cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Portal and centrilobular hepatic fibrosis in Fontan circulation and clinical outcomes

Background The Fontan operation redirects venous blood flow directly to the pulmonary circulation in subjects with single ventricle anatomy. Congestive hepatopathy and cirrhosis have been described in subjects with Fontan circulation, but the prevalence of and predictors for liver disease remain unknown. Methods We performed a retrospective study of liver histopathology in Fontan subjects who had liver biopsy or autopsy. All specimens were graded using a pre-determined protocol. Additional data were collected through chart review. Among 68 subjects, specimens were obtained at a median age of 23.2 years (range 5.0 to 52.7 years). Median time since Fontan was 18.1 years (range 1.2 to 32.7 years). Results Centrilobular fibrosis was seen in every specimen, with 41.2% showing Grade 4 centrilobular fibrosis. Portal fibrosis was seen in 82.3% of specimens, with 14.7% showing cirrhosis. Megamitochondria were seen in 58.8% of specimens. Centrilobular fibrosis grade was greater in those with a dominant left or right ventricle than in those with a combined right and left systemic ventricle (p = 0.008). Portal fibrosis grade correlated with alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.04) and mode of biopsy (p = 0.02). Neither centrilobular fibrosis nor portal fibrosis grade was predictive of transplant-free survival or overall survival. Conclusions Individuals with Fontan physiology have a high prevalence of hepatic fibrosis. Signs and symptoms of liver disease did not predict histopathologic findings. Few risk factors for advanced disease were identified. Histopathology findings did not predict transplant-free survival. The role of liver biopsy in this population remains uncertain.
ELECTROPHORETIC HOMOGENEITY OF PREGNANT MARE SERUM GONADOTROPHIN.

A highly purified and potent gonadotrophin in pregnant mare serum has been prepared. The preparation has been shown to be electrophoretically homogeneous in the Tiselius apparatus. The mobilities of the substance have been determined over a wide range of hydrogen ion concentrations. The isoelectric point lies at pH 2.60–2.65 and the value of See PDF for Equation is 4.0 x 10–5. Some chemical constituents have been studied. From the tryptophane and tyrosine content the molecular weight of the hormone is estimated to be 30,000. The hormone has been subjected to acetylation by ketene in aqueous solution at room temperature and the result suggests again the essentiality of free amino groups for the biological activity of the hormone. In this respect it is to be contrasted with human chorionic gonadotrophin.
Formalin disinfection of biopsy needle minimizes the risk of sepsis following prostate biopsy

Purpose: We describe a simple and effective method to reduce the risk of infection after prostate biopsy.Materials and Methods: A total of 1,642 consecutive prostate biopsy procedures during a 4-year period (2008 to 2012) were included in the study. Inclusion criteria consisted of pre-biopsy negative urine culture, bisacodyl enema and fluoroquinolone antibiotics (3 days). Formalin (10%) was used to disinfect the needle tip after each biopsy core. All patients were monitored for post-biopsy infection. The rate of infection was compared to that of a historical series of 990 procedures. Two ex vivo experiments were conducted to test the disinfectant effectiveness of formalin against fluoroquinolone resistant Escherichia coli, and another experiment was performed to quantitate formalin exposure.Results: Post-biopsy clinical sepsis with positive urine and blood cultures (quinolone resistant E. coli) developed in 2 patients (0.122%). Both patients were hospitalized, treated with intravenous antibiotics and had ...
Radiation utilization efficiency and the growth of soybeans exposed to ozone: a comparative analysis.

Abstract Effects of ozone (O 3 ) on field-planted soybeans ( Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Davis’) were examined using a simple crop-growth model that resolves the rate of increase in crop dry weight into the total amount of radiation intercepted by a crop canopy and the efficiency of conversion of this energy into dry matter (ϵ, termed utilization efficiency). The objectives were : (1) to examine the effects of O 3 on light interception and ϵ, and compare these results with a similar study by Unsworth et al. to determine whether the effects of O 3 are consistent from year to year, and (2) to determine whether ϵ is more sensitive to O 3 during reproductive than vegetative growth and whether allocation of aboveground biomass to seed is affected by O 3 . Five O 3 concentrations (seasonal means of 30, 52, 57, 76 and 99 ppb) were maintained in open-top chambers over the growing season. All treatments were irrigated. Leaf, stem and pod weights and leaf area were measured weekly throughout the season. Total incident solar radiation and total radiation transmission through the canopy were measured with tube solarimeters and electronic integrating devices. Increased O 3 concentrations were accompanied by depressed leaf area expansion and earlier leaf senescence, but did not affect total light interception over the entire season. Utilization efficiency (ϵ) was reduced in high O 3 treatments and was the most important factor in the reduction of yield; ϵ for the whole season declined from 0.89 g MJ −1 in the 30-ppb treatment to a low of 0.68 g MJ −1 in the 99-ppb treatment. Efficiencies were higher during reproductive than vegetative growth, but were not more sensitive to O 3 . Seed yield decreased from 450 g m −2 in the 30-ppb treatment to 320 g m −2 in the 99-ppb treatment. Fractional allocation of aboveground dry weight to seed was not affected by O 3 . Reduced ϵ values with increasing O 3 concentrations were consistent with an earlier study by Unsworth et al. however, ϵ values for the vegetative phase of growth in this study were lower at all O 3 concentrations. Lower ϵ values were attributed to canopy light saturation because of higher incident radiation and water stress caused by a shallow rooting zone during a hot, dry growing season.
1H photo-CIDNP enhancements in heteronuclear correlation NMR spectroscopy.

Photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) is usually employed as a probe of solvent exposure in biomolecular NMR. The potential of the photo-CIDNP effect for sensitivity enhancement, however, remains poorly explored. Here, we introduce 1H-photo-CIDNP in heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy at low laser irradiation power (1 W), and compare the sensitivity of various 1H-photo-CIDNP-enhanced- (HPE) 1H−15N heteronuclear correlation pulse sequences, including HSQC, HMQC, and SOFAST-HMQC, in terms of their ability to detect the Trp indole He1 resonance. Both Trp and the Trp-containing protein apoHmpH were analyzed using flavin mononucleotide as photosensitizer in aqueous solutions either containing or lacking urea. We find that 1H−15N photo-CIDNP-SOFAST-HMQC, denoted here as HPE-SOFAST-HMQC, yields a 2-fold higher signal-to-noise per unit time than the parent SOFAST-HMQC, for the solvent-exposed Trp of urea-unfolded apoHmpH. Thus, HPE-SOFAST-HMQC is the most sensitive heteronuclear co...
Signal Detection and Noise Modeling of a 1-D Pulse-Based Ultra-Wideband Ranging System and Its Accuracy Assessment

In this paper, we estimate the achievable localization error in an ultra-wideband (UWB) precise positioning system. The system is based on the time difference of arrival of narrow pulses to a multitude of base-stations. A mathematical model and simulation platform are developed to describe the behavior of the UWB indoor localization system. Limits on the location accuracy as a function of the parameters of the UWB system are described. A discussion of the dominant errors is presented including picosecond pulse generator jitter, sampling clock jitter, sampling rate, and system additive white Gaussian noise. We show a simple method to calculate the total system jitter, and describe error biasing phenomenon as the tag moves, approaching one base-station and moving away from another. Design curves are provided to determine the required specifications of the various system components to achieve a certain positioning accuracy.
Unilateral paraquat-induced lung fibrosis: evolution of changes in lung fibronectin and collagen after graded degrees of lung injury.

We describe a model of pulmonary fibrosis in which doses of paraquat ranging from 0.001 mg/kg to 1.0 mg/kg were instilled into the right lung of rats. Lung injury, as measured by right lung lavage albumin content and differential neutrophil count, ranged from undetectable to extremely severe, depending on the dose. Lung fibrosis, as assessed by collagen content and electron microscopy, showed similar dose‐response effects. Mortality was minimal. Lavage fibronectin increased after high doses of paraquat, peaked at 2 d postinjury, decreased sharply after 3 d and was normal by 7 d. The temporal pattern was similar to that for albumin. Cultured alveolar macro‐phages obtained at 4 d postinjury did not have significant increases in fibronectin release. Tissue fibronectin content increased more slowly than lavage fibronectin, peaking at 4 d postinjury, and was still elevated at 7 and 14 d postinjury. Incorporation of [35S]methionine into tissue fibronectin by lung explants obtained at different times postinjury ...
Empirical Localization of Observations for Serial Ensemble Kalman Filter Data Assimilation in an Atmospheric General Circulation Model

AbstractThe empirical localization algorithm described here uses the output from an observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) and constructs localization functions that minimize the root-mean-square (RMS) difference between the truth and the posterior ensemble mean for state variables. This algorithm can automatically provide an estimate of the localization function and does not require empirical tuning of the localization scale. It can compute an appropriate localization function for any potential observation type and kind of state variable. The empirical localization algorithm is investigated in the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5). The empirical localization function (ELF) is computed for the horizontal and vertical separately so that the vertical localization is explored explicitly. The horizontal and vertical ELFs are also computed for different geographic regions. The ELFs varying with region have advantages over the single global ELF in the horizontal and vertical, because different...
Semiotics and the “Connections” Standard: Significance of Semiotics for Teachers of Mathematics

For more than 14 years, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (1989, 2000) has advocated that teachers of mathematics facilitate that students make connections of various kinds, in their learning of mathematics. Semiotic theories, including those of Peirce and those of Saussure and Lacan (each for different purposes), provide useful lenses for examining ways that teachers may facilitate the making of connections, for instance between home and school mathematics, or between mathematics and other school subjects, or between different branches of mathematics. This paper describes a nested chaining model that takes into account the need for interpretation and meaning making at each step in the sequences involved in connections. A nested model has the capacity to allow for webs of signification and meaning that take into account the complexity of the processes in ways that linear semiotic chains cannot. Examples are taken from research projects with graduate students, with pre-service teachers, and with practicing teachers.
On the two approaches to the data analysis of the Cassini interplanetary relativity experiment

Abstract We compare two theoretical approaches to the data analysis of the Cassini relativity experiment based on the Doppler tracking and the time delay technique that were published correspondingly by Kopeikin et al. [S.M. Kopeikin, A.G. Polnarev, G. Schafer, I.Yu. Vlasov, Phys. Lett. A 367 (2007) 276] and by Bertotti et al. [B. Bertotti, N. Ashby, L. Iess, Class. Quantum Grav. 25 (2008) 045013]. Bertotti et al. believed that they found a discrepancy with our paper and claimed that our analysis was erroneous. The present Letter elucidates, however, that the discrepancy is illusory and does not exist. The two techniques give the same result making it evident that the numerical value of the PPN parameter γ measured in the Cassini experiment is indeed affected by the orbital motion of the Sun around the barycenter of the solar system.
Validity of Echocardiographic Measurement in an Epidemiological Study: Project HeartBeat!

In Project HeartBeat!, a longitudinal study of cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy children and adolescents, 3 samples of 40, 80, and 182 echocardiograms, respectively, were randomly selected and reread to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver variabilities and comparability between measurements of field echocardiographic technicians and reference readings at Texas Children's Hospital. Included in the evaluation were 8 M-mode echocardiographic measurements, ie, aortic root diameter, left atrial diameter, and end-diastolic and end-systolic measurements of interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular (LV) diameter, and LV posterior wall thickness; 8 Doppler measurements; and a calculated LV mass. Means and SDs of the differences of the paired measurements were used to assess the relative bias and random error of the measurements. For the intraobserver comparison, means and SDs of the differences were very small, indicating that the echo measurements were performed consistently by each project echo technician. Interobserver comparison showed statistically but not clinically significant differences between the paired readings of end-diastolic septal thickness, end-systolic LV posterior wall thickness, and 5 Doppler measurements. Comparison with reference readings at Texas Children's Hospital showed significant differences in diastolic LV diameter, systolic septal thickness, and right ventricular ejection time. These differences, however, were minimal with limited clinical significance. Mean differences in LV mass for the corresponding comparisons were -1.82, 4.50, and 0.0013 g, and the SDs were 18.79, 24.16, and 12.35 g, respectively. We conclude that the echocardiographic measurements taken from healthy children in a longitudinal study can be made accurately with acceptable reproducibility.
Comparison of calculated and experimental thermal attachment rate constants for SF6 in the temperature range 200-600 K.

Electron attachment cross-sections are calculated for the process e + SF6 → SF 6 – in the energy range 1–200 mi11ie1ectron volts. A local e1ectron-scattering approximation [1,2] is used in which diatomic-like potential energy curves near the equilibrium SF6 ground state are constructed from recent spectroscopic data. Good agreement is found with experimental attachment cross-sections [3,4] at a temperature of 300K. The same calculation, with appropriate adjustment of the thermal populations, is used to calculate attachment rate constants in the range 50–600K. An additional cross-section contribution from the channel e + SF6 → SF 5 – + F, obtained from experimental data of others, is then added to the SF 6 – /SF6 channel cross-section and comparisons made with measured rate constants [5–7] in the range 200–600K. An estimate of the photodetachment energy of SF 6 – (X2Alg) is also given.
Climate of the past millennium inferred from varved proglacial lake sediments on northeast Baffin Island, Arctic Canada

This study uses 239+240Pu-dated varved sediments from Big Round Lake, a proglacial lake on northeast Baffin Island, Arctic Canada to generate a 1000-year-long, annual-resolution record of past climate. Varve thickness is positively correlated with July–August–September temperature measured at Clyde River, 70 km to the north of the lake (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). We therefore interpret the variability and trends in varve thickness to partially represent summer temperature. The coolest Little Ice Age temperatures occurred in this record from 1575 to 1760 AD and were approximately 1.5°C cooler than today (average from 1995 to 2005 AD) and 0.2°C cooler than the last millennium (average from 1000 to 2000 AD). Pre-twentieth-century warmth occurred during two intervals, 970–1150 AD and 1375–1575 AD; temperatures were approximately 1.2°C cooler than today, but 0.1°C warmer than the last millennium. The Big Round Lake varve-thickness record contains features similar to that reconstructed elsewhere in the eastern Canadian Arctic. This high-resolution quantitative record expands our understanding of arctic climate during the past millennium.
N-level quantum systems with SU[2] dynamic symmetry

We present an analytic solution of the coherent evolution of a laser-driven N-level quantum system that possesses an SU(2) dynamic symmetry.
Diluters for Bovine Semen. II. Effect of Milk Proteins upon Spermatozoan Livability

Since Thacker and Almquist (22) showed that heated milk maintains satisfactory motility and fertility of bovine spermatozoa, heated fresh homogenized milk or skimmilk has been shown by these workers (23) and Dreher and Webb (4) to give fertility results equivalent to, or better than, those obtained with the conventional yolk-buffer diluters. However, studies with reconstituted nonfat dry milk solids, canned skimmilk, and evaporated whole milk have not yielded as encouraging results to date. Marion and Olson (16) and Bennett (2) found that nonfat dry milk solids prepared at low temperatures gave extremely poor results unless heated after reconstitution, whereas reconstituted high temperature powders, without additional heating, gave results more nearly approaching those obtained with heated fluid milk and yolk-citrate. Jacquet and Cassou (9) have questioned the use of canned skimmilk after observing wide variations in fertility between bulls. Collins (3) obtained fair livability but poor fertility results with semen diluted in evaporated milk reconstituted with an equal volume of distilled water.
Temperature and blood acid-base status in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus.

Abstract The blood acid-base status of blue crabs. Callinectes sapidus , was assessed at temperatures ranging from 10 to 30°C. Blood pH varied inversely with temperature, with a slope (dpH/dT) or −0.012. The Pa CO 2 rose only slightly between 10 and 27°C, from 2.09 torr to 2.91 torr, with the result that the total dissolved CO 2 actually fell slightly due to the decrease in solubility. In vitro the blood behaved like a conventional Rosenthal system, with a rise in P CO 2 at constant Ct which was much greater than the observed in vivo increase. In vivo the Ct of the blood decreased significantly in order to maintain the OH/H ratio. The ratio of ventilation to oxygen consumption (and presumably carbon dioxide production) was not sinificantly different at 10 and 27°C, indicating that ventilation is not participating in the acid-base adjustment to temperature. The principal acid-base regulating mechanisms in the crab are probably ionic exchanges in the gills rather than ventilatory control of Pa CO 2 .
Looking Backward and Framing the Future for Parents’ Aspirations for Their Children With Disabilities

This article frames the past and future role of the parents of children with disabilities within the context of special education. We highlight their past aspirations: to organize nationally to assert that their children could learn, to codify into law their children’s right to an education, and to foster trust-based parent–professional partnerships. Using the past as a prelude to the future, we then identify two aspirations for the future: to foster empathy, compassion, and dignity; and to “get a life” rather than just “get an education.” The theme of future aspirations is to develop schools and communities where empathy, compassion, and dignity abound and where, as a consequence, children and adults with disabilities can experience across the full lifespan the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s outcomes of equal opportunity, independent living, full participation, and economic self-sufficiency.
Multirate Sampling and Generalized Alias as a Source of Errors in Magnetometer Experiments

It is customary to time share or commutate the return data link from spacecraft. This means that the data transmission is periodically interrupted. Sampling of time series data under these conditions results in violation of the fast rate Nyquist limit with the consequent folding of the spectra density distribution function of the data unless the presample filter bandwidth is determined by the commutation frequency. In the time domain, the consequence can be to replicate components of the spectrum about various frequencies including zero. These conditions are applied to a hypothetical magnetometer experiment and it is shown that, depending upon the frequency content, the data can be intrinsically aliased at the commutation switching rate of the telemetry system and, further, second order aliased in the data reduction sampling procedure. The presence of the doubly aliased time series for each of the magnetic field components can lead to potentially serious errors depending upon the form of the spectral amplitude functions which, in turn, are unspecifiable if folded.
Microwave heating of foods ‐ changes in nutrient and chemical composition

Industrial microwave applications have increased considerably over the years and so has the number of microwave ovens in American homes. Remarkable characteristics have been attributed at times to microwaves without sound scientific information to back up these claims. Heating foods in a conventional and a microwave oven to comparable internal temperatures will generally result in greater moisture losses in the microwave heated products. The effects of microwaves on proteins and lipids are minor and due to heat, rather than the radiation in a microwave oven. Data of the effects on carbohydrates are virtually nonexistent. The degree of destruction of vitamins and pigments during microwave processing is not greater than that observed in conventionally heated foods. There are differences in flavor and taste in certain food products prepared in a conventional and a microwave oven. Data from different laboratories are not always in complete agreement, which is understandable considering the great variability i...
Parametric power amplifiers: Old ideas, new technologies

This paper discusses the use of parametric circuits to achieve high power, high efficiency power amplification over wide bandwidths. A new architecture is proposed that uses an upconverting parametric amplifier as a polar modulator. In addition, applications of multiferroic materials to achieve wideband parametric amplification are discussed.
Distal leucines are key functional determinants of Alix-binding simian immunodeficiency virus SIV(smE543) and SIV(mac239) type 3 L domains.

In addition to PTAP L domains, primate lentiviruses carry Alix-binding motifs that include the recently described type 3 SREKPYKEVTEDLLHLNSLF sequence. We examined the requirements for the type 3 sequence motif in simian immunodeficiency virus SIVsmE543 and identified the 499LNSLF503 sequence as a key functional determinant. Mutation of distal leucines 499L and 502L (LL mutant) caused an inhibitory effect on Alix-dependent SIVsmE543 release that was quantitatively similar to that observed following disruption of the type 3 L domain or RNA interference (RNAi) depletion of Alix. Similar results were obtained with the SIVmac239 LL mutant. Thus, distal leucines are key determinants of SIVsmE543 and SIVmac239 type 3 L domains.
Effect of inclusion of peas in dairy cow diets on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and nitrogen losses

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of partial substitution of solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) and corn grain with field peas on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and urinary N losses in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 6 ruminally cannulated dairy cows. Treatments were: (1) control diet; (2) rolled peas diet (RP)—150 g/kg dry rolled peas, replacing SBM and corn grain; and (3) ground peas (GP)—as RP, but peas were coarsely ground through a hammer mill. Diet had no effect on ruminal pH and total and individual volatile fatty acids. Acetate to propionate ratio was increased with the RP diet compared with the control and GP diets. Ruminal ammonia concentration was greater for the GP diet compared with the control. Total tract apparent digestibility of dry and organic matter, nitrogen, neutral-detergent fiber, and starch were not different between the control and GP diets. Compared with the control and GP diets, the RP diet lowered total tract digestibility of dry and organic matter and nitrogen. Peas had greater N solubility in situ than SBM (290 g/kg vs. 135 g/kg, respectively). Urinary N losses, as proportion of N intake, tended to be greater for GP than the RP diet. Compared with the control, the pea diets reduced milk yield, primarily due to decreased dry matter intake. In conclusion, these data suggest that pea protein is more soluble in the rumen than SBM protein and inclusion of 150 g/kg ground peas in the diet of dairy cows resulted in elevated ruminal ammonia concentration. Peas have to be coarsely ground for dairy cow diets to avoid depression in total tract digestibility of nutrients.
Swim Stress differentially blocks CRF receptor mediated responses in dorsal raphe nucleus

Summary Modulation of the serotonergic (5-HT) neurotransmitter system arising from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) is thought to support the behavioral effects of swim stress, i.e., immobility. In vivo pharmacological and anatomical studies suggest that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synaptic transmission closely interact to set the response of the DR to swim stress. To investigate the cellular basis of these physiological mechanisms the effects of ovine CRF (oCRF) on GABA A -dependent miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in 5-HT and non-5-HT DR neurons in acute mesencephalic slices obtained from rats either naive or 24 h after a 15 min swim stress session were tested. In this study, the effect of swim stress alone was to decrease the holding current, i.e., hyperpolarize the neuron, and to increase the amplitude and charge of mIPSCs recorded from non-5-HT neurons. Ovine CRF (10 nM) induced an increase in mIPSC frequency in 5-HT neurons recorded from naive rats, an effect that was suppressed by swim stress. The inward current elicited by oCRF in both 5-HT and non-5-HT neurons was also blocked by swim stress. Ovine CRF increased mIPSCs amplitude and charge in both 5-HT and non-5-HT neurons, but this effect was not modified by swim stress. In concert with our previous findings that swim stress decreased input resistance, action potential threshold and action potential duration and increased glutamatergic synaptic activity the overall primary effect of swim stress is to increase the excitability of 5-HT neurons. These data provide a mechanism at the cellular level for the immobility induced by swim stress and identifies critical components of the raphe circuitry responsible for the altered output of 5-HT neurons induced by swim stress.
A computer investigation of chemically mediated detachment in bacterial biofilms.

A three-dimensional computer model was used to evaluate the effect of chemically mediated detachment on biofilm development in a negligible-shear environment. The model, BacLAB, combines conventional diffusion-reaction equations for chemicals with a cellular automata algorithm to simulate bacterial growth, movement and detachment. BacLAB simulates the life cycle of a bacterial biofilm from its initial colonization of a surface to the development of a mature biofilm with cell areal densities comparable to those in the laboratory. A base model founded on well established transport equations that are easily adaptable to investigate conjectures at the biological level has been created. In this study, the conjecture of a detachment mechanism involving a bacterially produced chemical detachment factor in which high local concentrations of this detachment factor cause the bacteria to detach from the biofilm was examined. The results show that the often observed ‘mushroom’-shaped structure can occur if detachment events create voids so that the remaining attached cells look like mushrooms.
Sweden's Parental Leave Insurance: A Policy Analysis of Strategies to Increase Gender Equality

Sweden's parental leave insurance is recognized internationally as the premiere parental leave policy addressing gender equality. Since 1974, when the policy changed from maternal to parental leave, policy makers have employed a variety of strategies including inducements, rules, and rights, to increase more gender-equal leave taking. Using Stone's (2006) strategy conceptualization, together with the gender systems approach (Crompton, 1999) which frames the gendered and socially constructed nature of earner/caregiver, this analysis examines how each of Sweden's incremental reforms in parental leave policy moved toward the goal of gender equality, with particular attention to father participation in caregiving.
Diabetes Mellitus Standards of Care

Diabetes is a worldwide epidemic with a high cost regarding consumption of health care resources and is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. The complex nature of diabetes requires the use of evidence-based guidelines regarding diabetes management. These evidence-based guidelines are lengthy and do not readily translate into nursing care. As an integral component of the interprofessional team, the nurse must provide a thorough assessment of patients with diabetes and work to achieve individual patient treatment goals. Evaluation of patient progress toward treatment goals with regular/frequent follow-up is necessary to promote effective self-management of diabetes.
Edge Diffraction in Acoustics and Elastodynamics

The published work on scattering of waves by obstacles has now become so extensive that it is not possible to discuss more than a small part of this vast area in a finite number of pages. Fortunately, the methods for analyzing scattering problems are distinct enough to provide a natural division of the field. Within the context of a division by methods, the present paper focuses on the use of ray theory concepts.
Pseudotumor cerebri: a review

P seudotum or cerebri (PTC) is a syndrom e seen m ore frequently in young, obese w om en defined by increased intracranial pressure w ithout obstruction of the ventricular system. Normal neurodiagnostic studies, nor­ mal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contents, papilledem a in one or both eyes, and norm al m ental status should also b e recognized. Although the disorder has b e e n associated w ith drugs, endocrinopathies, com prom ised nutri­ tional status and other disease states, no underlying disorder is uniformly present.
Residents Suing Nonresidents for Harm in Illinois

In early 2006, two Illinois circuit judges, one in Cook County and one downstate, denied dismissals sought by two nonresidents on personal jurisdiction grounds upon finding there were sufficient contacts between the nonresidents and Illinois to support specific in person am authority. Each losing defendant sought immediate intermediate appellate court review which, though initially denied, was ordered (without a rationale) by the Illinois Supreme Court under its supervisory authority. Both appellate courts then reversed, freeing the nonresidents from suits in Illinois. Each nonresident had caused significant harm in Illinois to an Illinois resident. In Ploense v. Electrolux Home Products, Inc., a nonresident allegedly harmed an Illinois worker by conspiring outside of Illinois to suppress knowledge of the harmful health effects of chrome used during manufacturing in Illinois and around the country. In Morris v. Halsey Enterprises, Ltd. another nonresident allegedly harmed an Illinois resident at home by placing in the stream of commerce a defective fan which was bought and then malfunctioned in Illinois. While nonresidents surely may not be sued in violation of procedural due process protections, in each case there were adequate bases for authority. Yet each court told an Illinois resident, hurt in Illinois, to take an Illinois state law claim to a court outside of Illinois. Each appellate court found no personal jurisdiction because the nonresident had not intentionally aimed at or targeted Illinoisians. Both courts read far too narrowly the due process requirement that to be amenable to suit, a nonresident must purposefully avail itself of the privilege of conducting activities in the forum. Due process allows suits against nonresidents who act indirectly in the forum. In both cases the nonresidents benefitted from their indirect acts in Illinois and reasonably should have anticipated suits in Illinois. Hopefully, given the Illinois Supreme Courts interest, there will soon emerge a different approach, allowing more Illinoisians to sue nonresidents in Illinois for harms caused in Illinois under Illinois laws through conspiracy or stream of commerce acts.
Turks across empires: marketing Muslim identity in the Russian-Ottoman borderlands, 1856–1914

The title of this monograph places it in the cohort of comparative analyses devoted to issues of empire and transnationalism, and issues of identity in imperial contexts. If one were to employ a me...
Building and maintaining a research career in Music Education

Building and maintaining a research career in music education requires thoughtful planning and a persistent commitment to a research work ethic. For most people, the research career will begin in graduate school with selection of a dissertation topic, and this topic will often set the course for the first years of research after the doctorate. Careful topic selection can give the student the start of a unique research identity. When the doctoral graduate moves into a full time college teaching job, it becomes a major challenge to remain productive in research while meeting the demands of new job responsibilities. There are certain pitfalls that the new researcher must anticipate and avoid. As the researcher's career matures, he or she will take on new responsibilities that make it even more difficult to remain productive. A good way to meet this challenge is to work more or less simultaneously on a number of research projects that are all in different stages of completion. If, as a researcher, you have de...
Patterns of Regression in Rett Syndrome

Patterns and features of regression in a case series of 53 girls and women with Rett syndrome were studied at the Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, London, UK.
From binary presumptive assays to probabilistic assessments: Differentiation of shooters from non-shooters using IMS, OGSR, neural networks, and likelihood ratios

Screening tests are used in forensic science for field testing and directing laboratory analysis of physical evidence. These tests are often binary in that the data produced is interpreted as yes/no or present/absent. The utility of screening assays can be improved by evaluating a relevant background population and incorporating prior knowledge to refine the decision boundary. This paper describes the results of using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and hand swab samples collected from 73 individuals to differentiate shooters from non-shooters by targeting organic constituents of firearms discharge residues. Each individual completed a questionnaire helpful in analyzing positive results when they did occur. Pattern matching was undertaken using neural networks, and decision thresholds were established using likelihood ratios derived from the population study. This approach significantly reduced the background positive rates compared to an arbitrary decision threshold technique. This methodology could be extended to other pattern-recognition algorithms used with instrumental data. This paper also reports the largest population study to date focused on the organic residues of firearms discharge. The proportion of positives found in the population sample were less than 5%; when a likelihood ratio of 10:1 (shooter/not shooter) was used, the frequency of positives fell below 2%. The results suggest that background levels of organic gunshot residue will not be a significant analytic concern for assay development.
Disscussion on thermoficated generating ratio application

Thermoficated generating ratio is a important concept for the coal saving calculation of electricity generation in cogeneration power plant.The thermoficated generating ratio application is discussed in the paper.The coal saving calculation and condition are analyzed.Example calculation results show: the time interval of standard coal saving should correspond with that of thermoficated generating ratio for coal saving accurately calculation.
Gas exchange of CO2 and O2 in partially ice-covered regions of the Arctic Ocean investigated using in situ sensors

Sea surface CO2 dynamics are not well characterized in the Arctic Ocean (AO). Most data are from ship-based studies during the low-ice period (May-September) and obtained from near shore areas because of accessibility. More CO2 data are needed to improve models for predicting the future of the carbon cycle in the region and its relationship to ocean acidification. Air-sea gas exchange rates are complicated by the presence of ice. Consequently gas exchange rates have a larger uncertainty in the AO compared to other ocean regions. To provide more information about CO2 dynamics and gas exchange in the AO, in situ time-series data have been collected from the Canada Basin during late summer to autumn of 2012. Partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), dissolved O2 (DO) concentration, temperature, and salinity were measured at ~6-m depth under little ice and multi-year ice on two ice-tethered profilers (ITPs) for 40-50 days. The pCO2 levels were always below atmospheric saturation whereas DO was almost always slightly above saturation. Although the two ITPs were on an average only 222 km apart, one was further south and had 14 ± 12% ice cover; whereas the more northern ITP had 63 ± 16% ice cover. Consequently the two data sets differed significantly in external forcings. Modeled variability of CO2 and DO estimate that gas exchange would significantly alter sea surface pCO2 in the low ice cover record but minimally in the more extensively ice-covered region. If these conditions extended over the entire AO, the total uptake of atmospheric CO2 would be 28.6 Tg C yr-1 and 15.4 Tg C yr-1 under low and high ice-covered conditions, respectively.
Necrotizing enterocolitis: a problem in the older infant.

SUMMARYTwenty-eight infants over one month of age were treated for necrotizing enterocolitis in El Fatah Children's Hospital, Benghazi, Libya during the three year period January 1977 to January 1980. Twenty-one (75%) infants were below the tenth percentile for their expected weight-for-age. Twenty-three (82%) were on broad spectrum antibiotics when the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis was made. On conservative medical management 26 (93%) of the 28 infants died.
Activated Carbon for Treatment of Cadmium Wastewater

The use of activated carbon for heavy metal removal was exemplified by studying the adsorption characteristics of Cd(II) from Cd(II)-BF 4 plating solution on both granular and powdered activated carbons. The results indicated that at all pH values, powdered activated carbons such as Nuchar SA and Nuchar SN, exhibited greater Cd(II) removal capacity than the granular ones such as Darco HD 3000 and Filtrasorb 400. The powdered activated carbon was bound to spheres (0.6 mm-1 mm) using a suspension-polymerization technique. The adsorption capacity of the aggregated carbons was 85% - 90% of the unbound ones. The rate of Cd(II) removal at pH 7 is proportional to the cadmium concentration, the carbon dose, and the available surface sites. Used activated carbons were regenerated chemically with strong acids such as HCl, HClO 4 , and H 2 SO 4 . Two treatment schemes are proposed with economical analysis for comparison with other common treatment processes.
The Diagnostic Performance and Clinical Relevance of Corneal Confocal Microscopy (CCM) in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (S44.001)

OBJECTIVE: Assess the diagnostic performance and clinical relevance of CCM in diabetic neuropathy (DPN). BACKGROUND: Small unmyelinated axons are injured early in DPN. CCM noninvasively visualizes small corneal axons and is a promising diagnostic tool. DESIGN/METHODS: 68 diabetic patients were recruited from those undergoing annual retinopathy screening. 44 had DPN. CCM measured nerve fiber length (NFL) density (NFD), branch density (NFBD) and tortuosity (TC). Results were compared to 100 controls. Each patient underwent intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), nerve conduction studies (NCS), Utah Early Neuropathy Score (UENS), Neuropathy Total Symptom Score-6 (NTSS-6), 6 minute walk test (6MWT), Norfolk Quality of Life - Diabetic Neuropathy (NQOL-DN) and a visual analog pain scale (VAS). RESULTS: There were significant differences between diabetic and controls in NFL (24.3 +/- 8.2 vs. 28.1 +/- 7.1 mm/mm2, p<0.008), NFD (47.5 +/- 15 vs. 69.1 +/- 18 fibers/mm2, p<0.001), and TC (0.121 +/- 0.40 vs. 0.165 +/- 0.38 , p<0.001). Diabetics with DPN had significantly lower NFL (22.7 +/- 8.3 vs. 26.9 +/- 7.5 mm/mm2, p<0.04), NFD (44.6 +/- 14 vs. 52.6 +/- 15 fibers/mm2, p<0.03), and NFBD (118 +/- 61 vs. 151 +/- 56 branches/mm2, p<0.03) than those without DPN. CCM ROC analysis evaluated diagnostic performance. Area under the curve (AUC) was: NFL 0.665, NBD 0.677, NFD 0.675, sural amplitude 0.765, peroneal motor conduction velocity 0.717 and IENFD 0.735. IENFD correlated with NTSS-6 (cc -0.363, p<0.002), NQOL-DN (cc -0.269, p< 0.027), VAS (-0.278, p<0.02) and UENS (cc -0.488 p<0.001). NFL, NFD and NFBD each correlated with 6MWT distance (cc 0.373, p<0.002, 0.308 p<0.14 and 0.350 p<0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Among CCM measures, NFL and NFD best distinguish diabetic patients from controls, and those with DPN. CCM’s diagnostic performance is slightly lower than IENFD. IENFD correlates with symptoms, signs and QOL, whereas CCM correlates with overall functional status. Disclosure: Dr. Smith has received personal compensation for activities with CSL Behring, Grifols, and Allergan. Dr. Smith has received research support from NIH, the ADA, and Impeto. Dr. Smith has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for NeuroLear Dr. Kowalsky has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hauer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Aperghis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Singleton has nothing to disclose.
Implementation of inpatient models of pharmacogenetics programs

Purpose The operational elements essential for establishing an inpatient pharmacogenetic service are reviewed, and the role of the pharmacist in the provision of genotype-guided drug therapy in pharmacogenetics programs at three institutions is highlighted. Summary Pharmacists are well positioned to assume important roles in facilitating the clinical use of genetic information to optimize drug therapy given their expertise in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. Pharmacists have assumed important roles in implementing inpatient pharmacogenetics programs. This includes programs designed to incorporate genetic test results to optimize antiplatelet drug selection after percutaneous coronary intervention and personalize warfarin dosing. Pharmacist involvement occurs on many levels, including championing and leading pharmacogenetics implementation efforts, establishing clinical processes to support genotype-guided therapy, assisting the clinical staff with interpreting genetic test results and applying them to prescribing decisions, and educating other healthcare providers and patients on genomic medicine. The three inpatient pharmacogenetics programs described use reactive versus preemptive genotyping, the most feasible approach under the current third-party payment structure. All three sites also follow Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium guidelines for drug therapy recommendations based on genetic test results. Conclusion With the clinical emergence of pharmacogenetics into the inpatient setting, it is important that pharmacists caring for hospitalized patients are well prepared to serve as experts in interpreting and applying genetic test results to guide drug therapy decisions. Since genetic test results may not be available until after patient discharge, pharmacists practicing in the ambulatory care setting should also be prepared to assist with genotype-guided drug therapy as part of transitions in care.
Síndrome Dilatación-Torsión de estómago en pequeños animales

La expresion dilatacion - torsion de estomago (DTE) se refiere a un aumento de tamano del estomago asociado a una rotacion sobre su eje mesenterico. Clasicamente se entiende que el sindrome DTE es un proceso agudo, con una tasa de mortalidad de entre el 20 al 45% entre los animales tratados. La dilatacion gastrica se suele asociar con una obstruccion funcional o mecanica del flujo de vaciado gastrico (esofagico y/o pilorico); sin embargo, aun se desconoce que causa esta obstruccion. El tratamiento de la dilatacion-torsion de estomago debe incluir una estabilizacion medica del paciente y una reduccion quirurgica de la funcion gastrica seguida de una gastropexia.
Microwave Power Beaming using Ka-band Radar Tethered Aerostat Program

With electronic devices becoming smaller and more portable, they are being utilized more in science and everyday life.Â There must be a way to power these devices without long cables, large batteries, or other power supplies. Mobile phones and CubeSats are examples of technologies that could take advantage of wireless low-energy transfer for powering or charging devices. Our platform, containing our receiving circuitry was suspended from a tethered aerostat. The platform was designed to receive the wireless signal emitted from a microwave transmitter, analyze the strength of the signal via a programmable microcontroller, and transmit the data back to our logging station on ground level. In order to receive the transmitted power in a usable state, a rectifier and multiple antennas had to be designed and built to test for reception and efficiency. The antennas designed included the Yagi-Uda and fractal-patch antennas
Enhancing Social Support Postincarceration: Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective Over 50% of released prisoners are reincarcerated within 3 years. Social support from loved ones postincarceration significantly reduces the likelihood of reincarceration. Increasingly, intervention developers aim to implement interventions that will enhance the stability of support available. This study responds to gaps in knowledge. Method The current efficacy study reports findings from a randomized controlled trial (n = 57) of a social support intervention. A priori power analysis indicated moderate effect sizes could be detected. Participants were men, average age was 25 years, and over 90% were African American. Preliminary effects on social support, cognitions, substance use, and rearrest were assessed. Recruitment and consent occurred in prison; the intervention and 4 follow-ups occurred postrelease. Results Findings converge with research indicating declines in social support (b = −.70, p < .05) and perceived quality of support (b = .05, p < .01) over time. Age showed inverse relationships with support (b = −1.77, p < .05). There were no statistically significant group effects for social support, cognitions, substance use (with the exception of marijuana), or recidivism. Clinical implications are discussed. Conclusion This study advances research on intervention dosage, potency, and measurement considerations.