cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Tipping Point.

Salicylate poisoning remains a significant toxicologic issue. The Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisoning (EXTRIP) workgroup article represents a major scientific review on the use of extracorporeal treatment for salicylate poisoning. Clinicians who regularly manage salicylate poisoning respect the effort involved in this Herculean review. Because physicians have treated salicylate toxicity for almost 80 years, there is a pervasive belief that most physicians “know how to treat this overdose.” Regrettably, this is a case in which familiarity has led to errors in management, and despite improved patient recognition, supportive care, and safety initiatives, patients continue to experience significant morbidity and mortality. Salicylate toxicity is a multifactorial condition with complex pathophysiology. Many of the signs, symptoms, and subsequent management decisions are predicated on this knowledge. Salicylate is a potent mitochondrial poison, leading to central hyperventilation and metabolic acidosis. Between the increased minute ventilation and uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation, there is a large free water loss, leading to a frequently unrecognized state of systemic hypovolemia even in the face of apparent pulmonary edema. Acidemia has multiple causes, including uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (lactic acidosis), altered gluconeogenesis (ketogenesis), and the contribution of acidic salicylate metabolites (nonlactic acidosis). As cells lose their ability to maintain normal transmembrane gradients, end-organ toxicity develops, with cerebral edema becoming the most lethal component. Unfortunately, salicylate toxicity is a continuum and there is no magic number that identifies individuals who will become grievously ill. It is critically important to concomitantly evaluate patient status and the laboratory abnormalities, recognizing that these patients may look “good” until they don’t and then they cross over to their tipping point.
Ant Diversity and Distribution (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Throughout Maine Lowbush Blueberry Fields in Hancock and Washington Counties

A 6-yr survey (2003-2008) identifying the ant fauna present in Maine lowbush blueberry fields was conducted in Washington and Hancock Counties. Pitfall trapping, leaf litter, and hand collections, as well as protein and sugar baits were used to characterize the resident ant community in this habitat. Estimates of faunal richness as impacted by the blueberry crop stage (pruned or fruit-bearing), methods of pest management (grower standard, reduced-risk, or organic), and location within fields (middle, edge, or forested perimeters) were determined. In total, 42 species were collected from blueberry fields, comprising five subfamilies and 15 genera. Myrmica sculptilis Francoeur, Myrmica americana Weber, and Formica exsectoides Forel were the three most abundant species. Formica ulkei Emery, Myrmecina americana Emery, and Leptothorax canadensis Provancher represent new species records for Maine. Ants were most diverse in organic fields, and along the edge and within the wooded areas surrounding fields. Results suggest insecticide application reduces ant diversity.
The net effect: environmental implications of e-commerce and logistics

The advent of the Internet and e-commerce has brought a new way of marketing and selling many products, including books. The system-wide impacts of this shift in retail methods on cost and the environment are still unclear. While reductions in inventories and returns provide significant environmental savings, some of the major concerns of the new e-commerce business model are the energy and packaging materials used by the logistics networks for product fulfilment and delivery. In this paper, we analyze the different logistics networks and assess the environmental and cost impacts of different delivery systems. We find that the definition of analysis system boundaries and input assumptions determines the overall assessment of economic and environmental impacts of e-commerce for book retailing. With a return (remainder) rate of 35% for best-selling books, e-commerce logistics are less costly and create lower environmental impacts, especially if private auto travel for shopping is included. Without book returns, costs are comparable.
Computational Models of Learning the Raising-Control Distinction

We consider the task of learning three verb classes: raising (e.g., seem), control (e.g., try) and ambiguous verbs that can be used either way (e.g., begin). These verbs occur in sentences with similar surface forms, but have distinct syntactic and semantic properties. They present a conundrum because it would seem that their meaning must be known to infer their syntax, and that their syntax must be known to infer their meaning. Previous research with human speakers pointed to the usefulness of two cues found in sentences containing these verbs: animacy of the sentence subject and eventivity of the predicate embedded under the main verb. We apply a variety of algorithms to this classification problem to determine whether the primary linguistic data is sufficiently rich in this kind of information to enable children to resolve the conundrum, and whether this information can be extracted in a way that reflects distinctive features of child language acquisition. The input consists of counts of how often various verbs occur with animate subjects and eventive predicates in two corpora of naturalistic speech, one adult-directed and the other child-directed. Proportions of the semantic frames are insufficient. A Bayesian attachment model designed for a related language learning task does not work well at all. A hierarchical Bayesian model (HBM) gives significantly better results. We also develop and test a saturating accumulator that can successfully distinguish the three classes of verbs. Since the HBM and saturating accumulator are successful at the classification task using biologically realistic calculations, we conclude that there is sufficient information given subject animacy and predicate eventivity to bootstrap the process of learning the syntax and semantics of these verbs.
Two-Electron State in a Disordered 2D Island: Pairing Caused by the Coulomb Repulsion.

We show the existence of bound two-electron states in an almost depleted two-dimensional island. These two-electron states are carried by special compact configurations of four single-electron levels. The existence of these states does not require phonon mediation, and is facilitated by the disorderinduced potential relief and by the electron-electron repulsion only. The density of two-electron states is estimated and their evolution with the magnetic field is discussed. [S0031-9007(96)00822-8]
Same-Sex Cohabitors and Health The Role of Race-Ethnicity, Gender, and Socioeconomic Status

A legacy of research finds that marriage is associated with good health. Yet same-sex cohabitors cannot marry in most states in the United States and therefore may not receive the health benefits associated with marriage. We use pooled data from the 1997 to 2009 National Health Interview Surveys to compare the self-rated health of same-sex cohabiting men (n = 1,659) and same-sex cohabiting women (n = 1,634) with that of their different-sex married, different-sex cohabiting, and unpartnered divorced, widowed, and never-married counterparts. Results from logistic regression models show that same-sex cohabitors report poorer health than their different-sex married counterparts at the same levels of socioeconomic status. Additionally, same-sex cohabitors report better health than their different-sex cohabiting and single counterparts, but these differences are fully explained by socioeconomic status. Without their socioeconomic advantages, same-sex cohabitors would report similar health to nonmarried groups. Analyses further reveal important racial-ethnic and gender variations.
Impulses concealed by singularities: Transmission line theory

The input admittance of a loss-free short-circuited transmission line is generally said to be a cotangent function of frequency, a function that is imaginary and odd. The symmetry implies that the impulse response, which has the admittance function of frequency as its Fourier transform, is also odd. However, there can be no response at negative times preceding the applied impulse. Therefore the cotangent formula for susceptance cannot be correct. A real, even function of frequency representing a conductance term must be added to the imaginary, odd susceptance. Likewise, the familiar formula Z = iZ0tan(2πL/λ) is deficient.
Reduction of peak-to-average power ratio in transform domain communication systems

Transform Domain Communication Systems (TDCS) are spectrum-scavenging systems which modulate data by a waveform whose magnitude is non-zero only in unused frequency bins, and whose phase is pseudo-random. This creates a noise-like waveform suitable for secure, low probability of intercept (LPI) communications, as well as spectrum-sharing applications. However, it also creates a high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). We investigate PAPR reduction in TDCS by modifying the projection onto complex sets approach for multicarrier systems. Simulations show that adequate PAPR reduction is achieved, transmitter-receiver waveform mismatches are not exacerbated by PAPR reduction, and the resulting waveform is still LPI.
Graphical Representation of Missing Data Problems

Rubin’s classic missingness mechanisms are central to handling missing data and minimizing biases that can arise due to missingness. However, the formulaic expressions that posit certain independencies among missing and observed data are difficult to grasp. As a result, applied researchers often rely on informal translations of these assumptions. We present a graphical representation of missing data mechanism, formalized in Mohan, Pearl, and Tian (2013). We show that graphical models provide a tool for comprehending, encoding, and communicating assumptions about the missingness process. Furthermore, we demonstrate on several examples how graph-theoretical criteria can determine if biases due to missing data might emerge in some estimates of interests and which auxiliary variables are needed to control for such biases, given assumptions about the missingness process.
Nonlinear spatio-temporal theory of the doubly resonant degenerate optical parametric oscillator

An analytical solution to the nonlinear time-dependent coupled wave equations describing a doubly-resonant degenerate optical parametric oscillator (DROPO) with arbitrary cavity mirror reflectivities and arbitrary nonlinear interaction strength has been obtained. This solution makes it possible to investigate the spatio-temporal behavior of the optical fields in the cavity when the DROPO is pumped by a source having any desired temporal intensity profile for any values of cavity mirror reflectivity. The influence of pumping source parameters such as pulse duration and peak pulse intensity on the behavior of the DROPO is studied for different mirror reflectivities, as are the effects of absorption and cavity length. The predictions of the theory are compared to some existing experimental data.
A theory of geometric contact for computer aided geometric design of parametric curves

This paper develops a theory of contact for piecewise parametric curves based on the differential geometry of evolutes, polar curves and binormal indicatrices. This theory is completely geometric, independent of parametrization and generalizes to any order. Two sets of dimensionless characteristic numbers describing the local geometry of a curve up to the nth order are defined. These characteristic numbers can be used to describe conditions for higher order contacts in an algebraic fashion. The same characteristic numbers can also be used to interpret contact conditions of up to nth order in terms of the geometry of higher evolutes and binormal indicatrices. The resulting geometric contact conditions are used to design piecewise parametric curves for Computer Aided Geometric Design (CAGD) applications.
Multi-scale modeling of moving interface problems with flux and field jumps: Application to oxidative degradation of ceramic matrix composites

Problems involving reaction and species diffusion involve field and flux jumps at a moving reaction front. In multi-scale problems such as carbon fiber composite oxidation, these effects need to be tracked at the microscopic scale of individual carbon fibers. A multi-scale model is derived in this paper for predicting species distribution in such problems using a fully coupled multi-scale homogenization approach. The homogenized fluxes from the micro-scale are derived using Hill's macro-homogeneity condition accounting for both flux jumps and species density field jumps at the reacting interface in the micro-scale unit cell. At the macro-scale, the competition between the transport of reacting species (oxygen) and the reaction product (carbon dioxide) is modeled using homogenized mass conservation equations. The moving reaction front in carbon fibers at the micro-scale is tracked using level set method and an adaptive meshing strategy. The macroscopic weight loss of the composite when exposed to oxygen is simulated as a function of time using a coupled finite element methodology at various locations in a validated macroscopic model.
Risk factors for slow graft function after kidney transplants: a multivariate analysis.

Humar A, Ramcharan T, Kandaswamy R, Gillingham K, Payne WD, Matas AJ. Risk factors for slow graft function after kidney transplants: a multivariate analysis. Clin Transplant 2002: 16: 425–429. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002 Background: We previously defined an intermediate group of cadaver kidney transplant recipients who do not have immediate graft function (IGF), but do not have sufficient graft dysfunction to be classified as having delayed graft function (DGF). We showed that this group with slow graft function (SGF) had an increased risk of rejection and inferior long-term results vs. recipients with IGF. The aim of our current study was to determine risk factors for SGF, which have not been well defined (in contrast to risk factors for DGF). Methods: Between January 1, 1984 and September 30, 1999, we performed 896 adult cadaver kidney transplants at the University of Minnesota. Recipients were analysed in three groups based on initial graft function: IGF [creatinine (Cr) 3 mg/dL on POD no. 5, but no need for dialysis), and DGF (need for dialysis in the first week post-transplant). A multivariate analysis looked specifically at risk factors for SGF, as compared with risk factors for DGF. Outcomes with regard to graft survival and acute rejection (AR) rates were determined for the three groups. Results: Of the 896 recipients, 425 had IGF, 238 had SGF, and 233 had DGF. A multivariate analysis of risk factors for SGF showed donor age >50 yr (RR=3.3, p=0.0001) and kidney preservation time >24 h (RR=1.6, p=0.01) to be the most significant risk factors. A multivariate analysis of risk factors for DGF showed similar findings, although high panel-reactive antibodies (PRA) and donor Cr >1.7 mg/dL were also significant risk factors for DGF. Initial function of the graft significantly influenced the subsequent risk of AR: at 12 months post-transplant, the incidence of AR was 28% for those with IGF, 38% for those with SGF, and 44% for those with DGF (p=0.04 for SGF vs. DGF). Initial graft function also significantly influenced graft survival: the 5-yr death-censored graft survival rate was 89% for recipients with IGF, 72% for those with SGF, and 67% for those with DGF (p=0.01 for IGF vs. SGF; p=0.03 for SGF vs. DGF). Conclusions: SGF represents part of the spectrum of graft injury and post-transplant graft dysfunction. Risk factors for SGF are similar to those seen for DGF. Even mild to moderate graft dysfunction post-transplant can have a negative impact on long-term graft survival.
Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66 and GMFM-88) Users’ Manual,

This updated manual provides detailed information related to the usage, administration, and scoring of the widely-used Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), a clinical measure designed to evaluate m...
The effect of blood pressure on hematoma formation with perioperative Lovenox in excisional body contouring surgery.

Background Prophylactic use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been shown to be efficacious in decreasing thromboembolism. LMWHs are associated with increased rates of bleeding. Objective We reviewed perioperative blood pressure dynamics for patients who experienced hematomas while undergoing body contouring procedures while receiving enoxaparin (Lovenox), compared with similar patients who did not have development of a postoperative hematoma. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed examining 2 patient groups: 10 patients who experienced a hematoma after excisional body contouring surgery with perioperative Lovenox; and 10 similar patients with respect to sex, surgery type, massive weight loss status, and Lovenox administration, who did not have a hematoma. Preoperative and postoperative blood pressures were recorded, as were blood pressures during the last 2 hours of surgery. Mean arterial pressures (MAPs) were calculated for all time points, and mean intraoperative MAP was statistically compared with preoperative and postoperative MAP, for the two groups. Results The mean preoperative MAP for each group was the same (97.5 mm Hg vs 95.8 mm Hg; P = .61). The mean MAP for the last 2 hours of each case was significantly lower in the hematoma group (66.7 mm Hg vs 82.4 mm Hg; P P = .05). Both the difference between intraoperative and preoperative blood pressure (30.7 mm Hg vs 13.4 mm Hg; P P Conclusions Many patients undergoing excisional body contouring surgery are at risk for VTE and may need perioperative chemoprophylaxis. However, maintaining a normal intraoperative blood pressure and vigilance in recognizing and treating postoperative hypertension may reduce the hematoma rate seen with perioperative administration of LMWH.
The Bankruptcy Court's Ruling in the Lehman-Metavante Matter – Has the Ticking Time Bomb of Enron vs. TXU Exploded or Been Defused?

A recent bench ruling (the "Bench Ruling") by the Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York in the Lehman-Metavente matter held that an “out of the money” non-debtor party to a swap agreement with an “in the money” bankrupt counterparty could not rely on section 2(A)(III) of the ISDA Master Agreement (“Section 2(A)(III)”) to withhold payments otherwise due and payable to that bankrupt counterparty based on its (or its credit support provider’s) status as a debtor under the Bankruptcy Code. Although the Bench Ruling has surprised some market participants who thought that Enron Australia Finance Party Ltd. v. TXU Electricity Ltd. (the "TXU Decision") would permit a non-debtor party to an ISDA Master Agreement to withhold payments due thereunder from a bankrupt counterparty under Section 2(A)(III), the Bench Ruling is supported by the Bankruptcy Code and applicable case law.
Paul's Uncommon Declaration in Romans 1:18–32 and Its Problematic Legacy for Pagan and Christian Relations

By the late fourth century, prominent Christian leaders no longer remained content to advocate religious separatism from their polytheistic social environment. Instead they started making more strenuous efforts in law and in the streets to prohibit Greek and other pagan religious practices in the Roman Empire. This change in policy and practice was the outcome of historical factors that need better explanation than that of the unavoidable destiny of Christianity. One important aspect of this change, I argue here, is a problematic innovation in the tradition of Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian polemic against polytheism. The innovation derives from Paul's letter to the Ro-mans and develops through patristic endorsements of Paul's argument. In Rom 1:18–32 Paul fully reworks the Hellenistic Jewish polemical tradition, even though his argument is not yet recognized today as the distinctive proclamation that it is. Nonetheless, the polemic he wages in Rom 1:18–32 is anomalous in the tradition before, during, and for a century after he lived.
Adjoint Logic with a 2-Category of Modes

We generalize the adjoint logics of Benton and Wadler [1994, 1996] and Reed [2009] to allow multiple different adjunctions between the same categories. This provides insight into the structural proof theory of cohesive homotopy type theory, which integrates the synthetic homotopy theory of homotopy type theory with the synthetic topology of Lawvere’s axiomatic cohesion. Reed’s calculus is parametrized by a preorder of modes, where each mode determines a category, and there is an adjunction between categories that are related by the preorder. Here, we consider a logic parametrized by a 2-category of modes, where each mode represents a category, each mode morphism represents an adjunction, and each mode 2-morphism represents a pair of conjugate natural transformations. Using this, we give mode theories that describe adjoint triples of the sort used in cohesive homotopy type theory. We give a sequent calculus for this logic, show that identity and cut are admissible, show that this syntax is sound and complete for pseudofunctors from the mode 2-category to the 2-category of adjunctions, and investigate some constructions in the example mode theories.
Polygonal sandcracks: Unique sedimentary desiccation structures in Bahamian ooid grainstone

Sandcracks, which are ubiquitous in Holocene eolian and beach backshore carbonate grainstone on Alligator Point, Cat Island, Bahamas, resemble polygonal mudcracks, but formed in ooid sand without muddy matrix. In experiments on Cat Island beach sand, sediment surfaces cracked polygonally in the absence of mud or biofilms while drying at room temperature due to contraction generated by capillary effects related to surface tension attraction of interstitial water. Gravitational collapse of irregular open pores and repacking of sand grains due to loss of cohesion between particles caused by evaporation of water enhance the cracking process and appearance of polygons by providing space for cracks to expand. The polygons are held together by any remaining capillary moisture and associated meniscus cement, which precipitates as the sand dries. Polygonal sandcracks can be preserved by rapid lithification of carbonate sand, but have been documented only rarely from other localities because their formation requires well-sorted, well-rounded spherical grains rather than those making up the more common, heterogeneous skeletal and peloidal sediment in carbonate settings. Interpretation of this primary sedimentary desiccation structure provides new insights into sedimentation and diagenesis of ooid-rich deposits and can aid in recognizing ancient subaerial exposure horizons.
VI. Electrocardiographic Study of Heart and Effect of Vagotomy in Phosgene Poisoning.

SummaryBy use of the electrocardiograph, vagotomy, and atropine, it was shown that the early bradycardia of experimental phosgene poisoning was mediated by efferent vagal fibers. Excessive parasymp...
An experimental platform using human intestinal epithelial cell lines to differentiate between hazardous and non-hazardous proteins.

Human intestinal epithelial cell lines (T84, Caco-2, and HCT-8) grown on permeable Transwell™ filters serve as models of the gastrointestinal barrier. In this study, this in vitro model system was evaluated for effectiveness at distinguishing between hazardous and non-hazardous proteins. Indicators of cytotoxicity (LDH release, MTT conversion), monolayer barrier integrity ([(3)H]-inulin flux, horseradish peroxidase flux, trans-epithelial electrical resistance [TEER]), and inflammation (IL-8, IL-6 release) were monitored following exposure to hazardous or non-hazardous proteins. The hazardous proteins examined include streptolysin O (from Streptococcus pyogenes), Clostridium difficile Toxins A and B, heat-labile toxin from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, listeriolysin O (from Listeria monocytogenes), melittin (from bee venom), and mastoparan (from wasp venom). Non-hazardous proteins included bovine and porcine serum albumin, bovine fibronectin, and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisco) from spinach. Food allergenic proteins bovine milk β-lactoglobulin and peanut Ara h 2 were also tested as was the anti-nutritive food protein wheat germ agglutinin. Results demonstrated that this model system effectively distinguished between hazardous and non-hazardous proteins through combined analysis of multiple cells lines and assays. This experimental strategy may represent a useful adjunct to multi-component analysis of proteins with unknown hazard profiles.
First-Trimester Ultrasound: Early Pregnancy Failure

First-trimester pregnancy failure is defined by ultrasound as a lack of sonographic evidence of current or expected viability. Risk factors for pregnancy failure include: increasing maternal age, increased age at first menses, a low β-hCG or progesterone level, cigarette smoking, vaginal bleeding, and a history of prior pregnancy loss. Imaging clues such as an empty gestational sac ≥25 mm or an embryo ≥7 mm without cardiac activity are reliable signs of pregnancy failure. Less reliable signs include an irregular gestational sac, an abnormal or enlarged yolk sac, an empty amniotic sac, embryonic growth less than 1 mm per day, embryonic heart rate less than 85 beats per minute, a chorionic bump, and a subchorionic hematoma. A small gestational sac compared to the size of the embryo is suspicious for pregnancy failure especially when the size difference of the crown rump length to gestational sac size is less than 5 mm.
Transnational Motherhood: Health of Hispanic Mothers in the United States Who Are Separated From Children:

Immigration often results in the separation of families, and in particular transnational parenting, which is the separation of mothers from children. Transnational mothers may have greater risks fo...
Knowledge, Behaviors and Skills Relating to Infectious Diseases among Residents in Xicheng District,Beijing

OBJECTIVE To know the status of knowledge,behaviors and skills relating to infectious diseases among residents in Xicheng District,and provide scientific evidence for developing effective health education and intervention strategy of infectious diseases.METHODS A total of 1 200 residents aged above 18 years old were randomly selected with multi-stage system sampling method.Knowledge,behaviors and skills about infectious diseases were collected by questionnaire survey.RESULTS The awareness rate of the knowledge such as "the prevention measures of influenza", "the transmission of hepatitis A", "the criteria of fever", "the transmission of AIDS" and "the transmission of hepatitis B" were 53.7%,44.8%,42.5%,39.6%and 26.6%,respectively.The report rate of behaviors on "paying attention to sanitation of restaurant", "exercising regularly", "the injection of Influenza vaccine" and "using of face mask at fever clinics" were 50.8%,28.5%,19.9%and 18.7%,respectively.The master rate of skills relating to "using correctly thermometer", "understanding propaganda materials of infectious diseases", "understanding drugs instructions", "getting the desired knowledge about infectious diseases" and "understanding simple laboratory test reports" were 75.8%,71.8%,69.3%,66.1%and 59.0%,respectively.CONCLUSIONS Community residents are lack of related knowledge,health behaviors and skills of infectious diseases,specific health education should be developed among the residents.
Biaxial mechanics of the passively overstretched left ventricle

Overstretching the intact ventricle increases global compliance as a function of maximum previously experienced load and may have an important role in the diseased heart, but the corresponding chan...
Preferences and Usage Patterns of Retail Banking Services: Males Vs. Females

This study focuses on differences in preference and usage behavior toward various banking methods between male and female consumers of retail banking services. It is based on survey data drawn from customers of a large commericial bank in a major metropolitan city in the southeastern United States. The findings indicate significant differences in preference patterns between the sexes, but fails to show significant differences in usage patterns. The study also shows differences within each sex between preferred banking Diethods and actual use patterns. Differences may be explained in terms of lifestyles and/or situation-specific behavior.
Toward a conceptual framework for data sharing practices in social sciences: a profile approach

This paper investigates the landscape of data-sharing practices in social sciences via the data sharing profile approach. Guided by two pre-existing conceptual frameworks, Knowledge Infrastructure (KI) and the Theory of Remote Scientific Collaboration (TORSC), we design and test a profile tool that consists of four overarching dimensions for capturing social scientists' data practices, namely: 1) data characteristics, 2) perceived technical infrastructure, 3) perceived organizational context, and 4) individual characteristics. To ensure that the instrument can be applied in real and practical terms, we conduct a case study by collecting responses from 93 early-career social scientists at two research universities in the Pittsburgh Area, U.S. The results suggest that there is no significant difference, in general, among scholars who prefer quantitative, mixed method, or qualitative research methods in terms of research activities and data-sharing practices. We also confirm that there is a gap between participants' attitudes about research openness and their actual sharing behaviors, highlighting the need to study the "barrier" in addition to the "incentive" of research data sharing.
Improved time to disease progression in the brain in patients with melanoma brain metastases treated with concurrent delivery of radiosurgery and ipilimumab

ABSTRACTBackground: To identify the optimal sequencing and timing of immunotherapy (IT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for melanoma brain metastases (MBMs).Methods: The elapsed days between IT and SRS were correlated with local control (LC), regional brain control (RBC), time to CNS progression (TTPCNS), overall survival (OS), and radiation necrosis (RN). Logistic regression and Cox proportional models were used for statistical analysis.Results: Twenty-five patients with 58 MBMs underwent SRS and IT. Median follow-up was 22.7 mo (3.1–77.9 mo). A median of 2 SRS treatments of 21 Gy (range 16–24 Gy) and 4 cycles of Ipilimumab were delivered. SRS was delivered Before, After or Concurrently with IT in 9, 5, and 11 patients, respectively; 8/25 received SRS ≤30 d of IT and 17/25 were >30 d of IT. Median OS was 35.8 mo, 1- and 2-y OS was 83% and 64%, respectively, and LC was 94.8%. By timing, RBC and TTPCNS were significantly improved when SRS was delivered ≤30 d of IT (75% vs 23.5%, p = 0.03 and median not...
Participatory Learning Through Social Media: How and Why Social Studies Educators Use Twitter

This article draws on Deweyan conceptions of participatory learning and citizenship aims of the field as lenses through which to consider social media activities.
The narcotic clinic in New Orleans, 1919-21.

Aims This article traces the history of the narcotic clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana, comparing its merits to a similar clinic in Shreveport. How do the clinics compare, and why did the Shreveport clinic operate for longer than its New Orleans counterpart? Methods Qualitative analysis of contemporary medical journals and newspapers, as well as archival materials from the Narcotic Division. In addition, I have utilized the records of Louisiana Governor John M. Parker, the papers of Dr. Willis P. Butler in Shreveport, as well as the records of the Orleans Parish Medical Society. Findings The narcotic clinic in Shreveport benefited from strong local support, while the New Orleans clinic faced a more vocal opposition. In addition, the Shreveport clinic offered a broad array of services and was a pillar of the community; the New Orleans clinic was newly established and offered fewer services. It was especially the influx of out-of-state addicts that angered many New Orleanians, many of whom witnessed the addicts lined up in the French Quarter. Conclusion The effectiveness of the narcotic clinics in Louisiana (1919-1923) was strongly influenced by local opinion. The New Orleans clinic faced a tougher political climate than its counterpart in Shreveport, and therefore proved less resilient in the face of federal opposition.
Stability of Organoleptic Agents in Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics

Organoleptic agents constitute an important niche in the field of pharmaceutical excipients. These agents encompass a range of additives responsible for coloring, flavoring, sweetening, and texturing formulations. All these agents have come to play a significant role in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics due to their ability to increase patient compliance by elevating a formulation's elegance and esthetics. However, it is essential to review their physical and chemical attributes before use, as organoleptic agents, similar to active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), are susceptible to physical and chemical instability leading to degradation. These instabilities can be triggered by API-organoleptic agent interaction, exposure to light, air and oxygen, and changes in pH and temperature. These organoleptic agent instabilities are of serious concern as they affect API and formulation stability, leading to API degradation or the potential for manifestation of toxicity. Hence, it is extremely critical to evaluate and review the physicochemical properties of organoleptic agents before their use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This literature review discusses commonly used organoleptic agents in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical formulations, their associated instabilities, and probable approaches to overcoming them.
N-cadherin suppresses AKT and enhances ERK activation to promote mammary tumor invasion and metastasis

5359 N-cadherin is a cell-cell adhesion molecule that was shown to promote motility, invasion, and metastasis. N-cadherin is upregulated in invasive breast cancer cell lines and tumors. However, the mechanism by which N-cadherin promotes metastasis remains to be further elucidated. In vitro studies have suggested that N-cadherin maybe enhancing metastasis by potentiating the FGFR-ERK-MMP-9 signaling axis. These findings were validated in vivo in the polyoma middle T (PyMT) tumor model, in which N-cadherin mammary expression led to increased lung metastasis. This effect was due to ERK pathway activation by N-cadherin leading to matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) expression and cellular invasion. How N-cadherin precisely regulates metastasis remains to be further addressed. It appears that in addition to activating the ERK pathway, N-cadherin is also suppressing AKT1 activation, which has been shown to suppress motility and invasion. In the PyMT model, mammary tumor lysates from PyMT-N-cad expressed reduced levels of phosphorylated AKT compared to PyMT controls. Moreover, overexpression of N-cadherin into a PyMT tumor cell line suppressed AKT phosphorylation while it increased invasiveness in vitro. Consistent with these data, treating a breast cancer cell line overexpressing N-cadherin (MCF-7-N-cad cells) with LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, leads to increases in FGF stimulated ERK phosphorylation, MMP-9 expression, and invasion. In conclusion, our data suggests that the activation of the ERK pathway and the suppression of the AKT pathway by N-cadherin promote metastasis in vivo.
Violence and Abuse in Rural Older Women’s Lives: A Life Course Perspective:

Intimate partner violence in later life includes physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Although some researchers have investigated how women in long-term violent partnerships cope with abuse, little is known about the history, experiences, and needs of older women who leave abusive relationships. From a feminist, life course perspective, we interviewed 10 women who had left their abusive partners later in life. We used qualitative methods to analyze the data and found four major themes: (a) the women used the past to account for abuse in their relationships later in life, (b) recognizing abuse signaled to the women to fight back and exit the relationship, (c) financial abuse and exploitation affected women's mental and physical health, and (d) rebuilding was especially challenging as the women faced their future alone with financial, physical, or mental health problems. We conclude that abuse presents lasting and unique challenges for older women.
Faster Traveling Atmosphere Disturbances Caused by Polar Ionosphere Turbulence Heating

A new module, which includes both the turbulence electron heating and the electron-neutral cooling rate correction associated with the Farley-Buneman onstability (FBI) in the National Center for Atmospheric Research-Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics Global Circulation Model, enables us, for the first time, to investigate the intimate coupling between polar turbulence electron heating and thermosphere disturbances in the context of a first-principle, self-consistent model. Our simulation results show that during geomagnetic storms, after taking the FBI effects into account, Joule heating is almost doubled in the E region at these locations of strong convection electric field. This increases (~6%) the phase speed of traveling atmosphere disturbances at around 400 km that are launched from both hemispheres. Additional heating sources also directly produce a divergence in the zonal wind with magnitudes of 20 m/s in the lower thermosphere. However, the FBI impact on the thermosphere at F region altitudes is not so straightforward. E region anomalous electron heating in association with the FBI can change the phase speeds and magnitudes of traveling atmosphere disturbances from high latitudes in both hemispheres and consequently modify global neutral wind circulation at F region altitudes. This, in turn, can affect the neutral temperature through adiabatic compressional heating and expansive cooling by about 40 K. This study demonstrates how the ionosphere-thermosphere physical processes across different temporal and spatial scales are tightly coupled together throughout the whole upper atmosphere domain.
Targeting of G-Quadruplex Harboring Pre-miRNA 92b by LNA Rescues PTEN Expression in NSCL Cancer Cells.

Since the elevated levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) often cause various diseases, selective inhibition of miRNA maturation is an important therapeutic strategy. Commonly used anti-miRNA strategies are limited to targeting of mature miRNAs, as the upstream targeting of miRNA maturation with an oligonucleotide is challenging due to the presence of a stable pre-miRNA stem-loop structure. Previously, we reported that about 16% of known human pre-miRNAs have the potential to adopt G-quadruplex (GQ) structures alternatively to canonical stem-loops. Herein, we showed that a rationally designed locked nucleic acid (LNA) binds specifically the GQ conformation of pre-miRNA 92b and inhibits pre-miRNA maturation. Further, we showed that the LNA treatment rescues PTEN expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, which is suppressed by the elevated level of miRNA 92b. Treatment of LNA significantly decreases the IC50 of doxorubicin for NSCLC cells. This strategy can be developed as a novel anti-miRNA therapeutic...
Pox, Dyes, and Videotape

The large size of poxvirus virions (approx 250 x 350 nm) makes them ideal candidates for microscopic studies. Recombinant vaccinia viruses that express a viral envelope-specific, green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimera produce enveloped virions that fluoresce green. This fluorescent labeling allows the live, real-time study of viral egress using a variety of microscopic techniques. The methods presented here describe how to image the movement of intracellular enveloped virions that are labeled with green fluorescent protein using time-lapse laser scanning confocal microscopy. Details are also provided for analyzing the images obtained and converting them into QuickTime movies suitable for presentation.
Cochlear implant reimplantation

The objective of this study was to determine whether insertion length and number of active channels remained the same after reimplantation of a cochlear implant. A retrospective case review- of 170 consecutively implanted multichannedl cochlear implants was conducted. Seventeen of these devices had to be replaced. Data were analyzed for the Nucleus cochlear implant users who were reimplanted in the same ear. For most subjects, insertion length and number of channels remained unchanged, but a few subjects experienced substantial decreases. When the whole group was considered, a small but statistically significant drop was noted for both parameters. In conclusion, although reimplantation is technically possible, the first procedure provides the optimal surgical environment.
Timing the utilization of recycle fuels in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors

Calculations to determine the influence of different schemes for the utilization of recycle fuel on High-Temperature GasCooled Reactor (HTGR) fuel cycle costs showed that commercial reprocessing of spent fuel should begin in 1984 or 1985 for the reactor construction schedules assumed. A benefit-to-cost ratio for recycle research and development work was computed and ranges from approximates 10 to 70, depending on the penetration of the HTGR into the U. S. power generation economy. The presently planned introduction of commercial reprocessing capability in 1985 will result in nearly optimum fuel cycle costs. However, substantial delays beyond this data will result in sizable cost penalties, with the magnitude of the penalties increasing with increasing HTGR market penetration. 14 references. (auth)
Predictive factors of positive online patient ratings of spine surgeons

Abstract BACKGROUND Online physician rating websites are increasingly used by patients to evaluate their doctors. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate factors associated with better spine surgeon ratings. METHODS Orthopedic spine surgeons were randomly selected from the North American Spine Society directory utilizing a random number generator. Surgeon profiles on three physician rating websites, namely, www.HealthGrades.com , www.Vitals.com , and www.RateMDs.com , were analyzed to gather qualitative and quantitative data on patients’ perceptions of the surgeons. Independent variables from the websites were analyzed in relation to overall physician or patient satisfaction rating. Comments were coded by subject into following three categories: professional competence, bedside manner, and practice characteristics. RESULTS A total of 250 surgeons were evaluated, and 92% (n=230) of these doctors had at least one rating among the three websites. The surgeons with a higher average rating had significantly better trust (p CONCLUSIONS This investigation assessed spine surgeon online patient ratings and categorized factors that patients associate with quality care. Trustworthiness was the most significant predictor of positive ratings, whereas ease of scheduling, quality of staff, helpfulness, and punctuality were also associated with higher patient ratings. Understanding what patients value may help optimize care of spine surgery patients.
Dryland Cropping in the Western United States

W.F. Schillinger, associate scientist, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Lind, WA; R.I. Papendick, supervisory soil scientist, USDAARS (retired), Pullman, WA; S.O. Guy, professor, Department of Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID; P.E. Rasmussen, soil scientist, USDA-ARS (retired), Pendleton, OR; and C. van Kessel, professor, Department of Agronomy & Range Science, University of California, Davis, CA., Corresponding author (schillw@wsu.edu). This article is printed with the permission of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America.
Gaps in provider lifestyle counseling and its adherence among obese adults with prediabetes and diabetes in the United States.

Abstract Obesity is an epidemic affecting about 40% of the US adult population. Tracking with the obesity epidemic is an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes. Both pre-diabetes and diabetes are often coexistent with obesity and contribute to an increased total and cardiovascular disease related morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle modification is usually the first step in management among individuals with obesity and/or pre-diabetes or diabetes, but remains an unfulfilled potential by healthcare providers to promote healthier lifestyles in obese patients. We aimed to describe the current patterns of lifestyle counseling (diet, physical activity, and weight loss) and their adherence by patients with obesity in the US using the National Health Interview Survey, 2016–2017. We analyzed these patterns among individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes. We found that, regardless of pre-diabetes or diabetes status, almost 1 in 3 individuals with mild obesity (BMI ≥ 30 &
Improved prediction of residual stress induced warpage in thermoset composites using a multiscale thermo-viscoelastic processing model

Abstract A multiscale thermo-viscoelastic processing model is developed to predict the residual stress development in a thermoset composite due to curing. In the proposed modeling framework, a composite laminate is modeled as discrete layers of homogeneous laminae at the macroscale, while at each integration point of the homogeneous model, the constitutive relations of the lamina are determined through micromechanics using an Extended Concentric Cylinder Assemblage (ECCA) model in conjunction with the correspondence principle of viscoelasticity. Since analytical formulations are employed at the microscale, the proposed multiscale approach can efficiently predict the composite time-, temperature-, and cure-dependent responses during processing. The proposed model is employed to predict the warpage shape of an anti-symmetric laminate due to curing-induced residual stresses. Compared with other elastic processing models, the proposed processing model achieves an improved prediction of the warpage shape due to its capability to consider both curing history and stress relaxation during composite processing.
Experimental Demonstration of the Shadow Projection Algorithm for Near-Field Microwave Imaging of Buried Objects in Layered Media

A shadow projection algorithm for near-field microwave imaging has been introduced to distinguish the size of objects hidden in the layered structure. For an external source, the radiated energy is focused into the normal direction due to the lensing effect caused by refraction at the boundary between free space and the first layer. The lensing effect is utilized to form the shadow of the buried objects on the rear interface, which provides more accurate object size and shape than a conventional image. The efficacy of the shadow projection approach is validated with measurements of multiple objects embedded in stratified media.
Grammar-play: a system to help students explore context free grammars

Context free grammars are useful for designing, specifying, documenting, and testing systems. While many instructors find them to be clear and natural, we have found a significant fraction of students have difficulty with context free grammars. We describe a system created to help students explore the behavior of such grammars, and the strings that each such grammar generates.