parasites improved the sensitivity of an immuno-fluorescent (IFA) analysis and real-time quantitative PCR assays targeted to parasite 18S ribosomal DNA and hsp70 genes. This technique appears generally applicable for purifying coccidia grown in cell cultures.
An approach for lifetime reliability analysis using theorem proving

Recently proposed formal reliability analysis techniques have overcome the inaccuracies of traditional simulation based techniques but can only handle problems involving discrete random variables. In this paper, we extend the capabilities of existing theorem proving based reliability analysis by formalizing several important statistical properties of continuous random variables like the second moment and the variance. We also formalize commonly used concepts about the reliability theory such as survival, hazard, cumulative hazard and fractile functions. With these extensions, it is now possible to formally reason about important measures of reliability (the probabilities of failure, the failure risks and the mean-time-to failure) associated with the life of a system that operates in an uncertain and harsh environment and is usually continuous in nature. We illustrate the modeling and verification process with the help of examples involving the reliability analysis of essential electronic and electrical system components.
Dielectric and Field-Induced Piezoelectric Responses in Electron-Irradiated Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride- Trifluoroethylene) Copolymer

Ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] copolymers were transformed into relaxor ferroelectric phase by high-energy electron irradiation. Temperature and frequency dependence of dielectric properties were investigated under dc bias field. The relaxor ferroelectric copolymers show high electrostrictive strain response (Q 12 = 10 m 4 /C 2 ) with an effective d 31 = 180 pm/V at a field of 50 MV/m. Direct piezoelectric response of the relaxor ferroelectric copolymer can be tuned by dc bias, d 31 is measured to be 116 pC/N at 40 MV/m bias field. Electromechanical coupling (k 31 = 0.28 at 60 MV/m bias field) was significantly enhanced in the relaxor ferroelectric copolymers as compared to that in the normal ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) copolymers.
Magnetic and electrical properties of flux grown single crystals of Ln6M4Al43 (Ln=Gd, Yb; M=Cr, Mo, W)

Abstract Millimeter-sized single crystals of Ln 6 M 4 Al 43 ( Ln =Gd, Yb; M =Cr, Mo, W) were successfully grown with a molten aluminum flux. Synthetic conditions and physical properties for single crystals of all six analogs are discussed. The compounds exhibit metallic resistivity with room temperature values between 0.1 and 0.6 mΩ-cm. The Yb analogs are Pauli paramagnets with the Yb ion adopting the nonmagnetic divalent configuration (Yb 2+ ). Gd 6 Cr 4 Al 43 , Gd 6 Mo 4 Al 43 , and Gd 6 W 4 Al 43 appear to order antiferromagnetically at 19, 15, and 15 K, respectively.
Toward Optimal Monitoring of Flow-Based Systems Using Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks

Monitoring flow-based systems (FBS) (e.g., water distribution systems, oil and gas pipelines, the human cardiovascular system) is of paramount importance considering their economic and health impacts. FBS monitoring typically has been achieved by costly, complex, static sensors that are strategically placed. To reduce the cost of monitoring, we propose a mobile wireless sensor network (WSN) system comprised of mobile sensors (their movement aided by the inherent flow in the FBS) and static beacons that aid in locating sensors. This article presents the first complete architectural design, algorithms, and protocols for optimal monitoring of FBS. Our proposed solution includes sensing and communication models, MAC and group management protocols for sensor and beacon communication, and algorithms for sensor and beacon placement. We compare our proposed solution with the state of the art through extensive simulations and a proof-of-concept system implementation. We demonstrate performance improvements, such as a dramatic reduction (a factor of 91) in the number of sensors when the sensing range is marginally (2.5 times) increased.