cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Substance abuse in emergency department patients with unexplained syncope

Current data suggest that up to 60 % of patients presenting to the ED with syncope leave the hospital without a defined etiology. Although a relationship between syncope and substance abuse has been described, no study to date has looked at the relationship between syncope of unknown etiology and substance abuse in patients presenting to the ED. The objective of the study was to determine whether a history of or current substance abuse is associated with an increased incidence of syncope of unknown etiology in ED patients. A prospective, observational, cohort study of consecutive ED patients aged ≥18 who presented with syncope was conducted between 6/03 and 7/06. Patients were queried in the ED and charts reviewed about a history of or current substance abuse. Substance abuse was defined as consumption of >2 alcoholic beverages nightly, repetitive use of any illicit substances, or documentation by the patient’s physician of concern regarding suspected substance abuse. Data were analyzed using SAS with Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests. We enrolled 518 patients who presented to the ED after syncope, 161 of whom did not have an identifiable etiology for their syncopal event. 62 patients had a history of, or current substance abuse. Among patients with a history of, or current substance abuse, 45 % had unexplained syncope, as opposed to 29 % of patients without such a history (p = 0.01). Our results suggest that prior and current substance abuse is associated with increased incidence of syncope of unknown etiology. Patients evaluated in the ED or even hospitalized with syncope of unknown etiology may benefit from substance abuse screening and possibly detoxification referral.
First trimester gestational diabetes screening - Change in incidence and pharmacotherapy need.

Abstract Aims Adopting recommendations of the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) and the California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program, our institution implemented early gestational diabetes (GDM) screening. Our objective was to compare GDM diagnosis rates using the standard two-step approach versus early screening, and secondarily to compare pharmacotherapy needs and perinatal outcomes. Methods This retrospective study included singleton pregnancies diagnosed between 7/2010 and 6/2012. Two cohorts were compared; those diagnosed via two-step screening versus early screening diagnosis: HbA1c≥5.7% (39mmol/mol) or fasting plasma glucose (FPG)≥92mg/dL at ≤24 weeks gestation, or an abnormal 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) between 24 and 28 weeks. We calculated the rate of diagnosis, analyzed the need for pharmacotherapy, and reviewed neonatal outcomes. Results A total of 2652 patients were screened. GDM was diagnosed in 5.3% with two-step screening and 9.4% with early screening. Of those diagnosed via early screening with HbA1c, FPG, or both HbA1c and FPG, 49.2%, 66.7%, and 78.9% respectively required pharmacotherapy. In contrast, of those diagnosed with a 2-h GTT, 30.6% required pharmacotherapy ( p p p =0.51) and macrosomia rates (7% vs. 2.5%, p =0.12). Conclusion Implementing early screening nearly doubled the incidence of GDM. Patients with early screening had a greater need for pharmacotherapy, but BMI was the best predictor of this outcome. There was no significant difference in neonatal outcomes.
Screening for lead exposure using a geographic information system

Screening programs for lead overexposure typically target high-risk populations by identifying regions with common risk markers (older housing, poverty, etc.). While more useful than untargeted screening programs, targeted programs are limited by the geographic resolution of the risk-factor information. A geographic information system can make screening programs more effective and more cost-efficient by mapping cases of overexposure, identifying high-incidence neighborhoods warranting screening, and validating risk-factor-based prediction rules.
Three-Dimensional Limit Analysis of Slopes with Pore Pressure

AbstractThree-dimensional (3D) slope stability analyses are not performed routinely because they involve increased effort compared with two-dimensional analyses, and because the latter yield more conservative results. However, in cases of distinct limitations of the width of the failure region (e.g., in the case of excavations), an assessment of safety using 3D stability analyses may be more appropriate. The kinematic approach of limit analysis for the assessment of stability of slopes is presented, based on a recently conceived rigid-rotation 3D mechanism modified to include below-toe failures, which are common for gentle slopes. The presence of pore-water pressure in the slope is included approximately using the scalar parameter ru. The results are presented in terms of the critical height (or dimensionless coefficient γH/c), and also in the form of charts and a closed-form approximation formula that allow for direct assessment of the safety factor for slopes with constrained width. Not surprisingly, th...
It takes a PHD to interpret histone methylation.

Covalent modifications of histones play an important role in regulating chromatin structure and function, probably by serving as docking sites for effector proteins. The discovery that PHD fingers of two different proteins recognize trimethyl-Lys4 of histone H3 supports and extends this notion.
Use of distraction osteogenesis for maxillary advancement: Preliminary results

In this pilot study, the principle of distraction osteogenesis to advance the anterior maxilla of the dog was used. After an anterior maxillary osteotomy, the anterior segment was advanced 10 mm in 10 days. Soft and hard tissue formation resulted in complete healing across the distraction gap without a soft tissue defect.
When can noise induce chaos and why does it matter: a critique

Noise-induced chaos illustrates how small amounts of exogenous noise can have disproportionate qualitative impacts on the long term dynamics of a nonlinear system. This property is particularly clear in chaotic systems but is also important for the majority of ecological systems which are nonchaotic, and has direct implications for analyzing ecological time series and testing models against field data. Dennis et al. point out that a definition of chaos which we advocated allows a noise-dominated system to be classified as chaotic when its Lyapunov exponent λ is positive, which misses what is really going on. As a solution, they propose to eliminate the concept of noise-induced chaos: chaos “should retain its strictly deterministic definition”, hence “ecological populations cannot be strictly chaotic”. Instead, they suggest that ecologists ask whether ecological systems are strongly influenced by “underlying skeletons with chaotic dynamics or whatever other dynamics”– the skeleton being the hypothetical system that would result if all external and internal noise sources were eliminated. We agree with Dennis et al. about the problem – noise-dominated systems should not be called chaotic – but not the solution. Even when an estimated skeleton predicts a system's short term dynamics with extremely high accuracy, the skeleton's long term dynamics and attractor may be very different from those of the actual noisy system. Using theoretical models and empirical data on microtine rodent cycles and laboratory populations of Tribolium, we illustrate how data analyses focusing on attributes of the skeleton and its attractor – such as the “deterministic Lyapunov exponent”λ0 that Dennis et al. have used as their primary indicator of chaos – will frequently give misleading results. In contrast, quantitative measures of the actual noisy system, such as λ, provide useful information for characterizing observed dynamics and for testing proposed mechanistic explanations.
Cervical ripening and labor induction with a controlled-release dinoprostone vaginal insert: a meta-analysis.

Abstract Objective: To systematically review published randomized trials that compared efficacy of a 10-mg, controlled-release dinoprostone vaginal insert with other prostaglandins for cervical ripening and labor induction. Data Sources: We supplemented a search of entries in electronic databases with references cited in original studies and review articles to identify randomized clinical trials of dinoprostone vaginal inserts for cervical ripening and labor induction. Methods of Study Selection: We evaluated, abstracted data, and assessed the quality of randomized clinical trials on the efficacy of dinoprostone vaginal inserts as cervical ripening and labor induction agents. Only published randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis. Tabulation, Integration, and Results: Seventeen studies were identified, eight of which met our criteria for meta-analysis. Those eight trials included 964 subjects, 490 of whom were allocated to dinoprostone vaginal inserts and 474 to other prostaglandin (PG) preparations. We calculated an estimate of the odds ratio (OR) and risk difference for dichotomous outcomes, using a random- and fixed-effects model. Continuous outcomes were pooled using a variance-weighted average of within-study difference in means. Compared with women who received other PG preparations, those who received dinoprostone vaginal inserts had lower incidence of vaginal delivery within 12 hours of PG application (OR 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.39, 0.79). Vaginal inserts were associated with longer intervals to vaginal delivery and lower rates of active labor. There were no differences in cesarean delivery rates, incidence of hyperstimulation, or need for oxytocin augmentation between dinoprostone and other PGs. Conclusion: Dinoprostone vaginal insert was less effective than other prostaglandins for cervical ripening and labor induction.
Low back pain associates with altered activity of the cerebral cortex prior to arm movements that require postural adjustment

Objective: To determine whether low back pain (LBP) associates with altered postural stabilization and concomitant changes in cerebrocortical motor physiology. Methods: Ten participants with LBP and 10 participants without LBP performed self-initiated, voluntary arm raises. Electromyographic onset latencies of the bilateral internal oblique and erector spinae muscles were analyzed relative to that of the deltoid muscle as measures of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). Amplitudes of alpha event-related desynchronization (ERD) and of Bereitschaftspotentials (BP) were calculated from scalp electroencephalography as measures of cerebrocortical motor physiology. Results: The APA was first evident in the trunk muscles contralateral to the arm raise for both groups. Significant alpha ERD was evident bilaterally at the central and parietal electrodes for participants with LBP but only at the electrodes contralateral and midline to the arm raise for those without LBP. The BP amplitudes negatively correlated with APA onset latencies for participants with (but not for those without) LBP. Conclusions: Cerebrocortical activity becomes altered prior to arm movements requiring APAs for individuals with chronic LBP. Significance: These results support a theoretical model that altered central motor neurophysiology associates with LBP, thereby implying that rehabilitation strategies should address these neuromotor impairments.
Molecular mechanisms underlying the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease that is extremely difficult to manage and is markedly increasing in incidence. Malignant transformation generally occurs in the setting of liver dysfunction related to a number of different diseases, including viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and aflatoxin exposure. Short of surgical or ablative approaches, no standard therapy exists for HCC and the prognosis is poor. Perhaps our best hope is that further elucidation of the specific molecular features underlying the disease will translate into innovative, and potentially disease-specific strategies to manage this difficult cancer. Exposure to aflatoxin is associated with a specific mutation in the tumor-suppressor gene p53. The exact molecular events underlying hepatocarcinogenesis in the setting of viral infection have yet to be elucidated, although there is evidence to suggest that virus-encoded proteins contribute to malignant transformation. Both hepatitis B X antigen and hepatitis C core protein appear to interact with a variety of cellular proteins leading to alterations in signal transduction and transcriptional activity. These events presumably cooperate to facilitate malignant progression by promoting extended hepatocyte survival, evasion of the immune response, and acquisition of mutations through genomic instability.
Effect of Age on Skeletal Muscle Proteolysis in Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscles of B6C3F1 Mice

Aging is associated with a progressive loss of muscle mass in both humans (1) and rodents (2). Because muscle mass is dependent on the balance between protein synthesis and degradation rates, muscle atrophy can result from a reduction in the rate of protein synthesis, an increase in the rate of protein degradation, or both. The rate of skeletal muscle protein synthesis appears to decline with advancing age in both humans (3) and rodents (4,5), although some studies in rodents report no effect of aging on protein synthesis rates (6,7). The effect of aging on the rate of skeletal muscle protein degradation has yet to be established. Studies have reported an increase (8), decrease (9,10), or no change (11) in the rate of skeletal muscle protein degradation with advancing age. The inconsistent findings regarding the effect of age on skeletal muscle protein degradation may be due to differences in methodology (8,10,12), the age of the animals studied (13), and whether the muscle studied exhibited age-related atrophy (2). Previous studies that have reported a decline in the rate of skeletal muscle protein degradation with advancing age have utilized in vivo methodology (9,10,14). There are a variety of methods to assess in vivo protein degradation rates, but they are all limited by technical problems (15). In order to avoid the technical difficulties associated with in vivo protein degradation measurements, some investigators have utilized an in vitro technique. This procedure involves the intact isolation of thin rodent muscles (e.g., rat epitrochlearis or mouse extensor digitorum longus muscles) and subsequent incubation in well-oxygenated media. The rate of protein degradation is measured by the release of amino acids from the muscle into the incubation media. A major advantage of the in vitro protein degradation assessment method is the ability to prevent reutilization of amino acids with cycloheximide (16–18), a protein synthesis inhibitor that completely blocks protein synthesis without altering protein degradation rates in isolated rodent skeletal muscle (19). Investigators using this in vitro technique have documented that protein degradation rates are elevated in several rodent models of muscle atrophy (16–18), indicating that proteolysis may play a role in regulating muscle size. The purpose of the present study was to determine if age-related muscle atrophy is associated with an increased rate of protein degradation. This hypothesis was tested by assessing in vitro protein degradation rates in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle from young (YG; 2–4 months, n = 4), middle-aged (MA; 12–17 months, n = 7), and aged (AG; 22–24 months, n = 7) B6C3F1 male mice. The mouse EDL muscle was utilized because it has previously been shown to undergo age-related atrophy (20,21) and is an appropriate muscle for in vitro studies (15).
Comparison of the Peer Status of Mexican-American Students with Learning Disabilities and Non-Disabled Low-Achieving Students:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of achievement on the peer status of Mexican-American male and female pupils with LD in academic and play contexts in classrooms where all students displayed low achievement. Participants were fourth- and fifth-grade pupils in a metropolitan school district in the Southwest. The sample was obtained from 13 compensatory regular education classrooms across six schools. Mexican-American pupils with LD received significantly lower sociometric scores than their low-achieving nondisabled Mexican-American peers even when the entire class was composed of low-achieving students.
Ureteric extension of Wilms' tumour: a case report.

Nephroblastoma (Wilms’ tumour) is the most common renal tumour of childhood. Local extension to perirenal tissue or invasion of the collecting system is common. The intraluminal extension of the tumour into the ureter is a rare event [1]. We report a case of nephroblastoma extending into, but not infiltrating, theuretericwall. Inretrospect,clinicalandpreoperative radiological studies should have alerted us to this eventuality, but due to its rarity it was not suspected preoperatively.
AAA in KAT/DYKAT processes: first- and second-generation asymmetric syntheses of (+)- and (-)-cyclophellitol.

Kinetic resolutions and kinetic asymmetric transformations (KAT) as well as dynamic kinetic resolutions and dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT) are important synthetic protocols. The feasibility of KAT and DYKAT processes for asymmetric allylic alkylations (AAA) is explored utilizing a single substrate–conduritol B tetraesters. Both processes can be performed resulting in excellent enantioselectivity. The impact of nucleophile and leaving group on the effectiveness of each is outlined. The ability to differentiate the various hydroxyl groups is also described. For this purpose, 4-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-2,2-dimethylbutyric acid was developed as a nucleophile. The utility of effecting KAT/DYKAT processes through the Pd-catalyzed AAA reaction is demonstrated by efficient syntheses of both enantiomers of the potent glycosidase inhibitor cyclophellitol.
Determination of sediment provenance by unmixing the mineralogy of source-area sediments: The “SedUnMix” program

Abstract Along the margins of areas such as Greenland and Baffin Bay, sediment composition reflects a complex mixture of sources associated with the transport of sediment in sea ice, icebergs, melt-water and turbidite plumes. Similar situations arise in many contexts associated with sediment transport and with the mixing of sediments from different source areas. The question is: can contributions from discrete sediment (bedrock) sources be distinguished in a mixed sediment by using mineralogy, and, if so, how accurately? To solve this problem, four end-member source sediments were mixed in various proportions to form eleven artificial mixtures. Two of the end-member sediments are felsic, and the other two have more mafic compositions. End member and mixed sediment mineralogies were measured for the
Kinks, Coils, and Carotids: A Review

Kinking and coiling of the internal carotid artery (ICA) sometimes may result in symptomatic cerebrovascular disease, but indisputable evidence linking the two conditions is lacking. However, there is enough evidence to warrant careful consideration of surgical correction in patients who have features of the carotid artery syndrome and kinking of the ICA as shown on angiography. Kinking or buckling of the artery is due to atherosclerosis and is to be distinguished from coiling, which is ascribed to embryological causes. Definite recommendations regarding the advisability of surgery for infants who are discovered to have coils cannot be made, but coiling is generally asymptomatic. Adults with kinks in their carotid arteries who have recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) benefit most from surgical correction, particularly if symptoms are aggravated on head rotation, which may cause the kink to obstruct.
Essential equilibria in normal-form games

A Nash equilibrium x of a normal-form game G is essential if any perturbation of G has an equilibrium close to x. Using payoff perturbations, we show that for games that are generic in the set of compact, quasiconcave, and generalized payoff secure games with upper semicontinuous sum of payoffs, all equilibria are essential. Some variants of this result are also established.
Excitotoxic and metabolic damage to the rodent striatum: role of the P75 neurotrophin receptor and glial progenitors.

After injury, the striatum displays several morphologic responses that may play a role in both regenerative and degenerative events. One such response is the de novo expression of the low-affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75 N T R ), a gene that plays critical roles in central nervous system (CNS) cell death pathways. The present series of experiments sought to elucidate the cellular origins of this p75 N T R response, to define the conditions under which p75 N T R is expressed after striatal injury, and how this receptor expression is associated with neuronal plasticity. After chemical lesions, by using either the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QA) or the complex II mitochondria inhibitor 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), we compared the expression of the p75 N T R receptor within the rat striatum at different survival times. Intrastriatal administration of QA between 7 days and 21 days postlesion induced p75 N T R expression in astrocytes that was preferentially distributed throughout the lesion core. P75 N T R immunoreactivity within astrocytes was seen at high (100-220 nmol) but not low (50 nmol) QA doses. Seven and 21 days after 3-NP lesions, p75 N T R expression was present in astrocytes at all doses tested (100-1,000 nmol). However, in contrast to QA, these cells were located primarily around the periphery of the lesion and not within the lesion core. At the light microscopic level p75 N T R immunoreactive elements resembled vasculature: but did not colocalize with the pan endothelium cell marker RecA-1. In contrast, p75 N T R -containing astrocytes colocalized with nestin, vimentin, and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, indicating that these cells are newly born astrocytes. Additionally, striatal cholinergic neurons were distributed around the lesion core expressed p75 N T R 3-5 days after lesion in both QA and 3-NP lesions. These cells did not coexpress the pro-apoptotic degradation enzyme caspase-3. Taken together, these data indicate that striatal lesions created by means of excitotoxic or metabolic mechanisms trigger the expression of p75 N T R in structures related to progenitor cells. The expression of the p75 N R receptor after these chemical lesions support the concept that this receptor plays a role in the initiation of endogenous cellular events associated with CNS injury.
Lung cancer in childhood

A 16-year-old boy had unresolving right lower lobe consolidation due to primary adenocarcinoma of the lung. Lung cancer is rare in children, is usually adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated histology, and frequently presents with advanced disease. It may be confused with atelectasis attributable to a foreign body or bronchial adenoma, plasma cell granuloma, pulmonary sequestration, or chronic infection. We review the clinical features of pediatric lung cancer and differences in lung cancer between children and adults.
Criteria for the Manual Grouping of Verb Senses

In this paper, we argue that clustering WordNet senses into more coarse-grained groupings results in higher inter-annotator agreement and increased system performance. Clustering of verb senses involves examining syntactic and semantic features of verbs and arguments on a case-by-case basis rather than applying a strict methodology. Determining appropriate criteria for clustering is based primarily on the needs of annotators.
FIBRONECTIN ENHANCES THE MIGRATION RATE OF HUMAN NEUTROPHILS IN VITRO

Efficient polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) migration depends on specific interactions between PMNs, endothelial cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. We investigated the relationship between PMN migration and the ECM molecule fibronectin (FN). We used an in vitro migration assay system to show that human PMNs migrated across an FN-coated filter barrier toward a formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) chemoattractant gradient in greater numbers than across (uncoated) bare fitters. In 1 h of fMLP stimulation, 69 +/- 6% of the PMNs had migrated across the FN-coated filters, whereas 46 +/- 5% of PMNs migrated across bare filters. This effect was specific to FN; coating the filters with the ECM protein vitronectin did not enhance migration. Monoclonal antibodies against FN or against the alpha5 or beta1 integrin subunits of the FN receptor inhibited the enhanced PMN migration response across FN-coated filters. These findings indicate that the extracellular matrix protein FN enhances PMN migration and that this response is mediated by the alpha5beta1 FN receptor.
Identifying threshold concepts in learning nanoscience by using concept maps and students' responses to an open-ended interview

This study explores students understanding of key concepts in nanoscience with the intention of identifying a potential threshold concept in the field through the analysis of student concept maps and explanatory interviews. The analysis of students' maps indicates conceptual development and learning difficulties in learning size-dependent property change at the Nano-scale. In addition, it identifies potential threshold concepts in the study and understanding of nanoscale science from the students' perspective. It also indicates the importance of previous learning in science to integrate isolated concepts and to help students achieve a deeper understanding of key phenomena at the nanoscale.
Retinol as electron carrier in redox signaling, a new frontier in vitamin A research

Nature uses carotenoids and retinoids as chromophores for diverse energy conversion processes. The key structural feature enabling the interaction with light and other manifestations of electro-magnetism is the conjugated double-bond system that all members of this superfamily share in common. Among retinoids, retinaldehyde alone was long known as the active chromophore of vision in vertebrates and invertebrates, as well of various light-driven proton and ion pumps in Archaea. Until now, vitamin A (retinol) was solely regarded as a biochemical precursor for bioactive retinoids such as retinaldehyde and retinoic acid (RA), but recent results indicate that this compound has its own physiology. It functions as an electron carrier in mitochondria. By electronically coupling protein kinase Cδ (PCKδ) with cytochrome c, vitamin A enables the redox activation of this enzyme. This review focuses on the biochemistry and biology of the PCKδ signaling system, comprising PKCδ, the adapter protein p66Shc, cytochrome c and retinol. This complex positively regulates the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) by the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme. Vitamin A therefore plays a key role in glycolytic energy generation. The emerging paradigm of retinol as electron-transfer agent is potentially transformative, opening new frontiers in retinoid research.
The effects of source representation and goal instructions on college students' information evaluation behavior change

We investigated ways of scaffolding information evaluation behavior (IEB) in online inquiry contexts. Previous instructional support simplified IEB and rarely critically addressed the cognitive load that accompanies multiple representations or naive task perception that hinders critical evaluation. We conducted a longitudinal, 2?×?2 quasi-experimental study in an introductory college biology course, varying (A) Source Representation Scaffolds to address limited cue awareness and cognitive load and (B) Goal Instructions to address task perception. For treatment A, students were given an annotation tool in addition to a checklist (Control A). For treatment B, instead of persuasion goal instructions (Control B), written task directions prompted student to consider alternative ideas (balanced reasoning goals). We measured students' IEB four times. We also measured individual task perception and cognitive capacity. Multilevel analyses identified the specific nature of changes in IEB. On average, IEB did not improve much in the baseline group while task perception and cognitive capacity differentiated IEB scores. Conversely, both annotation and balanced reasoning goals yielded improved gains in IEB, but there was a negative interaction effect when they were combined. The results demonstrate the benefits of annotation and balanced reasoning goals but suggest the need to address possible difficulties in using multiple scaffolds. A 4-dimensional information evaluation model was proposed for online inquiry.Issues of low cue awareness, cognitive load, and naive task perception were posed.Piecewise growth modeling traced complex evaluation behavior change over time.Annotation and balanced reasoning goals enhanced information evaluation behavior.Difficulties in multiple scaffolds implementation in classrooms were discussed.
Social Justice in Counselor Education: Teaching Advocacy Across the Core

ABSTRACTSocial justice advocacy is integral to the counseling profession. This article presents creative pedagogical methods for counselor educators to infuse social justice advocacy throughout the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs’ (CACREP) core.
Comparative Rotenone Toxicity in the Predator, Amblyseius fallacis (Acari: Phytoseidae), and the Herbivore, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), Grown on Lima Beans and Cucumbers

Mixed-function oxidase availability in the detoxification of rotenone by the herbivorous spider mite, Tetranychus urticae , and its predator mite, Amblyseius fallacis , was estimated by synergism with piperonyl butoxide. Oxidase availability was lower when the mites were reared on cucumbers than when they were reared on lima bean varieties. This was not due to the presence of cucurbitacins, because there were no significant differences in LC50's between mites reared on bitter and nonbitter cucumber varieties. The herbivore was not significantly more affected by plant species than the predator.
EXAFS Measurements of Hydrogenated Amorphous Germanium

Hydrogenated amorphous semiconductors (a-Si:H and a-Ge:H) are proving to be technically useful in the production of low-cost solar cells. Hydrogenation of a-Si and a-Ge is a useful means of saturating dangling bonds which are present in the pure amorphous materials. After hydrogenation, it is possible to dope the amorphous materials to produce p-n junctions which are similar to those constructed from crystalline material [1]. It is not known exactly where the H binds in the a-Ge or a-Si, but this information could clearly be useful in enhancing the production of devices from amorphous semiconductors. In this study we report the results of EXAFS measurements on a-Ge and a-Ge:H with H concentrations of 4.9 and 6.0 at%.
Pharmacokinetics of the antihyperglycemic agent metformin in cats.

Objective To determine the pharmacokinetics of metformin in healthy cats after single-dose IV and oral administration of the drug. Animals 6 healthy adult ovariohysterectomized cats. Procedure In a randomized cross-over design study, each cat was given 25 mg of metformin/kg of body weight, IV and orally. Blood and urine samples were collected after drug administration, and concentrations of metformin in plasma and urine were determined by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Disposition of the drug was characterized by a three-compartment model with a terminal phase half-life of (mean +/- SD) 11.5+/-4.2 hours. Metformin was distributed to a small central compartment of 0.057+/-0.017 L/kg and to 2 peripheral compartments with volumes of distribution of 0.12+/-0.02 and 0.37+/-0.38 L/kg. Steady-state volume of distribution was 0.55+/-0.38 L/kg. After IV administration, 84+/-14% of the dose was excreted unchanged in urine, with renal clearance of 0.13+/-0.03 L/h/kg; nonrenal clearance was negligible (0.02+/-0.02 L/kg). Mean bioavailability of orally administered metformin was 48%. Conclusions The general disposition pattern of metformin in cats is similar to that reported for humans. Metformin was eliminated principally by renal clearance; therefore, this drug should not be used in cats with substantial renal dysfunction. Clinical relevance On the basis of our results, computer simulations indicate that 2 mg of metformin/kg administered orally every 12 hours to cats will yield plasma concentrations documented to be effective in humans.
An exploration of screening protocols for intimate partner violence in healthcare facilities: a qualitative study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Explore different methods by which intimate partner violence screening practices are implemented in clinic and emergency settings and better understand barriers and facilitators. BACKGROUND: Healthcare visits provide an opportunity for providers to identify and provide assistance to victims of intimate partner violence. However, wide variation exists in the implementation of screening and response protocols. In addition, providers experience barriers and facilitators to intimate partner violence screening and response. A comprehensive understanding of these factors is necessary to improve the role that providers play in detection and intervention of intimate partner violence. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive research design. METHODS: Sixteen healthcare facilities were recruited from a large metropolitan area in the USA. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with individuals knowledgeable about intimate partner violence screening and response within their facility. Data were analysed using directive content analysis. RESULTS: Major themes and patterns concerning intimate partner violence screening and response were identified within the following areas: procedural characteristics, barriers, facilitators and additional needs. Patient-provider communication and operational/facility characteristics emerged as critical aspects that impact the successful implementation of intimate partner violence screening and response programmes. Differences were found between clinic and emergency settings stemming from variations in health delivery models. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide important information on how healthcare facilities implement intimate partner violence screening and response, suggestions for practice improvement and directions for future interventions. Additional guidance is needed to ensure intimate partner violence identification, and response procedures are effective and tailored to needs of patients, providers and the facility. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses are in a strategic position to play a pivotal role in identification of and response to intimate partner violence. It is essential that nurses are cognizant of this, and understand the actions they can take to assist patients who have been victims of intimate partner violence. Recommendations on how to do this are provided.© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Language: en
Bioinformatic approaches to interrogating vitamin D receptor signaling.

Bioinformatics applies unbiased approaches to develop statistically-robust insight into health and disease. At the global, or “20,000 foot” view bioinformatic analyses of vitamin D receptor (NR1I1/VDR) signaling can measure where the VDR gene or protein exerts a genome-wide significant impact on biology; VDR is significantly implicated in bone biology and immune systems, but not in cancer. With a more VDR-centric, or “2000 foot” view, bioinformatic approaches can interrogate events downstream of VDR activity. Integrative approaches can combine VDR ChIP-Seq in cell systems where significant volumes of publically available data are available. For example, VDR ChIP-Seq studies can be combined with genome-wide association studies to reveal significant associations to immune phenotypes. Similarly, VDR ChIP-Seq can be combined with data from Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to infer the impact of VDR target genes in cancer progression. Therefore, bioinformatic approaches can reveal what aspects of VDR downstream networks are significantly related to disease or phenotype.
White matter injury in the preterm infant: pathology and mechanisms

The human preterm brain is particularly susceptible to cerebral white matter injury (WMI) that disrupts the normal progression of developmental myelination. Advances in the care of preterm infants have resulted in a sustained reduction in the severity of WMI that has shifted from more severe focal necrotic lesions to milder diffuse WMI. Nevertheless, WMI remains a global health problem and the most common cause of chronic neurological morbidity from cerebral palsy and diverse neurobehavioral disabilities. Diffuse WMI involves maturation-dependent vulnerability of the oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage with selective degeneration of late oligodendrocyte progenitors (preOLs) triggered by oxidative stress and other insults. The magnitude and distribution of diffuse WMI are related to both the timing of appearance and regional distribution of susceptible preOLs. Diffuse WMI disrupts the normal progression of OL lineage maturation and myelination through aberrant mechanisms of regeneration and repair. PreOL degeneration is accompanied by early robust proliferation of OL progenitors that regenerate and augment the preOL pool available to generate myelinating OLs. However, newly generated preOLs fail to differentiate and initiate myelination along their normal developmental trajectory despite the presence of numerous intact-appearing axons. Disrupted preOL maturation is accompanied by diffuse gliosis and disturbances in the composition of the extracellular matrix and is mediated in part by inhibitory factors derived from reactive astrocytes. Signaling pathways implicated in disrupted myelination include those mediated by Notch, WNT-beta catenin, and hyaluronan. Hence, there exists a potentially broad but still poorly defined developmental window for interventions to promote white matter repair and myelination and potentially reverses the widespread disturbances in cerebral gray matter growth that accompanies WMI.
Physical and electrical characterization of TexasPEG: An electrically conductive neuronal scaffold.

Background Graphene and its derivatives have been shown to be biocompatible and electrically active materials upon which neurons readily grow. The fusogen poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been shown to improve outcomes after cervical and dorsal spinal cord transection. The long and narrow PEGylated graphene nanoribbon stacks (PEG-GNRs) with their 5 μm × 200 nm × 10 nm dimensions can provide a scaffold upon which neurons can grow and fuse. We disclose here the extensive characterization data for the PEG-GNRs. Methods PEG-GNRs were chemically synthesized and chemically and electrically characterized. Results The average aspect ratio of the PEG-GNRs was determined to be ~85, which corresponds to a critical percolation value (the point where insulating material becomes conductive by addition of conductive particles) of 1%. However, there was not a sharp increase in AC conductivity at frequencies relevant to action potentials. Conclusion A robust characterization of PEG-GNRs is discussed, though the precise origin of efficacy in improving outcomes following spinal cord transection is not known.
Improved route optimization for autonomous ground vehicle navigation

Mobile robot navigation is a very important exercise in all robotic application from a domestic household cleaner to highly dangerous life threatening situations. Path planning is the main issue related to navigation. It is very important for an autonomous mobile vehicle to navigate properly without any collision or unsafe conditions in its environment. Path planning in mobile robots must ensure the optimal route with least cost and collision free path. In this paper, an algorithm to reduce the path searching process by half of the traditional methods is proposed.
Are the impacts of land use on warming underestimated in climate policy

While carbon dioxide emissions from energy use must be the primary target of climate change mitigation efforts, land use and land cover change (LULCC) also represent an important source of climate forcing. In this study we compute time series of global surface temperature change separately for LULCC and non-LULCC sources (primarily fossil fuel burning), and show that because of the extra warming associated with the co-emission of methane and nitrous oxide with LULCC carbon dioxide emissions, and a co-emission of cooling aerosols with non-LULCC emissions of carbon dioxide, the linear relationship between cumulative carbon dioxide emissions and temperature has a two-fold higher slope for LULCC than for non-LULCC activities. Moreover, projections used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for the rate of tropical land conversion in the future are relatively low compared to contemporary observations, suggesting that the future projections of land conversion used in the IPCC may underestimate potential impacts of LULCC. By including a 'business as usual' future LULCC scenario for tropical deforestation, we find that even if all non-LULCC emissions are switched off in 2015, it is likely that 1.5 °C of warming relative to the preindustrial era will occur by 2100. Thus, policies to reduce LULCC emissions must remain a high priority if we are to achieve the low to medium temperature change targets proposed as a part of the Paris Agreement. Future studies using integrated assessment models and other climate simulations should include more realistic deforestation rates and the integration of policy that would reduce LULCC emissions.
Friction stir scribe welding technique for dissimilar joining of aluminium and galvanised steel

Friction stir scribe technology, a derivative of friction stir welding, was applied for the dissimilar lap welding of an aluminium alloy and galvanised mild steel sheets. During the process, the ro...
Combustion Physics: COMBUSTION IN BOUNDARY-LAYER FLOWS

In many practical situations of interest to combustion, high-speed gas flow prevails. Examples are flame stabilization by bluff bodies within the combustion chamber of a gas turbine, accidental or intentional explosion of a combustible by a hot metal particle or projectile, thermal protection of reentry vehicles by ablative heat shields, and the burning of solid and liquid surfaces in an oxidizing gas stream. When such a high-speed flow is adjacent to either a solid surface or another flow with slower velocity, a transition region exists. Across this region, the flow velocity, and possibly also temperature and concentration, will change from their respective freestream values to either satisfy the boundary conditions required at the solid surface or approach the freestream values of the slower flow. For fluids with small viscosity µ, the transition region is thin and the normal gradient across it, ∂ u /∂ y , is large such that despite the small µ, the shear stress, τ = µ∂ u /∂ y , may assume large values. Thus if the characteristic dimensions over which properties change appreciably in the x - and y -directions are l and δ respectively, then the existence of a boundary layer is implied by the condition δ/l ≪ 1. Furthermore, since for gases the diffusive transport processes of heat, mass, and momentum occur at comparable rates, we expect that the boundary-layer thicknesses for these three processes also should not differ too much from each other.
Piecewise empirical model (PEM) of resistive memory for pulsed analog and neuromorphic applications

With the end of Dennard scaling and the ever-increasing need for more efficient, faster computation, resistive switching devices (ReRAM), often referred to as memristors, are a promising candidate for next generation computer hardware. These devices show particular promise for use in an analog neuromorphic computing accelerator as they can be tuned to multiple states and be updated like the weights in neuromorphic algorithms. Modeling a ReRAM-based neuromorphic computing accelerator requires a compact model capable of correctly simulating the small weight update behavior associated with neuromorphic training. These small updates have a nonlinear dependence on the initial state, which has a significant impact on neural network training. Consequently, we propose the piecewise empirical model (PEM), an empirically derived general purpose compact model that can accurately capture the nonlinearity of an arbitrary two-terminal device to match pulse measurements important for neuromorphic computing applications. By defining the state of the device to be proportional to its current, the model parameters can be extracted from a series of voltages pulses that mimic the behavior of a device in an analog neuromorphic computing accelerator. This allows for a general, accurate, and intuitive compact circuit model that is applicable to different resistance-switching device technologies. In this work, we explain the details of the model, implement the model in the circuit simulator Xyce, and give an example of its usage to model a specific $$\hbox {Ta}/\hbox {TaO}_{\mathrm{x}}$$ device.
Can You Hear Me Now? Communicating Library Services to Distance Education Students and Faculty

Academic libraries have responded to the challenge of providing resources and services to off-campus users in a variety of innovative ways. However, recent survey results indicate that users are often not fully aware of what is available to them. This study of library web sites at 100 distance learning institutions seeks to establish a checklist of best practice in terms of library resources and services provided and to establish a template for the effective distance education gateway. The results of this research will provide a comprehensive guideline for librarians seeking to institute, improve, or better communicate distance education resources and services to students and faculty.
NIRS-Based BCIs: Reliability and Challenges

Previously we contributed to the development of a brain-computer interface (Brainput) using functional near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). This NIRS-based BCI was designed to improve performance on a human-robot team task by dynamically adapting a robot’s autonomy based on the person’s multitasking state. Two multitasking states (corresponding to low and high workload) were monitored in real-time using an SVM-based model of the person’s hemodynamic activity in the prefrontal cortex. In the initial evaluation of Brainput’s efficacy, the NIRS-based adaptivity was found to significantly improve performance on the human-robot team task (from a baseline success rate of 45% to a rate of 82%). However, failure to find any performance improvements in an extension of the original evaluation prompted a reinvestigation of the system via: (1) a reanalysis of Brainput’s signal processing on a larger NIRS dataset and (2) a placebo-controlled replication using random (instead of NIRS-based) state classifications [1].
Nanotechnology for Cancer Treatment: Possibilities and Limitations

Drug delivery to solid tumors is one of the seminal challenges to developing more effective cancer therapies. A well-designed drug delivery system can potentially improve the efficacy of a treatment by enhancing drug accumulation in the tumor and combining synergistic effects into a single package. It may also reduce negative side effects by limiting drug access to sensitive noncancerous tissue. The most common drug delivery design is to package small molecule drugs with a nanoparticle. Nanotechnology provides a versatile platform onto which many functions can be added. Nanoparticles are widely considered to have superior biodistribution and efficacy when compared to free drug particles, but this expectation has not matched clinical results. One reason for the disappointing clinical outcomes of nano-sized drug carriers is the numerous barriers to drug delivery encountered by the nanoparticle on route from the administration site to tumor interior. These barriers are encountered along the entire delivery pathway and can severely limit the total effective amount of drug in the tumor.