cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erratum to: Examination of the Beck Depression Inventory-II Factor Structure Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is frequently used to evaluate bariatric patients in clinical and research settings; yet, there are limited data regarding the factor structure of the BDI-II with a bariatric surgery population. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal axis factoring with oblimin rotation was employed with data from 1228 consecutive presurgical bariatric candidates. Independent t tests were used to examine potential differences between sexes. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted with the next 383 consecutive presurgical patients to evaluate the proposed model based on EFA results. EFA revealed three factors: negative perceptions, diminished vigor, and cognitive dysregulation, each with adequate internal consistency. Six BDI-II items did not load significantly on any of the three factors. CFA results largely supported the proposed model. Results suggest that dimensions of depression for presurgical bariatric candidates vary from other populations and raise important caveats regarding the utility of the BDI-II in bariatric research.
Gradient theory of nucleation in polar fluids

Gradient theory (GT), a form of density functional theory (DFT), was applied to water, methanol, and ethanol using the cubic perturbed hard body (CPHB) equation of state (EOS). Compared to the standard form of classical nucleation theory (CNT), the GT results for water showed an improved temperature dependence, but the supersaturation dependence was slightly poorer. GT and several forms of CNT were also found to be in good agreement with a single high T molecular dynamics rate for TIP4P water. The rates predicted by GT for methanol and ethanol were improved by several orders of magnitude compared to CNT, but no improvement in the predicted temperature dependence of the rates was found.
New model for the mixed-valence phenomenon in rare-earth materials

A model of a single rare-earth atom in a transition metal is derived, and terms describing screening of charge fluctuations in the resonant l = 3 scattering channels by the l = 2 channels are included. Using the Tomonaga approximation, in which charge fluctuations are represented by bosons, the screening channels are replaced by a boson field, and the model takes on a particularly simple form, the Anderson model of a magnetic impurity, now coupled to the boson field. The mean-field theory of this model suggests that, unlike in the original Anderson model, the impurity can be in a state of slowly fluctuating valence, which we identify with the mixed-valence phenomenon in certain rare-earth materials. These results suggest that the mixed-valence effect may be purely electronic in origin.
Supervising Probationers With Mental Disorder: How Do Agencies Respond to Violations?

Although many probation agencies have instituted specialty mental health caseloads, little is known about the policies and practices of these caseloads. The authors surveyed supervisors of 54 specialty and 20 traditional probation agencies. The survey yielded three key findings. First, most agencies lack formal policies on officers' supervision of probationers with mental illness (PMIs). Second, relative to traditional officers, specialty officers are more involved in supervising PMIs, meeting with PMIs more often, functioning as part of a treatment team, and using problem solving strategies. Third, although both agency types use graduated sanctions, traditional officers generally respond to PMIs' noncompliance with more punitive strategies than specialty officers. Implications for developing and evaluating these caseloads are discussed.
Shoreline, Grain-Size, and Total-Carbon Distribution Changes Before and After Hurricane Alicia, Galveston Island, Texas, 1983: ABSTRACT

Shoreline, grain-size, and sediment total-carbon changes were monitored, on a monthly basis, on three Galveston Island beaches, from January through December 1983. The study area included: (1) East Beach, obstructed by groins and a seawall; (2) Galveston Island State Park, obstructed by fences artificially stabilizing the dunes; and (3) West Beach, an unobstructed beach. Beach profiles revealed the effects of beach obstruction, such as erosion and undercutting at East Beach, and truncation of the dunes at Galveston Island State Park. Approximately 20 m of expansional cutback occurred on the beaches after Hurricane Alicia hit on August 18, 1983. Contour maps of grain-size and total-carbon distributions reflect the movement of beach sand by either onshore-offshore transport during low-energy periods, or longshore, edge-wave transport during high-energy periods. Statistical analyses revealed a small variation in grain size throughout the year. There were well-defined times of either no correlation or strong correlation between total carbon vs. mean grain size, skewness vs. mean grain size, kurtosis vs. mean grain size, total carbon vs. percent sand, total carbon vs. skewness, and skewness vs. kurtosis. Strong correlation was found in response to high-energy events, whereas no correlation was found in response to low-energy events. Galveston Island is undergoing net erosion and appears to be in a metastable state, still capable of responding to oceanographic conditions. The economic effects of Hurricane Alicia include considerable loss of the shoreline and destruction of property. Beach nourishment appears to be the only economically feasible solution to counteract the extensive erosion. End_of_Article - Last_Page 303------------
Fiber RC Compaction by Vibration and Surface Pressure

The object of this research was to examine the influence of relatively low surface pressure applied during vibration on the strength of fiber reinforced concrete.
Fluorescent RNA Aptamers as a Tool to Study RNA-Modifying Enzymes

Summary RNA-modifying enzymes are difficult to assay due to the absence of fluorometric substrates. Here we show that the Broccoli, a previously reported fluorescent RNA-dye complex, can be modified to contain N 6 -methyladenosine, a prevalent mRNA base modification. Methylated Broccoli is nonfluorescent but, upon demethylation by the RNA demethylases fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) or ALKBH5, it binds and activates the fluorescence of its cognate fluorophore. We describe a high-throughput screen (HTS) for FTO inhibitors using the fluorogenic methylated Broccoli substrate HTS assay, which performs robustly with a Z′ factor >0.8 in the LOPAC1280 library. This allowed the identification of novel high-affinity FTO inhibitors. Several of these compounds were selective for FTO over the related demethylase, ALKBH5, and increase methylation of endogenous FTO target mRNAs in cells. Lastly, we show that Broccoli can be modified to contain other base modifications, suggesting that this approach could be generally applicable for assaying diverse RNA-modifying enzymes.
Benecol Spread and Media Planning

Benecol Spread, a cholesterol-lowering margarine, was a product with unusual media-planning challenges. With a narrow target group and unproven market potential, Johnson and Johnson needed to get the most bang for the buck from its Benecol advertising. Would a media-planning model (optimizer) requiring executives to quantify their judgment on several key inputs be helpful in this process? A spreadsheet accompanying the case allows students to weight the target groups and to choose among different advertising vehicles to form the best possible media plan.
A Structured Nursing Intervention to Address Oral Chemotherapy Adherence in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To evaluate a nurse-led intervention to enhance medication knowledge and adherence using the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer Oral Agent Teaching Tool (MOATT). DESIGN Longitudinal, descriptive feasibility study. SETTING An ambulatory thoracic oncology disease center located at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. SAMPLE 30 adult patients with lung cancer who received the oral agent erlotinib. METHODS Structured, nurse-led education sessions using the MOATT were provided, with a 72-hour follow-up telephone contact. Participants completed a Knowledge Rating Scale (KRS) and adapted Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) at the end of the first cycle of oral chemotherapy. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Knowledge and adherence; feasibility. FINDINGS Twenty-seven participants completed the study outcome measures reporting high knowledge levels and MMAS-8 scores. Structured, nurse-led education and follow-up monitoring sessions ranged from 14-30 minutes. Several participants also initiated contact for assistance with prescription procurement and symptom management. Participants reported a median of two side effects. CONCLUSIONS The structured, nurse-led teaching, using the MOATT tool, and follow-up nurse contacts were feasible as integrated into the thoracic oncology setting. Adherence and knowledge outcomes were encouraging. Additional studies should include objective adherence measures and strategies for delivering supportive care to patients at home. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Structured teaching with patients is important to enhance proper oral anticancer medication knowledge and adherence, including follow-up monitoring of administration and side effects at 72 hours.
Correlating Sterol Structure with Membrane Solubility Limits and Phase Behavior in Ternary Model Membranes

Evolution selected for an array of structurally similar sterols in cell membranes. While animal cells rely on cholesterol, yeast utilize ergosterol, and plants incorporate a variety of phytosterols including stigmasterol and s-sitosterol. These sterols differ by one or two degrees of unsaturation and/or by an added methyl or ethyl group on their tail; these subtle changes have substantial effects on their membrane solubility. A previous study found the solubility limits of cholesterol, ergosterol, stigmasterol, and s-sitosterol in 1:1 DOPC/DPPC bilayers to be 65-70 mol %, 30-35 mol %, 20-25 mol %, and ∼40 mol % [Stevens, M. M.; Honerkamp-Smith, A. R.; Keller, S. L. Soft Matter, 2010, 6, 5882-5890]. Here we use fluorescence microscopy to correlate the structural features of ergosterol, stigmasterol, s-sitosterol with the miscibility temperature of ternary membranes containing DOPC, DPPC, and one of the aforementioned sterols. We map the full ternary phase diagram of each system and compare it with that of the well-characterized DOPC/DPPC/cholesterol system. By dark-field microscopy we determine upper bounds of the solubility limits of each sterol in DOPC/DPPC membranes, and we also provide qualitative tie lines for each system. Our data reveal that slight changes in sterol structure have strong effects on phase behavior and membrane solubility. Our results provide insight into intermolecular interactions between sterols and PC-lipids. This research was supported by NSF MCB-1402059.
Reaction Ensemble Monte Carlo Simulation of Complex Molecular Systems.

Acceptance rules for reaction ensemble Monte Carlo (RxMC) simulations containing classically modeled atomistic degrees of freedom are derived for complex molecular systems where insertions and deletions are achieved gradually by utilizing the continuous fractional component (CFC) method. A self-consistent manner in which to utilize statistical mechanical data contained in ideal gas free energy parameters during RxMC moves is presented. The method is tested by applying it to two previously studied systems containing intramolecular degrees of freedom: the propene metathesis reaction and methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) synthesis. Quantitative agreement is found between the current results and those of Keil et al. (J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122, 164705) for the propene metathesis reaction. Differences are observed between the equilibrium concentrations of the present study and those of Lisal et al. (AIChE J. 2000, 46, 866-875) for the MTBE reaction. It is shown that most of this difference can be attributed to an incorrect formulation of the Monte Carlo acceptance rule. Efficiency gains using CFC MC as opposed to single stage molecule insertions are presented.
Design for a soft orthosis. Suggestion from the field.

The purpose of this article is to describe a soft orthosis developed for patients with footdrop and minimal spasticity. This orthosis is inexpensive, simple to make, washable, and cosmetic. It is also versatile. A variant of the lower extremity version was used in our clinic for an upper extremity problem. The orthosis was initially developed in the West Indies for use in hospitals where financial constraints prohibited more conventional orthoses. Small physical therapy departments with limited budgets and resources find this orthosis useful. The orthosis consists of three cuffs and a long nylon lace (Fig. 1). To make the cuffs, I measured the circumference of the patient's lower limb at the metatarsal heads, the ankle proximal to the malleoli, and the calf about 1 in* distal to the popliteal fossa. I added 4 in to each circumferential measurement and cut a strip of 1-in-wide webbing to each of the three specified lengths.…
Bacterial Resistance to Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolones inhibit bacteria by interacting with the A subunit of DNA gyrase. Resistance to older agents such as nalidixic acid was due to mutations in the gyrA gene. Resistance to the new fluoroquinolones (e.g., norfloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, and ciprofloxacin) as a consequence of spontaneous single-step mutation occurs at a low frequency, less than 10(-9), and generally results in a 300-fold lower level of resistance than does the mutation to nalidixic acid resistance. High-level resistance to quinolones can be produced by serial exposure of bacteria to subinhibitory concentrations. Cross-resistance to all quinolones usually occurs. High-level resistance appears to be due to alterations in the A subunit of DNA gyrase and in a simultaneous alteration in permeability that probably is related to a loss of outer-membrane proteins. Organisms resistant to the new quinolones may also be resistant to other antibiotic classes, including beta-lactams. Clinical resistance to the new quinolones has been uncommon and has occurred most often among respiratory pathogens, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa from patients with cystic fibrosis and, less frequently, among strains of Serratia marcescens, P. aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus from wound infections. Resistance of urinary or diarrheal isolates has been rare. So far, overall resistance of bacteria to quinolones has not emerged as a major problem, but--like resistance to all other antimicrobial classes--does occur in certain clinical settings.
Associations of work hours, job strain, and occupation with endothelial function: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Objective:To investigate associations of work hours, job control, job demands, job strain, and occupational category with brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in 1499 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants.Methods:Flow-mediated dilation was obtained using high-resolution ultrasou
Characterization of a novel N-methyltransferase (NMT) from Catharanthus roseus plants : Detection of NMT and other enzymes of the indole alkaloid biosynthetic pathway in different cell suspension culture systems.

Young leaves from Catharanthus roseus plants contain a novel N-methyltransferase which transfers the methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine specifically to position 1 of (2R, 3R)-2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxytabersonine, producing the N-methylated product. The enzyme shows a high degree of specificity toward substrates containing a reduced double bond at position 2,3 of tabersonine derivatives but the more substituted N-desmethyldeacetylvindoline did not act as a substrate. The enzyme catalyses the third last step in vindorosine and vindoline biosynthesis, and is associated with chlorophyll-containing fractions in partially purified enzyme preparations. The lack of vindoline accumulation in cell suspension cultures is correlated with the lack of expression of this enzyme activity as well as that of an acetyltransferase which catalyses the last step in vindoline biosynthesis. Neither fungal elicitor treatment of cell line #615 nor transfer to alkaloid production medium resulted in expression of these two enzyme activities, nor was either enzyme activity detected in photoautotrophic or hormone autotrophic cultures. Cell lines #200, 615–767 and 916 could not be induced to produce DAT or NMT enzyme activities.
Analysis of the Structural Diversity, Substitution Patterns, and Frequency of Nitrogen Heterocycles among U.S. FDA Approved Pharmaceuticals

Nitrogen heterocycles are among the most significant structural components of pharmaceuticals. Analysis of our database of U.S. FDA approved drugs reveals that 59% of unique small-molecule drugs contain a nitrogen heterocycle. In this review we report on the top 25 most commonly utilized nitrogen heterocycles found in pharmaceuticals. The main part of our analysis is divided into seven sections: (1) three- and four-membered heterocycles, (2) five-, (3) six-, and (4) seven- and eight-membered heterocycles, as well as (5) fused, (6) bridged bicyclic, and (7) macrocyclic nitrogen heterocycles. Each section reveals the top nitrogen heterocyclic structures and their relative impact for that ring type. For the most commonly used nitrogen heterocycles, we report detailed substitution patterns, highlight common architectural cores, and discuss unusual or rare structures.
Renal sympathetic nerves modulate glomerular ANP receptors and filtration.

We examined characteristics of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors in glomeruli isolated from subacutely (3-5 days) denervated (DNX) and contralateral nondenervated (non-DNX) kidneys of normal rats (NL) and rats subjected to water deprivation for 48 h (WD). Total ANP receptor density in DNX kidneys of WD rats, measured by competitive inhibition binding between 125I-labeled ANP and ANP, was twofold higher than non-DNX kidneys (726 +/- 96 vs. 384 +/- 32 fmol/mg protein, P less than 0.05). Equilibrium association constant (Ka) was not significantly different (2.33 +/- 0.43 vs. 3.34 +/- 0.78 x 10(9) M-1). In NL rats, there was no difference in ANP receptor density between DNX and non-DNX kidneys (244 +/- 20 and 264 +/- 16 fmol/mg protein). Production of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), a putative second messenger of ANP, in response to ANP (10(-7) M) in glomeruli isolated from DNX was significantly larger than non-DNX kidneys of WD rats. To determine whether these changes in ANP receptors have functional consequences in vivo, glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) was assessed by micropuncture technique in WD Munich-Wistar rats. In DNX kidneys, ANP infusion (4 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) significantly increased whole kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and single-nephron (SN) GFR (0.64 +/- 0.06 to 0.89 +/- 0.17 ml/min and 25 +/- 2 to 33 +/- 2 nl/min, respectively; n = 7) and Kf (1.26 +/- 0.29 to 2.18 +/- 0.41 nl.min-1.mmHg-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Spectrum of natural antibodies against five HTLV-III antigens in infected individuals: correlation of antibody prevalence with clinical status

The genome of the HTLV-III/LAV retrovirus, the etiologic agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), encodes the viral structural proteins (envelope and core proteins), the reverse transcriptase, a transactivation protein (tat-III), as well as two other proteins (3′orf, sor) of unknown function. We studied the prevalence of natural antibodies against envelope, gag, 3′orf, sor, and tat-III in the sera of HTLV-III infected individuals in an attempt to correlate clinical status with seropositivity to specific HTLV-III antigens. We selected 101 sera; 16 were obtained from normal donors with no known risk factors, and 85 were from patients with full-fledged AIDS (28 cases), AIDS-related complex (ARC, 22 cases), and healthy people at risk (homosexuals, intravenous [IV] drug users, relatives of AIDS patients; 35 cases). Seropositivity for antibodies against the envelope (gp41) and gag antigens (p15, p24) was determined by Western blot using disrupted HTLV-III virions. Of the 101 sera, all 16 from nonrisk donors and 3/35 from healthy at-risk donors were negative for antibodies against either the gp41 or p15 and p24. The remaining 82 sera were seropositive for either the gp41 and/or the p15 and p24. All sera were then tested against the three known HTLV-III antigens (3′orf, sor, and tat-III) that have been synthesized in bacteria. Our data indicate that all the HTLV-III antigens tested are immunogenic in vivo. No significant difference in antibody prevalence to gp41 (close to 100%) and to the 3′orf, sor, and tat-III proteins (approximately 50%) was observed with regard to stage of the disease. In contrast, the prevalence of antibodies against the core antigens decreased from approximately 100% in infected people with no clinical signs of disease to 50% in ARC and AIDS patients. The percentage of patients seropositive for all five antigens tested was increased in the AIDS group. These results indicate that the greatest antibody prevalence was obtained using viral envelope antigen and further suggest that screening with the newly identified 3′orf, sor, and tat-III proteins as antigens would confer no further diagnostic advantage. The pattern of natural antibodies observed during disease progression did not suggest any pathogenetic mechanism.
Maintaining Scientific Standards

How to maintain scientific standards is a general problem concerning not only scientists but, as we have seen, Congress and the press. I shall be concerned here with the failures of the scientific establishment, and as usual, I shall deal mostly with concrete instances.
The functionality of it-clefts in selected discourses: The message in the medium

AbstractInformation in a discourse can be obtained by analyzing several different linguistic properties of the discourse. Various syntactic and semantic triggers provide clues to the complex informational structure of a discourse. For the purposes of this investigation, we selected several discourses taken from a series of wire service messages dealing with terrorist incidents that occurred in Central America from 1989 to 1991. The corpus is known as the “MUC-3” corpus. Because of their inferential properties, we identified it-cleft constructions in the corpus. We argue that, despite their rarity in the corpus under investigation, it-clefts provide additional information, and do not just contrast or emphasize focused linguistic material, such as noun or prepositional phrases. By substituting so-called “normal” word order, or SVO paraphrases, for the it-clefts in the messages, we determined what information the it-cleft sentences provided in the discourse. Our investigation reveals that, as a subset of the...
Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

This chapter provides an introduction to common urogynecologic surgeries and discusses specific postoperative issues, including voiding dysfunction and retropubic hematoma. The assessment and management of urogynecologic patients with postoperative fevers, vaginal bleeding, and fistulae are also discussed. An introduction to pessaries is also provided.
Earthquake of January 28, 1931

On January 28, 1931, at 12:50 a.m., P.S.T., occurred an earthquake which was perceptible over a limited area in the southwestern section of the city of Los Angeles. The seismographic amplitudes were only a few millimeters at the Pasadena station, distant twenty-one kilometers. Field investigation showed that the stronger effects, probably nowhere exceeding IV on the Rossi-Forel scale, were confined to an area about one and one-half kilometers in radius, centering at latitude 34°00'N., longitude 180°19'W. This point is near the intersection of Forty-eighth Street and Second Avenue, Los Angeles. The shock was perceptible in most directions only to a distance of about three kilometers from the center given; but to the south and southeast it was felt very slightly to a distance of about ten kilometers.
Rapid Loss of Membrane Integrity and Irreversible Commitment to Cell Death of Primary AML Stem Cells: A Novel Activity for 4-benzyl, 2-methyl,1,2,4-Thiadiazolidine,3,5 Dione (TDZD-8).

Abstract Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) have been shown to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). However, current chemotherapy agents have not demonstrated effective targeting of the LSC population. Thus, failure to eradicate LSCs may lead to disease relapse and progression. Consequently, the identification and characterization of drugs that can efficiently eradicate the LSC population is required. We have identified a compound, 4-benzyl, 2-methyl,1,2,4-thiadiazolidine,3,5 dione (TDZD-8), with the novel characteristic of rapidly inducing cell death of different types of leukemia cells, including AML progenitor and stem cell populations. After 18–24 hours of treatment with 20 uM TDZD-8, the mean survival for primary AML cells was 7% (n=30), blast crisis CML 5% (n= 5), CLL 3% (n=13) and ALL 6% (n= 4). In contrast, normal specimens treated in the same fashion showed 80% mean survival (n=10). Functional assays were performed to determine the effect of TDZD-8 on primitive populations. NOD/SCID xenotransplant analysis showed a 93% decrease of engraftment for AML specimens, while normal cell engraftment was only reduced by 11%. Furthermore, colony-forming assays demonstrated a 93% decrease in CFU formation for AML cells (n=11, where 6 of the specimens showed no CFUs), in contrast to a 30% decrease in normal cells. Strikingly, cell death occurred with extremely rapid kinetics. Time course studies from the different primary AML specimens demonstrated that most of the cell death can be observed within 2 hours after exposure to TDZD-8 (where 10% of the samples tested appear dead with as little as 15–30 minutes of drug exposure). Furthermore, a 30 minute exposure to the drug was sufficient to irreversibly induce cell death of primitive CD34+CD38- cells and CFUs. Interestingly, TDZD-8 was originally described as a GSK-3b inhibitor and analogs to this molecule have also been found to activate PPAR-gamma. However, when we tested different known GSK-3b inhibitors (n=12) and PPAR-gamma activators (containing a thioazolidine ring) we did not observe the toxicity, specificity, or kinetics observed with TDZD-8. Molecular studies suggest that the mechanism by which TDZD-8 induces cell death involves a rapid thiol depletion, Nrf2 activation, and NF-kappaB inhibition. Moreover, a rapid loss of membrane integrity was observed using imaging flow cytometry (Amnis ImageStream) to determine permeability of different viability dyes. Furthermore, TDZD-8 induced cytochrome c release, but cell death was not blocked by pan-caspase inhibitors, suggesting a non-apoptotic cell death mechanism. Finally, preliminary in vivo experiments using mice transplanted with primary AML cells showed that Nrf2 was induced as soon as 1h after dosing animals with 4.4 mg/kg of TDZD-8 (i.p.). Together, these data suggest that TDZD-8 represents a novel class of anti-leukemia specific molecules capable of destroying leukemia progenitor and stem cells with extremely rapid kinetics.
An integrated characterization model for the magnetic design of an EV charger's circular wireless power transfer pads

A good magnetic design of wireless Electric Vehicle (EV) charging system requires accurate characterization of the equivalent circuit parameters. This is while taking into consideration the proximity effect of the magnetic core and the conductive shielding layers. In the literature, such analysis is done using 3D finite element analysis (3DFE), which makes the design process time consuming and computationally expensive. In this paper, an integrated analytical model for the characterization of a circular Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) EV pads is utilized. The results compare well with the results from an FE model as well as experimental test. This analytical model provides a valuable tool to optimize the design process and introduce an element of numerical verification.
Emergency department utilization by haemophilia patients in United States.

Introduction Patients with haemophilia are prone to medical emergencies. Emergency departments (ED) often do not have a haematologist on-call for consultation. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the utilization of ED by patients with haemophilia. Methods Retrospective review of the ‘National ED Database Sample’ for years 2006–2013 was performed. Patient and hospital demographics were collected. Hospital charges were projected to national levels using discharge-weighted variables. Results During the 8-year study period, haemophilia patients made 162 982 ED visits. This represents 0.016% of total ED visits nationwide. Children utilized ED the most. More than half of patients resided in metropolitan cities; 20% had over $63 000 annual household income. Government insurances were the largest primary payers; 30% had private insurance. In the year 2012, 4488 ED visits with 21 000 diagnoses codes were recorded. Mean age was 29 years. Cardiovascular were the most frequently reported complaints followed by injuries, haemorrhages and sepsis. Seventy percent patients were treated and released from the ED. Two patients died in ED, whereas 35 after admission to hospital. Cause of death included Sepsis (n = 26) and brain haemorrhage (n = 4). Among children, injuries were the most frequent complaints followed by joint/soft tissue disorders; fevers and central line complications. Average charge per visit at private vs. public hospital was $2988 and $2254 respectively (P = 0.03). National estimate of total charges was $60 million. Conclusion Patients with haemophilia have tendency to utilize ED. Hypertension was the single most common presenting complaint in adults. No deaths were reported in children from brain haemorrhage.
Heat transfer, evaporation and carbon dioxide transfer in soil

Latent heat flux associated with soil water evaporation connects the surface water balance with the surface energy balance. Soil water evaporation and soil carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes both involve soil gas transport processes and properties, and both impact the soil environment and physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in the soil. Accurate and dynamic measurements of soil water evaporation and soil CO2 fluxes enhance the understanding of water, energy, and carbon partitioning at the soilatmosphere interface and the mechanisms of mass and energy movement in the soil. Most previous work focused on measurements made above the soil surface, and quantitative determinations of in situ water evaporation and carbon dioxide fluxes within soil profile were absent. The objectives of this dissertation were to accurately determine transient soil water evaporation and soil CO2 fluxes with depth in bare soil and in different management zones of a corn field and to evaluate in situ measurement techniques. Three-needle heat pulse sensors were used to measure subsurface soil water evaporation at depths of 3 mm and below in a bare field. The daily evaporation estimated from the heat pulse method agreed well with the daily evaporation estimated from Bowen ratio and micro-lysimeter methods. The results showed that heat pulse sensors alone could accurately determine subsurface soil water evaporation with time and depth, and surface and subsurface evaporation could be accurately determined with heat pulse measurements combined with Bowen ratio measurements in a bare field. Newly designed 11-needle heat pulse sensors were used at the following locations within a corn field: within-row (ROW), between-rows with roots (BR), and between-rows without roots (BRNR). The
Standardizing pre-processing for digital skin lesion image analysis

Pre-processing steps are critical in automated image analysis systems developed to aid in diagnosis of skin lesion images. The main areas of concern include, but are not limited to, hair on the skin, variations in illumination and skin tone, and alignment of successive skin images. These artifacts can partially or completely obstruct a lesion being analyzed causing errors in classification or diagnosis. This paper focuses on an independent quantitative evaluation of an open source hair removal algorithm [1]. The different input parameters to the algorithm were tested to determine their optimal values. Percent error and signal to noise ratio are utilized as the error metrics for the experimental results. Other essential pre-processing steps are considered and provided at the end of this paper.
Comparison of Functioning Levels of Schizophrenics and Normals, Implications for Short-Term Prediction of Rehospitalization of Schizophrenics

There is a general consensus among both clinicians and researchers that the psychosocial functioning of schizophrenics is the main indicator of the level of their adjustment in the community and, at the same time, a predictor of the causes for rehospitalization. As we have seen in Chapter III, the level of social competence, reduced to two dimensions, that of unemployment (or more correctly, Welfare dependence) and marital status alone, are insufficient to account for the social functioning of schizophrenics. Other researchers have looked at other various aspects of psychosocial behavior to determine the level of the schizophrenic’s adjustment in the community.
Evaluation of the Small Bowel and Colon

Currently available endoscopic technologies for small bowel and colon evaluation include traditional endoscopic techniques, deep enteroscopy techniques, and wireless video capsule endoscopy. Wireless video endoscopy can roughly be defined as the use of means other than directly controlled, applied, or introduced electrical devices to obtain imaging data from the gastrointestinal tract to provide a diagnostic and/or treatment modality for a disease. In the world of science fiction, we imagine the ability to diagnose disease via a noninvasive “tricorder” like device (Star Trek, circa 1960s), and then perhaps employ nanotechnology targeted to the abnormality to treat it (Star Trek, circa 1990s). An analogy to this is the development of wireless video surveillance and weapons systems, some of which can be remotely guided for use by law enforcement and the military. A tremendous amount of resources for research and development is required to develop this type of remote wireless technology, which is also still highly dependent on operator training and experience to be effective. In this chapter, we review existing wireless video technologies currently in use in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal diseases of the small bowel and colon, and those modifications that are currently in the development and planning stages. We also review the means of wireless physiologic assessment of the small bowel (SmartPill) and current and potential future applications of more traditional “wired” endoscopic technologies, including single balloon enteroscopy, double balloon enteroscopy, spiral enteroscopy, and NaviAid.
Impact of lithofacies variations and structural changes on natural fracture distributions

AbstractUnderstanding and predicting the impact of lithofacies changes and structural effects on fracture distributions is vitally important to optimize a drilling location and orientation. To eval...
EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR MODULATES CELL ATTACHMENT TO HYALURONIC ACID BY THE CELL SURFACE GLYCOPROTEIN CD44

Cell adhesion to and migration through extracellular matrices (ECM) are critical events in tumor invasion and metastasis. Previous work by us had demonstrated that signaling of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) confers an oncogenic phenotype on NR6 cells and that these cells when transfected with holo EGFR demonstrate greater motility and invasiveness than cells carrying a carboxy-terminal truncated EGFR. Recently, a cell surface glycoprotein, CD44, has been implicated in cell-ECM adhesion involved in tumor cell migration, signal transduction, and metastasis. We investigated whether EGF regulates cellular interactions with ECM components, and in particular, hyaluronate, by modulating CD44 expression. In vitro cell attachment assays on hyaluronate-coated plates demonstrated similar basal level of binding (approximately 33%) for murine NR6 parental cells devoid of endogenous EGFR (P) or expressing wild-type EGFR (WT), while a time-dependent increase in binding was observed in WT cells stimulated with EGF. Additionally, utilizing monoclonal antibody blocking assays, CD44, but not EGFR, was shown to be directly involved in this attachment. Both WT and P cells possessed equivalent 95 kDa bands on immunoblots, corresponding to CD44. The existence of CD44 mRNA was verified by RT-PCR using synthetic oligonucleotides in which a 1.1 kb cDNA was detected in both cell lines and confirmed by DNA sequencing. After 24-h exposure to exogenous EGF, an increase in CD44 protein and mRNA expression was found in WT cells, but not in P cells, supporting the contention that a functional EGFR signaling pathway is required for CD44 regulation. Thus, EGF stimulates cell binding to hyaluronate in vitro by regulating CD44 expression.
Bringing the Nonlinearity of the Movement System to Gestural Theories of Language Use: Multifractal Structure of Spoken English Supports the Compensation for Coarticulation in Human Speech Perception.

Coarticulation is the tendency for speech vocalization and articulation even at the phonemic level to change with context, and compensation for coarticulation (CfC) reflects the striking human ability to perceive phonemic stability despite this variability. A current controversy centers on whether CfC depends on contrast between formants of a speech-signal spectrogram-specifically, contrast between offset formants concluding context stimuli and onset formants opening the target sound-or on speech-sound variability specific to the coordinative movement of speech articulators (e.g., vocal folds, postural muscles, lips, tongues). This manuscript aims to encode that coordinative-movement context in terms of speech-signal multifractal structure and to determine whether speech's multifractal structure might explain the crucial gestural support for any proposed spectral contrast. We asked human participants to categorize individual target stimuli drawn from an 11-step [ga]-to-[da] continuum as either phonemes "GA" or "DA." Three groups each heard a specific-type context stimulus preceding target stimuli: either real-speech [al] or [a], sine-wave tones at the third-formant offset frequency of either [al] or [aɹ], and either simulated-speech contexts [al] or [aɹ]. Here, simulating speech contexts involved randomizing the sequence of relatively homogeneous pitch periods within vowel-sound [a] of each [al] and [aɹ]. Crucially, simulated-speech contexts had the same offset and extremely similar vowel formants as and, to additional naive participants, sounded identical to real-speech contexts. However, randomization distorted original speech-context multifractality, and effects of spectral contrast following speech only appeared after regression modeling of trial-by-trial "GA" judgments controlled for context-stimulus multifractality. Furthermore, simulated-speech contexts elicited faster responses (like tone contexts do) and weakened known biases in CfC, suggesting that spectral contrast depends on the nonlinear interactions across multiple scales that articulatory gestures express through the speech signal. Traditional mouse-tracking behaviors measured as participants moved their computer-mouse cursor to register their "GA"-or-"DA" decisions with mouse-clicks suggest that listening to speech leads the movement system to resonate with the multifractality of context stimuli. We interpret these results as shedding light on a new multifractal terrain upon which to found a better understanding in which movement systems play an important role in shaping how speech perception makes use of acoustic information.
Algorithms to Effectively Quantize Scenarios for PV Impact Analysis using QSTS Simulation

Quasi-static time-series (QSTS) simulation provides an accurate method to determine the impact that new PV interconnections including control strategies would have on a distribution feeder. However, the QSTS computational time currently makes it impractical for use by the industry. A vector quantization approach [1– 2] leverages similarities in power flow solutions to avoid re-computing identical power flows resulting in significant time reduction. While previous work arbitrarily quantized similar power flow scenarios, this paper proposes a novel circuit-specific quantization algorithm to balance speed and accuracy. This sensitivity-based method effectively quantizes the power flow scenarios prior to running the quantized QSTS simulation. The results show vast computational time reduction while maintaining specified bounds for the error.
The Relevance of Participation of Civil Society Organizations in the Process of Formulation of Development Strategies at the Municipal Level

This study explores CSOs’ participation in a very important managerial process within the public sector - development strategies formulation at the municipal level in the Central Bosnia Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Based on the existing literature on the topic, a theoretical model of CSOs’ relevance within the process of formulation of development strategies was designed. The results obtained by model testing show that the CSO’s proficiency is the very organizational characteristic that makes difference between relevance and irrelevance. Results also showed that situational characteristics of the CSOs have no impact on either CSO’s proficiency or its relevance in the process of formulation of development strategies at the municipal level.
Single-Photon Avalanche Photodiodes

The detection of single photons has attracted the attention of scientists for many years. Applications such as Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, or quantum key distribution require the use of devices with such level of sensitivity. Thanks to their high internal gain, photomultiplier tubes were the first devices to demonstrate single-photon counting capabilities. However, their high volume and required voltages soon encouraged the search for new devices.
Investigation into Locking Point of Asphalt Mixtures Utilizing Superpave and Marshall Compactors

AbstractLocking point is an important concept in selecting a proper aggregate gradation in the asphalt mixture design. The locking point can be defined as the moment during asphalt mixture compacti...
Invariant random subgroups of lamplighter groups

Let G be one of the lamplighter groups $${({\Bbb Z}/p{\Bbb Z})^n} \wr {\Bbb Z}$$ and Sub(G) the space of all subgroups of G. We determine the perfect kernel and Cantor-Bendixson rank of Sub(G). The space of all conjugation-invariant Borel probability measures on Sub(G) is a simplex. We show that this simplex has a canonical Poulsen subsimplex whose complement has only a countable number of extreme points. If F is a finite group and Γ an infinite group which does not have property (T), then the conjugation-invariant probability measures on Sub( $$F \wr \Gamma $$ ) supported on $$_{ \oplus \Gamma }F$$ also form a Poulsen simplex.
Optimal Control of Polynomial Hybrid Systems via Convex Relaxations

This paper considers the optimal control for hybrid systems whose trajectories transition between distinct subsystems when state-dependent constraints are satisfied. Though this class of systems is useful while modeling a variety of physical systems undergoing contact, the construction of a numerical method for their optimal control has proven challenging due to the combinatorial nature of the state-dependent switching and the potential discontinuities that arise during switches. This paper constructs a convex relaxation-based approach to solve this optimal control problem by formulating the problem in the space of relaxed controls, which gives rise to a linear program whose solution is proven to compute the globally optimal controller. This conceptual program is solved using a sequence of semidefinite programs whose solutions are proven to converge from below to the true solution of the original optimal control problem. Finally, a method to synthesize the optimal controller is developed. Using an array of examples, the performance of the proposed method is validated on problems with known solutions and also compared to a commercial solver.
Directly Observed Care: An Innovative Oncology Care Model in Belize

PURPOSEPatients with cancer in low- and middle-income countries face complex socioeconomic barriers within health systems that can lead to poor oncologic outcomes. Patient navigation has been shown...
Infantile-onset thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome with SLC19A2 mutation: a case report.

Background Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome (TRMA), also known as Rogers syndrome, is characterized by megaloblastic anemia, sensorineural hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. Disturbances of the thiamine transport into the cells results from homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the SLC19A2 gene. Case presentation We report a girl which presented with sensorineural deafness treated with a hearing prosthesis, insulin requiring diabetes, macrocytic anemia, treated with thiamine (100 mg/day). Hemoglobin level improved to 12.1 g/dl after dose of thiamine therapy increased up to 200 mg/day. Conclusion Patients with TRMA must be evaluated for megaloblastic anemia, sensorineural hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. They must be followed for response of hematologic and diabetic after thiamine therapy. It should be kept in mind that dose of thiamine therapy may be increased according to the clinical response. Genetic counseling should be given.
Public transportation systems

Abstract Massive transportation development in mass urbanization has accelerated fossil fuel energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles account for nearly 30% of global warming. We need clean energy for urban transportation sectors to meet their energy demand and avoid global warming. In this study, a wind energy system model was developed by integrating advanced technological and mathematical aspects to obtain a potential solution for the total energy demand of all urban transportation systems. Detailed analysis of the theoretical wind energy systems was modeled by a series of mathematical equations that were then proposed for use in transportation sectors to naturally meet their energy demand. To better explain this technology and its application in transportation sectors, and taking the practical scale and components into consideration, a sample experimental model of a car was also described as a hypothetical experiment. Interestingly, both the theoretical modeling and experimental analysis of the car confirm that a turbine can be a promising tool to utilize wind energy to generate electricity from self-renewing resources to power the car; importantly, wind energy is clean and globally abundant. The proposed wind energy system could be an innovative large-scale technology in energy science that can enable vehicles that produce energy from the wind when the vehicle is in motion, thus meeting 100% of the vehicle's energy demand.
Seizure aesthetics: Temporal regimes and medical technology in epilepsy diagnosis:

Epilepsy is a neurological condition defined by time; it is characterized by a lifelong tendency for recurrent, unpredictable, and unprovoked seizures, during which people lose control over parts o...