cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment Frailty Is Independently Associated With Increased Risk of Infections After Immunosuppression in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Background & Aims Infections are an important adverse effect of immunosuppression for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). However, risk of infection cannot be sufficiently determined based on patients’ ages or comorbidities. Frailty has been associated with outcomes of patients with other inflammatory diseases. We aimed to determine the association between frailty and risk of infections after immunosuppression for IBD. Methods We performed a cohort study of 11,001 patients with IBD, using a validated frailty definition based on International Classification of Disease codes to identify patients who were frail vs fit in the 2 years before initiation of an anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or immunomodulator therapy, from 1996 through 2010. Our primary outcome was an infection in the first year after treatment. We constructed multivariable logistic regression models, adjusting for clinically pertinent confounders (age, comorbidities, steroid use, and combination therapy) to determine the association between frailty and posttreatment infections. Results There were 1299 patients treated with an anti-TNF agent and 2676 patients treated with an immunomodulator. In this cohort, 5% of patients who received anti-TNF therapy and 7% of patients who received an immunomodulator were frail in the 2 years before immunosuppression. Frail patients were older and had more comorbidities. Higher proportions of frail patients developed infections after treatment (19% after TNF and 17% after immunomodulators) compared with fit patients (9% after TNF and 7% after immunomodulators; P Conclusions Frailty was associated with infections after immunosuppression in patients with IBD after we adjust for age and comorbidities. Systematic assessment and strategies to improve frailty might reduce infection risk in patients with IBD.
Hippocampal activation and connectivity in the aging brain.

The hippocampus and underlying cortices are highly susceptible to pathologic change with increasing age. Using an associative face-scene (Face-Place) encoding task designed to target these regions, we investigated activation and connectivity patterns in cognitively normal older adults. Functional MRI scans were collected in 210 older participants (mean age = 76.4 yrs) in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Brain activation patterns were examined during encoding of novel Face-Place pairs. Functional connectivity of the hippocampus was also examined during encoding, with seed regions placed along the longitudinal axis in the head, body and tail of the structure. In the temporal lobe, task activation patterns included coverage of the hippocampus and underlying ventral temporal cortices. Extensive activation was also seen in frontal, parietal and occipital lobes of the brain. Functional connectivity analyses during overall encoding showed that the head of the hippocampus was connected to frontal and anterior/middle temporal regions, the body with frontal, widespread temporal and occipital regions, and the tail with posterior temporal and occipital cortical regions. Connectivity limited to encoding of subsequently remembered stimuli showed a similar pattern for the hippocampal body, but differing patterns for the head and tail regions. These results show that the Face-Place task produces activation along the occipitotemporal visual pathway including medial temporal areas. The connectivity results also show that patterns of functional connectivity vary throughout the anterior-posterior extent of the hippocampus during memory encoding. As these patterns include regions vulnerable to pathologic change in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, continued longitudinal assessment of these individuals can provide valuable information regarding changes in brain-behavior relationships that may occur with advancing age and the onset of cognitive decline.
97 Adverse driving outcomes among adolescents with ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders

Purpose We aimed to examine the joint and independent associations of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behavior disorders (DBD, which includes oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder) with adverse driving outcomes among adolescents over their initial years of licensure. Methods/Approach We utilized electronic health records to identify New Jersey residents born 1987–1997 who were patients of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia pediatric healthcare network’s NJ primary care practices within four years of driving-eligible age. Records were linked to NJ’s licensing and crash databases from 2004–2014. ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes were used to identify adolescents with ADHD (‘314’) and DBD (‘313.81’ or ‘312’). At-fault crash rates in the four years after licensure was compared for adolescents with: ADHD only (n=2,052); DBD only (n=388); ADHD and DBD (n=427); and neither condition (n=15,477). Rate ratios were adjusted for age at licensure, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results Compared with adolescent drivers with neither condition, adjusted rate ratios for at-fault crashes were: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.37, 1.66) for drivers with only ADHD; 1.44 (1.17, 1.79) for drivers with only DBD; and 1.90 (1.55, 2.33) for drivers with ADHD & DBD. Among drivers with ADHD, drivers who also had DBD had an increased at-fault crash rate compared to those without DBD (1.26 [1.01, 1.56]). Conclusions ADHD and DBD are independently associated with increased rates for at-fault crashes. Rates for adolescents with ADHD is further heightened by co-occurring DBD. Ongoing analyses will fold in additional years of data, improving sample size, and look further at multiplicative and additive effects. Future research should focus on specific mechanisms by which these conditions influence crash risk. Significance/Contributions This study is the largest and first longitudinal study focused on examining the risk of adverse driving outcomes among adolescents with diagnosed ADHD and/or DBD, a common co-occurring condition with ADHD, using a population-based sample.
Constructing others and dialoguewith them in the course of publiceducational meetings

Abstract The study explores public educational meetings that aim to promote the Belarusian language and culture. In the course of the meetings, those who do not have the same values and are not present during meetings are brought up into a conversation. In other words, the voice of the others who are not part of the community gets involved in the dialogue. Besides, some of the invited guests do not speak Belarusian and part of the audience is not necessarily interested in learning Belarusian but rather attends these meetings to meet with those guests. In this respect, the study explores the interactional resources the hosts and the attendees use to construct the dialogue with the other in their absence and in their presence. It investigates who is considered to be the other and how the other is discursively constructed.
Real-Time Simulation Models for Photovoltaic Cells and Arrays in Opal-RT and Typhoon-HIL

The increase of solar power generation in the last decade makes reliance on this energy source of great importance, and highlights the need of studying photo-voltaic (PV) cells and modelling their behaviours. Consequently, efficient and accurate mathematical modeling and simulation of PV cells have become very important for different studies, e.g. their use in microgrids and as distributed energy resources in the grid. This paper reports a custom, homogeneous, cross-platform, real-time simulation model for PV cells, modules & arrays; and characterizes their performances when compared to other existing models. Once the model was successfully verified, its performance was analyzed in two different real-time hardware architectures: (i) OPAL RT OP5030 Simulator with OP4520 Expansion unit and (ii) Typhoon HIL 603 Simulator.
The Influence of Health Insurance Stability on Racial/Ethnic Differences in Diabetes Control and Management.

Objective: This study examined whether health insurance stability was associated with improved type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) control and reduced racial/ethnic health disparities. Methods: We utilized electronic medical record data (2005-2013) from two large, urban academic health systems with a racially/ethnically diverse patient popula­tion to examine insurance coverage, and three DM outcomes (poor diabetes control, A1c ≥8.0%; very poor diabetes control A1c >9.0%; and poor BP control, ≥ 130/80 mm Hg) and one DM management outcome (A1c monitoring). We used generalized estimating equations adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, site of care, education, and income. Additional analysis examined if insurance stability (stable public or private insurance over the six-month internal) moderates the impact of race/ethnicity on DM outcomes. Results: Nearly 50% of non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had private insurance cover­age, compared with 33.5% of NH Blacks, 31.5% of Asians, and 31.1% of Hispanics. Overall, and within most racial/ ethnic groups, insurance stability was associated with better glycemic control compared with those with insurance switches or always being uninsured, with uninsured NH Blacks having significantly worse BP control. More NH Black and Hispanic patients had poorly controlled (A1c≥8%) and very poorly controlled (A1c>9%) diabetes across all insurance stability types than NH Whites or Asians. The interaction between insurance instability and race/ethnic groups was statis­tically significant for A1c monitoring and BP control, but not for glycemic control. Conclusion: Stable insurance coverage was associated with improved DM outcomes for all racial / ethnic groups, but did not eliminate racial ethnic disparities Ethn Dis. 2021;31(1):149-158; doi:10.18865/ed.31.1.149
Demagnetization Analysis of a Split-Tooth Concentrated-Winding Vernier Machine using Halbach-array-based Ferrite Magnets

For home appliance industry, since cost and space are the two main concerns, high-torque-density low-speed direct drive solutions are always what people look for. A new type of split-tooth concentrated winding Vernier motor that uses consequent-pole Halbach-array-based ferrite magnets and additional stator magnets between the stator split teeth is proposed in a preliminary study that shows a promising increase in the torque density. However, due to the use of low-coercivity ferrite magnets, the side magnets of the Halbach assembly are prone to suffer from demagnetization problems, which significantly reduces its performance. In this paper, the demagnetization of this new motor topology is analyzed in detail. First, the demagnetization under no load and full load conditions is analyzed. Then, in order to understand the mechanism of demagnetization, the assembly process of the rotor magnets is simulated. An equivalent model that takes into account the demagnetization is then proposed. In order to validate the proposed model, the static field and torque constant of the prototyped motor are measured and compared between the ideal model and proposed model. Finally, the effect of the aspect ratio of the rotor magnets on the demagnetization performance is discussed.
Opioid use patterns in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy: A single-institution retrospective analysis characterizing patients who did not require opioid therapy

BACKGROUND We had previously analyzed the variables that determine the rates of opioid use at 1-year postradiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Here we analyze the variables associated with opioid abstinence during and in the 12 months after radiotherapy at our institution. METHODS We identified a cohort of patients with head and neck cancer who received radiotherapy as part of curative treatment at our institution. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine socioeconomic and clinical factors associated with opioid abstinence. RESULTS The cohort included 376 patients. On multivariable analysis, patients from an upper-income class (p = 0.004), black race (p = 0.004), older (p = 0.008), with dependent children (p < 0.001) or receiving surgery (p = 0.002) were more likely to abstain from opioids, while patients using analgesic mouthwash (p = 0.009) or higher pain scale (p = 0.002) were less likely. CONCLUSION Socioeconomic and treatment characteristics are associated with opioid abstinence during and following radiation treatment in patients with head and neck cancer.
Functional Outcomes of Arthroscopic Os Trigonum Excision in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND Outcomes of symptomatic os trigonum excision have been well described as a successful treatment in adults; however, the literature lacks information on standardized longer term functional outcomes in the pediatric population. This study intends to report functional outcomes of arthroscopic os trigonum excision in adolescents who failed conservative management, with the hypothesis that these younger patients would have similar, successful outcomes of adult patients. METHODS A retrospective study was performed on adolescents who underwent arthroscopic os trigonum excision at a single institution between 2011 and 2017. Patient demographic, clinical history, radiographic, and operative data were documented. Outcome measures included the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) score comprised of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Sports subscales, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, ability to return to the same level of sport, and any additional foot/ankle surgery. RESULTS Ten patients (12 ankles) met criteria with a mean age at surgery of 15.4 years (range, 12 to 18 y) and a mean follow-up of 6.5 years (range, 2.8 to 9.1 y). Mean FAAM ADL subscale, Sports subscale, and SANE scores were 91.0±15.5, 76.3±29.1, and 88.6±15.1, respectively. A chronic duration of symptoms before surgery was associated with a lower FAAM Sports current level of function score (P=0.032). Four patients (40%) discontinued their sport due to continued ankle issues and reported significantly lower FAAM ADL subscale (P=0.01), Sports subscale (P<0.001), and SANE scores (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Os trigonum syndrome in the adolescent population may not have the same rate of success as that seen in adult athletes over the long-term. However, if proven to be refractory to conservative measures and surgical intervention is indicated, patients and their families should be counseled about the risk for persistent ankle symptoms and the possibility that they may not be able to return to their previous level of sport. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV-case series.
Major Risks Indicators for Diabetic Kidney Disease

Risks for diabetic kidney disease have traditionally focused on those associated with loss of renal function, particularly glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The ultimate consequence of GFR loss, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), has long been the primary domain for many nephrologists. However, loss of renal function also encompasses many aspects other than GFR. A number of comorbidities result from, or are exacerbated by, damage to the kidney: hypertension, anemia, disordered bone and mineral metabolism, dyslipidemia, and inflammation, among others. Many of these disturbances are more prevalent, occur earlier, and are more severe in diabetes than in other forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (1, 2, 3, 4). Furthermore, they may contribute to further kidney damage, as well as to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The latter issue is of particular concern because most people with diabetes who develop CKD will die of CVD rather than reach ESRD (5). Therefore, kidney damage and associated comorbidities can be viewed as fundamental participants in a self-perpetuating, positive feedback cycle that produces widespread injury to the circulation with multiple target organ consequences. Because diabetes and CKD pose such a high risk of mortality and major adverse events, the purpose of this chapter is to review major risks indicators. Identification of risks allows for development of improved strategies for detection, intervention, and novel therapeutic approaches.
Absolute Configuration of a Metabolite in the m-Fission Pathway of Protocatechuate

An aldolase, which is induced in Pseudomonas testosteroni during growth with p-hydroxybenzoate, preferentially attacks the R form of 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutarate, a metabolite of protocatechuate catabolism.
Chemical vapor infiltration with microwave heating

The use of microwave energy to heat substrates during chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) is described. Both numerical predictions and experimentally observed thermal profiles indicate that steep inverted thermal gradients can be established in fibrous preforms subjected to microwave radiation. When combined with the CVI technique, the inverted gradients can be exploited to promote inside-out densification. Recent microwave assisted CVI results, which focus on silicon based matrix materials, are described. Emphasis is placed on the role played by the relative ability of fiber and matrix to dissipate microwave energy. Issues central to further process development, such as the effect of interfacial coating on subsequent microwave processing, are discussed.
Decreasing extracellular Na+ concentration triggers inositol polyphosphate production and Ca2+ mobilization.

Removing extracellular Na+ (Na+o) evoked a large increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ((Ca2+)i in human skin fibroblasts. Decreasing (Na+)o from 120 to 14 mM caused the half-maximal peak increase in (Ca2+)i. Removing Na+o strongly stimulated /sup 45/Ca2+ efflux and decreased total cell Ca2+ by about 40%. Bradykinin caused changes in (Ca2+)i, total Ca2+, and /sup 45/Ca2+ fluxes similar to those evoked by removing Na+o. Prior stimulation of the cells with bradykinin prevented Na+o removal from increasing (Ca2+)i and vice versa. Na+o removal rapidly increased (/sup 3/H)inositol polyphosphate production. Loading the cells with Na+ had no effect on the increase in /sup 45/Ca2+ efflux produced by Na+o removal. Therefore, decreasing (Na+)o probably stimulates a receptor(s) which is sensitive to extracellular, not intracellular, Na+. Removing Na+o also mobilized intracellular Ca2+ in smooth muscle and endothelial cells cultured from human umbilical and dog coronary arteries, respectively.
Usefulness of magnesium sulfate in stabilizing cardiac repolarization in heart failure secondary to ischemic cardiomyopathy

Experimental heart failure is associated with cardiac magnesium loss, causing increased beat-to-beat variability in the action potential. Unstable repolarization contributes to sudden death, but no therapy has been shown to reduce repolarization variability safely. We sought to test whether a prolonged infusion of magnesium sulfate (MgSO(4); 40 mmol/24 hours) would normalize QT interval variability in patients with compensated heart failure. Fifteen patients (New York Heart Association class II to III; mean age 63 years) were enrolled in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Surface electrocardiograms were recorded and digitized at entry and at 48 and 168 hours (drug washout). Repolarization stability was assessed using an automated method measuring each QT interval in a 5-minute epoch. The QT variability index was derived as the ratio of normalized QT-to-normalized heart rate variability. Seven of 15 patients received MgSO(4). Mean heart rate and QT did not change in either group. The QT variability index was stable in the placebo group (-0.69 +/- 0.15 at entry, -0.71 +/- 0.22 at 48 hours, -0.70 +/- 0.18 at 168 hours), but decreased significantly in the treated group at 48 hours (-0.95 +/- 0.19 to -1.36 +/- 0.13, p <0.05 repeated-measures analysis of variance), returning to baseline at 168 hours (-0.84 +/- 0.18). Regression analyses showed that administration of MgSO(4) resulted in a stronger correlation between the QT and RR interval (p <0.01). Thus, MgSO(4) stabilizes cardiac repolarization in patients with compensated heart failure due to ischemic heart disease. Magnesium therapy may be useful in altering the proarrhythmic substrate in heart failure.
Levels of Acculturation of Chinese Older Adults in the Greater Chicago Area — The Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago

Acculturation is a difficult process for minority older adults for a variety of reasons, including access and exposure to mainstream culture, competing ethnic identities, and linguistic ability and preference. There is a paucity of research regarding overall level of acculturation for Chinese older adults in the United States. This study aimed to provide an overall estimate of level of acculturation of Chinese older adults in the United States and to examine correlations between sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported health measures, and level of acculturation. Data were collected through the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) study. This community-based participatory research study surveyed 3,159 Chinese older adults aged 60 and older. The PINE Study Acculturation Scale was used to assess level of acculturation in three dimensions: language preference, media use, and ethnic social relations. Mean acculturation level for all items was 15.3 ± 5.1, indicating low levels of acculturation. Older age, more offspring, lower income, fewer years living in the United States, lower overall health status, and lower quality of life were associated with lower levels of acculturation. Level of acculturation was low in Chinese older adults, and certain subsets of the population were more likely to have a lower level of acculturation. Future research should investigate causality and effects of level of acculturation.
Effective straggler mitigation: attack of the clones

Small jobs, that are typically run for interactive data analyses in datacenters, continue to be plagued by disproportionately long-running tasks called stragglers. In the production clusters at Facebook and Microsoft Bing, even after applying state-of-the-art straggler mitigation techniques, these latency sensitive jobs have stragglers that are on average 8 times slower than themedian task in that job. Such stragglers increase the average job duration by 47%. This is because current mitigation techniques all involve an element of waiting and speculation. We instead propose full cloning of small jobs, avoiding waiting and speculation altogether. Cloning of small jobs only marginally increases utilization because workloads show that while the majority of jobs are small, they only consume a small fraction of the resources. The main challenge of cloning is, however, that extra clones can cause contention for intermediate data. We use a technique, delay assignment, which efficiently avoids such contention. Evaluation of our system, Dolly, using production workloads shows that the small jobs speedup by 34% to 46% after state-of-the-artmitigation techniques have been applied, using just 5% extra resources for cloning.
The capacity to join in the group process

This paper explores the difficulties certain individuals have in joining the interactional processes that make a group work. It explores the sequelea of traumatic early failures in need mediation, notably the encapsulation that renders them unresponsive to efforts by fellow group members to engage them. An uncanny similarity to holocaust victims is observed. Illustrative case examples are cited and suggestions for treatment offered.
Mechanistic flexibility in the reduction of copper(II) complexes of aliphatic polyamines by mercapto amino acids.

Abstract The reactions of copper(II)-ahphatic polyamine complexes with cysteine, cysteine methyl ester, penicillamine. and glutathione have been investigated, with the goal of understanding the relationship between RS − -Cu(II) adduct structure and preferred redox decay pathway. Considerable mechanistic flexibility exists within this class of mercapto ammo acid oxidations, as changes in the rate law could be induced by modest variations in reductant concentration (at fixed [Cu(II)] o ), pH, and the structure of the redox partners. With excess cysteine present at 25°C, pH 5 0, I = 0 2 M (NaOAc), decay of 1:1 cys-S − -Cu(II) transient adducts was found to be first order in both cys-SH and transient. Second-order rate constants characteristic of Cu(dien) 2+ (6 1 × 10 3 M −1 sec −1 ), Cu(Me 5 dien) 2+ (2.7 × 10 3 M −1 sec −1 ), Cu(en) 2 2+ (2.1 × 10 3 M −1 sec −1 ), and Cu(dien) 2 2+ (4.7 × 10 3 M −1 sec −1 ) are remarkably similar, considering substantial differences in the composition and geometry of the oxidant first coordination sphere. A mechanism involving attack of cysteine on the coordinated sulfur atom of the transient, giving a disulfide anion radical intermediate, is proposed to account for these results Moderate reactivity decreases in the cysteine-Cu(dien) 2+ , Cu(Me 5 dien) 2+ reactions with increasing [H + ] (pH 4–6) reflect partial protonation of the polyamine ligands. A very different rate law, second order in the RS − -Cu(II) transient and approximately zeroth order in mercaptan, applies in the pH 5.0 oxidations of cysteine methyl ester, penicillamine, and glutathione by Cu(dien) 2+ and Cu(Me 5 dien) 2+ . This behavior suggests the mtermediacy of di-μ-mercapto-bridged binuclear Cu(II) species, in which a concerted two-electron change yields the disulfide and Cu(I) products. Similar hydroxo-bridged intermediates are proposed to account for the transition from first- to second-order transient dependence in cysteine oxidations by Cu(dien) 2+ and Cu(Me 5 dien) 2+ as the pH is increased from 5 to 7. Yet another rate law, second order in transient and first order in cysteine, applies in the pH 5.0 oxidation of cysteine by Cu(Me 6 tren) 2+ ( k (25°C) 7.5 × 10 7 M −2 sec −1 , I = 0.2 M ). Steric rigidity of this trigonal bipyramidal oxidant evidently protects the coordinated sulfur atom from attack in a RSSR − -forming pathway. Formation of a coordinated disulfide in the rate-determining step is purposed, coupled with attack of a noncoordinated cysteine molecule on a vacated coordination position to stabilize the (Me 6 (tren)Cu(I) product.
Changes in the EEL intestine during seawater adaptation

Abstract 1. 1. Rate of fluid absorption by eel ( Anguilla rostrata ) intestinal sacs in vitro reached seawater adapted values 3 days after transfer from freshwater to seawater. 2. 2. After 3 days in seawater oxygen consumption and Na-K-ATPase activity of intestinal mucosa had not increased over freshwater values. 3. 3. The weight of intestinal mucosa increased 32% during seawater adaptation as a result of an increase in the number of mucosal cells (hyperplasia). 4. 4. The rate of intestinal fluid absorption was reduced by 10 −4 M ouabain and was not affected by 10 −4 M acetazolamide.
Evidence that excitatory amino acids mediate afferent input to the primate somatosensory thalamus

Neurons in and posterior to the primate sensory nucleus of the thalamus (VPL) were tested for excitation by iontophoretically applied excitatory amino acid agonists. In addition, in several cells the effects of iontophoretically applied excitatory amino acid antagonists on the responses to cutaneous stimuli were examined. All neurons showed responses to all agonists. The responses of several neurons to cutaneous stimuli were attenuated or blocked by local administration of receptor antagonists. These results provide initial evidence that somatosensory responses of neurons in the primate thalamus are mediated by excitatory amino acids.
Hiatus hernia and esophageal contraction abnormalities

The relationship of hiatus hernia to esophageal motility pattern was examined in patients referred for evaluation of esophageal symptoms. Results from standard esophageal motility studies were compared with findings on barium radiography of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Of 169 patients without radiographic evidence of esophagitis, 53 (31 percent) had normal motility of the esophageal body, whereas 116 (69 percent) demonstrated esophageal contraction abnormalities, a classification that includes the pattern of diffuse esophageal spasm at the severest extreme. Hiatus hernia was significantly more common in those with contraction abnormalities (25 percent) than in those with normal patterns (8 percent) (p = 0.01). Hiatus hernia increased in prevalence with increasing severity of contraction abnormalities, such that hiatus hernia was present in nearly half of patients with the pattern typifying diffuse esophageal spasm. Thus, hiatus hernia and esophageal contraction abnormalities are associated once other associations with hiatus hernia (e.g., esophagitis and scleroderma) have been excluded. These findings may help explain the recognized relationship of esophageal symptoms to hiatus hernia in patients without significant gastroesophageal reflux.
Platinum chromophore-based systems for photoinduced charge separation: a molecular design approach for artificial photosynthesis.

Photoinduced charge separation is a fundamental step in photochemical energy conversion. In the design of molecularly based systems for light-to-chemical energy conversion, this step is studied through the construction of two- and three-component systems (dyads and triads) having suitable electron donor and acceptor moieties placed at specific positions on a charge-transfer chromophore. The most extensively studied chromophores in this regard are ruthenium(II) tris(diimine) systems with a common 3MLCT excited state, as well as related ruthenium(II) bis(terpyridyl) systems. This Forum contribution focuses on dyads and triads of an alternative chromophore, namely, platinum(II) di- and triimine systems having acetylide ligands. These d8 chromophores all possess a 3MLCT excited state in which the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital is a π* orbital on the heterocyclic aromatic ligand. The excited-state energies of these Pt(II) chromophores are generally higher than those found for the ruthenium(II) tris(diimin...
Calcium transport and phosphoenzyme formation in dystrophic mouse sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract A highly purified preparation of fragmented SR vesicles from normal mice was isolated which possessed the following properties: a calcium uptake rate of 1.2 μmole/mg-min, a basal ATPase of 0.5 μmole/mg-min, an extra ATPase of 1.8 μmole/mg-min, and steady-state phosphoenzyme levels of 3.8 nmole/mg. The ATPase activities were characterized kinetically as to the effects of substrate, calcium, magnesium, and free ATP. SR from dystrophic mice was isolated and shown to be of equal purity to the normal preparation by SDS-gel electrophoresis. Calcium uptake and extra ATPase rates, and steady-state phosphoenzyme levels are all depressed by approximately 50% in the dystrophic preparation with an increase in basal ATPase activity such that total ATPase activity is unchanged. Calcium/ATP transport ratios and phosphoenzyme turnover rates were consequently normal. The dystrophic ATPase activities were shown to exhibit the same dependencies on substrate, calcium, magnesium, and free ATP as the normal FSR ATPases. The changes in SR function in dystrophic mice may be explained in light of the known lipid alterations of the SR membrane in dystrophic mice. The alterations in SR function, in turn, may account for the known mechanical alterations of dystrophic mouse muscle. Thus, an abnormal membrane lipid composition may be the underlying cause of dystrophic muscle dysfunction.
EFFECT OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED SCHEDULING AND DISPATCHING SYSTEMS ON PARATRANSIT SERVICE QUALITY

The few computer-assisted scheduling and dispatching (CASD) systems evaluated to date do not, in general, provide details on the effects of quality of service. An analysis of the quality-of-service effects of a CASD system in central Illinois is presented. The analysis finds that a variety of service attributes have been positively affected by CASD implementation. Passengers experienced greater on-time rates at both pickup and drop-off, overall satisfaction with the service increased, and customer reporting of ride denials was reduced. On the other hand, the use of CASD to promote higher vehicle productivity resulted in slightly longer ride times. In addition, callers to the system experienced being put on hold more often. On the whole, the conclusion is that quality of service has been positively affected by the implementation of the CASD system.
The effect of intravenous trypsin administration on the electrocardiogram of the rabbit.

The intravenous injection of trypsin into rabbits resulted in marked changes in the rhythm and alteration in the P, QRS, S-T and T deflections of the electrocardiogram.
Convective instability when the temperature gradient and rotation vector are oblique to gravity. I. Fluids without diffusion

A linear stability analysis of fluid layers under uniform rotation (generally oblique to gravity) which possess both vertical and horizontal temperature gradients is made by considering ideal fluids without diffusion within a Boussinesq approximation. This simplified configuration is used to assess the preferred convective modes as a function of latitude on a planet like Jupiter. The tilted rotation vector introduces a preference for roll-like disturbances with north-south orientations, while the horizontal temperature gradient produces a thermal wind shear which favors convective rolls oriented parallel to the flow in an east-west direction. It is found that the horizontal temperature gradient needed to produce a preference for the axisymmetric or east-west rolls increases with an increasing rotation rate and a decreasing latitude. The parameter values for Jupiter are estimated with the use of a simple radiative convective model, indicating a preference for axisymmetric rolls at nearly all latitudes if the convection zone depth is greater than about 200 km below the one atmosphere pressure level and convective roll characteristics which contribute to an equatorial acceleration.
A procedure for implanting chronic indwelling intraarterial catheters in nonhuman primates

A procedure for catheterizing the external iliac artery in nonhuman primates is described. This preparation can be used both for collecting blood samples and for infusing drugs. The preparation is well suited to long-term studies. Our experience indicates that, with appropriate maintenance, these catheters may remain patent for intervals of approximately 12 months.
The Relationship Between Listener Comprehension and Intelligibility Scores for Speakers With Dysarthria

Purpose This study examined the relationship between listener comprehension and intelligibility scores for speakers with mild, moderate, severe, and profound dysarthria. Relationships were examined...
A New Vanadium Dioxide Cathode

We have synthesized a new form of vanadium dioxide using the hydrothermal reaction of vanadium pentoxide and lithium hydroxide in the presence of an organic templating cation. The hydrated lithium vanadium oxide formed has the simplest layered structure of any vanadium oxide, containing only VO 5 square pyramids whose apices alternate up and down in the layer. The lithium may be removed by electrochemical delithiation. This new compound reversibly reacts with lithium and therefore may be used as the cathode in lithium batteries.
An Anaerobic-Type α-Ketoglutarate Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase Completes the Oxidative Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Aerobic organisms have a tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle that is functionally distinct from those found in anaerobic organisms. Previous reports indicate that the aerobic pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis lacks detectable α-ketoglutarate (KG) dehydrogenase activity and drives a variant TCA cycle in which succinyl-CoA is replaced by succinic semialdehyde. Here, we show that M. tuberculosis expresses a CoA-dependent KG dehydrogenase activity, albeit one that is typically found in anaerobic bacteria. Unlike most enzymes of this family, the M. tuberculosis KG: ferredoxin oxidoreductase (KOR) is extremely stable under aerobic conditions. This activity is absent in a mutant strain deleted for genes encoding a previously uncharacterized oxidoreductase, and this strain is impaired for aerobic growth in the absence of sufficient amounts of CO2. Interestingly, inhibition of the glyoxylate shunt or exclusion of exogenous fatty acids alleviates this growth defect, indicating the presence of an alternate pathway that operates in the absence of β-oxidation. Simultaneous disruption of KOR and the first enzyme of the succinic semialdehyde pathway (KG decarboxylase; KGD) results in strict dependence upon the glyoxylate shunt for growth, demonstrating that KG decarboxylase is also functional in M. tuberculosis intermediary metabolism. These observations demonstrate that unlike most organisms M. tuberculosis utilizes two distinct TCA pathways from KG, one that functions concurrently with β-oxidation (KOR-dependent), and one that functions in the absence of β-oxidation (KGD-dependent). As these pathways are regulated by metabolic cues, we predict that their differential utilization provides an advantage for growth in different environments within the host.
Anger Expression Mode, Depressive Symptoms, Hopelessness, and Decision Coping among African American Adolescents

This study examined the relationship between anger expression mode, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, and decision coping patterns among a non-clinical community sample of 276 low-income African American adolescents (mean age = 14.47). Participants were students in sixth through tenth grades enrolled in health and wellness classes in two public schools in West Tennessee. They were asked to complete a battery of instruments including the Anger Style Inventory, Children's Depression Inventory, Hopelessness Scale for Children, and Flinders Adolescent Decision Making Questionnaire. Findings indicate a significant association between anger expression mode, depressive symptomatology, hopelessness, and decision coping pattern among study participants. Gender and screening positive for depressive symptoms predicted participant's anger response mode. Using multiple assessment scales may provide useful information toward preventing the onset of clinically significant emotional disorders among adolescents.
Definability in well quasi-ordered sets of structures

The theorem introduced here provides a sufficient condition for an axiomatic class to be elementary. It resulted from consideration of a definability problem in , but is introduced in a less specific context and accompanied by applications to .As in [La, 1], [La, 2], a reflexive, transitive binary relation R on a nonempty set S will be called a quasi-ordering or q.o. of S. A set of pairwise incomparable elements of S is an antichain and a subset of S linearly ordered by R is a chain. A chain {Si: i ∈ ω} with i > j if and only if (siRsj ∧ ¬ sjRSi) will be called an infinite descending chain. If S has no infinite antichains nor any infinite descending chains, S is well quasi-ordered by R, and is called a well quasi-ordering or w.q.o. Any subset of a w.q.o. is a w.q.o. An element s of a q.o. S is minimal in S if ∀t ∈ S(tRs → sRt). A subset S′ of S is a foundation for S if ∀t ∈ S∃s ∈ S′(sRt).
The influence of precondensation mercury content and mulling on the transverse strength of amalgams condensed after a delay.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of changing the precondensation mercury content (initial mercury content) on the final strength of amalgams when the condensation was delayed. Another purpose was to study the effect on the transverse strength of mulling the amalgam mix after the delay. The material consisted of ten different brands of alloy. Three different alloy-mercury ratios were used with each alloy brand; Mix I about 50% Hg, Mix II about 54% Hg and Mix III about 59% Hg. Rectangular amalgam test pieces, measuring 2 × 2 × 12 mm, were condensed after a 5 minutes delay by hand using a load of about 17 kg/cm2. The transverse strength test was performed after one week using three point loading. The five minutes delay of the condensation reduced the strength of the amalgams by 1 to 42 per cent depending on the brand of alloy and precondensation mercury content. The three preamalgamated amalgams were affected less by the delay than the other amalgams. Increasing the precondensation ...
Bump Electromigration and Back End Design Rules

As there is continuous demand for miniaturization of electronic devices, flip chip technology is predominantly used for high density packaging. The technology offers several advantages like excellent electrical performance and better heat dissipation ability. Original invention of flip chip packaging utilized ceramic substrates and high lead bumps. Low cost commercialization of this packaging technology, however, required organic laminate substrates coupled with SnPb eutectic bumped interconnects on the die side. While organic laminate flip chip packaging may be a good option for many low power applications, current carrying capability of the eutectic bumped interconnect causes a catastrophic failure mechanism called electromigration. Previously, researchers have identified and addressed few issues regarding electromigration. Electomigration leads to the formation of metal voids in the conductors which eventually increases the resistance drop across the conductor causing electrical opens. Electromigration is very significant at high current densities. Temperature is the other parameter of concern for electromigration. High current density causes temperature to rise due to Joule heating, there by reducing the life of package. In order to determine the factors responsible for high current densities, we formed a full factorial design of experiments (DOE) that contained parameters such as passivation opening, UBM size, UBM thickness and trace width. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed in order to study the effect of above parameters on current crowding and temperature in the bumped interconnects. Based on the results, hierarchy of the most important parameters to be considered while selecting the appropriate flip chip technology is proposed.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Models for count data with endogenous participation

We present several extensions of the Poisson and negative binomial models for count data based on the lognormal model for latent heterogeneity in the conditional means. The lognormal model provides a versatile specification that is more flexible than the familiar log gamma form, and provides a platform for several “two part” extensions that have appeared in the literature, including zero inflation, hurdle and sample selection models. We then extend these received two- part models by allowing for endogeneity of the participation equation. We conclude with a detailed application using the data employed in a recent study of the German health care system.
Efficacy of rituximab therapy in children with refractory nephrotic syndrome: a prospective observational study in Shanghai

Background Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common glomerular disease in children. This study was undertaken to observe the efficacy and side-effects of rituximab (RTX) in treating children with different types of refractory primary nephrotic syndrome.
The challenge of evaluating rehabilitative activity holidays for burn-injured children: qualitative and quantitative outcome data from a Burns Camp over a five-year period.

Specialized holidays for burn-injured children are currently considered an important part of their rehabilitation. These holidays, or Camps, aim to help children face the challenges of their burn injury and treatment in a fun and supportive environment. Manchester Children's Burns Camps have been run by professionals from the Burns Unit at Booth Hall Children's Hospital together with volunteers since 1983. Formal evaluation has been a crucial component of these Camps since 1999. The purpose of this study was to summarize the findings of the evaluation process over the last 5 years, and to discuss any issues raised by the results. Standardized measures were administered to 97 children and their parents over this time period. These measures, designed to assess self-esteem, social relationships and general emotional and behavioural well-being, were completed before and after the children attended the Camp. The quantitative data showed little consistent evidence of change on these measures over the 5 years. H...
Water-Soluble Polymers. 78. Viscosity and NRET Fluorescence Studies of pH-Responsive Twin-Tailed Associative Terpolymers Based on Acrylic Acid and Methacrylamide

A series of terpolymers containing acrylic acid (AA), methacrylamide (MAM), and a twin-tailed hydrophobic monomer (DiC6AM, DiC8AM, or DiC10AM) were synthesized using micellar polymerization methods. These polymer systems were characterized using light scattering, viscometry, and fluorescence methods. Viscosity studies indicate that increasing the nonpolar character of the hydrophobic monomer (longer chain length or twin tailed vs single tailed) results in enhanced viscosity in aqueous solutions. The terpolymer with the highest hydrophobicity (MAM/AA/DiC10AM terpolymer) exhibited the most pronounced viscosity increase with polymer concentration and thus the best associative thickening. Fluorescence nonradiative energy transfer measurements performed on this terpolymer indicate the onset of association (c*) at a concentration of ∼0.1 g/dL. Also, changes in the energy transfer efficiency and viscosity behavior as a function of pH are consistent with a concentration-dependent transition from closed to open as...
Technique and clinical applications of full-inflation and end-exhalation controlled-ventilation chest CT in infants and young children.

Background. The inability of young children to cooperate with breath holding limits the usefulness of chest CT. Objective. To describe the technique and utility of a non-invasive method called controlled-ventilation CT (CVCT) for obtaining motion-free full-inflation and end-exhalation images of the lung in infants and young children. Materials and methods. Eighty-seven children (ages 1 week to 5 years, mean 2 years) underwent CVCT of the chest during suspended respiration at full-lung inflation and end-exhalation for a variety of clinical indications. Respiratory pauses were produced using conscious sedation and positive-pressure face-mask ventilation. Forty-one of 87 children had recordings of respiratory motion during CVCT. Results. Respiratory pause lengths increased with age (P < 0.003), were highly reproducible (r = 0.85), and lasted sufficiently long to be practical for full-inflation (24 ± 9 s) and end-exhalation (12 ± 5 s) CT scanning. Full-inflation CVCT was useful in evaluating tracheal and bronchial stenosis, bronchial wall thickening, early bronchiectasis, bronchial fistula, extent of interstitial fibrosis, and lung nodules. End-exhalation CVCT was useful in evaluating tracheomalacia and air trapping. Conclusion. Controlled-ventilation chest CT is a practical and reliable technique that promises to be clinically useful for a number of clinical indications in infants and young children.
On epimorphisms of topological groups

Abstract A complete survey of results on the epimorphism problem for various categories of topological groups is given. All known partial results on the epimorphism problem for Hausdorff topological groups support the conjecture that epimorphisms of Hausdorff topological groups have dense image.