cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medical malpractice and hernia repair: an analysis of case law.

Abstract Background Litigation analysis and clinician education are essential to reduce the number and cost of malpractice claims. This study evaluates the clinical characteristics and legal outcomes of medical malpractice litigation initiated by patients having undergone a hernia repair operation. Materials and methods Published civil suits were obtained from a legal database for state and federal decisions constituting case law. The published material includes information on defendants, plaintiffs, allegations, outcomes, and a variety of legal issues. A retrospective review of 44 published cases from 25 states was performed. Results Complications were present in 20 of 44 (45%) suits, four (9%) of which were because of infection. Death occurred in five (11%) cases, and failure to obtain informed consent was alleged in seven (16%) of the suits. Retained foreign bodies were present in 7 of the 44 (16%) suits. Other allegations included incorrect surgical technique, insufficient need for surgery, and emotional distress. Most (64%) patients initiating malpractice litigation were male, and inguinal, hiatal, and ventral hernia repairs account for 39%, 27%, and 14% of cases, respectively. Most suits (40%) were initiated in Southern states. Surgical mesh was indicated in 5 of 44 (11%) suits but four of five were unrelated to the suit. One patient initiated litigation because of the fact that the surgeon did not use mesh during surgery, which was discussed preoperatively during the informed consent. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in 12 of 44 (27%) suits, with compensation ranging from roughly $19,000 to $8,000,000. Louisiana and New York had six and seven suits each, which appears disproportionate given their respective populations. Conclusion Complications and death resulting from alleged clinical negligence play a significant role in both the initiation and the outcome of malpractice litigation. Retained foreign bodies and lack of informed consent account for roughly one-third of malpractice litigation associated with hernia repairs. Many of these suits may be avoided with proper patient education and documentation of such along with standard operative preventative measures.
On the resolvent of Milne's integral equation for a spherical, isotropically-scattering medium

Abstract Recently, determination of the resolvent kernel of Milne's integral equation for a spherical, isotropically-scattering medium with internal sources has been made by several authors (cf. Heaslet and Warming ; (1) Nagirner ; (2) Wilson and Sen (3) ). In this paper, it is shown how to compute the resolvent kernel of the above Milne's equation in terms of the modified Sobolev's Φ-function, which is reduced to the angular integration of the source function in the diffuse radiation field by a finite slab. In other words, once the X - and Y -functions of a slab with twice the optical radius of the sphere have been computed and a Cauchy system for the source function has been solved, the resolvent kernel under consideration can be determined by integration of the modified Sobolev Φ-function.
Electron microscopy of the development of synaptic patterns in the ventrobasal complex of the rat.

Abstract Electron microscopy has been employed to analyze morphological alterations of components of synaptic complexes of the developing ventrobasal (VB) nuclear complex of the rat at 7, 12, 15, 20 and 60 days postnatal (dpn). Dendrites of immature VB neurons seen at 7 dpn are characterized by a thick, irregular shaft with large bulbous expansions from which filopodia are elaborated. Synaptic development is minimal at this stage, but occasional boutons are found in association with both the shaft and filopodia of dendrites. By 12 dpn dendritic maturation id considerably advanced and specialized postsynaptic structures begin to appear as synaptic populations increase and diversify. Synaptic boutons form both simple (single junction) and compound (multiple junctions) complexes with dendritic elements of varying size. Lemniscal afferents can be distinguished during this period on the basis of a large presynaptic element forming multiple junctional specializations with one or more dendritic spinous protrusions and partially ensheathed with a glial lamella. With further development (15 dpn and older) terminals of lemniscal afferents increase in size, complexity and numbers of junctional contacts with the postsynaptic component. Some populations of smaller boutons increase further in density in temporal association with the maturation of intrinsic circuitry and descending cortical and subcortical afferents 34 . Based upon the appositional relations and spatial arrangement of the pre- and postsynaptic members, synaptic complexes were classified and counted to analyze developmental alterations in population density, and these data, together with a qualitative analysis of synaptogenesis in the developing VB, are briefly discussed in relation to somatosensory impulse propagation, local integration and putative mechanisms of somatotopy.
Structure and energetics of single and multilayer fullerene cages.

Minimum energy structures for large carbon cages are investigated using realistic atomic potentials. Above a critical size of \ensuremath{\sim}6000 there is a stability crossover from single to multilayer cages. The lowest energy atomic configuration of a cage of any size consists only of hexagons and pentagons and is polyhedral in shape. Lowest energy defects involve either rearrangements between pentagons and hexagons or 5-7-5 triplets. Simulated transmission electron microscopy images show that a polyhedral onion appears spheroidal when viewed along its highest symmetry axis, and polyhedral when viewed from a more general direction.
The development of the interpersonal construct system in educable mentally retarded children

The development of the interpersonal construct system of educable mentally retarded children was studied using three measures: cognitive complexity, construct abstractness and egocentricity. Ten mentally retarded children in the mental age groups of 6, 8, 10 and 12 were compared with nonretarded children of the same mental ages. The mentally retarded children used a limited number of constructs with less abstractness than the nonmentally retarded children. In terms of egocentricity, the nonretarded children used more other-oriented constructs than did the retarded children. For all measures, there were significant differences between the age levels of 6 and 8 versus 12 years, suggesting developmental trends.
An intense slit discharge source of jet-cooled molecular ions and radicals (Trot < 30 K

A novel pulsed, slit supersonic discharge source is described for generating intense jet-cooled densities of radicals (> 1012 / cm3) and molecular ions (> 1010 / cm3) under long absorption path (80 cm), supersonically cooled conditions. The design confines the discharge region upstream of th supersonic expansion orifice to achieve efficient rotational cooling down to 30 K or less. The collisionally collimated velocity distribution inn the slit discharge geometry yields sub-Doppler spectral linewidths, which for open-shell radicals reveals spin-rotation, splittings and broadening due to nuclear hyperfine structure. Application of the slit source for high-resolution, direct IR laser absorption spectroscopy in discharges is demonstrated on species such as OH, H3O+ and N2H+.
Genetic evaluation of Holstein bulls for somatic cells in milk of daughters.

Lactational means of somatic cell score from sample days of primiparous DHI cows were analyzed to compare dairy records processing centers for data properties, to examine effects of age at calving and month of calving on somatic cell score, and to calculate preliminary PTA of sires for somatic cell scores. Five processing centers contributed data but differed substantially with respect to availability of records in progress, DIM on last sample day, and length of time that data were submitted. Highest lactational means of somatic cell score tended to be in short lactations for young cows but in long lactations for older cows. Regions of the country differed substantially for effect of month of calving on lactational means of somatic cell score, but lactational means of somatic cell scores increased with age at calving for all dairy records processing centers. Standardized yields of milk, fat, and protein were included as multiple traits with somatic cell score for analysis. Heritability of somatic cell score was .08 to .16 for individual processing centers and .10 across processing centers. Phenotypic correlations of somatic cell score with yield traits were negative, but genetic correlations were positive. Selection for decreased somatic cell score on a national basis should be possible and would seem advisable to decrease mastitis infections. Response may be slow, however, because of antagonistic genetic relationships with the yield traits, which have great economic importance.
Recent Advances in Deciphering Viral and Host Determinants of Dengue Virus Replication and Pathogenesis

Dengue virus (DENV) is a member of the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family of enveloped, positive-strand RNA viruses. The Flavivirus genus includes viruses transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, as well as zoonotic agents with no known arthropod vector. In addition to DENV, flaviviruses that
Charge Transfer in Biologically Important Molecules: Comparison of High-Level ab initio and Semiempirical Methods

Recent observations in both experimental and theoretical chemistry indicate the importance of charge transfer on the energetics and charge distribution of biomolecular systems. Here the authors present a detailed analysis of hydrogen-bonded complexes to assess the quality of Hartree-Fock (HF) and semiempirical methods in predicting the amount of charge transferred. The authors find that both HF and semiempirical methods systematically overestimate charge transfer when compared to MP2/6-311++G** calculations. Although inclusion of electron correlation is important for a proper assessment of charge transfer, both HG/6-311++G** and AM1 can serve as good approximations to charge transfer in biomolecular systems.
Organic premiums of US fresh produce

The study uses the 2005 Nielsen Homescan panel data to estimate price premiums and discounts associated with product attributes, market factors, and consumer characteristics, focusing on the organic attribute for five major fresh fruits and five major fresh vegetables in the United States. The results suggest that the organic attribute commands a significant price premium, which varies greatly from 13 cents per pound for bananas to 86 cents per pound for strawberries among fresh fruits and from 13 cents per pound for onions to 50 cents per pound for peppers among fresh vegetables. In terms of percentages, the estimated organic price premiums vary from 20% above prices paid for conventional grapes to 42% for strawberries among fresh fruits and from 15% above prices paid for conventional carrots and tomatoes to 60% for potatoes. Furthermore, prices paid for fresh produce are found to vary by other product attributes, market factors, and household characteristics.
The Sociopolitical Nature of Counseling

Counseling is a sociopolitical act. However, many counselors are unaware of the fact that the profession has at its core a set of cultural values and norms by which clients are judged. In order to make the counseling psychology field more responsive to the needs of multicultural populations, the profession must be willing to engage in self-examination. This article explicates how White culture serves as the foundation for counseling theory, research, and practice. The use of this theory base with multicultural populations is explored and specific recommendations for the field of counseling psychology are presented.
100-W 105-μm 0.15NA fiber coupled laser diode module

We report on the development of a high brightness laser diode module capable of coupling over 100W of optical power into a 105 μm 0.15 NA fiber at 976 nm. This module, based on nLIGHT's Pearl product architecture, utilizes hard soldered single emitters packaged into a compact and passively-cooled package. In this system each diode is individually collimated in the fast and slow axes and free-space coupled into a single fiber. The high brightness module has an optical excitation under 0.13 NA, is virtually free of cladding modes, and has an electrical to optical efficiency greater than 40%. Additionally, this module is compatible with high power 7:1 fused fiber combiners, and initial experiments demonstrated 500W coupled into a 220 μm, 0.22 NA fiber. These modules address the need in the market for higher brightness diode lasers for pumping fiber lasers and direct material processing.
Judicial Controls in the Arbitral Process

the law chosen to govern the merits of an international contract dispute does not always lead to results that satisfy an arbitrator's personal sense of what is right. The arbitrator therefore may be tempted to resolve the dispute according to his own notion of justice. Seduced away from the rules of the otherwise applicable law, the arbitrator may take on unauthorised powers of amiable composition .1 while most international arbitrators are conscientious in respecting the bounds of their mission, some have been known to boast of their skill in finding ways to bypass the established rules of the party-chosen law. To circumvent the prescribed limits of their authority, they have discerned ‘emerging trends’ that lead in a contrary direction, or invented new principles of trade usage and lex mercatoria .2 When an arbitration implicates foreigners, the judiciary of the arbitral seat might not examine the award according to the same standards applied to domestic controversies. Recent legislation in major European arbitral centres has curtailed the power of local courts to set aside awards in international arbitration. Belgium has gone so far as to eliminate any right to have an award set aside, even for such defects as arbitrator fraud and excess of authority, unless at least one party is Belgian.3 Switzerland has enacted a statute that permits contractual exclusion of challenges to awards when all parties are non-Swiss.4 Practitioners and policymakers alike can appreciate the international arbitrator's desire for freedom from constraints of substantive and procedural national law. One can also understand the winner's desire not to see a challenge to an award in its favour. However, the arbitration affects not only winners, but also losers, and often society at large as well. The fashions for non-national justice and arbitral autonomy, if pushed too far, will …
Multivariate analysis of associations of 42 genes in ADHD, ODD and conduct disorder

In a previous study (Comings DE et al. Comparison of the role of dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenergic genes in ADHD, ODD and conduct disorder. Multivariate regression analysis of 20 genes. Clin Genet 2000: 57: 178-196) we examined the role of 20 dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine genes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD), using a multivariate analysis of associations (MAA) technique. We have now brought the total number of genes examined to 42 by adding an additional 22 candidate genes. These results indicate that even with the inclusion of these additional genes the noradrenergic genes still played a greater role in ADHD than any other group. Six other neurotransmitter genes were included in the regression equation - cholinergic, nicotinic, alpha 4 receptor (CHNRA4), adenosine A2A receptor (ADOA2A), nitric oxide synthase (NOS3), NMDAR1, GRIN2B, and GABRB3. In contrast to ADHD and ODD, CD preferentially utilized hormone and neuropeptide genes These included CCK, CYP19 (aromatase cytochrome P-450), ESR1, and INS (p = 0.005). This is consistent with our prior studies indicating a role of the androgen receptor (AR) gene in a range of externalizing behavors. We propose that the MAA technique, by focusing on the additive effect of multiple genes and on the cummulative effect of functionally related groups of genes, provides a powerful approach to the dissection of the genetic basis of polygenic disorders.
Solvation influences flap collapse in HIV‐1 protease

HIV-1 protease (HIVp) is an impor- tant target for the development of therapies to treat AIDS and is one of the classic examples of structure- based drug design. The flap region of HIVp is known to be highly flexible and undergoes a large conforma- tional change upon binding a ligand. Accurately mod- eling the inherent flexibility of the HIVp system is critical for developing new methods for structure- based drug design. We report several 3-ns molecular dynamics simulations investigating the role of solva- tion in HIVp flap rearrangement. Using an unligan- ded crystal structure of HIVp, other groups have observed flap reorganization on the nanosecond time- scale. We have also observed rapid, initial flap move- ment, but we propose that it may be caused by system setup. The initial solvation of the system creates vacuum regions around the protein that may encour- age large conformational deformities. By reducing the vacuum space created by the solvation routine, the observed flap collapse is attenuated. Also, a more thorough equilibration procedure preserves a more stable protein conformation over the course of the simulation. Proteins 2005;58:119 -125.
The JPL beamwaveguide test facility

A 34 m research and development antenna has been built in the NASA Deep Space Network as a precursor to introducing both beam waveguides (BWG) and the Ka-band frequency into the operational network. In support of this activity, a flexible test facility was constructed to study BWG performance parameters. The objectives of the test facility were to: (1) measure and characterize multiple reflector systems used in BWG antennas; (2) verify computer software and software models; (3) characterize BWG components not easily modeled by software; and (4) predict performance of BWG antenna designs. To this end, a 1/4-size model of one-, two-, and three-mirror configurations was built and tested. Excellent correlation between measured and predicted results enabled the full-scale 34 m antenna system implementation to proceed with confidence. >
Embryology of the Lymphatic System and Lymphangiogenesis

The lymphatic vasculature was first described by Aselli more than three centuries ago, and the hypothesized embryonic origin of the lymphatic structures was initially investigated in 19021; nevertheless, it only has been recently, during the era of molecular biology, that the mechanisms of mammalian lymphatic development have become well understood.2,3
Spectroscopy of Ethylenedione

The long sought-after, intrinsically short-lived molecule ethylenedione (OCCO) was observed and investigated by anion photoelectron spectroscopy. The adiabatic electron affinity of its quasi-bound 3Σg− state is 1.936(8) eV. The vibrational progression with a 417(15) cm−1 frequency observed within the triplet band corresponds to a trans-bending mode. Several dissociative singlet states are also observed, corresponding to two components of the 1Δg state and the 1Σg+ state. The experimental results are in agreement with theoretical predictions and constitute the first spectroscopic observation and characterization of this elusive compound.
Data Visualization in Sociology

Visualizing data is central to social scientific work. Despite a promising early beginning, sociology has lagged in the use of visual tools. We review the history and current state of visualization in sociology. Using examples throughout, we discuss recent developments in ways of seeing raw data and presenting the results of statistical modeling. We make a general distinction between those methods and tools designed to help explore data sets and those designed to help present results to others. We argue that recent advances should be seen as part of a broader shift toward easier sharing of code and data both between researchers and with wider publics, and we encourage practitioners and publishers to work toward a higher and more consistent standard for the graphical display of sociological insights.
Healing of experimental muscle strains and the effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication

The healing process of muscle strains and the effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication were studied using an experimental animal model. A standardized strain of the tibialis anterior muscle in adult male rats was produced by a controlled stretch of the muscle. Groups I and II underwent a unilateral strain of the tibialis anterior muscle and were immobilized in the postinjury period. The rats in Group II were fed piroxi cam in the postinjury period. Group III underwent a sham procedure and were also immobilized. At 0, 2, 4, and 11 days postinjury both injured and contralateral control muscles were evaluated by determining tensile strength characteristics and histologic appearance.Group I showed a significant drop in maximum failure load to 25.7% of the control leg at Day 2 with a gradual return to the level of Group III at Days 4 and 11 (40.9% and 50.1 %). Group II showed a similar drop but was still stronger than Group I at 2 days with 40.8% of the control leg and continued to drop until 4 days ...
Research opportunities in the Hospital Eye Service

Summary An analysis was undertaken of higher degrees by research awarded to optometrists based in the Hospital Eye Service since 1968. When these were considered in conjunction with current registration for higher degrees, it was possible to analyse research areas. The most popular topics were glaucoma, detection and measurement of progression (5); cornea (4); ocular biometry (3); infant vision and development (3); keratoconus (3); and contact lenses (3). In recent years, the scope of research has increased considerably and now embraces epidemiology, health economics and interdisciplinary decision making with other healthcare professionals. Successful completion rates for British College of Optometrist's Scholars for higher degrees for the hospital and university sectors were analysed. The total completion rate was 16/26 (65.4%), university based: 11/20 (55%), and hospital based: 6/6 (100%).
Supporting Client Recovery in Home Care

This article discusses trends in health care with increasing services being provided within the community setting. Challenges are presented relative to diverse client demographics including age. Helping the client adjust to the liminal state while recuperating at home is essential to the achievement of positive outcomes and in supporting the client throughout his or her recovery period.
Spring Forest Qigong and chronic pain: making a difference.

Purpose: Research completed in Asia on various forms of qigong over time has repeatedly linked the practice to positive health outcomes. To demonstrate that Spring Forest Qigong (SFQ) knowledge is easily accessible, promotes self-efficacy, and has measurable health benefits, a pilot study on SFQ and chronic pain was designed. Design: This mixed-methods study oriented 122 subjects to Level 1 SFQ. Method: Participants were required to complete four symptom surveys (including the Visual Analog Scale), attend three group meetings (beginning, middle, end of study), practice SFQ for 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks, and keep a practice record. Findings: Pearson correlation coefficients were computed pairwise between the symptom surveys. Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to assess the association of these variables between the four survey time points, with statistical significance assessed at α =.05. The hypothesis was statistically supported. The active exercise and the meditation aspects of SFQ are effective ...
Bifurcations and fundamental error bounds for fault-tolerant computations

In the emerging nanotechnologies, faulty components may be an integral part of a system. For the system to be reliable, the error of the building blocks has to be smaller than a threshold. Therefore, finding exact error thresholds for noisy gates is one of the most challenging problems in fault-tolerant computations. Under the von Neumann's probabilistic computing framework, we show that computation by circuits built out of noisy NAND gates with an arbitrary number of K inputs under worst case operation can be readily described by nonlinear discrete maps. Bifurcation analysis of such maps naturally gives the exact error thresholds above which no reliable computation is possible. It is further shown that the maximum threshold value for a K-input NAND gate is obtained when K=5. This implies that if one chooses NAND gate as basic building blocks, then the optimal number of inputs for the NAND gate may be very different from the conventional value of 2. The analysis technique generalizes to other types of gates and circuits that use voting to improve reliability, as well as a network built out of the so-called para-restituted NAND gates recently proposed by Sadek et al. Nonlinear dynamics theory offers an interesting perspective to study rich nonlinear interactions among faulty components and design nanoscale fault-tolerant architectures.
One-pot asymmetric synthesis of beta-cyanohydroxymethyl alpha-amino acid derivatives: formation of three contiguous stereogenic centers.

One-pot asymmetric Mannich−hydrocyanation reactions are described. Reaction of unmodified aldehydes with N-PMP-protected α-imino ethyl glyoxylate in the presence of catalytic amounts of l-proline followed by the addition of Et2AlCN provided highly enantiomerically pure β-cyanohydroxymethyl α-amino acid derivatives possessing three contiguous stereogenic centers as single diastereomers (93−99% ee). Control of reaction temperature during the cyanation step directed whether cyclization of the products to lactones occurred.
Use of an anecdotal client feedback note in family therapy.

To attain information about divergent agendas in family therapy, as well as incorporate client feedback, we present the Client Feedback Note (CFN). The CFN elicits information about each family member's feelings, learning, dislikes, and wishes for each session. Anecdotal feedback after each session may help the therapist have better insight into the clients' perceptions and experience of the therapy and the therapist. Sensitivity to information generated by the CFN can help both therapist and client work to coconstruct a therapeutic process that is relevant to the diverse needs of the client system. This manuscript will (a) discuss literature supporting the use of client feedback in therapy; (b) present the CFN and rationale for its development; (c) discuss our experiences utilizing the CFN along with case examples that illustrate its use; and (d) identify practical applications, limitations, and potential research with using the CFN in systemic therapy. Para obtener informacion sobre agendas divergentes en terapia familiar asi como para incorporar comentarios de los pacientes, presentamos la “nota de comentarios del paciente” (Client Feedback Note, CFN). La CFN reune informacion sobre los sentimientos, el aprendizaje, las aversiones y los deseos de cada miembro de la familia para cada sesion. Los comentarios anecdoticos despues de cada sesion pueden ayudar al terapeuta a conocer mejor las percepciones y la experiencia de los pacientes en relacion con la terapia y el terapeuta. La susceptibilidad a la informacion generada por la CFN puede ayudar tanto al terapeuta como al paciente a trabajar para construir juntos un proceso terapeutico que sea pertinente para las distintas necesidades del sistema del paciente. En este manuscrito (a) se debatira la bibliografia que respalda el uso de comentarios del paciente en terapia; (b) se presentara la CFN y las razones de su desarrollo; (c) se explicaran nuestras experiencias al utilizar la CFN junto con ejemplos que demuestran su uso; y (d) se identificaran las aplicaciones practicas, las limitaciones y las posibles investigaciones relacionadas con el uso de la CFN en terapia sistemica. 在家庭心理治疗过程中,为了获得有关各种不同议程的信息以及综合的患者反馈,我们提出患者反馈薄(CFN)的概念。患者反馈薄征集有关每个家庭成员感受,学习,好恶和对每一疗程的希望方面的信息。每一疗程后收集的轶闻式反馈可能帮助治疗师更好的了解患者对治疗和治疗师的看法和体验。患者反馈薄带来的信息可以帮助治疗师和患者共同构建一个能适应患者系统中各种不同需求的治疗过程。本文将讨论a)支持在心理治疗中使用患者反馈的相关文献b) 提出患者反馈薄的概念及其发展的合理性c)我们使用患者反馈薄的经验并通过实例说明其应用d)确定其实际应用领域,局限及有关在系统心理治疗中使用患者反馈薄的潜在研究。
Regulation of Sex-Specific Selection of fruitless 5′ Splice Sites by transformer and transformer-2

In Drosophila melanogaster, the fruitless (fru) gene controls essentially all aspects of male courtship behavior. It does this through sex-specific alternative splicing of the fru pre-mRNA, leading to the production of male-specific fru mRNAs capable of expressing male-specific fru proteins. Sex-specific fru splicing involves the choice between alternative 5' splice sites, one used exclusively in males and the other used only in females. Here we report that the Drosophila sex determination genes transformer (tra) and transformer-2 (tra-2) switch fru splicing from the male-specific pattern to the female-specific pattern through activation of the female-specific fru 5' splice site. Activation of female-specific fru splicing requires cis-acting tra and tra-2 repeat elements that are part of an exonic splicing enhancer located immediately upstream of the female-specific fru 5' splice site and are recognized by the TRA and TRA-2 proteins in vitro. This fru splicing enhancer is sufficient to promote the activation by tra and tra-2 of both a 5' splice site and the female-specific doublesex (dsx) 3' splice site, suggesting that the mechanisms of 5' splice site activation and 3' splice site activation may be similar.
EEG complexity as a biomarker for autism spectrum disorder risk

Complex neurodevelopmental disorders may be characterized by subtle brain function signatures early in life before behavioral symptoms are apparent. Such endophenotypes may be measurable biomarkers for later cognitive impairments. The nonlinear complexity of electroencephalography (EEG) signals is believed to contain information about the architecture of the neural networks in the brain on many scales. Early detection of abnormalities in EEG signals may be an early biomarker for developmental cognitive disorders. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that the modified multiscale entropy (mMSE) computed on the basis of resting state EEG data can be used as a biomarker of normal brain development and distinguish typically developing children from a group of infants at high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), defined on the basis of an older sibling with ASD. Using mMSE as a feature vector, a multiclass support vector machine algorithm was used to classify typically developing and high-risk groups. Classification was computed separately within each age group from 6 to 24 months. Multiscale entropy appears to go through a different developmental trajectory in infants at high risk for autism (HRA) than it does in typically developing controls. Differences appear to be greatest at ages 9 to 12 months. Using several machine learning algorithms with mMSE as a feature vector, infants were classified with over 80% accuracy into control and HRA groups at age 9 months. Classification accuracy for boys was close to 100% at age 9 months and remains high (70% to 90%) at ages 12 and 18 months. For girls, classification accuracy was highest at age 6 months, but declines thereafter. This proof-of-principle study suggests that mMSE computed from resting state EEG signals may be a useful biomarker for early detection of risk for ASD and abnormalities in cognitive development in infants. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an information theoretic analysis of EEG data for biomarkers in infants at risk for a complex neurodevelopmental disorder.
Case Study: The Effects of Severe Winter Weather on Net Energy for Maintenance Required by Yearling Steers

Severe winter storms in southeast Colorado in December of 2006 and January 2007 resulted in severe economic losses for the cattle feeding industry. Two hundred fourteen steers were weighed on December 26, 2006, and average BW (minus 4% pencil shrink) was 558 kg ± 21.7. Over the following 58-d period there was a 7.0% death loss and ADG was −0.13 kg ± 0.21. Average steer BW (minus 4% pencil shrink) was 550 kg ±18.7 on February 22, 2007. Total DM delivered was 53,436.7 kg and average NEm concentration in the diet was 2.263 Mcal/kg DM. Daily DMI averaged 9.67 kg/d per head. Average shrunk BW (SBW) was 554.1 kg and average empty body weight (497.7 kg), empty body gain (−0.00686 kg/d), and retained energy (−0.0283 Mcal/d) were calculated from NRC (2000) equations. The required NEm was 21.9176 Mcal/d per head or 0.1919 Mcal/kg of SBW0.75 These data indicate that NEm required during and in the aftermath of a major winter weather event may be 2.5 fold higher than NEm required (0.077 × SBW0.75) under thermal neutral conditions. Calculations of lower critical temperature and external insulation indicate that the insulation value of the hair coat may have been destroyed by the moisture, mud, and snow following the storm.
Enzymes in organic synthesis: aldol reactions as a route to unusual sugars

Enzymes have been increasingly used as catalysts in practical organic synthesis. This talk illustrates several new practical syntheses of biologically relevant carbohydrates using aldolases as catalysts and summarizes the status of several generic problems in this area.
Comprehensive rheological characterization of chopped and ground switchgrass

Background: In this work the impact of grinding and chopping on the rheological properties of four switchgrass materials (panicum virgatum) is investigated, comparing physical characterization to previously published feeding performance in bulk equipment in a high-tonnage facility, in which chopped materials exhibited dramatically better handling performance than corresponding ground materials. Results: Physical characterization included sieve analysis, automated digital image analysis of particle size and shape distributions, microscopy of particle microstructure, shear tests using two different sizes of ring shear testers, flow tests in a custom hopper with an adjustable outlet, and uniaxial compression and spring back tests. Shear tests failed to demonstrate consistent statistically significant differences between the shear strengths of the chopped and ground materials subjected to uniaxial compression. However, in laboratory-scale hopper flow tests, the chopped materials exhibited substantially better...
SYNOVIAL REGENERATION AND ARTICULAR CARTILAGE CHANGES AFTER SYNOVECTOMY IN NORMAL AND STEROID-TREATED RABBITS

Ltttle is known of the effects of synovectomy on articular cartilage. In order to investigate this matter, anterior synovectomy of the knee was performed in thirty-five normal adult rabbits and in thirty-five which were given 25 milligrams of hydrocortisone intramuscularly each week afterwards. The animals were killed at intervals from four to 110 days after synovectomy. Histological examination of the regenerating synovium in both groups showed complete structural and functional regeneration by eighty days in the first group and a delay in regeneration in the steroid group. Sulphur autoradiographs of the articular cartilage of femoral and tibial condyles revealed surface fibrillation and chondrocyte death in 23 per cent of normal knees after eighty days but only 1.8 per cent of knees of animals receiving hydrocortisone. Thus synovectomy in a healthy joint may have an unfavourable effect on the physiology of cartilage by alteration of synovial composition and hyaluronate content in normal joints. Systemically-administered hydrocortisone may reduce this harmful effect in normal cartilage.
Effects of Video Modeling and Verbal Prompting on Social Skills Embedded Within a Purchasing Activity for Students with Autism

Three junior high school students with autism were taught to engage in a series of social skills through the use of video modeling and verbal prompting as they engaged in purchasing activities in t...
Monoclonal Antibodies in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies

Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies. The monoclonal antibody rituximab plays an integral part in the upfront treatment of both aggressive and indolent CD20-expressing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can be a curative therapy for many hematologic malignancies, much improvement remains to be made to reduce rates of regimen related-transplant toxicity, disease relapse and graft versus host disease (GVHD). The role of monoclonal antibodies in allogeneic HSCT is still being investigated. We have reviewed recent evidence supporting the use of monoclonal antibodies in allogeneic transplantation and have given our recommendations as to the best way to incorporate them in the transplant process.
Anti-inflammatory panacea? The expanding therapeutics of interleukin-1 blockade

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Blockade of interleukin (IL)-1 signaling is one of the oldest biologic therapies, yet the use of these agents is on the rise as the role of IL-1 activation is being recognized in a wide spectrum of inflammatory disorders. This review will cover established and emerging uses of IL-1 antagonism in rheumatic diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Expanding off-label indications for IL-1 blockade include neutrophil-dominant skin diseases, including pyoderma gangrenosum, hidradenitis supperativa, and pustular psoriasis. There is also increasing evidence for the use of IL-1 blockade in heart failure associated with rheumatic diseases. Somatic mosaicism in NLRP3 may explain the onset of later-in-life presentations of periodic fevers which are responsive to IL-1 blockade. Of importance, clinical response to anti-IL-1 therapy does not always denote protection from autoinflammatory disease complications such as macrophage activation syndrome or amyloidosis. SUMMARY Indications for IL-1 blocking therapies will likely continue to broaden, but given the rarity of many rheumatic diseases which respond to such treatment, rigorous, large clinical trials for each indication are unlikely to occur. Thus, recommended use of these medications will often fall to the discretion of the astute physician. However, medication cost and hurdles of insurance approval, rather than drug efficacy, may be the primary limitation for more widespread use.
Vegetarianism: internet resources

This column provides an introductory look at information sources on the Internet that would be of interest to persons wanting to learn about the vegetarian lifestyle from a community of people who have been practicing it and are eager to share their knowledge and experience. The focus is on Web sites that provide information about the health and dietary benefits of vegetarianism.
Conceptual Development of a Lateral Control Device for Road Vehicles

In this paper a concept for an innovative lateral control device for road vehicles is proposed. The goal of this design is to potentially improve driver safety by permitting the operator of a vehicle to maintain a constant hand position on the device at all times. The paper provides a brief review of the history of steering means in automobiles and proposes a control device that takes advantage of modern electrical and computational capability. Recommendations for its configuration and the associated technology required for its use in modern automobiles are presented. The paper concludes with a suggested protocol for the testing of this system and the further research required in order to enhance its commercial feasibility.
Virtual Reality for Treatment Compliance for People with Serious Mental Illness.

This review focuses on schizophrenia, a chronic disabling mental illness affecting approximately 1% of the population. The types of symptoms are broken up into two categories, positive and negative...
A dynamic and integrated model of gastric HCl secretion: Focus on “Computer modeling of gastric parietal cell: significance of canalicular space, gland lumen, and variable canalicular [K+]”

hogben ([5][1]) suggested that only Cl− and H+ were involved in acid secretion, and that active Cl− secretion resulted from the activity of an electrogenic Cl− pump. K+ transport was found to be much lower than Cl− or H+ transport and was dismissed ([5][1]). However, mucosal K+ removal
489 NONINVASIVE IN VIVO MONITORING OF TISSUE HEMOGLOBIN CONTENTS AFTER HEMOGLOBIN-BASED OXYGEN CARRIER INFUSION IN RABBIT HYPOVOLEMIC SHOCK MODEL.

Introduction Despite their oxygen carrying capacities, the efficacy of hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) transfusion has been complicated by several side effects including hemodilution due to high oncotic properties and vasoconstriction from nitric oxide scavenging. Therefore, it is important to monitor in vivo tissue hemoglobin contents (oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations ([OxyHb], [DeOxyHb]), and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) to evaluate the physiologic effects of HBOC transfusion. In this study, the feasibility of a noninvasive diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) system to monitor in vivo tissue hemoglobin concentrations during HBOC infusion is demonstrated using a rabbit hypovolemic shock model. Material and Methods Hemorrhage and fluid replacement in intubated New Zealand White rabbits (N = 6) was accomplished by 20% blood loss and slow infusion of Hb glutamer-200 (Hb-200) (Oxyglobin, Biopure, 0.5 mL/min). The DOS prototype probe was placed on the right inner thigh muscle of the hind leg to assess concentrations of [OxyHb], [DeOxyHb], total tissue hemoglobin concentration (THC = [OxyHb] + [DeOxyHb]) as well as StO2 during bloodletting and volume expansion. These values were compared against traditional invasive measurements. Serum hemoglobin concentration (sHgb), systemic blood pressure, heart rate, and blood gas were monitored at regular intervals throughout the experiment. Results THC and sHgb during shock and HBOC infusion (Figure 1) demonstrate that DOS was able to detect the restoration of THC in tissue after Hb-200 infusion, while systemic sHgb continued to decrease due to significant hemodilution. DOS also enables measurements of tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation status from quantification of [OxyHb] and [DeOxyHb]. Conclusion DOS enables noninvasive in vivo monitoring of oxygen carrying capacity during shock and volume expansion with HBOC and renders insight on distribution of artificial blood substitute at the tissue level.
Review of New Technologies Impact on Components Reliability Modeling in Power Generation and Transmission Systems

With the development of power grid construction and the constantly emerging of new power generation and transmission techniques, the new requirements for power system reliability evaluation are put forward in the aspects of accuracy and comprehensiveness.Starting with the reliability modeling of generation and transmission components, the trends of multi-state models with more consideration factors of the generation and transmission components were analyzed. The probabilistic reliability modeling methods for ultra HVDC transmission, VSC-HVDC, wind power plants with energy store devices, FACTS devices and electric vehicles were discussed, as well as their effects on generation and transmission system reliability and the existing shortcomings of the new devices. Finally, the problems to be further researched in future were proposed.
Dangerous Crossings: Race, Species, and Nature in a Multicultural Age

Dangerous Crossings offers an interpretation of the impassioned disputes that have arisen in the contemporary United States over the use of animals in the cultural practices of nonwhite peoples. It examines three controversies: the battle over the 'cruelty' of the live animal markets in San Francisco's Chinatown, the uproar over the conviction of NFL superstar Michael Vick on dogfighting charges, and the firestorm over the Makah tribe's decision to resume whaling in the Pacific Northwest after a hiatus of more than seventy years. Claire Jean Kim shows that each dispute demonstrates how race and species operate as conjoined logics, or mutually constitutive taxonomies of power. Analyzing each case as a conflict between single optics (the optic of cruelty and environmental harm vs the optic of racism and cultural imperialism), she argues for a multi-optic approach that takes different forms of domination seriously, and thus encourages an ethics of avowal among different struggles.
De Novo Synthesis of 3-Pyrrolin-2-Ones

Abstract This review presents a systematic survey of the literature (through the end of 2014) for de novo syntheses of 3-pyrrolin-2-ones from acyclic precursors or via transformation of other cyclic systems such as pyrroles, pyrrolidinone, and maleimides. One-component intramolecular cyclization approaches, two-component intermolecular cyclization approaches, and multicomponent intermolecular cyclization approaches are treated separately and organized based on the location(s) of the new bonds that are formed in the construction of the 3-pyrrolin-2-one ring system. 3-Pyrrolin-2-ones make important synthetic targets due to their occurrence in natural products, their diverse biological activity, and their utility as building blocks for the preparation of other materials.
Exercise Your Brain

Last May, Dr. Bibiana Campos-Seijo, Editor-in-Chief of C&EN, tweeted about her new world record in the deadlift for her age/weight category. The video clip of Bibiana lifting a 320-lb barbell was a powerful and literal reminder of how working the body can fuel the brain. Getting out of the lab to hit the gym, pool, basketball court, softball field—or even the neighborhood sidewalks—can clear the chemist’s mind for new big ideas and enhance perspective on problems of the day. Such excursions can be social or solitary, competitive or collaborative, intense or meditative. No matter the medium, working out is an important component of our success when we are working in.
IS Integration in the Internet Age: Exploring Alternate Infrastructure Sourcing Strategies

Two fairly new solutions to firms’ requirements for IT integration include vendorsourced ERP systems and internet technology as a unifying and linking component of IT infrastructure. To select a successful integration strategy, managers must accurately identifyand contend with the variety of risks involved. Three bodies of theory are usefu l in helping to analyze risk factors and to predict the probable success or failure of the related integration strategies. First, transaction cost economics offers an economic approach to the analysis of the efficiency of economic markets for the technology in question. Second, the resource-based view of competitive advantage suggests additional risk issues. Third, real options theory provides a means of addressing the problem of investment risk for these resources. The choice of integrating technology appears to reflect and/or affect the firm’s competitive strategy. Through exploration of the three theories and their implications for IT integration resource value, we propose research questions which may lead to expansion of an IT outsourcing theory and provide guidelines for applied decision making.
Bringing Method to the Madness: Sandelowski and Barroso’s Handbook for Synthesizing Qualitative Research

The synthesis of qualitative research has emerged as an important methodology in the contemporary research landscape. In their new book entitled Handbook for Synthesizing Qualitative Research (2007), Margarete Sandelowski and Juliet Barroso successfully bring method to this potentially maddening process of finding, selecting, appraising, and synthesizing results from primary qualitative research studies.